Black Dogs and Lower Adoption Rate

I don't think you're reading my posts right- in my above post, I said in the closed mouth pic she looks cute, but NOT approachable. Looks very serious...

Also, I never once said Willow was black. I have no idea where you got that from. I know what a blue Chow looks like.

In your sig pic, Willow DOES look dominant. I never said she was more dominant than you. You're definitely reading into things with that. [&o]

My opinions from the pictures have nothing to do with her color. I happened to be reading this post and you mentioned that people think she's "mean". So I failed miserably at explaining that to me in the pictures she looks very serious and I think that's why some eople might think she's mean.

Also, I never anywhere said that because Gingerbread is light colored, that means he's approachable. I didn't even vaguely imply that OR that small dogs are more approachable. I used to work at an animal shelter and I know that small dogs are usually the ones to look out for. More Chihuahuas than any other breed have tried to bite me.... I think you were reading into my posts WAY too much. [&:]

It DOES sound like you are picking on Willow for some reason.  If I were Lori I would feel that way too.  I'm NOT Lori and I feel that you are picking on Willow.
 
I don't know what you are basing your judgments on, but I sure hope you don't run into many loose dogs in your life, because based on what I'm seeing here, you know very little about reading a dog and you could be in very real danger.  Please be careful.  My white gsd is stunningly beautiful....everyone wants to pet Sheba.  But, of all my dogs, she is the reactive one, the one you do NOT want to push yourself on.  You dont' get much lighter colored than white.  Shadow, my pain in butt Sable, will turn himself inside out to make a new friend, and my BIG classic black and tan, loves to make new friends but in a more reserved way....same with the others.  BUT if we are out in a group, it's Sheba that people zero in on.  And again, of all of them, SHE is the one most likely to try to take a chunk out of your thigh if you won't listen to her when she tells you to leave her alone. 

 
 
Lori and Glenda, I really don't think Luvntzus was trying to pick on Willow. I read it as she was trying to demonstrate how she understands how some people could think Willow looked mean.  Lori herself said some people think that. Luvntzus was agreeing. []   I think Lori is a bit defensive about Willow because of how often she's come across rude and inconsiderate people, but I don't think Luvntzus is trying to be one of those people. [sm=peace.gif]

Are you really saying that you wouldn't have a black or dark coloured dog because it doesn't match your clothes or couch?

As for liking white furniture, white dogs, pastel clothing... so what if she does? I like spotted dogs.  I love that Roscoe is kinda flashy-looking. I drive a red Miata that has a license plate that says Hot Tamale (in license plate "language", but I'm not going to give it out here).  And, when I was younger, I wore flashy clothes that made me stand out.  Although Bella is a total match personality and temperament wise, it was her flashy, Roscoe-like looks that drew me to her.  I probably wouldn't pick a solid colored dog of any color as my first choice.  Others would. Different strokes and all that.
 
I get that we're talking here about how people shouldn't judge black dogs as being mean, but just because you prefer a different colored dog doesn't mean you are somehow bad.

I think Willow looks like a cuddly teddy bear, too.  Even the *mad face* is cute - she reminds me of a toddler pouting because she didn't get her way.[] I do think, however, that it would be really stupid to decide whether or not a dog is "approachable" based on looks or facial expression.  That's right up there with deciding whether or not someone is a nice person based on their looks or how they dress.

Joyce

Jen, I really tried to NOT read critcism into those posts, and I reread them several times.  Honestly, what it sounds like to ME is that she is a small dog person who doesn't like big dogs, and especially the dark ones.  Willow DOES look like a black dog unless you look closely.
 
And no, I wouldn't go by appearance alone when deciding to approach a dog.  body language SCREAMS at me.  But I also wouldn't look at a picture on an internet forum and decide that the dog looks mean and unapproachable, or alpha!

Thank you Jensw. I appreciate someone reading my post for what it was and actually being understanding. []
 
I really was not trying to pick on Willow. Sigh. I'm not going to try and point out anything that could be misconstrued as negative about anyone's dogs again.

Glenmar- Actually I've worked with animals for years and am VERY good at noticing even slight things that others miss.

Also, you couldn't be further from the truth in your judgement of me as a person that doesn't like big dogs. I've always been a "big dog" person. My favorite breed for YEARS, if you must know, was the GSD. I was in touch with Covy-Tucker Hills when I lived with my parents and desperately wanted one of them, but it didn't happen. Other favorite breeds of mine have been Newfoundlands, Akitas, and Bullmastiffs. Even a few months ago I was very seriously considering getting a Bullmastiff. I also like Chows, including the blue ones! 

Working at the SPCA one of my favorite dogs was a black Shar Pei mix named Ella. She had major fear/confidence issues, as well as trusting people. I worked with her and was able to get her to come out of her shell a lot in a few weeks. If I could have adopted her I would. However, if I was going through a breeder I would never choose a black Pei. And Shar Pei are also one of my favorite breeds.

Anyway, as far as small dogs, I live in a 1 bedroom apartment without a yard so it just makes more sense. I also discovered that their small size makes them very portable and easier to take everywhere. And I just love Shih Tzus- their little faces, their temperament, everything.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

And no, I wouldn't go by appearance alone when deciding to approach a dog.  body language SCREAMS at me.  But I also wouldn't look at a picture on an internet forum and decide that the dog looks mean and unapproachable, or alpha!

Honestly it sounds like you're mocking me at this point. Another forum I belong to is run by a very well known (and respected trainer) and moderated by several other trainers/behaviorists. One of the frequent topics is looking at a picture and trying to assess a little about the dog's personality. Yes online, on a forum. My mistake was relaying that opinion about someone's dog.

