Conquering the Black Stereotype with Style

When I was adopted this past February, I knew that fate brought my family and me together. When I first got to the shelter, I thought: "I'm sure to be adopted quickly, after all I'm well trained, out of the puppy phase, know my manners and excellent with kids." So as nervous and scary as going to the shelter was, I thought my chances of getting out quick were pretty good.

Upon my arrival there were many things that I learned at the shelter. Things I had never considered before. I was black, big, roughly 65 lbs. and sure I was older, but there had to be someone that thought that my features made up a great dog. But to my despair, it wasn't that great. In fact, my characteristics deemed me as "unadoptable" and not what most humans go after in a canine companion. Many potential adopters would at look me and then play with my kennel-mate, a cute, blonde young puppy. I tried to be on my best behavior, but there was something that was drawing the humans away from me. Let me explain.

Many humans are becoming very aware about the importance behind adopting and rescuing dogs versus buying them from breeders, puppy mills and pet stores.  Although it is a great service to "canine-kind" to adopt, there's a somewhat unknown phenomena that exists within the shelter system. Shelter employees and volunteers alike are aware of this phenomenon, but are unable to curb the problem. This quandary is deemed as the Black Dog Syndrome. 

This syndrome is a complex issue that affects most black dogs in the shelter system. There are many factors that make adopting certain dogs difficult, like age, temperament, size or weight, but black dogs are by far the hardest to get adopted and many shelter employees would agree. Although I am cute, cuddly, loving and affectionate, humans associate "fur-color" with temperament and personality, i.e. "black = dark, aggressive, angry, or ugly" and "blonde = sweet, loving, affectionate or happy." This could be further from the truth. Many dogs conquer this stereotype and although there are exceptions to every rule, it seems as though, the Black Dog Syndrome is a challenging conundrum to break.

"The emotions of humans play a huge part in the Black Dog Syndrome related cases - when it comes to a cute, cuddly puppy versus a bigger, but already trained dog, the puppy will win the human over 80% of the time," according to Rachel Aycock, Public Relations Director for the SPCA of Lakeland, Florida.

When searching for the right canine companion for your family, there are many factors that must be considered. For example, you should examine yourself and lifestyle and how adopting a dog plays into the scenario. Do you live in a big house or a small apartment? Do you have children? A fenced in yard? Do you work long hours? Do you have the time and financial capabilities for a pet? These are only a few questions to consider when deciding on a dog for your home. Unfortunately, it is all too common for humans to choose pets based on looks, animal "trends" or whatever aligns humans with a social status. Although there are many considerations regarding a potential adoption, why would a human only care about aesthetic appeal versus personality, temperament or behavior?

"The biggest offenders we see are people who pick puppies because they are cute and cuddly, not thinking about training, time and expense this pet will require or the fact that the puppy may group up to be a big pet," said Laurie Hoffman, the Director of Development and Communication for the Human Society of Greater Miami Adopt-a-Pet.

Although adoption is a huge part of the Syndrome it didn't stop there. As soon as I got to my new home, with my new family, it was obvious that our neighborhood treated us differently. I was different then the other dogs, while the majority was small and white. When we would go on walks, humans would shield their dogs away from me and walk in the grass to not get close. I often wonder do I smell bad or is there something wrong with me? This bothers my Mom a LOT because she wants me to socialize with other dogs and people, but if they try to get away from us, this task of socialization makes it hard. The frustrating part is that I appear to be very friendly, always wagging my tail and excited to say hello to new butts and kiss new humans, but they are afraid of me. 

The Syndrome is not a disguise for "our problem" but rather it is a phenomenon that affects the majority of black dogs in and out of the shelter system. I propose this because there are other dogs in our community who are large, albeit not black, and are not treated as "ferocious beasts." Furthermore, there are many organizations that are working hard to expose the discrimination against black dogs, how it affects the shelter system and the innocent black dogs.  Finally, the pervasiveness of this national problem forces shelters to take on the challenge without much support. In order for the shelter to take on the challenge [and others] they have to use euthanasia to move the "unwanted." This is the devastating part and without my Mom and her ability to adopt me when she did, this may have been my unfortunate fate.

The good folks at Start Seeing Black Dogs and Black Pearl Dogs are committed in educating humans about the Syndrome and trying to erase humans' misconceptions about it. In addition, there are books, and grassroots organizations that are trying to spread the word that black does not mean something dark or negative, but rather it is the PERSONALITY that defines the dog, as is with humans. 

When my parents came into the shelter to adopt me, they were certain of one thing and one thing only: to adopt a dog that really needed them, someone who wasn't so easily "adoptable" and someone with "unfavorable" qualities like being older, black and big. I was sure lucky because that was me. Here at Harley's Mission our goal is to educate humans about responsible pet "ownership," what that means to society and how to make the most humane choices. We strive to eradicate dog stereotypes, by focusing on important problems that necessitate much discussion, like the Black Dog Syndrome. Even though I may be DARK in color, I am BRIGHT in spirit and in heart. As my Mom and I take on the challenge to educate humans about their dogs, we know with combination of a great temperament, disposition and personality, we can teach the world that black dogs are the friendliest of the canines!

DID YOU KNOW?

  Black

Black is associated with power, formality, death, evil, and mystery.

Black is a mysterious color associated with fear and the unknown (black holes). It usually has a negative connotation (blacklist, black humor, 'black death'). (www.color-wheel-pro.com)
  White

White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. As opposed to black, white usually has a positive connotation. (www.color-wheel-pro.com)

Won't you try to erase the stigma of the Black Dog Syndrome?