I'm Juz Sayin'

Say it loud,

I'm black and I'm proud!

~James Brown~

The Godfather of Soul

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Did you know that big, black dogs are often the last to be adopted from animal shelters — a phenomenon known in pet rescue circles as "Black Dog Syndrome"?

Anyone who has worked or volunteered in a shelter can attest to the fact that animals (cats and dogs) with black coats are the hardest to adopt out, they're in the shelters the longest and therefore, they're most likely to be euthanized.

One of the most common reasons given for BDS is a reluctance to adopt certain breeds of dogs (Rottweiler, Dobie) because of their perceived aggressiveness.

Others speculate that black dogs just don't have the right look to catch the eye of potential adopters. There are several things a shelter can do to avoid black dog syndrome. One way is to photograph the black dog against a brighter, more visually appealing background. Black dogs tend to fade into the background when not properly lit, which can make them less appealing than other breeds.

Another tip is to heavily promote the benefits of darker coated dogs whenever possible. In other words, shelter workers should sell the breed, not the color. Many potential pet adopters would consider a larger black dog with a gentle disposition (Lab, for example) than a smaller dog with too much energy.

Anything that can be done to prevent future cases of BDS is certainly worth pursuing.

I'm certainly glad I found my big, black dog in time. I rescued Buddy on his "last day" at the shelter.

Happy Trails,