Have you ever heard that black dogs often get overlooked at shelters? It’s something called Black Dog Syndrome – a situation where black dogs, especially larger breeds, are adopted less often and tend to wait longer for their forever homes.
Sometimes it’s because they don’t photograph well under harsh shelter lighting, and other times it’s due to old superstitions or them simply being perceived as less friendly compared to their lighter-colored counterparts.
However, the evidence is mixed:
- Some studies found black dogs have longer stays in shelters, supporting the phenomenon
- Other research shows no adoption disadvantage – sometimes even faster adoptions – after controlling for variables like breed, size, or age
Despite the academic dispute, many shelters take Black Dog Syndrome seriously, especially when they notice potential adopters skipping over black dogs in their listings.
But here’s the thing: these dogs are just as loving, playful, and loyal as any other dog waiting for a family to take them home. They just need a little extra help to let their personalities shine through photos and stories.
đź“· Tackling It Through Photography
That’s where people like Maggie Epling come in. Maggie is a photographer with a heart for helping shelter dogs find homes. She spends her time taking stunning, heartfelt portraits of shelter pups, capturing their soulful eyes and gentle personalities in a way that grabs the attention of potential adopters. Her work has been featured in Newsweek because it’s making a real difference in the lives of these dogs who simply need a chance to be seen.
When you see one of Maggie’s portraits, you see more than just a black dog. You see a dog who is curious, sweet, and ready to give endless cuddles to the person willing to take them home. Her photos have helped many dogs get adopted simply because people could finally see their personalities come to life in a way shelter photos often fail to capture.
Fred Levy, based in Massachusetts, launched The Black Dogs Project <-(his book on Amazon) after hearing shelters lament that black dogs are “first euthanized and last adopted.” He photographs them against black backgrounds, using dramatic lighting to capture their personality and appeal.
Emma O’Brien, a South African photographer, created The Black Series. She volunteers with shelters, shooting black dogs in-studio against dark backdrops to emphasize their beauty and character. Her powerful portraits have garnered international attention and shine a spotlight on this adoption bias.
I absolutely love Emma’s photography – she captions her images with the dog’s personality, similar to how Stephen Colbert presents his dogs on his Rescue Dog Rescue segment.
How This Helps Black Dogs
The strong, high-contrast photos these photographers take help black dogs pop in adoption listings, countering the often muted imagery that can make them disappear online.
Their beautiful portraits help throw stereotypes out the window, showing these dogs as friendly, expressive companions. Not as undefined silhouettes, not as “mean” dogs.
The photos often spark “Back in Black” adoption promotions and shelter campaigns to encourage adopters to choose black dogs.
What You Can Do
- Adopting? Always look beyond coat color—personality, temperament, and compatibility matter most.
- Shelters: Improve your lighting and invest in quality photography. Consider campaigns or fee discounts to boost adoption rates for black dogs.
- Photographers: Donate your skills to help black dogs stand out—your work can directly help save lives.
If you’re a photographer, consider volunteering at your local shelter to help black dogs (and all dogs) look their best in adoption photos. And if you can’t adopt right now, sharing these beautiful portraits, supporting photographers like Maggie, or volunteering at a shelter are all ways you can help black dogs get the second chance they deserve.
Black Dog Syndrome may be complex and nuanced, but its impact is real in many shelters. Talented photographers like Maggie Epling, Fred Levy, and Emma O’Brien are changing perceptions one portrait at a time, using their creativity and compassion to ensure that black dogs get the love and home they deserve.
Black Dog Syndrome is a reminder that every dog deserves a fair chance at finding a loving home, no matter what color their fur is. If you’re looking to adopt, take an extra moment to meet the black dogs at your local shelter. You may just find your new best friend, full of love and loyalty, waiting patiently for you to notice them.
Together, we can help these wonderful dogs be seen for who they truly are: loving companions ready to fill your life with joy and tail wags.
