Can dogs be racist?

Question

Well my friend has a dog.
&&
every time we walk down the street she barks at anyone thats not White. Its really embarassing for her.
&&
She feels supper bad and apoligizes tons of times!
So can they be racist

Answer 1

Not exactly.

It's that dogs tend to be afraid of things that are unfamiliar. If the dog was raised entirely around white people, they would find a black person "odd" and worthy of alarm. The same thing is also common with people wearing hats, or uniforms, or even beards. And the reverse could happen, a dog raised entirely around black people could find white people "scary" because he is unfamiliar with them.

Answer 2

well, they can be racist in a weird sort of way. Actually it's more based on scent , at least initially. It usually happens when dogs are undersocialized as puppies.

African Americans have a different skin type than whites, so there is a slightly different scent. To US it's not obvious, but dogs really rely on their sense of smell. People from some cultural groups also have slightly different scents because of spices used in a lot of cooking.

As long as dogs are exposed to a variety of enthnicities when they're young they understand that scent differences among humans is kind of normal. If they're not socialized, they just don't get it, and eventually the scent differences they react to become visual things as well.

Answer 3

ah -- this is an age old question - -no dogs can't be racist -- in general african americans have a greater fear of dogs as in the stereotypes of people like michael vick and "mean" dogs. you don't see people out walking teacup poodles often in low income neighborhoods.

anyway dogs pick up on the scent and body language of someone that is scared of them -- also if your friend has any even slight inclination not to trust anyone not white the dog could be going into protective mode. but dogs don't make judements based on color. you never see a dog that loves white dogs and barks at black dogs -- as would be the case if it were that simple.

Answer 4

Dogs are not racist, but they can pick up on their owners feelings and react. Is your friend nervous around black people? Is she racist herself? Is she apprehensive just for the fact her dog will bark? I suggest she and her dog work with a trainer.

Answer 5

I think it is stupid for your friend to apologize, since it is only pointing it out to the person the dog is barking at--think about it--if a dog barked at you, would you assume it's because you are black? No, you'd assume its just that kind of a dog.

Answer 6

Yes they can be and more dogs than you would imagine are. Although their "racism" is different from human's. My mom has a great dane that for whatever reason does not like black people. The other two dogs don't care, but that one gets real skiddish around them. One of my danes never liked red heads or people with glasses. He would just bark his head off at them.

Your friend shouldn't apologize. What she should work on is keeping the animal's attention on walking rather than letting it get distracted and barking at people.

Answer 7

When I was young, I had a Dalmatian that despised black men. He'd bark and growl at them, showing his teeth in a threatening manner.
It was embarrassing for us because our family is NOT racist in any way what-so-ever.

But then again, my previous Dalmatian had a thing where he despised woman, especially blonde's.

I think it depends on the dog. They do have minds of their own, you know?

Answer 8

Your dog may be feeling her masters mood. This may not be the case though I brought a Black friend to my brothers house once and the dog went nuts he was scared to death of him. My friend was scared of dogs so maybe the dog sensed that but it sure seemed like racism from the dog.

Answer 9

I think bassetnut is right, after reading a ton of answers. I never realized any dog acted that way!

Answer 10

Kind of. For some reason some dogs don't like others. I don't think its the color but some dogs will see each other and start to fight.