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When Tamara Delaney of Woodville, Wis., volunteered to find a home for a black Labrador Retriever named Jake last year, she had no idea what she was up against. Jake, cared for by a rescue group, had already waited nearly three years for a new home. And he would wait eight more months as Delaney tried to find someone to take in the big Lab. It didn’t matter much that Jake was a sociable dog and in perfect health. Jake’s problem wasn’t his temperament—it was the color of his coat. Jake bore the stigma of the “BBD,” an acronym used to refer to big black dogs, who are frequently passed over for flashier, prettier dogs and wind up, like Jake, waiting for years to be adopted. “Nobody wants a black-coated dog,” rescue workers told Delaney as she tried without success to find a home for Jake. And when Delaney turned to the Internet, she found that shelters across the country were overflowing with black-coated mutts. “Please don’t overlook our black dogs,” rescue groups pleaded on their home pages above pictures of Rottweilers, Chows and Labs sporting bright bandanas. One shelter’s website just came right out with the grim truth: “The general public is not aware of how doomed black dogs are when they are brought to a pound.” The more Delaney learned about the numbers of black dogs in shelters, the more determined she grew to make a difference—one black dog at a time. She started by adopting Jake, the overlooked Lab. But Jake would not be the only black dog in Delaney’s life. Her newly acquired insight into the plight of the BBD inspired her to create a website devoted to them. Last November, Delaney launched www.blackpearldogs.com and named her new site “Contrary to Ordinary: The Black Pearls of the Dog World.” Since its inception, the Black Pearl Dogs website has been visited by more than 7,500 people. “I’m starting to become a middle-person between shelters and rescues, to get their black dogs off death row,” says Delaney, whose inbox fills with email from shelters and rescue groups asking her to post pictures on her website of black dogs who were passed up on the way to the Golden Retrievers. When Amy Chase read about Delaney’s Black Pearl site on an Internet message board this spring, she had a big black dog of her own to worry about. Five months earlier, animal control officers had dropped off Mickie, a Newfoundland mix, at the Ohio County Animal Shelter in Rising Sun, Ind., where Chase works. Looking for ways to make Mickie more interesting to those who visited the shelter, Chase highlighted his Newfie heritage, but nothing seemed to work. To potential adoptors, “He was just another big, black, hairy dog,” recalls Chase. Mickie was scheduled for euthanasia in May, so Chase contacted Delaney, who in turn posted Mickie’s picture on the Black Pearl website. She also cross-posted it on other adoption sites, including Jen Wold’s Gemini Rottweiler and Pit Bull Rescue, where Delaney had found Jake. Before long, Mickie was no longer just another black dog, but the focus of three optimistic women and their commitment to finding him a home. Most black dogs have to rely on shelter staff and volunteers to steer potential adoptors their way. And indeed, many shelters take extra steps to make black dogs more adoptable, according to Kate Pullen, director of animal sheltering issues at the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, D.C. Teaching the dogs tricks, putting placards on kennels highlighting the dog’s personality (“I may just be a black dog, but I know how to balance a biscuit on my nose.”), making sure multiple black dogs aren’t kenneled next to one other—anything to catch the eye and imagination of potential adoptors. “I’ve had to turn away many black dogs because I can’t fill the place up with them,” says Jill Wimmer, shelter manager at PAWS Atlanta, that city’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. “And every one I turned away had a great temperament.” Wimmer knows that she can likely adopt out three dogs in the time it takes to find a home for one BBD. |
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I also have a black lab mix who will be 15 in 2 weeks. She is my first baby and the absolute love of my life. I got her at a shelter when she was 15 weeks old. I have to say she is the sweetest dog I have ever owned and I love her almost as much as my children. I have a black cockapoo too and I never considered not getting either of them because of their coloring. The lab's hairballs are a pain but any big, hairy dog has those. Thanks to all the people who fight to get these sweet dogs' homes and take them in so they aren't put down.
