Did you ever hear this that black dogs are put down more

[disneydreamersx4]

in the South?? They don't like black dogs there Do you know why? That's what the rescue group told me about the black lab mix that we are looking to adopt. She said we saved it from being put down.

 

[DMRick]

I've never heard that it was a 'south' thing. Here in the northeast, it's the same for dogs and cats. Black ones are harder to adopt out, because some people don't think they are pretty. Some potential adopters have said they think they look mean.

 

[C.Ann]

No - but not too long ago I posted about a "black pet" adoption clinic that was being held locally.. They were saying that black dogs and cats are rarely adopted..

I was very surprised because in our families, just about every cat we've ever had was black (adult DD had 2 black cats) - and I think black dogs are gorgeous..

I still find the whole thing quite odd - not to mention sad..

 

[Best Aunt]

I've never heard that it was a 'south' thing. Here in the northeast, it's the same for dogs and cats. Black ones are harder to adopt out, because some people don't think they are pretty. Some potential adopters have said they think they look mean.

and thus some shelters put bandanas on black dogs before taking a picture to post on the shelter website. The bandanas supposedly make the dogs look friendlier to potential adopters.

 

[Magic Mom]

I have heard that too. I asked the rescue I adopted Max from about it and she said that it was harder to adopt out black dogs, especially short haired, all black, lab mixes.

 

[DisneyLover1217]

I've never heard of this before. We have a black dog and love him to death, never thought he looked mean or not as "pretty" as the other dogs.

 

[glitterkittyy]

An all black kitten adopted us (showed up at our doorstep crying pitifully), and my husband didn't want to keep it. I asked why, and he said "It's black." After pressing, it came down to thinking black cats were bad luck. Well Snit (that's the cat's name) is still here, and I haven't noticed any bad luck.

So yeah, I married one of THOSE people. But Snit is teaching him everyday that his silly worries about bad luck were totally unfounded. And DH even said that Snit is "cute"! Progress!!

ETA: I realize that this thread is about dogs, but I saw cats mentioned and wanted to address that. I think all dogs and cats are beautiful...well maybe not those ugliest dog contestants. lol But they all deserve love!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'm not surprised about black cats. I had 2 of them when I was young and people would say the weirdest stuff about them crossing their paths, like all those folk tales about witches ect were real But black dogs, I never heard of that before. Come to think about it I don't know of too many people with all black dogs, but the more I think on it I don't see too many all white either, dogs or cats. Maybe it's the solid colors people just aren't into, I know I prefer a mix with white, for some reason the black and tan tend to just intimidate me, like Doberman's or Rottweilers (darn the Omen).

Poor animals, I never gave it much thought before but now my heartstrings are tugging.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yup, that's true everywhere not just in the south. We have a black & tan mutt (think Dobie colors) and they really wanted to adopt him out as a pup because they were afraid if they didn't no one would want him. Well we got him and we are happy we did, he's a great dog.

 

[Magic Mom]

Here are some interesting sites and articles about big black dog syndrome.

http://www.blackpearldogs.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23472518/
http://www.thebark.com/content/black-dogs-face-hard-choice-shelter

 

[MiniGirl]

I have heard that about black cats and dogs, but always heard it was generally true everywhere -- not just in the south. I was always told that people perceive black dogs as more aggressive and vicious and black cats because of the whole "black cat crossing your path" thing.

I have noticed it to be true, too. I had a big, black standard poodle for 12 years and even though he was a complete baby, people were still frightened by him but were perfectly okay with white standards.

When we adopted our kittens this past summer, the shelter workers were so glad when we picked our 2 black kittens. I had forgotten all about the fact that black animals are harder to adopt out until the workers reminded me. I don't think my youngest(7) has ever heard that black cats are suppossed to be bad luck, and my oldes(10) specifically wanted a black cat because had read that some people adopt black cats in order to do "bad" things to them.

 

[minkydog]

I've heard the same thing. In fact, when we adopted Minky at 8 weeks the rescue group actually *thanked* us for taking a black dog since so many people apparently don't want them. I don't know if people think they look mean, or they think there's gonna be dog hair everywhere, or what. All I know is that we've had Minky nearly 10 years now and he's gone from midnight black to gray&black and he's STILL the greatest dog I've ever had(plus, he's a poodle--no shedding)

 

[Maridw]

We have two black cats (one has white markings but the other is solid black). We also have a black lab-cocker mix that we adopted in Feb. They are all very lovable.

I have heard about black dogs and cats being harder to adopt. It is being called "Black Dog Syndrome" (even applying to cats) Part of the reason is that since alot of adoptions start with photos of the animals, it is harder to get the cute facial expressions with a black animals even with a professional photographer without the right lighting. Another problem is the way they are portrayed in the media - both cats and dogs.

I love all of our animals (5 cats and 1 dog), and I was thrilled to take in our little black guy who showed up on our doorstep the weekend before Halloween in 2008. His name is Tinker Boo (was going to be Tinker Bell until we found out she was a he). Our dog, Dahlia, is 8 and she always gets compliments when we take her out. Everyone thinks she is beautiful and well behaved.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Our dog that passed away in the summer was an adopted black lab mix. She was extremely friendly, but even with a big smile on her face and her tail wagging, many people were still afraid of her. Their loss!

 

[Ember]

When I went to adopt a new furbaby there was a beautiful 2 year old black cat there that almost came home with me. But then there was this tiny kitten... The kitten purred and purred and butted her little head against my chin and I was lost. I had never gotten a kitten before because I always tried to pick an older cat as they have a harder time finding homes. But that darn kitten just stole my heart. It's been 10 months now and I have to admit I still wonder what happened to that black cat. . . She was so friendly and so beautiful and my picking the kitten had NOTHING to do with her color.

 

[Planogirl]

I like black cats but then I like all cats. I've never understood the idea that they are unlucky and it's odd that you have to make sure they don't get out on Halloween and that some shelters won't even adopt them out at that time. People can sure be weird.

 

[PlainJane]

That's so sad. I had never even considered such a thing. I guess, if I ever adopt a pet, I'll have to consider this.

 

[Feralpeg]

It is sad, but true. I work with a dog rescue group. The black dogs are harder to adopt out. That is why I recently adopted these two. The owner of the rescue group said that she would have a hard time adopting them out. People looking for rescue dogs don't usually want puppies due to the training issues. It is even harder if they are black puppies.

Merlin

Willow

 

[lemondog]

Really? I am in the South and have never heard of such a thing. I know tons of people with big black labs, we had one growing up. That was the best dog ever! Nothing has ever made me think twice about all black dogs.

Now black cats I can kind of see why they are overlooked. The whole superstition...if a black cat crosses your path you're going to die...kind of thing. But I am not a cat person anyway...ALL cats are a little freaky to me.

 

[simba928]

All black animals are harder to adopt out. Cats more so than dogs, I've noticed. All black, tuxedo and tortie kitties are the hardest. Even kittens will take a long time to adopt. I remember one day at work I adopted out 2 black kitties to 2 seperate families and I ran to the back and told a coworker. It was like a big celebration that we got 2 older black kitties out.

I haven't noticed it as much with black dogs. They do wait longer, but not as big of a difference as with the kitties. The dogs that, to me, seem to take longer are brindles.