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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDo black dogs experience prejudice?
From Cecil Adam's "The Straight Dope"
Cecil Replies: Well, your vet-student pals certainly right about one thing: its an accepted truth among animal-shelter staff that people just dont want to take black dogs home. Articles and message-board commentary from shelter workers attest to this sad injustice; pounds across the country (and in some cases dedicated black-dog rescue groups) host special adoption events to try to get the poor creatures out the door.
Guess what, though? All the concern notwithstanding, this phenomenon known as black dog syndrome doesnt seem to actually exist, at least as far as research has been able to demonstrate. And theres a fair amount of research, BDS having long been a hot topic in the shelter world. Among the more recent findings:
A 2013 analysis of 1,200 dogs and puppies at two no-kill shelters in New York State saw no significant variation in length of availability for adoption (LOA, in the lingo) related to coat color. The study did find that LOA increased about a day per year of age for adult dogs, and that medium-sized dogs could expect to wait longest; adopters gravitated toward the smallest dogs and the biggest, and (understandably) to the puppies.
Snip More at:
https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/8959/
Ohiogal
(31,989 posts)of sorts. My sister always adopts shelter dogs and specifically adopts the ones that have been there a long time. It seems like white and light color dogs are always the first to get adopted. The shelter workers told her that people have this impression that black dogs appear to be mean. She has had all black dogs all her life except for one or two. She says they are good burglar prevention! Even though her newest one is a real cuddly lap dog but she looks mean!
FSogol
(45,481 posts)higher rate than other dogs (32%).
I posted the article since I always hear people say that, but in my experience, I see dog owners with black dogs every day.
Igel
(35,300 posts)there are still more people saying their perceptions beat out measurement than saying, "Gee, on the basis of measurement perhaps my perceptions or the stories I've heard aren't correct."
That, in itself, has probably been the subject of many a research paper.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Absent actual measurement, peoples' ideas of what things "seem like" are often wrong.
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)Darker colored rats and mice are unacceptable, bad and evil.
Prejudice.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)I have always had two dogs. All my dogs were rescues, except for the white one, who was an offspring of the first black dog I had. What an odd article. I have heard about the hatred toward black cats, which is horrible.
Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)cat because of this.
Anytime there is a black dog roaming the neighborhood, I have a trump supporting neighbor call or knock on my door claiming my dog is out. To be fair six years ago I left a gate open and my dogs did get out and visit her house and many cats. That was the last time my dog broke out. Its really funny to see her face when she runs over all worked up and I open the door and say no my dogs are right here.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)Because they're associated with bad luck.
Every black cat I've met is a sweetheart and a beautiful animal. There's a DUer who posts pics of his beautiful black cat Luna in the Lounge if you don't believe me.
FSogol
(45,481 posts)FSogol
(45,481 posts)crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)I was owned by a gray tabby (Tabby) for almost 18 years. I miss that cat daily and would give anything to hear his loud yowly meow one more time.
Bettie
(16,095 posts)is that there are a lot of lab mixes which tend to be black.
I've had a lot of black dogs in my life and my mother fosters and adopts dog. She currently has 5 black ones.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Codeine
(25,586 posts)IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)had been in the shelter for months, overlooked by most people. Not because of the breed necessarily, as most dogs there had some pit in them, but because the color and expression made him look menacing. He was the opposite- beloved by the people at the shelter and super friendly with anyone who came to visit. He was dying to be adopted! I was lucky to have him and sadly lost him at age 2. Gone too soon...
treestar
(82,383 posts)dogs are prejudiced against other races of people - people of races other than their owners. Black peoples' dogs growled at white people and vice versa. I remember it had some suggestions for training your dog to be less vocal about his/her politically incorrect views!
FSogol
(45,481 posts)pick up on clues quickly.