The Big Black Dog Syndrome

[RedGlitter]

I was telling someone here about how the black dogs and the big dogs were always the last to be adopted...here's more on it.





Big black dog syndrome' leaves them homeless


Story Highlights

Shelter officials: More difficult to find homes for big black dogs

Darker dogs harder to photograph or see in dim kennels

Expert: Quirk of biology led to an overabundance of large, black dogs

Fan: Dogs' color doesn't show dirt, easy to accessorizeNEW YORK (AP) -- When Aaron Jones walks Gozer, his Rottweiler-hound mix, people cross the street to avoid them. Mothers scoop up their children. A lost motorist once rolled up the windows and drove off after spotting the dog. One woman screamed.

"He's the nicest dog I know," said Jones, 33, of Oakland, California. "It's hard to understand all the fear."

Gozer isn't aggressive and doesn't look mean or bark, Jones insists -- people are afraid of the dog purely because it's big and black. As a puppy, Gozer was passed over for at least a month before Jones took him home.

According to animal shelter officials, big, black dogs like Gozer have more trouble finding a happy home than do other dogs. Some shelters even have a name for it: "Big black dog syndrome."

Nobody tracks the problem nationally, and local shelters often keep only limited data on the sizes, breeds and colors of the dogs that are adopted or put down, according to the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"But anecdotally," said Stephen Musso, executive vice president of the ASPCA, "that's what we hear from shelter after shelter: Big, black dogs just don't get adopted."

At the city animal shelter in Rogers, Arkansas, big, black dogs almost always make up the bulk of the animals put to sleep each month. Last month, 13 of the 14 dogs killed by the city were large and black -- mostly Labs, shepherd mixes, pit bull mixes and Rottweillers, said Rhonda Dibasilio, manager of the city Animal Services Department.

It's not just that large dogs can be frightening: Animal shelters say black dogs of all sizes are difficult to photograph for online listings, and are hard to spot against the shadows of their crates and cages in dimly lighted kennels.

Older black dogs with a little white in their muzzles can look elderly. Bigger breeds like German shepherds or Chows aren't as fashionable as small, cuddly lap dogs.

Then there's the reputation. The idea of a big, black dog unleashing destruction is a common theme in books, movies and folklore as diverse as "The Hound of the Baskervilles," the "Harry Potter" series and "The Omen."

Even the common sign "Beware of Dog" depicts a big, black dog, teeth bared and gums dripping. The notion that the animals are menacing is so pervasive that Winston Churchill famously called depression "the black dog."

People are often wary of dark dogs because it's difficult to read their expressions, said Paul Nicosi, the dog behavior specialist at Bide-A-Wee animal shelter in New York City. Without defined eyebrows, a playful grin might be construed as an angry grimace, he said.

"There isn't a lot of contrast between black eyes and a black face, so people can't get a handle on how the dog is feeling," Nicosi said.

Joseph Giannini, owner of the Chicago dog-walking and doggie day care service Urban Out Sitters, said people may subconsciously snub big black dogs because they aren't comfortable with what the pet may say about the owner.

"If I'm out with a Yorkie I definitely get treated very differently than if I'm walking a big Rottweiler or a dark pit bull mix," he said. "You look at the owner of a big, black dog and you might think, `Oh, there's a tough guy. I better avoid him and his mean dog."'

It doesn't help that a quirk of dark-dog biology has led to an overabundance of large, black dogs, said Alex Yaffe, who founded Heartland Lab Rescue, a network for rescuing abandoned Labrador retrievers in Oklahoma. Labradors and pit bulls are resilient dogs who tend to have big litters of five or more, which increases overpopulation.

One black dog, Coal, took more than six months to find a home despite a sweet temperament, excellent recommendations and a featured spot on Yaffe's Web site. "He was just black," Yaffe said. "That was his one offense."

The Web site blackpearldogs.com, a resource devoted to increasing public awareness of the "big black dog phenomenon," offers some lighthearted reasons to adopt a big, black dog: Their color doesn't clash with furniture or clothing, hides dirt well, and is easy to accessorize. In other words, black dogs could be the new black.

The dogs do appeal to those who want protection on walks late at night, or men who seek a canine boost of machismo, said Sandra DeFeo, the co-executive director of the Humane Society of New York.

And there's a certain contingent of dog lovers who specifically seek out black dogs because of their connection to the trendy Black Dog bakery on Martha's Vineyard.

"But either way, feelings aren't based on fact," she said. "Any dog can be friendly or unfriendly -- big, black dogs and little Chihuahuas alike."

