National Black Dog Day is observed on October 1st every year. It’s a holiday that encourages people to consider adopting a dog with a darker coat. Why is this important, you may ask?

That’s because black dogs are statistically less likely to be adopted from animal shelters than lighter-colored dogs. Although there hasn’t been a great deal of scientific research on the subject yet, there are some theories as to why black dogs are not adopted as often.

It may be because black dogs are portrayed as evil in TV shows and movies, or because it can be harder to read their facial expressions. Regardless, these dogs need just as much love as any other dog, so everyone is encouraged to observe this holiday and adopt a black dog.

The History of National Black Dog Day

This holiday was first created by Colleen Paige in 2011. She’s a pet and family lifestyle expert who has created several animal-themed holidays. These holidays include National Dog Day, National Puppy Day, and National Cat Day.

She created this holiday to raise public awareness about “Black Dog Syndrome,” the tendency for black dogs to be less frequently adopted, so that more of these dogs can find their forever homes.

Some Reasons to Adopt a Black Dog

If we still haven’t persuaded you to adopt a black dog, then allow us to provide some additional reasons why we think black dogs should be at least considered for adoption. We believe the following reasons are pretty compelling and demonstrate why these dogs can be some of the best pets a person can own.

• Black dogs don’t show dirt as prominently as dogs of lighter colors.
• Black dogs stand out well in photographs, especially in high-contrast settings such as snowy landscapes.
• Black dog hair is less noticeable on your black T-shirt or black dress.
• Black dogs can be intimidating to potential burglars.
• Black dogs are as loyal as any other dog.

Observing National Black Dog Day

On this day, everyone who is considering adopting a dog should think about adopting a black dog. These are the dogs that are often overlooked at shelters.

This is also a good time for people to spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalBlackDogDay on social media. Let’s all work together to find more homes for black dogs, so they can find the families they belong with.