Black Dog Syndrome

LIAM LOOKING/LICKING AT BROWN DOG IMAGE ON HIS BLANKET

We were at North Shore Animal League, New Year's Day, 2008. There were no available puppies remaining in the first two rooms.  All had signs in code that meant, "Being considered for adoption, potential human parents being vetted-don't get your hopes up on this pooch, keep moving."  We had gotten off to a late start and many people had been there before us.  In the last room on the bottom shelf of cages were two black puppies, cages side by side, brothers we were told.  The one we came upon first was Ernie, the future Liam. "That is the dog I want. There are only two left and we cannot leave him."  I was already projecting my continuing nightmare of being left alone onto this rescue dog.  A black dog being ignored.  No, we must save him.  I did not notice that day but Liam has white markings on his chest, shaped exactly like an upright bone.

WHITE BONE MARKING ON CHEST

We were approved and took him home.  Having only been Ernie for a few days, he transitioned to Liam quickly.  I still wonder about his brother.

 
On February 17, The View aired its annual Mutt show.  A four-month-old black dog, Bridget, was named best adoptable mutt by Westminster judge, David Frei.  I wondered at the time why he picked her as she was the youngest, a puppy still, and to me the most adoptable.  People always want the puppy.  David said something that got me thinking.  He explained that he often picks a dog that would be the toughest to be adopted, so based on what he knows about shelter dogs, he picked Bridget. 
I was surprised, as I always believed that puppies were the first to be adopted and older dogs were hardest to be placed.  You tube follows with the Bridget announcement

Every day I view Best in Show Pet Resort's  photos of the current day's playgroup. These photos are posted on their Facebook page.  I am always searching for Liam look alike dogs and often remark to Paul that all the dogs are light brown, white, multi-color etc. The few black dogs stand out-check link out for a look-the dogs are worth seeing.
https://www.facebook.com/bispr

Recently, I read an article in  Cesar's Way http://www.cesarsway.com/ about black dog syndrome  I had never heard of it- see link for a story about this-
http://www.cesarsway.com/community/pettravel/Travels-with-My-Dog-Casey-Black-Dog-Syndrome

There is a debate in our country about the existence of  black dog syndrome. Some rescue experts say there is a reluctance, resistance to adopting black dogs from shelters.  Bad qualities are attributed to black dogs.  I have read that Winston Churchill called his days of depression "black dog days" certainly not good.  The illustrations for the dog in the Sherlock Holmes mystery Hound of the Baskervilles show a menacing toothy glowing black hound.  Not a sweet licking docile doggie image.
I looked on You tube for more info and wow, there is testimony from rescue experts of a wariness about black dogs and I have included one


Were Liam and his brother unclaimed because they were black dogs?  Or were they just last to be seen, on the bottom row and not easily visible?  Did David Frei anoint Bridget because he believed she needed that title to give her an edge in being adopted?  Best in Show has proportionately fewer black dogs in its play groups.  Possibly black dog syndrome at work?  Is all this anecdotal?  Just observation,  Any real stats?
I never noticed as many friends have had black or mostly black dogs- Duffy, Molly, Rosie, Kendl.
Liam actually has a dark brown glow when in the sun-must be the one-quarter Irish setter. Passersby still refer to Liam as the little black dog on Baxter Avenue.  He can look like an alien as in the next photo

LIAM LOOKING SCARY-would you adopt this dog?

Or sweet and calm as in the next photo.

NON-SCARY LIAM-adoptable?

BTW, Liam does not sleep there.  He was warming it up for Daddy Paul.

Woof, woof