Black Dog Day

Does your canine buddy have black fur? Give Fido a special treat, or perhaps a new toy: it’s Black Dog Day! This is one of several awareness days for black pets. They really need the extra attention, because they often have a harder time finding homes than other dogs and cats. A local New Albany, IN vet offers some insight to this topic in this article. 

The Folklore

Black dogs definitely have carved a spot for themselves in mythology. There are quite a few different myths and legends associated with them. In fact, black dogs pop up in folklore from many ancient cultures, including the Greeks, Celts, and Scandinavians. Black dog myths are particularly prevalent in the UK. One of the more famous ones is the Black Shuck of Suffolk, England. The Hound of The Baskervilles is another famous example. 

Black Dog Syndrome

As mentioned above, black dogs often have a hard time getting adopted. This is so common there’s even a name for it: Black Dog Syndrome. However, there is a grey area here: some studies showed that black dogs fare much better than black cats. In any case, there’s always room for spreading awareness.

Breeds That Wear Black

Quite a few pups are allowed to sport black. The Black Labrador is undoubtedly the most beloved. Some of the others include the Cane Corzo, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Russian Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Poodle, Pug, and Pomeranian. Of course, there are also plenty of black mutts out there!

Celebrating

Is your canine buddy dressed in black? Have fun with the day’s theme, and roll with it. You may want to listen to Led Zeppelin’s classic song Black Dog. Patrick Swayze also starred in a movie called Black Dog. The Hound Of The Baskervilles is another good choice. There are also quite a few products and companies sporting black dogs in their names or logos. Try one of their products.

Raising Awareness

Of course, the ultimate goal of black dog day is to raise awareness about the troubles black dogs face. If you  have a black pup, take pictures of Fido and share them on social media. Just be sure to choose a background that contrasts with your pup’s fur … unless, of course, you want a ‘void pupper’ photo. 

As your local New Albany, IN animal clinic, we are committed to providing your beloved pet with the best care around. Please contact us for all of your dog’s veterinary care needs.