Have you ever heard of black dog syndrome?

Black dog syndrome refers to the tendency for black dogs to be overlooked for adoption in favor of animals with lighter or merle coloring. Animal shelters frequently use the term BBD, or big black dog, to refer to the larger, dark-colored mixed-breed dogs that adopters often pass by. BDS is a problem that negatively impacts the adoption rates of black pets.

We encounter this quite frequently. When we have a litter of Australian Shepherds, 99% of the time, the black tris are overlooked, especially if they don't have blue eyes. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of raising Aussies for me. Families searching for a pet often choose a puppy based on color rather than temperament. When we receive inquiries about an Aussie pup, they usually specify wanting a merle puppy with blue eyes and are only willing to spend $200.

When your family is thinking about adopting a puppy as a pet, please prioritize temperament over coat or eye color.