Skip to content
i Still Love Dogs
i Still Love Dogs

…Dog news, tips & fun stuff

  • News
  • Awww
  • Heroes
  • Grrr
  • Tips
  • Pittie Party
  • About
i Still Love Dogs

…Dog news, tips & fun stuff

old black lab paws

Dogs and Other Animals with Black Fur Live Longer, New Study Says

Laura Goldman, March 6, 2015August 19, 2019

old black lab paws

It’s a sad fact that dogs (and cats) with black fur are less likely to be adopted than those whose fur is lighter colored. There’s even a name for it: “Black Dog Syndrome.” The reasons vary from superstitions, to negative portrayals in the media, to poor lighting in animal shelters and photos.

But the results of a new study could help put an end to Black Dog Syndrome. It found that dogs and other animals with black fur live longer than lighter-colored ones.

The study, published in the Feb. 19 issue of the scientific journal PLOS Genetics, looked at “how the balance between natural selection and genetic drift shapes the evolution of appearance and form,” according to the author summary.

A team of researchers from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Ala., identified the genetic mutations that produce black fur (melanism) in three closely related South American wild cats.

“Our results demonstrate that some ‘black cats’ are black not by chance, but by selection for a mutation that provides increased fitness,” the study’s author summary states.

It’s still unknown exactly how black fur increases an animal’s life span.

“Factors such as foliage, humidity, temperature and/or infectious agents are all possibilities, and could affect camouflage, resistance to heat or thermoregulation, or resistance to infections,” Dr. Gregory Barsh, one of the researchers, told Discovery News.

In a previous study, Dr. Barsh said it was discovered that “black wolves may have increased fitness in some environments due to a melanism mutation in a different gene from the ones studied here.”

He said some dogs may also enjoy the benefits of darker fur, “although breeding by humans now influences the process.”

Photo credit: OakleyOriginals

Related

News

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Recent Posts

  • Dogs—Not Cats—May Prevent Babies from Developing Asthma
  • Rest in Paradise, Patrick the Miracle Dog
  • Guide Dog Terrified by Thunder Led Blind Owner to Safety on 9/11
  • Once Again, Adopted Dogs Featured in 2025 Rose Parade
  • 7 Examples That Prove Trump Is Clueless About Dogs

Most “Paw”pular Posts

  • Due to 'Pit Bulls and Parolees' Lawsuit, New Villalobos Sanctuary Planned
  • 5 Reasons Why Jon Stewart Is So Doggone Awesome
  • Frank Sinatra Loved the Ladies...and the Dogs
  • Rape Charges Dropped Against Toney Converse of 'Pit Bulls and Parolees'
  • Leonard Nimoy's L.A. Pet Store Did Not Live Long or Prosper

Like i Still Love Dogs on Facebook

Like i Still Love Dogs on Facebook

Follow @iStillLoveDogs on BlueSky

Follow @iStillLoveDogs on BlueSky

Subscribe to i Still Love Dogs

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts. I respect your privacy and will never sell your information.

Privacy Policy

about Laura Goldman
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
©2025 i Still Love Dogs | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can opt-out if you wish.Got it! Reject Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT