Each year on October 1st marks National Black Dog Day. National Black Dog Day is a special day to help highlight black coated dogs. Statistically, dogs with black fur spend three times longer in pounds and rescues waiting to get adopted and are more likely to be overlooked by potential adopters than dogs of different colours. National Black Dog Day shines a spotlight on those dogs of darker shades and helps to promote the adoption of black dogs.
No one knows the specific reason as to why black coated dogs take far longer to find a home or tend to get overlooked when in rescue shelters. It’s possible their black coats don’t help to stand them out against other coloured dogs in kennel environments and in photographs. Shelter staff and volunteers will often try to highlight black dogs with coloured collars and flashy bandanas to draw attention to them.
Of course, it goes without saying that black dogs are no less likely to be loyal, loving and make amazing pets just as much as lighter coloured dogs and puppies. In fact, owners of dogs that may have had less than stellar chances for one reason or another of previously finding a home, be it down to their looks or age etc. will often describe something special in the connection, maybe a sense of bad fate narrowly avoided. It might be down to finding a dog someone else may have passed up because they didn’t catch their eye in a rescue or it might be the sense of an extra dose of compassion it takes to adopt a dog less likely to be adopted by someone else. No matter what it takes, black dogs are to be celebrated!
The next time you see a post on social media about a black dog, be sure to hit the share button or see a black dog in rescue, take the extra leap to give them the time to let their characters shine and let you know they are more than just a coat colour!
