March 26, 2008Comments are closed.dogs, shelter procedure
On a recent visit to my local rescue, 12 dogs were looking for a new home 9 of those were black or mostly black.
The consensus amongst the staff was definitely ‘it’s harder to find homes for the black dogs’. In rescue circles this phenomenon is so common it actually has a name; Black Dog Syndrome.
Well firstly, there’s the ‘bad dog’ rap, with the dangerous dog in the movies and on tv, often being black. Add to this the fact it’s often the ‘harder to place breeds’ that are black; the staffies, rotties and dobe mixes (dogs that can look scary to the untrained eye) and you have a negative stereotype that leads to the misconception black dogs are more likely to be aggressive.
Secondly, since there is generally a large number of black dogs in the shelter population, when looking through pens it’s very easy for an adopter to group all the dogs who are black, together in their mind. They think ‘maybe there’s something wrong with that bunch’. While multi-coloured or patchy dogs stand out as an individuals.
Their coats cause other problems too – a few flecks of gray in the muzzle often make black dogs look older than they are. A dog with a lightly brindled coat can look ‘dirty’ when they’re actually not.
And finally, a lack of contrast means often adoring eyes and friendly expressions are hidden. It’s hard to get a good photograph of them and they vanish into the back of poorly lit kennels, making black dogs an invisible exhibit adopters find it hard to connect with.
So what can you do to give black dogs a boost?
Black dogs have white smiles and sleek shiny coats. They benefit hugely from being out of the kennels and in the sunlight where potential adopters can see them really gleam.
When they’re not outside, be sure their kennels are adequatly lit (natural light works especially well) so that they look their best.
The best way to break down peoples’ misconceptions about certain breeds is to introduce them to that breed in person. Use your black dogs as your mascots and get them out meeting and greeting.
Work to teach black dogs good manners both in and out of their pens. By being more approachable and giving them ‘tricks’ they can do for people, you give the dog the greatest chance to connect with potential adopters that may have overlooked them otherwise.
Presentation is everything. Keep your black dogs shiny by toweling any dust of them in between washes. Put an attractive coloured, clean collar or bandana on them (rumour has it, red or pink is the best). And when photographing black dogs, use a contrasting background colour (such as a cream couch or white sand).
Wherever possible, break groups of black dogs up with coloured dogs in alternating kennels.
Never put large numbers of black dogs together or your adopters will skip over them as a group.
With so many black dogs it’s hard to make individuals stand out. Use ‘pet of the week’ spots in local newspapers, posters and online profiles to promote the individual traits of the dog and create a connection with potential adopters.
By being aware of Black Dog Syndrome and taking small steps to combat it, we can make people more aware of our stylish, basic-black companions.
As they say, black is the new black..
See also:
Dogs Today article; ‘Blacklisted’
Big Black Dog Syndrome Podcast
