Black Dogs Face a Hard Choice at Shelter
In May, Delaney, Chase and Wold arranged for a network of volunteers to transport Mickie nearly 500 miles from Rising Sun, Ind., to Madison, Wisc. Crompton’s husband Shane drove Mickie another 400 miles to his new home in northern Minnesota. “His hip bones were protruding and his belly was sunken,” recalls Crompton of her first meeting with Mickie. “But he just sprawled out on the grass like it was the best feeling on the planet.”
Right now, Delaney is feeling pretty good herself, and hopes that her website, which is filled with black-dog facts, convinces more people to give a BBD a chance. She works for all the black dogs waiting in shelters and foster homes, and for the ones who never got a chance to know what it was like to play and be loved, she says. “I mostly just hope it helps people become aware of how overlooked and underadopted these dogs are,” says Delaney. “I had one person tell me, ‘Thank you for being an advocate for the black dog, because nobody else is.’”
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This article first appeared in The Bark, Issue 35, Mar/Apr 2006
Photograph by Diane Diederich
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So true! We have 2 rescues - both black - and a foster - black again! The 1st dogs I go for when volunteering at the shelter are the black ones - because everyone else wants to give time to the little ones or the yellow ones or whatever. God Bless you for your work!
A few years ago I became aware of the shocking fact that black labs were killed in large numbers at shelters. These dogs are very loving and protective, especially of children. Given the chance they are gentle, loving, tolerant and loyal. People need to learn not to pin a false concept on any dog without doing some research. I have had a total of 7 dogs in my lifetime. The first was a black mutt. Then a set of two which consisted of a black mutt and golden retriever/shepherd; the next set was a black lab/husky and golden retriever/shepherd; and my current pair are shepherd and black lab/border collie mix. All of the black dogs coloring was about 95% black. It never occurred to me to be afraid of them, especially the large labs (100 plus pounds). The two black labs were shelter rescues. They each had been returned twice within a month or two. And for the life of me I can't figure out why. They were both house broken, had some training, smart, playful, loving, behaved around other dogs and children, adjusted to their new home without problems, and quick to learn. Just wanted to please and be loved - don't we all. I STRONGLY URGE ADOPTING BIG BLACK DOGS - ESPECIALLY LABS. I can't stress how loving they are. You have no idea what a great companion you are missing out on. My first black lab lived to age 10 and I miss him everyday. As I do all my dogs. Dogs, like people have their own personality, so pick a dog according to matching your personality than what color it is -give a BBD a chance.
It would never occur to me to not get a black dog--I didn't even realize there was a stigma attached.
My current and past Standard Poodles were black. My Angie (the current one) is service dog trained (yes she is trained to be that way.) Traveling with her or just going for a walk is like being with a very friendly celebrity--she loves and is loved by lots of little kids. Control is and always been a very gentle thing--she's just a great dog.
I've known Labs (they're the black ones, btw) to be one of the least "messed with" breeds--their genetics aren't screwed up by inbreeding and as long as you kinda watch their diet, they tend to live a long and ridiculously happy, healthy life.
Sounds like animal "racism" to me, is why I researched this. Most of the time I see on TV the Blonde dogs shown as the ultimate family pet. Another subtle way people are brain-washed into accepting the lighter is better attitude.
Sound familiar??
For years, and to this day black cats got a bad rap for being unlucky/bringers of bad luck and get kill just for being black.
While in Africa the people loved them for being the guardians and bringers of good luck.
Love the Golden Labrador, Hate the Black Labrador.
Love the Blondes, Hate the Brunettes.
Love Blue Eyes, Hate Dark Brown Eyes.
Love Light Skin, Hate Dark Skin.
Love White Skin, Hate Black Skin.
Think about It.
My parents got me a black lab mix when I was five and she lived to be 17 almost 18 years old...and we just got my daughter one about a year and half ago, when she was five(along w/her sister who is yellow) who could have been a twin to the one I had growing up down to the white spot on her chest. Love both dearly and could not have imagined another dog growing up..
I had a black lab mix growing up from the time I was five until I was 22 almost 23. We just got my daughter (who was five at the time) a black lab mix a year and half ago along with her sister a yellow lab mix. And they are sooooo protective of my daughter..I know where she is when she is outside because the dogs follow her every where. I hope we are blessed enough to have them live as long as my dog did when I was growing up. (Mine was 17 almost 18 when we had to have her put down because her heart was giving out)
I have heard this before at adoption events at Petsmart and other places where I live. I don't think it has anything to do with black people at all - just that they are so "common" as if their color has anything to do with their personalities. I like what you all have said about black dogs. I think it applies to cats too - black is the most common color for cats. My black and white adopted the day before she was scheduled to "be put down" was sporting a red bandana the day I took my husband there to see whether he would agree that she was/is a sweetheart and worthy of a good home. We have now had her almost 15 years and she is a love.
I adopted my best friend in 2006, June, to be exact.
I had recently had a miscarriage, was 19, incredibly sad, and no where near family. Alot of my days had been spent lying in my bed while my boyfriend at the time, got wasted with our roommates in the garage. I was sick of being alone, and sad. He clearly didn't care about me, so, instead of spending yet another day in bed, one of my roommates and I decided to go to the local shelter in El Cajon, CA. We wandered through the kennels, and there he was. 17 weeks old, black and a little white, pittbull puppy. Originally, my roommate adopted, 'Jake', but for some reason Jake took a liking to me. He began sleeping with me, I'd walk him, take him on car rides, but mostly, he was there for me when no one was. I made him the promise that so long as he's living, he'll be with me where ever I go. I don't care that there's BSL, I will not condemn my best friend and now, my furry son to death because of his breed. He saved my life, and showed me more love than I could have imagined. Right now, he's sleeping at the foot of my bed, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He truly is my miracle puppy.
I just adopted a sweet,adorable almost totally black cockapoo puppy.Someone had even paid the full price,lost their money because they "changed their mind".Their loss is definitely my (and the little guy's)gain.I wonder about the color thing because my puppy was the only one of the litter who was almost completely black.Something to reflect on.I believe the color really was the deciding factor for them.I love him and am happy he's mine! Thank you.
I had no idea there was a stigma attached to black dogs. I have heard of evil people buying black cats for Halloween and treating them horribly. We bought our black lab mix puppy from the shelter because he was absolutely beautiful and had a sweet temperament. The worker told us black dog were not popular for adoptions and offered us several incentives from black dog rescue groups to take him home.