Yesterday I watched Ceasar Millan’s Dog Whisperer and, for the first time, heard about the “black dog” syndrome. Although there is no scientific explanation of this phenomenon, animal shelters observe a particular trend in adoptions. And it doesn’t bode well for the black pooch. Potential adopters subconsciously gravitate to lighter coloured dogs and overlook the black ones. Some attribute this behaviour to the perception that black dogs with black eyes are more difficult to read, or that they don’t show well in photos, when people look for adoptable dogs online. There are also superstitions: a black dog is an evil apparition found in the folklores of the British Isles; in Taiwan real black dogs are considered a real bad ju-ju, and if a black dog sports white “socks,” even more so.
My dogs are predominantly black with elegant white socks, and they are the cutest pups in the world. (Please forgive me if I am being a bit subjective here. 
) I also have to admit that the male, whose eyes are much darker than his sister’s, may certainly look inscrutable on photos. But he’s got such an expressive face, that he never fails to make a positive impression when people meet him in person. (As long as those people are not riding bicycles )
image by reflectionsinapuddle
If you are not superstitious and are thinking about adopting a dog, especially from a shelter, before you make your decision, have a closer look at the cool K9s in black. Who knows, maybe one of them will win your heart.
Related posts
- Black Cat And Dog Syndrome (philadelphia.cbslocal.com)
- Black Russian Terrier Dogs (dogster.com)
- Photo of the day – black labrador dog (photographybypixie.wordpress.com)
- http://www.cesarsway.com/community/pettravel/Travels-with-My-Dog-Casey-Black-Dog-Syndrome
Being more of a cat person, I never realized that black dogs were any different than any other dog. One of my favorites in the dog world has always been the black lab. That would be my first choice if I were to actively seek a dog as a companion. Thus, of course, I find this article very interesting. Thanks for sharing the info. Of course, I’m still sticking with a black lab as far as favorites go.
I like black labs myself. They are gorgeous canines! And I see many black dogs in my neighbourhood. Once we met two huge black German Shepherds. They were so beautiful, but I found them a bit intimidating, black and all. So I believe it might be more difficult to have black dogs adopted.
I had no idea. Very interesting! We had a gray Schnauzer who was the love of our life…I’m sure she must have had some black in that lovely fur!
I forgot to say that my kids are foster parents for kittens for the Humane Society. They have said the same thing about black kittens. They have had some of the most beautiful, sweet, adorable kittens that are all black. They worry the kittens will not be adopted, or adopted late in life. So sad.
It’s so kind of your kids being foster parents. I can see how black kittens can be overlooked in the adoption process, just because of some stupid superstitions. But the kittens are already lucky that they’ve found a loving foster family, even if for a little while. I wish them good luck with adoptions!
I have a Boston Terrier who is mostly black and a black cat. I would love to adopt more animals but I just don’t have the space right now. I hope in the future to enlarge our family and to adopt older animals.
So, you are not superstitious then. Good for you! I am thinking about fostering or adopting more dogs, in addition to our two dogs and a cat. But right now we are renovating and the house is a mess, and there are other factors that affect my decision, so I will have to wait a little bit as well.
Oh my word that lab is cute. How could somebody not want it?
It’s the same with black cats, even worse. I didn’t know this prejudice also existed for dogs. I have two black cats and where they came from there were a lot of rooms only for black cats. Nobody wanted them I wrote about it on my blog on Halloween once.
Where I come from, superstition runs rampant. Black cats are considered bad luck especially if they cross your path. Yet a lot of people like to keep black cats as pets. Maybe they believe that if you have a black cat as a pet, it brings you good luck? Which brings us to a different idea – it’s necessary to plant a new “superstition” that black animals are particularly good luck to have.
My boyfriend is British where black cats are considered to be lucky. In Canada as well it seesm but not in Continental Europe or the US. That’s interesting somehow.
I find that in Canada people are not too superstitious, but you are correct about Continental Europe and especially Eastern Europe.
i didn’t know about the belief in UK that black cats bring good luck. I think it’s a good one.
Interesting! I’d never have thought it. But then, I instinctively head for the all-black ones, both kittens and puppies. Must be my contrary nature!
I beg to differ: it must be your KIND nature
So cute the first one!!!
Did you catch the article about this in the Herald today?
http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Calgary+shelter+black+pets+shunned/6322122/story.html
No, I didn’t. Interesting…
This is an issue that rescues and shelters face that more people need to be aware of. Thanks for posting.
In my country, black cat is considered unlucky..
i have adopted a black dog from a shelter in lithuania and I am very happy whith my selection!
and he haves a “white sock on left paw”
and he is looking like the blach puppy in the first photo!
Your pups are adorable
anne
So Adorable my friend
The most loving and protective of animals
Has more loving feelings than some humans
Look after them and they will care for you and yours
I have had 2 of these and both as sweet natured as you could wish for
Real friends and so protective
Pity that we remember the Black Dog day as these are really the opposite
Chris
What kind of flag dog. Breed. Is the first puppy picture. I have a dog like that but the shelter never found out what breed is it