(Today's article was written by Elizabeth Rigrish, Marketing Intern, Dreamtime Publishing. Thank you, Liz, for all your help this semester with getting the word out about Open Your Heart with Pets!)

An interesting phenomenon in the dog adoption world has recently become very apparent. Dogs that are large and black, especially labs, shepherd mixes, pit bulls, and rottweilers are passed over time after time for smaller, lighter colored dogs for adoption. Some shelters have even named this phenomenon "Big black dog syndrome" because of its prevalence. Although, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this problem is not tracked nationally and local shelters keep only limited records on the size, breed, and color of the dogs that are adopted or put down, the problem has become apparent to shelters as they see this reoccurring pattern; big black dogs do not get adopted. At the city animal shelter in Rogers, Arkansas, big black dogs make up the majority of animals that are put down each month. Last month, 13 of the 14 animals put to sleep consisted of big black dogs.

Big black dogs have a negative connotation to some potential pet owners, who mistakenly assume they are mean and aggressive. The concept of the big, black dog as capable of unleashing destruction is a common theme among books, movies, and folklore, which may be partially responsible for this misconception. Another reason that people may be hesitant to become owners of these dogs is the message that the dog may portray about the owner. Owning this type of dog may lead people to believe that the owner has the same negative characteristics that are associated with big black dogs.

Animal shelters attempt to explain the reasoning behind this problem, stating that black dogs of all sizes are difficult to photograph for online listings, and that they are easily hidden in the dark shadows of their cages. Another reason why people are wary of black dogs is that it is difficult to read their expressions due to their dark coloring. Because of the lack of defined eyebrows and absence of contrast between black eyes and black face, it can be a challenge to determine how the dog is feeling.

Blackpearldogs.com is a web site that is devoted to increasing public awareness about the "big black dog phenomenon." This site offers reasons to adopt big black dogs, and advises that people should adopt dogs based on personality and lifestyle match rather than on color or size.