Why are there so many black labs in shelters?

Question

I was work at the local shelter and regularly notice that there are far more BLACK lab pups available for adoption than pups from other breeds. Why is that? They were so cute, and they were really sweet. I just can't get my mind around it.

Answer 1

It is called "Black Dog Syndrome".

Look at these websites:
http://www.blackpearldogs.com/
http://www.pedigree.com/dogsandpuppies/senior+dogs/relationship/bigblackdogs.asp

Answer 2

According to the AKC, labs have been the number 1 breed in our country for a few years. This causes breeders, reputable and not, to breed more litters in order to satisfy demand. Unfortunately, puppy mills also get in on the act and produce sub-standard puppies. People also have a habit of seeing a cute puppy and buying it on the spot without doing their homework into the breed first. Labs are chewers up until around the age of 2 years. They can bark and be excitable, and need lots of exercise. Many people just don't realize all of this when they are looking down into those beautiful brown eyes. I am not sure why your shelter gets a lot of black pups in, unless you have an area breeder who isn't doing the proper screening on their buyers; however, maybe someone from your shelter should look into it because you could have a puppymill on your hands.

Answer 3

Because people get dogs like Labs(and other large, high energy breeds) and THEN they realize the cute puppy stage does wear off...and you DO have to train your dog and walk and exercise it. Then people get tired of doing that and tired of the dog shewing things up. Then they go dump it at the shelter because it was too much of a "problem"... That is why I preach that people need to research before getting a dog and make sure they choose the correct breed for their personality and lifestyle. Also, I think the fact that many people have a negative association with the black color is why black cats and dogs are the least likely to be adopted. Also, now a days, a lot of people are into the smaller breeds and just don't want to deal with large dogs.

Answer 4

Labs in general are the most often dumped breed at shelters. I think this is because the Lab has earned a positive stereotype for itself.

Thanks to movies and other media, people see Labradors as the All-American family pet: loyal, good with children, playful, sweet-natured. So unknowledgable people buy them expecting to automatically get a dog like that.

Later, after the "cute puppy stage" wears off, they find that they own a lummox of a dog, who costs a lot to feed, and who is hyperactive and has bad manners and little obedience. They wonder why the dog has turned out like this, because he acts nothing like the Labs in movies and shows.

As time goes on and patience wears thin, these people eventually just dump their dogs somewhere, or surrender them to a shelter, because the can't handle such a big responsibility.

I have a yellow Lab that was dumped on the county road where I live. He was so skinny, I was amazed he was still alive...Anyway, this is my thinking on the subject.

Answer 5

There are more labs than any other dog. So it DOES make sense that there would be more of them in the shelter. But the last dogs to get homes are large, black dogs. Black labs, rottweilers and mixes of those two are the most likely to sit there. Most dogs end up in the shelter when they are 6-18 months old. That adorable black lab baby who just slept peacefully on your lap at 8 weeks and who was cute jumping up on you and chewing your hand is not so cute when it grows up to weigh 70 lbs and is still jumping and mouthing and doing baby things. Labs are highly active dogs, they are bred to run and retrieve things, and to swim. A lab tossed into the back yard will not excersise itself enough, and a bored lab full of pent up energy is going to find something to entertain him/herself and probably with something you don't approve of. Tearing up household items, digging holes in the yard etc. These dogs need obedience training and lots and lots of activity. They are best suited to active outdoor people who like to jog, take long walks, hiking , swimming, or throwing the ball for hours on end. They are highly intelligent, playful, and a bit stubborn, but a well trained lab is a gem of a dog and a great companion. And a tired lab is a well behaved lab. I hope that anyone considering one of these will research the breed before getting carried away by those adorable faces. It's true they are usually very friendly, but friendly untrained dogs will knock over your kids or trip you up out of excitement and that hurts, and gets really annoying. If you want a laid back dog, that does not require lots of physical and mental stimulation, please choose another breed of dog.

Answer 6

we have a 3mo old 25 lb black lab pup, female.. after looking for a dog for a year, NOT this breed or color, she came to us within minutes, {then a week and a few hundred miles later} i had no idea she would be so dark..we love her more every day, with training and long walks every day..of course..what i have noticed is that even though i know she would rather chase a fly than hurt it, small children and some adults have fear reactions to her. so i am training{so far succesfully} her to sit to greet everyone, especially children, as i make her sit i talk to the child and say we are teaching her manners, so please do not touch until she is sitting or laying down, and they listen too!!!!! I have a toddler, so she is used to small people and knows they mean no harm, so the dog does not react to beaing touched or even poked or even layed or sat on by a small child....i also have 13 yr old twin girls, one of witch was bitten as a child by a large black dog, and ever since has been afraid to actual tears of large dark color dogs. so guess who was the most shocked. but would you believe this same daughter of mine is now teaching our black lab pup agility training??

Answer 7

Because labs are the most popular breed of dog in America according to the AKC. Thus, there would be a higher ratio of labs to other dogs in the shelter.

Answer 8

because there are so many backyard breeders or people who think because the lab is the number one AKC registered dog they will be homed for life after they sell them to the unprepared dog owner thinking because it is a lab it must be perfect.....Also, a fact is:. Black dogs in any breed, especially large ones, are harder to place out of shelters because they do not have a sweet look due to their color. Dumb, but true.... Obviously, we are "color" blind and see their beauty thru their color anyways.

Answer 9

because they are very common breed. most people that get them do so because they are cute...and then they realize they are large high energy dogs that need exercise and training.
same with pit bulls.
also people have more of a tendency to be afraid of black dogs and will not adopt them.

Answer 10

for some reason, people have a preference in a lighter colored fur. Maybe that is why there are more BLACK labs.
As for the labrador part, probably because that is one of the most popular breed in america.