“Black Dog Syndrome or Bias” is very real. You may not have heard of it... but it is real and rescue
and shelter workers have been fighting against it for years.
Black dogs are generally harder to find homes for, they are very often the last dogs to be adopted, and the
first dogs to be euthanized (along with Pit Bulls and other "bully breeds").
If you don't work in rescue it can be hard to imagine that it would be harder to adopt out a dog based mainly
on the color of his/her fur. Most people have never even heard of "Black Dog Syndrome / Bias", other people simply
believe that there are more black dogs in shelters because black is a genetically dominant color for many breeds.
With so much technology at hand, more people are using the internet to search for their next forever friend. They scan through picture after picture looking for that perfect face that makes their heart skip a beat. A black dog's beautiful features do not always show up well in photographs and yes, it is harder to get a great picture of a black dog than it is of a lighter color dog. Is this why they are harder to find that forever home for?
In Hollywood and in literature white is always a heroic color and black is always the villain. And because they can be difficult to photograph, they are less likely to be used in commercials and advertising. Black dogs that appear in movies, television or books are generally used to portray the aggressive and dangerous characters. All of these factors tend to leave the public with a poor "taste in their mouths" about black dogs. It may be a subconscious impression, but is it true?
In everyday language, black is generally the color of “evil,” depression, and sadness. If you see an advertisement about depression it may be in gray tones, there may be a person walking a black dog, with a black cloud overhead, wearing black clothing.
Even black cats carry a bad stigma. In some cultures black cats are considered good luck, and in others they are considered bad luck. The folklore surrounding black cats varies from culture to culture. In Great Britain, black cats are seen as lucky and are often given in token form to brides. The Scottish believe that a strange black cat's arrival to the home signifies prosperity. In Celtic mythology, a fairy known as the Cat Sìth takes the form of a black cat. Black cats are also considered good luck in Japan.[3] Furthermore, it is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors.[4] However in Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches, and so most of western and southern Europe considers the black cat a symbol of bad luck, especially if one crosses paths with a person, which is believed to be an omen of misfortune and death. In Germany, some believe that black cats crossing a person's path from left to right, is a bad omen. But from right to left, the cat is granting favorable times. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_cat)
An animal’s color does not affect his or her temperament or personality. A black dog or cat will be just as playful and loving and fun as any other dog or cat. When you are looking on petfinder.com or at your local animal expo or animal control facility, stop and take a closer look at all of the black animals that they have too. Make sure to notice those hidden pups and kitties because they need great forever homes, too. You might just find your next forever friend when you stop and take a closer look!
Click here to return to the Knowledge Base menu: Knowledge Base
and shelter workers have been fighting against it for years.
Black dogs are generally harder to find homes for, they are very often the last dogs to be adopted, and the
first dogs to be euthanized (along with Pit Bulls and other "bully breeds").
If you don't work in rescue it can be hard to imagine that it would be harder to adopt out a dog based mainly
on the color of his/her fur. Most people have never even heard of "Black Dog Syndrome / Bias", other people simply
believe that there are more black dogs in shelters because black is a genetically dominant color for many breeds.
With so much technology at hand, more people are using the internet to search for their next forever friend. They scan through picture after picture looking for that perfect face that makes their heart skip a beat. A black dog's beautiful features do not always show up well in photographs and yes, it is harder to get a great picture of a black dog than it is of a lighter color dog. Is this why they are harder to find that forever home for?
In Hollywood and in literature white is always a heroic color and black is always the villain. And because they can be difficult to photograph, they are less likely to be used in commercials and advertising. Black dogs that appear in movies, television or books are generally used to portray the aggressive and dangerous characters. All of these factors tend to leave the public with a poor "taste in their mouths" about black dogs. It may be a subconscious impression, but is it true?
In everyday language, black is generally the color of “evil,” depression, and sadness. If you see an advertisement about depression it may be in gray tones, there may be a person walking a black dog, with a black cloud overhead, wearing black clothing.
Even black cats carry a bad stigma. In some cultures black cats are considered good luck, and in others they are considered bad luck. The folklore surrounding black cats varies from culture to culture. In Great Britain, black cats are seen as lucky and are often given in token form to brides. The Scottish believe that a strange black cat's arrival to the home signifies prosperity. In Celtic mythology, a fairy known as the Cat Sìth takes the form of a black cat. Black cats are also considered good luck in Japan.[3] Furthermore, it is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors.[4] However in Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches, and so most of western and southern Europe considers the black cat a symbol of bad luck, especially if one crosses paths with a person, which is believed to be an omen of misfortune and death. In Germany, some believe that black cats crossing a person's path from left to right, is a bad omen. But from right to left, the cat is granting favorable times. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_cat)
An animal’s color does not affect his or her temperament or personality. A black dog or cat will be just as playful and loving and fun as any other dog or cat. When you are looking on petfinder.com or at your local animal expo or animal control facility, stop and take a closer look at all of the black animals that they have too. Make sure to notice those hidden pups and kitties because they need great forever homes, too. You might just find your next forever friend when you stop and take a closer look!
Click here to return to the Knowledge Base menu: Knowledge Base
Copyright© 2010-2014, Secondhand Snoots Rescue, NFP - All Rights Reserved
501(c)(3) charitable organization; Illinois Department of Agriculture Licensed #14085
P.O. Box 7798 Gurnee, IL 60031 | info@secondhandsnoots.org
http://www.secondhandsnoots.org
501(c)(3) charitable organization; Illinois Department of Agriculture Licensed #14085
P.O. Box 7798 Gurnee, IL 60031 | info@secondhandsnoots.org
http://www.secondhandsnoots.org
Quick Links: Home -- Puppy Basics -- Dogma -- Dog Sign Language Training -- Deaf Dog Training Tips
Black Dog Syndrome -- ASPCA's Pet-Safe Gardening -- ASPCA's People Foods to Avoid
Black Dog Syndrome -- ASPCA's Pet-Safe Gardening -- ASPCA's People Foods to Avoid
Puppy Basics -- Dogma -- Sign Language -- Deaf Dog Training -- ASPCA's Pet-Safe Gardening -- ASPCA's People Foods to Avoid