Of course not!  But just how important are looks when it comes to choosing a very important companion—your dog!!!!!

By Corrinne Daw

Would YOU adopt THIS dog?

                                            It is a sad fact that that most people would not….                 

 Meet Rollo, a Pug x Foxy 2 years old. He is NOT too large—weighing just 4.7kgs, he is definitely NOT anti social as he mixes well with all sorts of doggies, he is NOT hard to groom with his short, easy care coat and he is NOT standoffish with his happy, very friendly and playful nature…..

So what IS wrong with Rollo? Why does this sweet little boy wait month after month with never an appointment in sight from prospective adopters?

 Rollo has an impediment. He has an overshot lower jaw (which actually I think gives him a rather cute little smile ) but is it a turn off? Poor Rollo also has a full black face which means many of his photos can be very dark and hide his expressive eyes.  I have taken photos of hundreds of DoggieRescue dogs www.doggierescue.com.au  and I will admit to having a few favourites! With his gentle nature and his will to please, taking pictures of Rollo is a dream. Sadly no matter how many photos are taken of him he remains homeless.

Do imperfections mean a life of homelessness’ to a perfectly adoptable, gorgeous little boy?

 DISCRIMINATION —  Do dogs HAVE to be PERFECT?

 Are dogs discriminated against in pounds and shelters? Does it really matter what colour a dog is? Do slight imperfections like weepy eyes, overshot or undershot jaws mean that these dogs wait longer than normal for a home?

It is really heartbreaking to think that the colour of a dog can mean the difference between its survival and death. Is it true that black dogs are the first euthanized in a pound? So the statistics say, and this especially goes for the larger, all black dogs. These dogs, no matter what their temperament, can be seen to be menacing and even scary. It is a sad fact that black dogs are not popular and pounds have a glut of abandoned black dogs doomed to die. Even if they are rescued, black faced dogs are extremely difficult to rehome as they are last in the popularity stakes and also, it is hard to take a clear photo of a dark faced animal, especially if their eyes are dark as well.

But it is not only black dogs who are discriminated against…Pure white dogs are also by passed as far as popularity goes and it is a fact that many purebred, white puppies were euthanized by their breeders in the past. Why? It seems that the white colour is seen as a defect in their lineage. People are of the opinion that white dogs can be deaf, and so they can be— does this mean they are undeserving of a home, or even a life?

In our constant search for perfection in ourselves, our children and yes our pets, are we missing something?It is not the way we LOOK but the way we FEEL! Not good looking– are you sure about that? Scratch the surface & see what lies beneath! What IS really important is the LOVE we have inside…

What is the most important factor in choosing the right pet?

“While many people choose a pet based solely on their looks, other factors are more important when selecting a lifetime companion. Their size and how easy they are to groom are both important. But the most important thing of all is their temperament – how happy, friendly, and loving they are, and how well they’ll bond with you and your family.”