Black Dog Syndrome
BIG & Black
Did you know that black dogs, especially big black dogs, such as Labs and Lab mixes, Rottweilers, Chows, or Newfoundlands, are usually the last ones to be adopted from shelters or rescue groups? Black dogs, and cats too, are euthanized at a higher rate than other animals.
This phenomenon is so common it even has a name: Big Black Dog Syndrome.
Here are some of the theories given for why black-coated dogs don’t get adopted more easily.
1. They don’t show up well in a kennel. It isn’t easy to distinguish their features, and, if they have any gray or white hairs on their face, they often appear older than they are.
2. Superstitions give black dogs and cats bad press. In European and British folklore black dogs often appear as evil forces portending death to those who see them. Writers like Sir Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle perpetuated these superstitions by using spectral hounds, usually black and fearsome, in their stories and poems. These tales may pass into people’s beliefs subconsciously.
3. "Black is evil" When the shelter has a golden retriever mix and a flat-coated retriever mix, very alike dogs, the light-colored dog will usually be adopted before the dark one.
4. People have a harder time reading their body language and expressions.
5. Teeth on black dogs look whiter and more menacing than on other colored dogs.
6. There is an overabundance of black or black and tan dogs so people don’t pay attention to them because they are common.
7. Black dogs aren’t as photogenic. This makes a difference for shelters that put pictures of animals awaiting adoption in the newspaper. Black dogs may have expressive eyes, but they don’t show up in pictures.
WHAT SHELTERS CAN DO TO HELP
Shelters need to get creative in showcasing black dogs. Many use gimmicks to draw attention to wonderful BBD’s.
Accessorize. A colorful hat or scarf on the dog helps to break up all that solid black in a photo. Blue scarves or red devil ears at Halloween help get people’s attention. A ball in the dog’s mouth or a tongue hanging out is good, but a dog who is eating or barking looks vicious. Profile shots are better than full face, and light backgrounds show the dog off well.
The name’s the thing. Creative names on black dog kennels make people stop to notice the name and look at the dog. One animal shelter volunteer started naming black cats Jellybean. People began noticing the cats with that name and adopting them.
The power of one. Take black dogs out of the cages. Try not to cluster them together in a line of kennels. Put them in better-lighted, more accessible kennels, intersperse them with other colored dogs and make their kennels friendly looking with beds and toys. A trick or polite “Sit” will make them more adoptable. It’s also good to have up-beat, positive write-ups of them on their kennels.
Ready for my close-up. People often can’t see the beauty of the dog beneath the curls and mats in their hair. Grooming ends that problem and makes people realize how beautiful the dog is.
Saw this mentioned by some members here, and I've heard about this syndrome to. It happens in my humane society too, the dark colored ones are always the last to be looked at, especially if they're big. I've always thought it was because it can be harder to read the dog's expression and body language. Any thoughts?
Did you know that black dogs, especially big black dogs, such as Labs and Lab mixes, Rottweilers, Chows, or Newfoundlands, are usually the last ones to be adopted from shelters or rescue groups? Black dogs, and cats too, are euthanized at a higher rate than other animals.
This phenomenon is so common it even has a name: Big Black Dog Syndrome.
Here are some of the theories given for why black-coated dogs don’t get adopted more easily.
1. They don’t show up well in a kennel. It isn’t easy to distinguish their features, and, if they have any gray or white hairs on their face, they often appear older than they are.
2. Superstitions give black dogs and cats bad press. In European and British folklore black dogs often appear as evil forces portending death to those who see them. Writers like Sir Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle perpetuated these superstitions by using spectral hounds, usually black and fearsome, in their stories and poems. These tales may pass into people’s beliefs subconsciously.
3. "Black is evil" When the shelter has a golden retriever mix and a flat-coated retriever mix, very alike dogs, the light-colored dog will usually be adopted before the dark one.
4. People have a harder time reading their body language and expressions.
5. Teeth on black dogs look whiter and more menacing than on other colored dogs.
6. There is an overabundance of black or black and tan dogs so people don’t pay attention to them because they are common.
7. Black dogs aren’t as photogenic. This makes a difference for shelters that put pictures of animals awaiting adoption in the newspaper. Black dogs may have expressive eyes, but they don’t show up in pictures.
WHAT SHELTERS CAN DO TO HELP
Shelters need to get creative in showcasing black dogs. Many use gimmicks to draw attention to wonderful BBD’s.
Accessorize. A colorful hat or scarf on the dog helps to break up all that solid black in a photo. Blue scarves or red devil ears at Halloween help get people’s attention. A ball in the dog’s mouth or a tongue hanging out is good, but a dog who is eating or barking looks vicious. Profile shots are better than full face, and light backgrounds show the dog off well.
The name’s the thing. Creative names on black dog kennels make people stop to notice the name and look at the dog. One animal shelter volunteer started naming black cats Jellybean. People began noticing the cats with that name and adopting them.
The power of one. Take black dogs out of the cages. Try not to cluster them together in a line of kennels. Put them in better-lighted, more accessible kennels, intersperse them with other colored dogs and make their kennels friendly looking with beds and toys. A trick or polite “Sit” will make them more adoptable. It’s also good to have up-beat, positive write-ups of them on their kennels.
Ready for my close-up. People often can’t see the beauty of the dog beneath the curls and mats in their hair. Grooming ends that problem and makes people realize how beautiful the dog is.
Saw this mentioned by some members here, and I've heard about this syndrome to. It happens in my humane society too, the dark colored ones are always the last to be looked at, especially if they're big. I've always thought it was because it can be harder to read the dog's expression and body language. Any thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sarah: Wren&Cricket&Paco's Momma on -
Great article! Very informative! thanks Steff!
Sarah, Wren and Cricket's Momma
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Permalink Reply by Steff on -
He is a Rottie mix, and darn goofy one! lol. He's such a clown, and a sweetheart too, he loves all the people and animals he meets.
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Permalink Reply by Delilah on -
All of mine are black. It wasnt planned. Since getting Delilah at the Humane Society I've learned about this and plan to adopt black as often as possible. Not just that, animals that come in pairs, older animals, and I'd love to say large ones but I cant handle the big guys/gals! Once you go black you never go back!
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Permalink Reply by Melissa B on -
You know, I've never thought about this but now that this is mentioned, I notice that most of the time its true. Sad, but true. Thanks for the article, made me think.
btw, Chopper is just adorable!!! And masons got luck with those eyes, hes gorgeous.
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Permalink Reply by Steff on
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Thanks, I think so too. Chopper is a lovable guy, and Mason is just irresistible. A lot of people miss out on these dog's wonderful personalities because they aren't a favored color.
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Permalink Reply by Christina Pontius on -
I did not understand this when an animal sanctuary told me about this syndrome. Even GSDs with black saddles have this problem. I have always liked my animals dark or black. I had a black cat. Most of my animals have been black. A couple of years ago on Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) one of the shelters here in Southwest Michigan had their own black Friday "sale". All of that weekend they reduced adoption fees for black pets. They did it because of BBD. I thought that was one of the most creative ideas I had ever heard.
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