Afew weeks back we met a black lab who i feel was ott with my dog, the lab was chasing Tyler but constantley barking at his collar, in the end i decided to remove my dog, each time i went to grab him he ran away from the other dog and they ended up in heap with Tyler yelping in pain. Then a few days later Tyler met another black lab and proceeded to show the same behaviour, running after the dog barking so i put him back on lead. We met the same dogs a few days after that and before i could grab him the dog had coming over and Tyler was doing the same thing again barking and chasing, so i put him onlead and apologised. Then today after meeting lots of dogs of all shapes and sizes and getting along fine, we met a female rottweiller and he did the same thing. Normally if another dog growls he  he looks away and then will walk along side, he never tries to instigate play with dogs that have told him off. There was no growling just him barking which he hardly ever does. Could i be right in thinking if the other dog had stood up to him he would have stopped the behaviour, or was it because they weren't chasing him? This happened a while back when a 6 month old gsd was franticley chasing Tyler but when he didn't chase back, so she started to bark at him. I am a little worried he has taken a disliking to black dogs as this scenario has only happened with black dogs after this incident. He has never growled of fought with another dog but could this be him asserting himself before the other dog gets a chance?

My older dog doesn't like big, black dogs particularly a giant schnauzer that we see quite a lot. I have to be quick with the recall or he will go and bark at it :) My theory is that it is difficult to see the eyes in black dogs :)

Daisy

I have heard that before, but until now we have had no problems it's wierd.

I think that it is harder for other dogs to see the features of a black dog and therefore find it difficult to interpret if they are freind or fo which can result in altered behaviour.
Amos

It is because a black dogs eyes can't be seen by other dogs they can get worried and often behave out of character.
I have for years always recalled my dogs if a black dog is approaching, until I know how they interpret them.
Some are not bothered but many are either nervous, aggresive or both.
A docked black dog is even worse for other dogs to interpret

Bev

I had thought that myself, but previously he has met a black lab and they got on fine, and also we used to walk with two black lab crosses and they were fine. I could understand if he had come across a black dog for the first time, but this has just started happening. All we have met have been friendly apart from the one, who i wouldn't describe as aggressive, more of a bully. i wonder wether to throw the towel in and avoid black dogs but could that make things worse?

I wouldn't avoid them as that could make things worse, if he sees you running from them.   Just be aware and have him come to you so you can guage how he may react.  Do this occasionally with other dogs too so it becomes the norm and he doesn't associate just black dogs with coming back to you, its also good training to recall your dog occasionally and not just let it go up to other dogs as some dogs may not be friendly either or want another dog in its space.

Bev

about a year ago my dog was nervous of black dogs as he met one that acted like it wanted to kill him, but he has got over it now as he has met plenty of nice ones since, so avoiding them might not be for the best?

I don't want him to be put off forever or worse become aggressive towards them. I don't let Tyler run up to any dog, all play is at the say so of other owner. I just hope my worry doesn't carry down the lead the next time we meet another black dog. I will give it another go as i really really don't want to start avoiding dogs of a certain colour. Thanks for your replies.