Are black dogs less likely to be adopted?

Hi Jackie - I was under that specific understanding and kept asking my wife if we can adopt a black dog for that very reason. Thanks for sharing.

She'd like a bichon/maltese type dog in general. But I always grew up with German Shepherds - though JP was a cocker spaniel.

At least it makes it less of a guilt trip if you pass up a black dog in favor of another color. :)  I have one yellow dog and one black and one mostly black.  None were chosen based on their color.  Sometimes I've chosen the dogs I've owned and sometimes they've chosen me.  lol  

Thank goodness dogs don't seem to have any bias or prejudice about color, culture or socioeconomic standing.  :)  

That is very interesting, Jackie.  I'm going to forward it to a couple people I know who work at the local shelter.  Very recently, they had something on their website and Facebook page about black dogs being less frequently adopted.  Sounds like it could be a misconception.

This reminds me of something else that was on the shelter's FB page recently (it's a public page, so I can read most of it).  They had a promotion for a weekend that waived adoption fees on older cats.  Some people posted their concern that this was irresponsible because people with bad intentions would come get a free cat.  I've always thought "free" was unwise, too.  For example, if rehoming a pet, you shouldn't say "Free to a good home."  You should charge a fee so people place more value on the pet..  This makes sense to me.  But, in response to the FB comments, the shelter referenced an article (I think from the ASPCA) that said it was a misconception and waived adoption fees can in fact get more pets into homes. 

I don't know . . . if you're not willing or able to pay even $20 for a cat, should you be committing to the expense of having one for probably many years to come?  Anyway, a different topic than black dogs, but it's another example of how new data can sometimes change the perspective on previously accepted beliefs.

The reasons stated by all but the last researcher seem compelling as far as the black dog syndrome. I know in the local shelters that I'm familiar with, the majority of dogs I see are black and medium to large in size.  The smaller dogs always seem to be adopted much faster though I don't know that to be a fact.  The other large percentage that seem to stay longer in our shelters are the pitties and pittie mixes.  We have a ton of those at all times.  One sweet sweet pittie mix that is missing a leg finally got adopted recently.  :)

Your comment about the advisability of waiving, or running "specials", on adoption fees is something I've always struggled with too.  Maybe that is another myth that needs to be thrown out.  I do agree that if you can't afford an already low adoption fee, can you afford a pet?  

I can also argue the other side and say that having a low income shouldn't mean you aren't allowed to own a pet.  I know low income families who do take good care of their animals.  They may not have money to spend on toys and fancy collars but they provide the basics.  I've also known people with plenty of discretionary income who take terrible care of their pets and when faced with large veterinary bills have the animal euthanized.  

I know on Facebook people are always warning everyone not to post free dogs or cats on craigslist because of the possibility the animal will be used as a bait dog or tortured by some sick individual.  Logic tells me that the people intent on getting a dog or cat for those purposes have plenty of other sources to acquire them.

Same with animals being "adopted" and then supposedly used for animal research.  I think that's unlikely since most animals used in research are bred for that purpose.