Black Dogs and Lower Adoption Rate

I have wondered about that, too!  Seems there were always black labs in the shelter and never chocolate or yellow.  When we were looking for a dog, though, we didn't want such a big dog!
 
Jasmine is black, though, and she was in the shelter only a week.

It's true for cats too.[&:]

I saw that article in the Bark too. Two of the three dogs i've had have been black, although the first was a shelter reject, as in, the shelter didn't even want her. My mom took her from a lady who took her from a friend to try to find her a home, but couldn't so she was bringing her to the shelter. It just so happened my mom was there that day filling out the papers so we could get a dog. Millie is the second big black dog for my family. The day we got Max there actually weren't any big black dogs. One of the other dogs we considered from another rescue was a big black dog, but his foster family kept him. My mom actually seems partial to the big black ones, or at least I think so, cause she picked the first dog, she likes Millie better than Max, and she'd like a shepherd next.

Size matters as much as color does.  Large dogs have a harder time getting adopted, too.
 

Indeed size does matter, or at least it did last I was at my local shelter. I went there to get Millie on 3/28/05, about 6 weeks later, some of the same dogs in the large dog room were still there, regardless of color. I specifically remember an Aussie girl because she was in a run with Millie. They also had a purebred Samoyed all that time. None of the small dogs were still there. I couldn't actually say that they didn't euthanize all of them, only that for 6 weeks they didn't euthanize those other two dogs and a few other large ones. When it came to picking Max, it was him or another smaller dog, and Millie had the final decision. She didn't really care either way, and there were other people interested in the smaller dog. Not that I am mad about it at all, but I believe the shelter director had the interest of getting the most dogs adopted as possible when she suggested the Millie liked Max better than the other dog, since she knew we had no issues with a taking a big dog who might intimidate some people. If that's what she was doing, I completely understand her reasons for it. 

Are you sure that's true for cats? That black cats aren't more difficult than a multi-colored cat would be? I'm being facetious. I have had this black cat since 1994 now and it just seems like an eternity sometimes. He's always been so darn grouchy and crabby and BOSSY and I know I'll have him for about 8 more years. Maybe less. Maybe. (This I say to myself to help me accept him day in and day out.)
 
I know, though, in all seriousness, how hard it is for the black ones to get homes. It's hard to see facial expressions on on black cats and dogs--you get eyes and teeth and I guess people back away from that.
 
Too bad. It's so sad. I get that magazine and was so glad that we're all working to make this issue more well-known. Now if only we can change human perception . . .

In our shelter, small dogs go like free lemonade at a picnic.  The larger ones, unless they are labs, languish.
 
The real kick in the rear was a post on freecycle.... a gal was looking for a FREE pup for her kids.....no black or large dogs please.  [:'(]

I think I am more drawn to black or darker dogs, but it probably has something to do with being raised with dark dogs. We had black labs and dobes.
 
My last visit to the shelter here there were more dark colored dogs come to think of it.
 
As far as black cats.. I have one black cat out of the 7 I have and he's an old, ornery, antisocial cat.

In regards to black cats, the mostly black cat we had was the best cat we ever had. He was almost tuxedo, but he had white socks in the back. He actually matched our dog at the time. The orange and white cat we had when I was 5 was nasty, and got returned to the shelter a year later when he bit my dad right by my sister's head when she was a baby. The gray and white cat we got later on didn't understand the concept of a litter box entirely, and just didn't like to be petted like the black and white cat. 

I've had people very afraid of Eevee just because she's black. I guess black dogs are assumed to be aggressive, or it's some sort of cultural thing? Who knows. I like black dogs. For one, I wear dark clothing usually, and a light-colored dog's hair will show on it. Plus, you can REALLY, really tell when their coat is healthy, because it reflects the sun and you have to take out your shades lmfao...

i never would have realized that about black dogs. i love black dogs. they are really beautiful IMO. we have a solid black cat and she isnt mean or anything. she is sweet and loving []

My girl is a striking brindle, but when animal control found her pregnant and she had her pups at the kill shelter, they were all black (8 pups!)

Thankfully the rescue I got her from got them all in time, and every pup ended up being adopted. Admittedly they were puppies, but still...I'm thinking whew, that is 8 fewer black dogs being euthanized...

That's a great story. I am glad they got homes, too. I feel bad that these are even issues.
 
And honestly, if anybody wants a grouchy black cat . . .
 
(just kidding--I think)

"Nobody wants a black dog" What's up with that?!?! I've never heard of such a thing! [:@] All of the dogs I've had have been black; I love them! I have no idea why black dogs would not be adopted....in my opinion, if they're big and black ( A GSD or Lab, specifically) I love them  [] . No offense to any other colors, of course,  I don't have a color preference really, that's not the most important thing. The only reason I could think of that there are black dogs in shelters a lot, is that the Lab ( and especially black, they are the most popular with AKC)  is #1. There are so many black Lab mixes...mixed with anything......and so that's probably why there are lots of black dogs ? That's just the wierdest thing....the poor dogs!