ORIGINAL: fuzzy_dogs_mom

I think Willow looks like a cuddly teddy bear, too.  Even the *mad face* is cute - she reminds me of a toddler pouting because she didn't get her way.[] I do think, however, that it would be really stupid to decide whether or not a dog is "approachable" based on looks or facial expression.  That's right up there with deciding whether or not someone is a nice person based on their looks or how they dress.

Joyce

It actually isn't "stupid" at all to gauge a dog's body language when deciding to approach it. But thanks for saying that.
 
What I see here is that a couple of people have decided to gang up on me and attempt to make me feel stupid. How nice. [&:]
 
I'm done trying to explain myself and I'm done with this post.

Tamara, when I mentioned the stupidity of judging a dog's approachability based on looks, I wasn't talking about people (like you) who are able to judge a dog's body language. I'm sorry if you took it that way.  I was talking about people who rush up to a strange dog and decide to hug him because he's small & fluffy & *looks so sweet* or people who are terrified a dog is going to attack them just because he's big. I actually had a woman ask me if Max was *one of those mean pit bulls who's going to jump on me and bite me*. Umm. No.  He's not a mean pit bull, and no, he's not going to bite you, unless maybe you bite him first - and maybe not even then.[] No offense meant at all.

Joyce

Sorry Joyce!! I guess I was feeling a little defensive. [&:] Sorry again that I misunderstood you. []

I didn't make a judgement.  I said I suspected or something of that nature.  Some folks don't LIKE big dogs.  Can't imagine why, but some folks just don't.
 
And no, I wasn't mocking you.  I was making a point for the THOUSANDS of lurkers out there and who knows how many people who will one day look at this thread in the archives and decide that Willow looks like an alpha, agressive dog and use THAT as a standard to judge which dogs are safe to approach and which are not.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

I didn't make a judgement.  I said I suspected or something of that nature.  Some folks don't LIKE big dogs.  Can't imagine why, but some folks just don't.

And no, I wasn't mocking you.  I was making a point for the THOUSANDS of lurkers out there and who knows how many people who will one day look at this thread in the archives and decide that Willow looks like an alpha, agressive dog and use THAT as a standard to judge which dogs are safe to approach and which are not.

Well, Glenda, maybe everyone doesn't think like you do.  People are free to make their own decisions, even if those decisions are based on the ignorance of not liking large breeds.  I should know.  People have said the usual crap about Roxie being "one of those rottweilers", but it doesn't really bother me.  Why should it?  She's my dog and I know how sweet she is.  Who cares what others think?  Do they make my world go 'round and 'round?  Um, no.  You can't end the world's stereotypes about certain dogs with your words. 

I can all sides here.  Luvntzus was just stating her opinion on the matter.  People see things differently.  I can see why you and Lisa were a bit miffed, but also allow others to voice their thoughts on matters.  If Luvntzus had accused Roxie of looking mean or dominant, I wouldn't have cared.  It's her opinion, right?  Dog opinions are subjective, not objective.  Sorry, but we can't all think like you.

Excuse me, but whether folks think the way I do or not isn't the point.  The point is that you shouldn't spread misinformation on a public forum and risk that future readers will misinterpret what you've said and decide, based on that, that such and such a dog is perfectly safe to approach, and then loose half their face.

She was spreading information?  Oh, really?  How?  By saying that she thought Willow looked dominant?  For shame!  What's that classic little saying?  Ah ... "Appearances can be deceiving".  You think?  Willow may appear a certain way to some, even though she's a sweet dog.  Okay.  Same goes for my rottie. 

I know what Luvntzus meant about mean small dogs, too.  My neighbor's Pomeranian is a little jerk.  Cute, yes ... but more of a jerk than anything.  It's very distant with strangers and doesn't try being sweet, so I knew right away that it wasn't friendly enough to pet. 

You're obsessed with people going out and getting mauled, apparently.  If they have an ounce of common sense, they'll know better than to run up and hug a dog.  No dog is a safe bet, but a little common sense goes a long way.

OK, first of all, she went an erased some of what was posted which is going to make anyone who looks at this now not understand what's being discussed. 

You cannot use appearances to determine if a dog is "approachable", I believe that was the word used.  She stated she thought she could and that on other forums they use looks to decide such a thing. 

Another forum I belong to is run by a very well known (and respected trainer) and moderated by several other trainers/behaviorists. One of the frequent topics is looking at a picture and trying to assess a little about the dog's personality. Yes online, on a forum.

THAT's what Glenda was refering to as "misinformation", stating that you can use looks to determine such a thing. (NOT her opinion of Willow) 

To further back up my agreement of that, I tried to explain the facial expressions of Willow in the pictures and how she was misreading them, but that sort of got ignored. 

Basically, we don't want people looking at a dog, thinking by the facial expression that it is friendly and go up to it.  I'm NOT saying they are going to HUG it, but believe me, I've had a few people do things NOT that far off.  You cannot assume people have common sense, they don't! People do not know how to approach or pet a dog for the most part, do you know how many people go straight for her head??  Also, this works the other way around, we don't want someone to look at my pictures or any breed pictures and say, that dog "looks" mean.  Again, they don't read the expression right, my avatar picture, she's smiling, she's outside and having fun.  But, I've had people at work look at that very photo and say she looks mean. 

Whatever, either way, why are you stepping in and defending her??  I believe she is perfectly capable of speaking for herself and has choosen not to.