'There's a reason why people think dogs are racist', says animal behaviourist

Dogs can appear to be "racist" but it's actually got nothing to do with racism, according to a dog behaviourist.

This week a man named Mark Meechan has been convicted of hate crime, after uploading a video online of a dog lifting up its paw in response to phrases such as "gas the Jews," appearing as if the dog is doing a Nazi salute.

Dog behaviourist Stan Rawlinson told Mike Graham: "A lot of people think you can [have 'racist' dogs] and there's a reason for it.

"A very large percentage of dogs can have a certain problem with certain people from certain countries in particular with skin with a very dark background, but it has nothing to do with racism.

"They can’t see the body language or facial expressions on a very dark background.

"A dog's language is primarily body language and they learn that from the play with other puppies."

Watch the video below