[valerie]

I had heard this for quite some time. Black cats can be a problem, too,

except before Halloween. (Our local shelter won't adopt them out

for about a month before the holiday) That is a little different as

regards to the "bad luck" aspect, but still...



And here I sit, with a mostly black dog and an all black Bombay cat!!



I know Sierra waited about a year for a new home, that was partially

because they wanted one with gsd experience, but I wonder how

much (if any) was also a result of her mostly black coloration.

[WonderWendy3]

I have never heard this and of course I don't agree with it at ALL!! My most favorite dog was a big beautiful black lab, Shadow was our family member for 9 long years, still have a picture of him on the refigerator...I miss him so much...he died 5 years ago.:-1and I took in a huge big black lab mix from a friend....she was HUGE and had skin problems, but her owner was rough and mean to her, we had her happy and loving within months.....but I did have to find her a new home, she was just too high maintenance, I felt so bad, but I know where she is now...and she's HAPPY!:-6

When I was little, I always had the dream of going to the animal shelter and letting all the dogs and cats out and taking them ALL home...ya know, like in 101 dalmations...but all breeds and ages...I would STILL love to do that...and you can bet your last dollar, I would NEVER discriminate on color, age or religion!:wah:

I find big black dogs just as adorable as any other dog, for goodness sake, I grew up loving pugs...if you can find cute in a pug, you can surely find cute in big black dogs!!

Which reminds me, when I was growing up, we only had pugs, beagles or small mutts, because Mom said she didn't like "big dogs"....and I didn't think much of it. Well, once I got on my own, seems all I had was black labs/mixes....and when we had Shadow, Mom changed her mind...she saw the good in the breed and sang his praises, like the rest of us!!:-6

[Pheasy]

We have always had male German Shepherds ... there's just something about them! :-4 Their colour was never an issue.

For the first time we also have a female, a Brittany, she's typical female in every way, loving, flighty, cuddly, moody

But we love her too ....

[yaaarrrgg]

It's true for me ... there's a negative association ... and I've never really thought about it.

Nothing says "I want to eat your face off" like a large black dog. In my mind's eye, I see one barking violently, jumping against a fence, saying "BEROROR BEROROR BEOROROR!!!! I KILL YOU!"

Course, I'm more of a cat person.

[buttercup]

How bizzarre :-2

The most precious girl in the world was (black)

R.I.P My pupster :-4

Her best friend Dominic lloyd (cat/ black/white)

:-3

Attached files

[RedGlitter]

What a cute photo :-4

I wish more people loved the black ones and the large ones. In rescue, those guys were always the ones left behind. We'd dress them up, have "Black Magic" adoption themes and stuff and still people would turn up their noses. It's something rescues and pounds know well. Viva the Big Black Dogs and the Little Black Cats!!



---------------- Listening to: Beethoven / Ave Maria via FoxyTunes

[WonderWendy3]

Here are two absoulutely beautiful black beauties!! the one with the kitty is our beloved Shadow:-4 and the pit/mix on the bed with me and Caleb and sam the cat is our sweet Maiden, who is the momma of our Sandy that we have now....

just thought I'd share..:-4

Attached files

[RedGlitter]

How cute! Maiden looks very much like my Peter, one of my fosters. ---------------- Listening to: Rachmaninov / Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 I: Moderato (Rachmaninov) via FoxyTunes

[gmc]

Just for the record. Anything under a foot tall in not a dog. It is a hamster substitute.

Though I like mop dog, that's a good one.

[YZGI]

According to the spam e-mails I get it seems there are more people worried about their little white pups. :wah: *snigger* Yeah I can snigger too.:wah:

[yaaarrrgg]

I've heard that one of the simplest and best security systems s just to own a dog. The bark will scare away kids (and elderly people) wanting to do some mischief, or steal your medicine.

So that means, a large black dog would be ideal, especially for an outside pet, in that regard.

[elixer]

I grew up with rottis, they are my absolute favorite breed of dog. My dog, Carl, was a gentle giant. Weighing in at 140 lbs, he looked intimidating, but his sweet demeanor eventually won over the neighborhood.

When I would take him for walks, people would cross the street to avoid him. Just goes to show that even dogs suffer stereotypes. :rolleyes:

Attached files

[valerie]

yaaarrrgg;833829 wrote: I've heard that one of the simplest and best security systems s just to own a dog. The bark will scare away kids (and elderly people) wanting to do some mischief, or steal your medicine.



So that means, a large black dog would be ideal, especially for an outside pet, in that regard.



