Posted on 03/05/2008 7:39:17 AM PST by paleorite
While searching for a companion for George Bailey, Gregg was shocked to see a banner on an Ohio animal shelter's Web site that detailed how tough it is for big dogs with black coats to find homes.
"It said something like, 'We know that you people prefer colors, but we've got wonderful black dogs here, won't you please consider them?'" recalls Gregg, who's 49 and lives in Xenia, Ohio. "I was shocked, because I think that black dogs are beautiful — and I couldn't believe people would not get a dog based on its color."
To the uninitiated, the idea seems so strange — doggie discrimination? But among those in animal rescue circles, the phenomenon is commonplace enough to have earned its own name: "black dog syndrome."
Bernstein has plenty of theories about why people might not want black dogs in animal shelters. It's mostly an unconscious thing, she says, which may explain why black cats have the same problems finding a home. People who are aware of superstitions about black cats (don't let them cross your path!) may also be unconsciously harboring superstitions about black dogs.
Too hard to see But it may be the simplest reason that's costing these dogs a good home — their black coats can make them invisible in poorly lit kennels. (Same problem happens with amateur photos on shelters' Web sites, which is how many people find the dog they intend to adopt.)
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
In some asian/island cultures black dogs have “health properties” and are sought after for dinner (and I am not talking about as a guest either).
Do we need an Affirmative Action program for canines?
This probably has more to do with the appearance of black hair on furnture, clothes and carpent. I hope the article is kind of joking.
This black lab owner agrees whole-heartedly.
8 of my last 12 dogs were black.
What a stupid @ss article. Poor lighting? geez...
Its BBD Syndrome. Lots of people are afraid of big, black dogs. Ironically, every dog I’ve had in my life from childhood to now, has been black! Next one will be... black. :)
We have two absolutely adorable black Lab mixes we adopted from a shelter. Their whole litter of seven got adopted really fast. At least four other black dogs within a two block radius of us. Maybe people just like black dogs in Iowa?
Hmmmm... Barack-star just lost in Ohio. The anti-black dog owners are in Ohio. Coincidence?
Maybe MSNBC is just trying to show us just how deep the racism is in Ohio?
Bitches and minority canines hardest hit.
Love em all. Color is irrelevant.
Just for disclosure, I (we) own two dogs. Neither is black, though. One is a brownish shiba inu; everyone thinks she is a fox (literally). We almost bought a black (mostly) and tan shiba, but wound up with a sheltie mix; he’s a klutz, but friendly.
I lost my best friend, Betty, last year. She was a Rottie, Dalmation mix and looked like a big, black Lab with a wider jaw. Smartest, sweetest dog I ever knew. Now I have a blue Weime named Heidi.
It's so heartbreaking!!
I don't understand it either. i think black dogs are beautiful. I hope people will give them a second look when they go to the shelter to adopt.
The article is not joking. I’ve been working with dogs since 1978, and the “black dog syndrome” is common knowledge to animal professionals.
He really, really likes unfamiliar people.....for a snack.
My youngest daughter brought a young man over for dinner one night. Hamilton sat right next to him, and between the two of them.
Never saw a kid sweat like that.
You have Yorkie Poo’s?
local singing group, "The Howlers"
I have always had a black cocker spaniel, either solid black or black and tan. I think they are the prettiest.
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