black dog syndrome

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 02:27 PM

I adopted a black Lab mix, Katy (aka Maddie) from Alaqua Animal Refuge yesterday and I am posting this information b/c it appears she has been the victim of what is known as BLACK DOG SYNDROME. Across the nation black dogs and cats, especially big black dogs are euthanized at alarmingly higher rates than other animals because no one wants to adopt them. It's not really clear WHY this is happening but none the less it is. Some reports suggest black dogs do not photograph and show well on petfinder type listings or you cannot see them well in dimly lit shelter cages. That certainly wasn't the case with Katy because her pics on Petfinder/Alaqua were great and the dog pens at Alaqua are really visually accessibly. What is so sad is that Katy was rescued by Alaqua when she was 6 or 7 months old, she is now 1 1/2 yr old. Almost no one ever looked at her and she was routinely passed over for other lighter colored dogs. I don’t understand why b/c she is an absolute delight. She's probably never lived inside a house so she was/is not housebroken but in the 24 hrs I have had her she is making remarkable progress. She is getting along so well with my other two dogs as well.
So the other reason I am sharing this info is....
Laurie Hood founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge created the Black Dog Society to aid in the black dogs/cats plight. what is desperately needed now is someone with a brilliant idea of how to execute or create a presentation of some kind to help enlighten the general public to the sad unfair realities that so many black furred animals are facing. Sowal has such a diverse readership that I thought it worth sharing this story to ask if those who LOVE animals would think about this and who knows,,,maybe that brilliant idea about how to help is floating around out there....
thanks,,,if you come up with a brilliant idea...actually ANY IDEA is a good idea, email me at tcline@teresaclinegallery.com or contact Laurie Hood at Alaqua Animal Refuge...we are all ears!

Also I am currently working on a web page to FEATURE the BLACK DOGS AND CATS available from Alaqua Animal Refuge on the www.goingtothedogsfl.com web site where we will be able to showcase them along with little personality profiles ....check it out.
Thanks all!

**aggieb** · 08-09-2009, 02:43 PM

funny you should mention this, because when we went to our friends for a dinner party a couple of weekends ago one of their friends had recently adopted a black lab mix. she was so precious and playful and the mom mentioned to us about black dog syndrome. i had never heard of this before. it's so unfortunate and really odd, i thought. so getting the word out is definitely a must, because black dogs and cats are just as special. as a matter of fact all black really furry cats are my favorite. who wouldn't want one of those!?! so glad you have a new companion/fur friend.

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by aggieb

funny you should mention this, because when we went to our friends for a dinner party a couple of weekends ago one of their friends had recently adopted a black lab mix. she was so precious and playful and the mom mentioned to us about black dog syndrome. i had never heard of this before. it's so unfortunate and really odd, i thought. so getting the word out is definitely a must, because black dogs and cats are just as special. as a matter of fact all black really furry cats are my favorite. who wouldn't want one of those!?! so glad you have a new companion.

you are right aggieb,,,getting the word out is key to this issue.
thank you , I am glad to add another fur child to the mix...LOL!

**seagrovegirl** · 08-09-2009, 02:55 PM

This is interesting, when I adopted my 3rd black dog, someone mentioned it was nice of me to pick the black one over one of the brown ones (Aussie's).

All of my babies needed a home and I either found them or they found me, and they are all black. It wasn't a preferrence thing, it just happened the way it did.

Do you think the black dog syndrome is because a black dog appears to be more menacing????

**Teresa** · 08-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by T.Cline

I adopted a black Lab mix, Katy (aka Maddie) from Alaqua Animal Refuge yesterday and I am posting this information b/c it appears she has been the victim of what is known as BLACK DOG SYNDROME. Across the nation black dogs and cats, especially big black dogs are euthanized at alarmingly higher rates than other animals because no one wants to adopt them. It's not really clear WHY this is happening but none the less it is. Some reports suggest black dogs do not photograph and show well on petfinder type listings or you cannot see them well in dimly lit shelter cages. That certainly wasn't the case with Katy because her pics on Petfinder/Alaqua were great and the dog pens at Alaqua are really visually accessibly. What is so sad is that Katy was rescued by Alaqua when she was 6 or 7 months old, she is now 1 1/2 yr old. Almost no one ever looked at her and she was routinely passed over for other lighter colored dogs. I don�t understand why b/c she is an absolute delight. She's probably never lived inside a house so she was/is not housebroken but in the 24 hrs I have had her she is making remarkable progress. She is getting along so well with my other two dogs as well.
So the other reason I am sharing this info is....
Laurie Hood founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge has created the Black Dog Society to aid in the black dogs/cats plight. what is desperately needed now is someone with a brilliant idea of how to execute or create a presentation of some kind to help enlighten the general public to the sad unfair realities that so many black furred animals are facing. Sowal has such a diverse readership that I thought it worth sharing this story to ask if those who LOVE animals would think about this and who knows,,,maybe that brilliant idea about how to help is floating around out there....
thanks,,,if you come up with a brilliant idea...actually ANY IDEA is a good idea, email me at tcline@teresaclinegallery.com or contact Laurie Hood at Alaqua Animal Refuge...we are all ears!

