Don't Judge A Dog By It's Color.

May 23rd, 2016

People often stop us and ask to have their photos taken with Zuma. Initially, she was camera shy but now she is fine with selfie sticks and people taking stills and videos.  It's a great socialization exercise and, most importantly, Zuma enjoys it.

Great Danes are known as 'The Gentle Giants' of the dog world. 
Intimidating to some because of their XL dog size, Danes are among the most subdued of the giant canine breeds.  However, there exists a syndrome regarding big black dogs.  I find this fascinating because, of all animals, I'm attracted to the color black when it comes to pet companions.  I've owned and own black horses, black dogs and black cats.  This may go back to my Father who was keen on black felines; he owned a black cat he named Lucky and oh, how he loved that cat. When I was searching for a Great Dane Rescue Dog, I wanted to adopt a black Dane.  Until last week, I didn't realize a prejudice about black dogs even existed.

I found this on Wikipedia: 

Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a disputed phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals.^[1] Animal shelters often use the term BBD, or big black dog, to describe the type of larger dark-colored mixed-breed said to be typically passed over by adopters.

YIKES.

I also found this on Wikipedia:

Superstition, prejudice, bringer of good or bad luck:

The folklore surrounding black cats varies from culture to culture. The Scots believe that a strange black cat's arrival to the home signifies prosperity. In Celtic mythology, a fairy known as the Cat Sìth takes the form of a black cat. Black cats are also considered good luck in the rest of Britain and Japan.^[4] Furthermore, it is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors.^[5] However, in Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches, and so most of Europe considers the black cat a symbol of bad luck, especially if one crosses paths with a person, which is believed to be an omen of misfortune and death. In Germany, some believe that black cats crossing a person's path from right to left, is a bad omen. But from left to right, the cat is granting favorable times.^[6] In the United Kingdom it is commonly considered that a black cat crossing a person's path is a good omen.^[7]

On our journey, Zuma and I have occasionally experienced some "antisocial" behavior from dog owners.  For the MOST PART Zuma is greeted as The Gentle Giant her breed is familiar for, The Scooby Doo of Dogs.  A female Marmaduke.  Big, goofy, easy going.  Mellow.  This is who Great Danes are.  

On multiple occasions, people have crossed the street to meet Zuma (with or without a dog, often with a small, curious child); she adores the attention and, like most Great Danes, loves children who delight in the fact that this dog is taller than they are and weighs four or five times as much as they weigh.  Good for you, parents, for being open-minded and trusting and teaching your children to ask before they approach any dog.

There have been more than a few scenes where a small child sobbed and screamed because the parents wouldn't allow them to have a visit with Zuma but mostly, the children are granted access and they love it.  A pony in a dog suit.  It melts my heart.

Gavin, a little 4 year old boy at our RV Park was initially afraid of Zuma.  Curiosity got the better of him and they became friends. Gavin would visit every day.  One day we didn't see him and wondered why.  Later that afternoon, we passed by his family's motor home and Gavin ran out to greet Zuma.  His Grandmother other came out and told us laughingly that Gavin had seen another dog Zuma's color and it was much smaller.  Gavin was upset and asked her, "What happened? Zuma shrunk!"  He was pretty relieved when we stopped by and he saw she was still her big ole self!

Clearly, people who know about the gentleness confined within this dark suit recognize with clarity that big black dogs are not evil enemies.

Every now and then we encounter an owner who spies Zuma on the path ahead and whisks their dog into the bushes or an alcove in the city to avoid her, the owner releasing an involuntary yelp.  I don't let on to Zuma that she is the problem and she tarries on, tail wagging merrily.  Iiiii know, I'm probably being too sensitive, but hey, if other children's parents treated your child like that .... ???? Awww.  Years on the therapy couch, right?  Zuma would love the couch part but would totally ignore the therapist.

This is Zuma's therapy.  Roxie is a confidant, tiny Maltese x Poodle puppy and these two are BFFs.

It's refreshing to meet another dog owner who accepts that a Great Dane's curiosity and playfulness is not aggressive or dominant.

                  

Often, after a spouting off with nervous/timid barking, a tiny dog will realize "it's safe" and muster up their confidence.  They will climb up her back legs to check out this big black oddity.

Zuma takes it all is stride.  
She is who she is.  Scooby Doo in a bling collar.

Here is a photo of The Demon Diva holding two innocents at bay:




Danes are a submissive breed of dog.  They're non-aggressive, definitely not a highly academic contender for Jeopardy and really, they don't want anything more than to play and have a calm, easy-going glomp through life.  They're the epitome of mellow.

Most dogs are generally eager to meet and greet Zuma (perhaps they are thinking, "she'll be a really good ally if I ever need back up, man.  I've got this big black monster dog backing me, bring it on").  However, Z is kind and matronly, she ain't no gangstah.

Zuma adores the little dogs.  And they adore her.  As Doug says, "The smaller, the better".  She is kind to them and they love her.  She is such a softie she'd never get into a conflict. 

Zuma recognizes that some dogs act aggressively towards her when walking by.  Most often their owners will wait a bit, then offer to have the dogs meet nose to nose and Zuma, always the ambassador for her breed, will rise to the occasion and meet and greet graciously, then move on.  We've met many great people this way.  
Good dog people. 

This is a little Border Collie x puppy named Grim:

And Grim's friend Fang:

This is Timmy, a small brave Canadian dog from British Columbia. Zuma and Timmy became immediate buddies.

This is Jazzper, a young Labrador Retriever who played with Zuma and was a perfect gentleman.

When allowed to get to know each other, it's just plain good, dog fun.  Zuma and Jazzper shared some wonderful play times together. 

They would mouth each other and roll around and then they totally wear each other out and take a break, pant, breathe, slurp up some water, plop down in the grass, wait a couple of minutes, gulp up some air and go right back to dog wrestling.  
Like good dog friends do.