Have you heard that black dogs can wait longer than other dogs to be adopted from shelters? It’s a widely reported pattern, and while the picture is more complicated than it’s sometimes made out to be, plenty of shelter staff will tell you they see it—and it means good dogs waiting longer than they should for a home.
Celebrated each year on October 1st, National Black Dog Day aims to change that. The day encourages the adoption of black dogs, and it’s a good moment to consider opening up your home—and your heart—to a darker-coated companion who needs one.
Even if you can’t adopt a dog right now, there are still things you can do to mark the occasion. Keep reading to discover a few of the best ways to celebrate National Black Dog Day.
1. Adopt a Black Dog
The pattern is common enough to have a name: Black Dog Syndrome. Several things are thought to contribute to it. Dark features are harder to make out in photographs and in the low light of a kennel, so a black dog’s expression—the thing that makes someone stop and look twice—often doesn’t come across in an online listing. Larger dogs also wait longer than smaller ones generally, and a good many black shelter dogs are large mixed breeds, which may account for some of what gets attributed to color alone.
Whatever the reasons, if you have room in your home, adopting is by far the best way to celebrate this day. You’ll be giving a deserving dog a shot at a happy, comfortable life in a loving home.
2. Volunteer at a Local Shelter
If adopting isn’t an option, spend some time with the dogs at your local shelter. Let the staff know you’d like to walk or play with the dogs who don’t get as much attention. Even if you can’t bring one home, you can give them a good day.
You may be able to help in other ways too. Because black dogs are easily overlooked in online listings, good photographs make a real difference. If you have a decent camera and some photography skills, offer to take pictures of the darker-coated residents for the shelter to use—shooting outside in soft daylight rather than in a kennel, and putting a brightly colored bandana or collar on the dog, both help enormously. Photos that capture a dog’s personality are what get them noticed.
3. Make a Donation
Most shelters and rescue organizations rely on donations to keep their doors open. Give money, food, blankets, or toys to your local shelter, or ask what they’re currently short of—it’s often something unglamorous like cleaning supplies. Either way, your contribution will be put to good use helping animals in need.
4. Spread the Word
Use National Black Dog Day as a chance to tell other people about Black Dog Syndrome and why black dogs can be harder to place.
Points worth sharing:
- Black dogs’ facial features are harder to make out, which means their expressions and personalities don’t come across as well to potential adopters.
- They photograph poorly in the lighting most shelters have available, and many people now choose a dog to meet based on an online photo.
- In a dimly lit kennel, a dark dog can be almost invisible compared with the dog in the next run.
- Some people carry vague associations between dark-coated dogs and aggression, which has no basis in fact—coat color tells you nothing about a dog’s temperament.
- None of this reflects anything about the dogs themselves, which is what makes it worth talking about.
5. Share Some of the Great Things About Black Dogs
If you’d rather take a more positive approach, share what makes black dogs great companions. And if you have a black dog now or have had one in the past, you probably have plenty of your own stories.
Some good reasons to consider adopting a black dog include:
- Black dogs are just as loyal, affectionate, and playful as dogs of any other color—coat color has nothing to do with personality.
- They look striking, and they photograph beautifully in the right light, particularly against snow.
- Black fur hides everyday dirt well between grooming sessions, and it doesn’t show up as obviously on your furniture and clothes as pale fur does.
- They’re excellent company on the sofa.
- Because they wait longer, there are usually plenty to choose from—so you have a better chance of finding one whose personality suits your household.
One practical thing worth knowing if you do adopt a black dog: dark coats absorb more heat, so a black dog can warm up faster than a lighter-coated one on a sunny day. Keep an eye on them in hot weather, provide shade and water, and walk them in the cooler parts of the day.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you add a new canine companion to your family, donate time or money to a shelter, or simply help black dogs get noticed, National Black Dog Day is a good opportunity to do something for man’s best friend.
As veterinarians, we’re here to help you give your dog a great life. Whatever color they are, we’d love to have them as a patient. Contact us today to schedule a wellness appointment for your canine companion.