Black Dog Syndrome

Black dogs and cats are less likely to be adopted from animal shelters than their lighter colored counterparts, and as a result are more likely to be euthanized.

While this ongoing discrimination is not officially tracked, anecdotal reports are prevalent enough that this unfortunate situation actually has a name in the animal welfare world - Black Dog Syndrome. Large black dogs are disproportionately impacted, however black dogs and cats of all sizes are subject to Black Dog Syndrome.

Why do people discriminate against black dogs and cats? Like most discrimination, much of it is a result of perception, superstition or a lack of education. Blackpearldogs.com lists the following reasons for why black dogs are passed up so often for adoption:

• Superstition - this is likely to play a huge part in discrimination against black cats too - people tend to associate black animals with arcane rites and beliefs, as well as simple superstitions - how many of you have tried to avoid being "crossed" by a black cat?


• Negative labels - for example, the use of "Black dog" as a euphamism for depression and those menacing "beware of the dog" signs


• Fear - big black dogs look imposing and it's also harder to read the expressions on a black animal's face - what may look like a goofy doggy grin on one dog, may look like a menacing snarl on a black dog.


• Too common - unfortunately the gene that gives an animal a black coat is a dominant gene, which means there are more of them. As a result, they are passed over by people wanting something "unique" which compounds the issues that result in so many black animals in shelters anyway. Many larger black dogs like labs and pit bulls have bigger litters too, a good reason to support spaying or neutering pets to help with the pet overcrowding problem - black pets already have the stakes loaded against them, without adding more of them unnecessarily to the population.

Other reasons include the fact that older black dogs and cats show white in their muzzles can earlier and look older than they really are; and the fact that in poor lighting conditions or cages, darker animals don't "pop" - they are less likely to be noticed and don't show up as well in the adoption photos shelters post on their websites.

Shelters are taking steps to try and counter Black Dog Syndrome. Some work to make their black dogs less intimidating and easier to notice, by putting brightly colored, eye-catching blankets and toys in their kennels, tying bandannas around their necks and taking the dogs to a well-lit area outside to have their photo taken for their Web site. Madeline Bernstein, the president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles has her shelters tie pink ribbons around the necks of the girls, and fasten big bow ties around the necks of the boys. Other shelters even run special offer discounts on adoption fees for black animals.

Petroglyphs agrees that colorful accessories and good light can help a shelter get a black animal noticed either in person or in a photo, and offers some additional helpful tips, noting that "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".

Other helpful tips for shelters include:

• Give a black animal a light-hearted or creative name to make people stop to notice the name and look at the animal.


• Intersperse the black animals with lighter colored ones, so they're not all clustered together and can stand out a bit more - it also de-emphasizes the numbers of black animals in the shelter.


• Definitely make sure your write-ups of black animals are up-beat and positive - jazz them up a bit so that these pets don't get overlooked!


• A trick or polite “Sit” will also make them more adoptable by helping people see their friendly, obedient side.


• Be sure to keep up with the grooming to keep their coats glossy and to make sure a black dog's eyes are visible.

Blackpearldogs.com offers some lighthearted reasons for families to adopt a big, black dog: Their color doesn't clash with furniture or clothing, hides dirt well, and is easy to accessorize. In other words, black dogs could be the new black. These reasons apply just as well to black cats!

So the next time you're in a shelter looking for a new addition to the family, please consider those black animals who are all too easily overlooked. Nobody likes being the victim of discrimination, so give a black pet a chance.