This is an interesting thread and one that perhaps broaches more than just the usual. On a more touchy subject (to some), race seems to be something that dogs remember - just like males/females, adults/children.

I would have never thought that but for my own experience. I bought Ginger from a very nice gentleman I met while hunting. He was a black man and we ran into each other in the field one day and were chit chatting and talking dogs (and comparing each others). He said he was going to be having a litter later on that year and if I was interested in a pup to give him a call.

So I remembered the date he told me and I did in fact call him, went out to see pups, picked my beautiful Ginger and the rest is history. Except for Ginger's unusual separation behavior.

You see, she was always a happy and a good girl. A real joy and she loved her new home and all the attention she got. She loved all strangers we might meet in our travels too. But when we encountered anyone of African heritage, she would get really, really happy. She would pull me across the street to a family or a man just walking or sitting waiting for a bus. Her tail would be going wag, wag, wag all crazy and she would start wimpering, jump up on them! It was quite remarkable. While she was happy, she obviously missed her birth home and recognized people who reminded her of it! I told my hunting friend and he seemed to agree and was (as was I) humbled and complimented that Ginger remembered him (in a way). Pretty Cool I thought.

So if Ginger remembered her original Dad/family in "good way", then I guess it is possible that if somebody bad abused your girl, she could remember that too.