Also I am currently working on a web page to FEATURE the BLACK DOGS AND CATS available from Alaqua Animal Refuge on the www.goingtothedogsfl.com web site where we will be able to showcase them along with little personality profiles ....check it out.
Thanks all!

she's beautiful TCline! congrats!

I've heard of the Black Dog Syndrome, and it does seem bizarre.... While I think black dogs and cats are gorgeous, I tend to think of the black hair that will be all over my house. I've had brown and yellow hair all over my house. and black would probably not be a bit different. so, while I have had these thoughts when deciding which color pet I'm looking for, I know it isn't really logical - so glad people are talking about this, bringing it out for their consideration when choosing pets - black is truly beautiful.

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

This is interesting, when I adopted my 3rd black dog, someone mentioned it was nice of me to pick the black one over one of the brown ones (Aussie's).

All of my babies needed a home and I either found them or they found me, and they are all black. It wasn't a preferrence thing, it just happened the way it did.

Do you think the black dog syndrome is because a black dog appears to be more menacing????

Thats one explanation for it seagrovegirl... the fear factor of the black dog/cat = death, or evil is stuck in the unconscious mind I read.

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

she's beautiful TCline! congrats!

I've heard of the Black Dog Syndrome, and it does seem bizarre.... While I think black dogs and cats are gorgeous, I tend to think of the black hair that will be all over my house. I've had brown and yellow hair all over my house. and black would probably not be a bit different. so, while I have had these thoughts when deciding which color pet I'm looking for, I know it isn't really logical - so glad people are talking about this, bringing it out for their consideration when choosing pets - black is truly beautiful.

thanks TooTsie!...
I got a big chuckle out of your statement about what color animal hair all over ones house...there could be something to that as a consideration,,,cuz there sure is a LOT of it!!

**seagrovegirl** · 08-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by T.Cline

thanks TooTsie!...
I got a big chuckle out of your statement about what color animal hair all over ones house...there could be something to that as a consideration,,,cuz there sure is a LOT of it!!

My house it the PERFECT example of black dog hair. When I empty the vacuum canister there is so much black hair, it's like I am throwing out another dog!!!!

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

My house it the PERFECT example of black dog hair. When I empty the vacuum canister there is so much black hair, it's like I am throwing out another dog!!!!

that's the truth!

**Alicia Leonard** · 08-09-2009, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

My house it the PERFECT example of black dog hair. When I empty the vacuum canister there is so much black hair, it's like I am throwing out another dog!!!!

Originally Posted by T.Cline

that's the truth!

My three should be nakked by now, according to the amount of black hair I vacuum up every day.

**SneakyPete** · 08-09-2009, 03:52 PM

My house it the PERFECT example of black dog hair. When I empty the vacuum canister there is so much black hair, it's like I am throwing out another dog!!!!

My husband swears I'm trying to collect a complete set of dogs of varying sizes and colors. We just need a yellow dog, a gray dog and a toy dog to complete our set! We've already got a an extra large brown dog, a small white dog, a large red dog, and a medium black dog. When you whir the fur together in the vacuum canister, it looks gray.

When I volunteered at an animal control shelter, the only time I saw black dogs in particular being passed over was if we had a large number of them, and since black labs are very popular, there were many occasions when we had an overabundance.

Small dogs of any color (and of ANY tempermant) went long before large dogs of any color.

Large dogs and dogs of certain breeds were a difficult sell. You can't give a Chow away. (Oh, well apparently you can sometimes, since we have one.)

Dogs in the 5-10 month range are also difficult to place. People are generally either looking for a little puppy or an adult dog. The dogs in that age range are neither.

Large litters were bad too simply because you had a large number of a single breed/size when the chances of 10 people wanting that particular breed/size in a short period of time are slim. A few would find homes and the others would languish, growing up in the shelter (like our dog #4 who grew up in the shelter without ever having anyone interested in her -- and she's a GEM!)

It sounds as if your Katie had several things against her -- black dog, middling age (neither puppy nor adult), overabundant breed, and large breed. Very sad. Very frustrating. Glad she "won the lottery" and found you!