I didn't want to get a black dog because it seemed they were everywhere in my neighborhood. I wanted a dog I could discern at the park. My next door neighbor had two...I just wanted something different. But of course, after spending a couple of days at the local shelter, it was the easy, sweet temperament of a black lab that won me over. He's the best dog; I'm so glad I went beyond looking at coat colors and body size but instead chose to go with temperament and emotional connection. I think it's just best to not make a snap decision about any animal adoption. Really work with the dogs and find a connection prior to bringing one home. Now that I have had my lab, I"m not sure I would be able to choose any other breed again. They're wonderful!
We've had alot of great dogs but three of the most outstanding in temperament,intelligence and personality were a black Lab/Newf mix ,a 175 lb.black female Irish Wolfhound/Mastiff mix,and currently,a black Lab mix named Asphalt that we adopted after he'd been living on the street with no I.D. & we had no luck finding his owner.He's the smartest,most perceptive,friendly yet protective guy & we feel so blessed & lucky that he found us.People who reject BBDs have no idea what they're missing !
I have a beautiful Black Lab named Sam who is as gentle as they come. I also have a Yellow Lab named Blue. I walk them together and whenever we run into people they always migrate to Blue the Yellow Lab and may take the time after greeting him to also show attention to Sam. I don't get it either. A beautiful loving dog is a beautiful loving dog regardless of colour.
I love my Sam :)
My big, black dog and my black cat have been the best pets ever! They are sweet, loving members of our family.
Since reading this article a while back I adopted a black dog who'd been at a rescue group for a while and I've passed the word on about adopting black dogs. If your going to adopt, why not pick a black dog?! I volunteer at a shelter and know firsthand that all the white fluffy dogs are adopted 10x quicker... I don't get it really- I too prefer black dogs since I wear black so much!
How fascinating! I have always PREFERRED black animals -- my barn is full of black cats, all of my dobermans, the two I raised from a pups, and my two rescues, have been black, I'm drawn to black horses . . . They are just such striking animals. Maybe I'm perverse . . . There are two black cats living in my house as well.
Wow. I had not realized there was such doggie discrimination. My mom and I adopted a "BBD" as our first dog from an animal shelter in Washington State. I had previously been wary of some dogs - a childhood fear - but when I met my puppy Sam, an all black lab/Australian Shepherd mix, I fell in love instantly. He is the most loving, calm dog I have ever met and I think it is so funny when people see him and based on his BBD appearance ask if he is friendly. Sam wouldn't hurt a fly!
sometimes i think they are very hard to see in a dark shelter kennel. we take them all the time into our rescue and they flyoutta here! photos out in the light, good descriptions and all that help a ton to get these guys out. we LOVE our BBDs!!
It has been my experience that non-dog people assume my black dog to be aggressive, when actually he’s a sweet, lovable boy. I have two male German shepherds that I adopted as puppies. One is black and tan with a dark muzzle and tan face. The other is black and silver with a black face and mostly black body – the one assumed to be “mean.” No one seems to be afraid of my tan-faced GSD, and he’s the one that barks at strangers. Perhaps people assume a BBD is an aggressive dog or not a good family dog.
I agree! It is outrageous. I own three BIG black dogs and love every one of them. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one!
Yes, that is remarkable but true. I adopted an older black dog 3 years ago. He had waited more then 5 years in a shelter and then 2 in a foster home. Nobody contacted them, stayed at his cage or asked about him. Nobody threw even a short glance where he sat. How did I discover him? Well I often scan webpages where dogs wait for homes and I saw him year after year. When I lost one of my dogs then I thougt about looking him up. He was still there! Now he lives with me as a male diva, strong-minded elderly gentleman and I adore him. In spite of his black disliked coat, he is the best dog I´ve had!
This is outrageous! I had no idea! I wonder if this is somehow related to discrimination against black people?? Black dogs are so beautiful!