:)


What kind of dog is an outside dog?



I'm familiar with hundreds of dog breeds, but what's an "outside dog?" Unless you're medically intolerant of it (and therefore can't take care of it in a medical emergency, so you shouldn't have it), making a dog stay outside is a costly waste. If it's for protection, what do you think I want to steal, your lawn? When you leave, do you put your valuables and your kids out in your yard? Just what is the dog "protecting" out there? Most dogs kept out cause far more nuisance complaints from barking and escaping than any deterrent to intrusion. Such complaints cause teasing, antagonism, release and poisoning. I lost count of the number of times I've heard: "NOW I know why I find so many rocks, sticks and cans in my yard! They're throwing them at my dog!" Or: "So that's why I've had to replace the padlock on the fence 17 times in the past year!" With your dog a helpless victim, it's no laughing matter.

If I'm a crook and your dog is out, your fence protects ME, not your possessions or dog. If I just open the gate 9 out of 10 dogs will run off! I can safely shoot, stab, spear, poison, snare, strangle or dart it through the fence. You just lost your dog AND everything I steal! If it's tied and I keep out of its reach, it's useless. It'll bark, but outside dogs bark so much they're usually ignored. But let a dog hit the other side of a door or window I'm breaking into and I'm GONE! I can't hurt it until it can hurt me, and nothing you own is worth my arm. Deterrence is effective protection.

Protection and aggression are not the same. Protection is defensive, reactive and often passive and threatens or injures no one. Aggression is active, harmful and offensive, threatens all and benefits none. Yard dogs often develop far more aggression than protectivity because everyone who passes by or enters has already violated the territory that dog has marked dozens of times a day for years. That's not protection, it's not desirable and it overlooks two facts of life today:

1) Property owners have implied social contracts with others in the community. Letter carriers, paper boys, delivery people, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, meter readers and others are allowed near and at times on your property without your specific permission. Sure that ten-year-old was not supposed to jump your fence after his ball, kite or Frisbee; but neither you nor your dog are allowed to cause him injury if he does. Imagine this: A neighbor looks into your yard or window and sees you, your wife or your child laying on the floor in a pool of blood. They call 9-1-1 and your dog prevents paramedics from assisting! Should they shoot your dog or just let you die? Great choice.

2) Even if the intruder is a felon, few places allow you or your dog to cause physical injury to prevent property loss. Convicted felons have sued the dog's owner from jail and won more in the suit than they could have stolen! Appalling but true. Don't believe your homeowners insurance will cover the loss. Now you see why many feel that an "outside dog" is a no-brainer.

The more a dog is outdoors, the less behavioral control you have. It's easier to solve four or five indoor problems than just one outdoors. The reason is simple: The more you control the stimuli that reach the dog, the more you control its responses. You've got a lot more control over your living room than you do over your county! When it's bored but teased by every dog, cat, bird, squirrel, motorcycle, paperboy, airplane, firecracker, backfiring truck and rabbit in the county, OF COURSE it'll dig, chew and bark. Would you sit still all day every day? Do you want unnecessary medical and parasite fees, especially as the dog ages?

When a dog is alone indoors you're still 30% there because your scent and things it associates with you constantly remind it of you and your training. When it's out, it's alone whether you're home or not. Do you expect it to keep YOU in mind while the entire world teases, distracts and stimulates it?

The media are full of stories about family dogs saving everyone during a fire. How many people, including children, would be dead today if those dogs were kept out? SURE you always get up to investigate every time your yard dog barks. And I've got this bridge.....

An outdoor dog has an address, not a home. Does your dog get so much mail that it needs its own address? A real value dogs offer is as companion animals. Do you live out in your yard? Whose company does your yard dog keep and protect? Stop behavior problems and start enjoying real protection and companionship.

Bring your dogs in. Copyright 1993 Dennis Fetko, Ph.D. (858-485-7433, Fax 858-485-0651). The author authorizes this article to be copied, quoted or used however it will do the most good as long as proper credit is given.

[yaaarrrgg]

valerie;834246 wrote: What kind of dog is an outside dog?




Those are good points.

I only really mentioned it, as some people might be on the fence about getting a dog (or one of two people might not want one) so it's a compromise that's possibly better than leaving a dog in a shelter to be euthanized. Keeping them indoors is a better environment.

From the dog's perspective though, why should we assume they are happier inside? Especially if they are alone during the day while the owners work. Many a dog's happiest moments are when they can chase the mail carrier down the street, in the pursuit of a kill.