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by SneakyPete

My husband swears I'm trying to collect a complete set of dogs of varying sizes and colors. We just need a yellow dog, a gray dog and a toy dog to complete our set! We've already got a an extra large brown dog, a small white dog, a large red dog, and a medium black dog. When you whir the fur together in the vacuum canister, it looks gray.

When I volunteered at an animal control shelter, the only time I saw black dogs in particular being passed over was if we had a large number of them, and since black labs are very popular, there were many occasions when we had an overabundance.

Small dogs of any color (and of ANY tempermant) went long before large dogs of any color.

Large dogs and dogs of certain breeds were a difficult sell. You can't give a Chow away. (Oh, well apparently you can sometimes, since we have one.)

Dogs in the 5-10 month range are also difficult to place. People are generally either looking for a little puppy or an adult dog. The dogs in that age range are neither.

Large litters were bad too simply because you had a large number of a single breed/size when the chances of 10 people wanting that particular breed/size in a short period of time are slim. A few would find homes and the others would languish, growing up in the shelter (like our dog #4 who grew up in the shelter without ever having anyone interested in her -- and she's a GEM!)

It sounds as if your Katie had several things against her -- black dog, middling age (neither puppy nor adult), overabundant breed, and large breed. Very sad. Very frustrating. Glad she "won the lottery" and found you!

SneakyPete sounds like you have done some time in an animal shelter.

you are right about Katy being a Lotto winner...my dogs are spoiled rotten!

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by aleonard

My three should be nakked by now, according to the amount of black hair I vacuum up every day.

oh yeah,,,,I always think my vac gets so much use and abuse that Sears should hire me and my animals for a commercial to promote one tough vacuum.

**bluemtnrunner** · 08-09-2009, 04:58 PM

Even the pound, including Alaqua from what I was told wouldn't take the black lab pup we adopted because they were full. If I'm going to have a dog that sheds I prefer the black fur. It doesn't show up on my black skirts when I have to go to the office the way that white fur would.
My sister has a black giant schnauzer and his face CANNOT be seen in photos, it is funny.

**Beach Runner** · 08-09-2009, 05:14 PM

We like poodles because they are so loving and smart and don't shed. We have had three chocolate miniature poodles -- never wanted white or buff because they get discoloration around the eyes, mouth, and other places. After having a Weim, we decided we wanted another larger dog, but not a Weim because we were still mourning our Winnie. So we sought out a black standard poodle. They are pricier than white ones, so I don't see them suffering from black dog syndrome.

However, what they do suffer from is melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Our Pepper had a toe amputated last summer due to melanoma. Apparently there are quite a few breeds of large black dogs that have are susceptible for getting skin cancer.

**wrobert** · 08-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Sorry guys but never heard of black dog syndrome. I asked a vet friend and he said it was news to him. But he has only being doing the vet thing for over thirty years. My daughter worked at a vet, never heard of it. I did not realize people considered color when looking for pets, never been an issue with me, but does have me wondering about the cultural thing after reading all of these posts.

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

Sorry guys but never heard of black dog syndrome. I asked a vet friend and he said it was news to him. But he has only being doing the vet thing for over thirty years. My daughter worked at a vet, never heard of it. I did not realize people considered color when looking for pets, never been an issue with me, but does have me wondering about the cultural thing after reading all of these posts.

if you Google it you will bring up information to explain.

**rolling dune** · 08-09-2009, 08:09 PM

Hi T. Cline...I was at Alaqua yesterday when you were there. Wish I had known who you were! Katy/Maddie is one pretty and very lucky girl. You have a great big heart. They gave her a bath right after you left. I am going up tomorow to see about fostering a sweet little girl that has had an unfortunate lot in life and needs some serious TLC. I walked dogs yesterday and can't get her out of my mind. I know Katy must be a very happy girl this weekend.

**Danny Burns** · 08-09-2009, 08:13 PM

The beautiful girl in my avatar (Scout) has been with me for 14 1/2 years. She is spoiled rotten and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love her with all my heart. She is the smartest, most intuitive dog that I have ever lived with...or even heard of. She understands most everything I tell her and does just what she is asked...no yelling or discipline necessary after her initial training as a puppy.

When she learned the word "beach" (her favorite place to go) we (my wife and I) started spelling it out. It took her about a week to figure out that we were spelling "beach" and she started to get excited when we spelled it. There is no way to hide it from her at this time. If we think beach and try to communicate it to each other, she knows it.

