Age a key factor in rehoming dogs, study finds
Results showed that the average length for adoption for black dogs was not significantly longer than that for coloured dogs.
The media often report that coat colour negatively affects adoption rates for black domestic dogs. However, a new study has challenged this view, finding that age and breed of dog are key factors in the waiting time for adoption.
Black Dog Syndrome (BDS) is a disputed phenomenon in which black dogs are looked over for adoption in favour of lighter coloured animals.
Not only is it suggested that black fur increases a dog's likelihood of euthanasia, but it is also widely though that black fur negatively impacts the amount of time dogs spend in adoption.
While rehoming centres may focus on BDS and ways to promote black dogs, there is a chance that the influences of other factors - such as age, sex and breed, may get overlooked.
In the study, published in the journal Animal Welfare, researchers analysed four years of intake and outcome data from two animal shelters in the United States.
Results showed that the average length for adoption (LOA) for black dogs was not significantly longer than that for coloured dogs. Nor was the rate of euthanasia of black dogs any higher than average.
Conversely age, breed and group were consistent predictors of shelter outcomes across both shelters. Older dogs tended to have longer LOA and were euthanised at higher rates than expected.
Perhaps not surprisingly, ‘bully’ breeds like the Staffordshire bull terrier spent significantly more time in both shelters and, compared to other breeds, were euthanised at higher than expected rates.
“Approximately 3.9 million dogs each year are accepted into community animal shelters in the United States,” commented co-author Professor Christy Hoffman.
“Whilst the impetus for this study was to examine the impact of black coat colour on the length of availability for adoption and the likelihood of euthanasia, our results indicated that it is in actual fact a brindle coloured coat that is associated with increased likelihood of euthanasia and increased LOA, not black.”
The researchers hope that their findings will be used by other shelters to inform intake and marketing strategies.
They add that shelters may also benefit from applying some of the methods used in the study to take a closer look at their own adoption and euthanasia-related trends.
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
