Why is it more difficult to find homes for black dogs?
At Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK, we believe every dog deserves a loving home, regardless of their past, size or fur colour. Unfortunately, it's a sad reality that beautiful black dogs often spend more time in shelters than their lighter-coloured counterparts. This phenomenon, known as "Black Dog Syndrome," raises many questions – why does this happen, and what can we do to change it? Today, we're raising awareness and introducing you to a very special boy named Lago, who's looking for his forever home in the UK.
Why do black dogs get overlooked?
Black dogs can be harder to photograph well, especially in shelter environments where lighting might be poor. Details and expressions can get lost in the shadows, making their online profiles less appealing. It can be slightly harder to read a black dog's facial expressions at a glance, potentially making them seem less approachable.
Old superstitions or negative stereotypes about black dogs might linger in some people's minds. While completely unfounded, they can subconsciously impact initial impressions. For any Harry Potter fans out there, an example is The Grim, a large black dog meant to mean the demise of the person who came across it. You are likely reading this and going, The Grim in Harry Potter is not stopping me from adopting a black dog. We agree it is less likely these tales or old superstitions impact your decision on which dog to adopt, it is more likely that it is difficult to photograph black dogs and you can see the expressions and character of lighter dogs in photos and videos better.
The Truth About Black Dogs
Black dogs are just as loving, playful, and loyal as any dog, regardless of their colour. Their personalities are just as diverse and wonderful! With a little extra attention to lighting and angles, black dogs can be incredibly photogenic. Adopting a black dog will not bring you bad luck, it will change your life for the better, as it will for the dog you give a home to.
Lago (now adopted) photographed in the sun
Lago is everything you could want in a dog and more. This active 3-year-old stands at 55cm tall and weighs around 16kg. He's ready to be your new adventure buddy, he is an adorable boy who does photography quite differently depending on the light he is in!
Lago in the shade, he could pass for a different dog here!
Lago is an affectionate young boy who also gets on well with other dogs, he is obedient and a speedy runner! At the moment he is living in a concrete kennel with no heating during the winter, he has blankets to lie on but no soft bed, and no humans to cuddle up with in the evening.
Lago is currently in Spain and would love to find a forever home in the UK. If you have an active lifestyle and plenty of love to give, please contact Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK to learn more about adopting a dog from Spain.
*June 2024 update-Lago has been adopted!
National Black Dog Day
Founded in 2011 by Colleen Paige, National Black Dog Day is celebrated every year on the 1st of October. This is a day for organisations to raise awareness of Black Dog Syndrome and promote the adoption of black dogs. On National Black Dog Day or any day, you can help by sharing black dogs looking for homes or stories of some amazing black dogs that are thriving now they have been adopted.
Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK helps rescue dogs from Spain find loving homes in the UK.
Adopting a dog from Spain is more straightforward than you might think, we deal with everything for you and with full Rescue Back Up, we are there for you from adoption and every day after that.
There's a misconception that Spanish rescue dogs are somehow less desirable than their UK counterparts. This simply isn't true. Many Spanish dogs are perfectly healthy, playful, and eager to please. Some may have had a rough start in life, but with love and understanding, they can blossom into wonderful companions. If you are looking to adopt a dog, please consider adopting a rescue dog from Spain.