We use many hand signals to "speak" to her, but she also knows the difference between front yard and back yard, Jeep and car, and the names of all of her 15 toys. If you tell her to go and get the sheep to play and she wants to play with her lobster, she will go and grab the sheep (to show you that she knows what you mean), fling it back on the toy pile, and bring you the lobster.

As she is in her twilight years, we treasure every moment with our little adopted black/Chow/Labrador/ American girl and will miss her more than we can imagine when she is gone.

Anyone who thinks Chows, any black dog, or any large dog is trouble they should think again. There is no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners. If you want unconditional love, get a good dog, train it well, and have a lifetime of wonderful memories.

T.Cline, you may use this post in any way that may help you in adopting big, black dogs to people who will never regret doing so. Our little girl has been one of the greatest experiences we could have ever wanted out of life.

Danny Burns
Scout's Human

**seagrovegirl** · 08-09-2009, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by analogman

The beautiful girl in my avatar (Scout) has been with me for 14 1/2 years. She is spoiled rotten and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love her with all my heart. She is the smartest, most intuitive dog that I have ever lived with...or even heard of. She understands most everything I tell her and does just what she is asked...no yelling or discipline necessary after her initial training as a puppy.

When she learned the word "beach" (her favorite place to go) we (my wife and I) started spelling it out. It took her about a week to figure out that we were spelling "beach" and she started to get excited when we spelled it. There is no way to hide it from her at this time. If we think beach and try to communicate it to each other, she knows it.

We use many hand signals to "speak" to her, but she also knows the difference between front yard and back yard, Jeep and car, and the names of all of her 15 toys. If you tell her to go and get the sheep to play and she wants to play with her lobster, she will go and grab the sheep (to show you that she knows what you mean), fling it back on the toy pile, and bring you the lobster.

As she is in her twilight years, we treasure every moment with our little adopted black/Chow/Labrador/ American girl and will miss her more than we can imagine when she is gone.

Anyone who thinks Chows, any black dog, or any large dog is trouble they should think again. There is no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners. If you want unconditional love, get a good dog, train it well, and have a lifetime of wonderful memories.

T.Cline, you may use this post in any way that may help you in adopting big, black dogs to people who will never regret doing so. Our little girl has been one of the greatest experiences we could have ever wanted out of life.

Danny Burns
Scout's Human

My brother had a lab/chow mix female named Chloe and she lived for 19 years. She was an amazing dog. She looks alot like the dog in your tar. Thank you for being a grayt, black dog parent.

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by rolling dune

Hi T. Cline...I was at Alaqua yesterday when you were there. Wish I had known who you were! Katy/Maddie is one pretty and very lucky girl. You have a great big heart. They gave her a bath right after you left. I am going up tomorow to see about fostering a sweet little girl that has had an unfortunate lot in life and needs some serious TLC. I walked dogs yesterday and can't get her out of my mind. I know Katy must be a very happy girl this weekend.

awww thats so cool...which girl? I am going up tomorrow morning to start photographing the "less adoptable" dogs for my profiling, I will be sure to get her photo.

Katy spent the day revealing her true nature and she is more than wonderful, loving and smart. When she comes up for some Labby Love you can tell she is soooo grateful to be home.
Today she had her first marrow bone,,,didnt seem to know what it was till her sibs showed her the way...LOL! and she also got to play in the street (dead end-no traffic) with the neighbor Labby and her sibs like a real homey..a north grayton dog. She also had her first swim in the bay...she was in heaven!

good luck with your new foster furkid!

**T Cline** · 08-09-2009, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by analogman

The beautiful girl in my avatar (Scout) has been with me for 14 1/2 years. She is spoiled rotten and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love her with all my heart. She is the smartest, most intuitive dog that I have ever lived with...or even heard of. She understands most everything I tell her and does just what she is asked...no yelling or discipline necessary after her initial training as a puppy.

When she learned the word "beach" (her favorite place to go) we (my wife and I) started spelling it out. It took her about a week to figure out that we were spelling "beach" and she started to get excited when we spelled it. There is no way to hide it from her at this time. If we think beach and try to communicate it to each other, she knows it.

We use many hand signals to "speak" to her, but she also knows the difference between front yard and back yard, Jeep and car, and the names of all of her 15 toys. If you tell her to go and get the sheep to play and she wants to play with her lobster, she will go and grab the sheep (to show you that she knows what you mean), fling it back on the toy pile, and bring you the lobster.

As she is in her twilight years, we treasure every moment with our little adopted black/Chow/Labrador/ American girl and will miss her more than we can imagine when she is gone.

Anyone who thinks Chows, any black dog, or any large dog is trouble they should think again. There is no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners. If you want unconditional love, get a good dog, train it well, and have a lifetime of wonderful memories.

