“Black Dog Syndrome” is a reality that haunts all animal shelters. If you're not familiar with it, we'll explain what it is and how a well-known photographer undertook a project to end this stigma. This syndrome is a phenomenon where black dogs are most often rejected by people looking to adopt from shelters; people always prefer to adopt a pet with lighter fur.
There are many theories as to why this syndrome exists. The first is television and cinema; when an aggressive dog is portrayed, it is generally black. This gets ingrained in our subconscious and, unfortunately, makes many people believe that a light-colored dog will not be dangerous. Another theory is superstition; just like black cats, dogs of this color are associated with the devil and misfortune.
Another problem these ARISTOPETS face is that they are harder to photograph. Black absorbs light, so when taking a photo, their facial expressions don't register as well as a light-colored dog's. We must remember that shelters don't usually have many resources, and most of the time, they don't have a good camera or a studio for taking pictures. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to photograph them with normal cameras, making light-colored dogs appear more "friendly" in their photos.
Shelters try to counteract this syndrome by placing them in front cages, taking photos with colored bandanas or leashes, lowering adoption fees, among other things.
The Black Dog Project
Photographer Fred Levy is an ARISTOPETER who began his career by photographing his dog Toby and other ARISTOPETS in his neighborhood. One day while walking, he heard a woman talking about "Black Dog Syndrome." He was very intrigued by the topic and decided to do something to change the bad reputation black furry friends have. He started "The Black Dog Project," a series of photographs that highlight the beauty of these animals.
Initially, Fred began by contacting people through Facebook to photograph their pets, but then he dedicated himself to visiting shelters in search of black ARISTOPETS who needed a new home. He started posting the photos on his Tumblr, and it quickly went viral. Two years later, he released a book with a compilation of all the photos, and part of the proceeds are donated to a San Diego rescue group. Today, Fred's blog is still active and publishes photos of shelter dogs.
If you're thinking of adopting a dog, don't overlook black dogs; they will give you the same love as any other. And remember that at ARISTOPET, we trust the work done by the shelters Villa Pepa, Doganzo, and Nueva Vida. Don't hesitate to contact them if you want to become an ARISTOPARENT.