Have you ever heard about the term ???Black Dog Syndrome???? Although it might sound like a mythical disease, it is not, neither is it contagious. It is a phenomenon in the shelter and rescue community that is quite alarming: black-colored dogs often get left behind when it comes to adopting dogs from shelters. Sad, isn???t it?

Many professionals, as well as ordinary dog-lovers, are pretty much aware that black dogs nowadays don???t always attract attention because of their color and reputation. They end up usually being euthanized first, but adopted the last. Even people who come for dog adoption prefer light-colored ones such as white, brown, or similar colors. To clarify, here are some reasons why black dogs are subconsciously treated as outcasts by some people:

Black Dog Syndrome

• Their black color doesn???t do well with the public in general. Some prefer lighter coats because they are more eye-catching.
• Most owners find it hard to read a black dog???s expression and what it wants.
• Because they are black, they may be difficult to see at night or when they are in darker places. This can be a hassle if they get lost or suddenly ran off in the middle of the night. It can also be dangerous to them and to other people because not many people will notice them. They might suddenly attack people or get hit by speeding vehicles during those hours.
• In popular media and culture, black dogs are stuck with the bad negative image of being the villain and being aggressive.
• Similar to the reason above, black has always been the color most commonly used to represent negativity, evil and misfortune. For this reason, some people tend to believe that black dogs are unlucky.
• Many black dogs are known as dangerous dogs and are prone to aggression. Some of which are Pit bulls, Doberman Pinchers, black Labradors, Chows and Rottweilers.

For the stated reasons, black dogs seem to be discriminated against. And it???s not just dogs; even black cats experience the same kind of sad fate. These pets are in great need and danger if they do not find love and care from human owners.

An excerpt from a Wikipedia article gives some further understanding of the phenomenon:

The phenomenon may be due to a number of factors, including fear stigma against certain breed types, and the fact that large, black dogs are often portrayed as aggressive in film and on television.

Some people believe that during the pet adoption process some potential owners associate the color black with evil or misfortune (similar to the common superstition surrounding black cats), and this bias transfers over to their choice of dog.^[1] Additionally, many shelters feature photo profiles of their dogs on the shelter website. Because black dogs do not photograph well, lighter-colored dogs have an advantage with potential adopters browsing the site.

But fortunately, help is on the way from a friendly non-profit organization. Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) from southern Canada has recently implemented the ???Black Dog Club???, a program that will surely benefit black dogs. It gives special benefits and discounts to anyone who adopts a black-colored dog. They are also automatically made as members of the club when they adopt the dog, and they receive lifetime discounts on WHS items. For other dogs, they have to be at least 50% black or more to get special offers. Other black dogs can also be registered as members.

WHS has already taken the first step in fighting against Black Dog Syndrome. We can help too, by making our black dogs look more attractive. Try buying him a bright collar, colorful toys, and other added attractions. When you???re going to do a photo shoot, make sure the room is well-lit to attract online communities into buying or adopting dogs like your precious buddy. But the bottom line is that, dogs and cats need love and care, regardless of its color, size, or whatever. As owners and dog lovers, we should also do something to further prevent Black Dog Syndrome from lingering in the community.

Do you have any ideas to help combat this phenomenon? If so, please share your thoughts below.