T.Cline, you may use this post in any way that may help you in adopting big, black dogs to people who will never regret doing so. Our little girl has been one of the greatest experiences we could have ever wanted out of life.

Danny Burns
Scout's Human

wonderful story ,,,thank you for sharing it!,,,I would love to incorporate it into the presentation of the BLACK DOG SOCIETY PAGE, would you mind sending a picture?
thanks so much

**Samuelsgran** · 08-09-2009, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

This is interesting, when I adopted my 3rd black dog, someone mentioned it was nice of me to pick the black one over one of the brown ones (Aussie's).

All of my babies needed a home and I either found them or they found me, and they are all black. It wasn't a preferrence thing, it just happened the way it did.

Do you think the black dog syndrome is because a black dog appears to be more menacing????

My avatar is my black beauty Gracie. She was adopted. It took my husband a full year to gain her trust.

**seagrovegirl** · 08-09-2009, 09:54 PM

We love our Gracies....

My Gracie is a solid black Tibetan Terrier....my little girl.

**seagrovegirl** · 08-09-2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

We love our Gracies....

My Gracie is a solid black Tibetan Terrier....my little girl.

She came from Wife #5...it's a long and different kind of story.

**Teresa** · 08-09-2009, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by T.Cline

awww thats so cool...which girl? I am going up tomorrow morning to start photographing the "less adoptable" dogs for my profiling, I will be sure to get her photo.

Katy spent the day revealing her true nature and she is more than wonderful, loving and smart. When she comes up for some Labby Love you can tell she is soooo grateful to be home.
Today she had her first marrow bone,,,didnt seem to know what it was till her sibs showed her the way...LOL! and she also got to play in the street (dead end-no traffic) with the neighbor Labby and her sibs like a real homey..a north grayton dog. She also had her first swim in the bay...she was in heaven!

good luck with your new foster furkid!

you have an awesome family!!!

love the pics. keep 'em coming.

**klauricella** · 08-09-2009, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by T.Cline

awww thats so cool...which girl? I am going up tomorrow morning to start photographing the "less adoptable" dogs for my profiling, I will be sure to get her photo.

Katy spent the day revealing her true nature and she is more than wonderful, loving and smart. When she comes up for some Labby Love you can tell she is soooo grateful to be home.
Today she had her first marrow bone,,,didnt seem to know what it was till her sibs showed her the way...LOL! and she also got to play in the street (dead end-no traffic) with the neighbor Labby and her sibs like a real homey..a north grayton dog. She also had her first swim in the bay...she was in heaven!

good luck with your new foster furkid!

Ahhh what great pictures!!!

**Mermaid** · 08-09-2009, 11:39 PM

That is just the silliest thing that people don't want black haired animals as much as others! Merman and I adopted our black cat Sammy from the local shelter and he's been the best cat we've ever been lucky enough to live with, hands down. Look how my boys are relaxing on a Sunday morning.

Is that not the picture of love?

**Beach Runner** · 08-09-2009, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by Mermaid

That is just the silliest thing that people don't want black haired animals as much as others! Merman and I adopted our black cat Sammy from the local shelter and he's been the best cat we've ever been lucky enough to live with, hands down. Look how my boys are relaxing on a Sunday morning.

Is that not the picture of love?

I didn't notice the cat. That is a picture of a sexy man.

Daughter adopted a black cat from the Atlanta Humane Society. They interview potential owners of black cats very carefully to avoid any ritualistic activities. And they don't allow black cats to be adopted in October.

**T Cline** · 08-10-2009, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

I didn't notice the cat. That is a picture of a sexy man.

Daughter adopted a black cat from the Atlanta Humane Society. They interview potential owners of black cats very carefully to avoid any ritualistic activities. And they don't allow black cats to be adopted in October.

thats wild,,,to think of someone using a black animal for ritual or worse..

I was on one of the many Atlanta area rescue sites a few days ago...and I literally got ill from the reality of so many Labradors and Lab mixes on there, I had to just turn away from this site. It should be made mandatory to stay/neuter to get dog tags in Atlanta area. Why so many Labs in Atlanta? I dont get that?

**T Cline** · 08-10-2009, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

She came from Wife #5...it's a long and different kind of story.

Wife #5!! whoa...I bet thats a duzzy of a story!

**Teresa** · 08-10-2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Mermaid

That is just the silliest thing that people don't want black haired animals as much as others! Merman and I adopted our black cat Sammy from the local shelter and he's been the best cat we've ever been lucky enough to live with, hands down. Look how my boys are relaxing on a Sunday morning.

Is that not the picture of love?

what a great pic of merman and cat!