Black dog syndrome

[2][3] Initial research at one location identified a longer period experienced by black dogs before adoption, but subsequent studies considered to be more robust (as conducted in a larger number of geographically spread shelters) have shown that when shelter visitors video-recorded their walk through the adoption area, they spent equal amounts of time looking at every dog, regardless of coat color.

[1] A study done by the Los Angeles Animal Services challenges some of these claims, saying that a full 28% of adopted dogs are black.

[8][9][10] While many shelter workers claim the phenomenon is real, its acceptance is disputed, and quantitative analyses are limited.

[1][11] A 1992 article in the journal Animal Welfare, found that color was not a major factor in adoptions at a Northern Ireland shelter; black-and-white coats were most prevalent among adopted dogs, followed by yellow, solid black, gold, and black-and-tan coats.

[1] A 2013 study of dogs' length of stay (LOS) at two New York "no-kill" shelters determined that canine coat color had no effect.

[11][16] The study noted that coat color's effect on LOS may be localized or not generalize to traditional or other types of shelters.