Quick answer
The Black Dog strain, also sold as Black D.O.G., is an indica-dominant cross of Blackberry Kush and Emerald Headband from Humboldt Seed Organisation. Leafly lists 19% THC and AllBud 16% to 24%. It tastes of dark berry, grape and pine with a tarry, earthy edge, and users most often report feeling relaxed and sleepy. A Bud Cargo ounce costs $74.
Key takeaways
- Breeder: Humboldt Seed Organisation, selected by Biovortex (HSO description on SeedFinder).
- Parents: Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband (Leafly, AllBud and SeedFinder agree).
- Type: indica on Leafly, 85% indica / 15% sativa on AllBud. THC 19% (Leafly) or 16% to 24% (AllBud).
- Terpenes: limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene (Leafly). Rated 4.6 from 93 Leafly ratings.
- At Bud Cargo: Black Dog ounce $74 ($2.64 a gram).
Last updated 10 November 2026 from live stock · By the Bud Cargo team
What is the Black Dog strain?
Black Dog is an indica-dominant strain from Humboldt Seed Organisation (HSO), named for its very dark, nearly black leaves and buds. HSO’s release description says it was selected by the breeder Biovortex from “three classic Northern California genetics”. Leafly lists Black D.O.G. as an alias, and the strain is sometimes written Black DOG or BlackDog Kush.
The three main strain databases agree on its parents and differ only on strength:
| Source | Type | THC | Parents | Flavour / aroma | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leafly (Black Dog, aka Black D.O.G.) | Indica | 19%, 0% CBD, 1% CBG | Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband | Tar, berry, earthy, pine | 4.6 from 93 ratings |
| AllBud (Black D.O.G.) | 85% indica / 15% sativa | 16% to 24% | Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband | Berry, grape, pine, sweet | 4.8 from 38 votes |
| SeedFinder (HSO) | Mostly indica | Not listed | Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband | Grape, berry, gassy | 8.33 / 10 from user reports |
| Bud Cargo (Black Dog ounce) | Indica-leaning hybrid | Varies by lot | Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband | Dark berry and fuel | 3.5 from 2 reviews |
A 2019 genetic study found that cannabis sold under one name is often genetically inconsistent (Schwabe and McGlaughlin, Journal of Cannabis Research, 2019), so treat any single THC number as a guide.
What is Black Dog a cross of?
Black Dog is Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband, and unlike many strains its parentage is not disputed. Follow the tree back and it is built almost entirely from classics:
| Strain | Role | Cross (source) | Type / THC | Top flavours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry Kush | Parent | Afghani × Blackberry (Leafly) | Indica, 17% (Leafly) | Berry, sweet, earthy |
| Emerald Headband | Parent | Emerald OG × Headband (AllBud) | 80% indica, 15% to 23% (AllBud) | Lemon, diesel, earthy |
| Headband | Grandparent | OG Kush × Sour Diesel (Leafly) | Hybrid, 20% (Leafly) | Lemon, diesel |
That puts OG Kush and Sour Diesel in Black Dog’s family tree through Headband, which is where the fuel side of its aroma comes from. The berry sweetness is Blackberry Kush, whose top Leafly flavour is berry.
What does Black D.O.G. stand for?
We could not find an explanation from the breeder. HSO’s release description and Leafly do not spell out the initials, and AllBud says only that the strain is named for its very dark appearance. Treat confident “D.O.G. means…” claims online as guesses.
Is Black Dog the same as Thai Black Dog?
No. Thai Black Dog is a different, sativa-leaning strain with Thai genetics, and Biovortex also released an earlier Black Dog line of its own. When a menu says Black Dog or Black D.O.G. in Canada, it almost always means the HSO indica described here.
Is Black Dog indica or sativa?
Black Dog is indica-dominant: an indica on Leafly and 85% indica on AllBud. Leafly’s most reported feelings are relaxed, sleepy, tingly, happy and hungry. HSO describes effects that start “quite cerebral” before a couch-locking finish, and AllBud describes a tingly head high that fades into heavy body relaxation.
These labels are user-reported rather than measured; our indica vs sativa guide explains what they can and cannot tell you. Most people keep Black Dog for the evening.
How strong is the Black Dog strain?
Black Dog is moderately strong. Leafly’s average is 19% THC with 0% CBD and 1% CBG, and AllBud gives 16% to 24% (AllBud also lists 3% CBD, which Leafly’s data does not support). SeedFinder growers rated it “very strong and long lasting”.
If you have not tried it before, Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines recommend choosing lower-THC products where you can and using less often. Start small and wait before having more.
What does Black Dog taste and smell like?
Black Dog smells and tastes of dark berries and grape over earth, pine and a tarry, gassy base. Leafly’s top flavours are tar, berry, earthy and pine; HSO describes “powerful grape, berry and gassy tones”; AllBud lists berry, grape, pine and sweet, with a notable punch of blackberry when you break a bud apart.
Limonene, Leafly’s top terpene, adds a bright note to the fruit, while myrcene and caryophyllene give the earthy, peppery depth. The buds are very dark forest green, rock hard, with thin hairs and a bright white coat of trichomes.
How long does Black Dog take to flower?
HSO says Black Dog finishes indoors in 48 to 55 days, fast for an indica, and is harvested outdoors from the end of September to the first week of October in Northern California, reaching over 3 metres.
What strains are similar to Black Dog?
Look for other berry-forward indicas and OG-family strains. These are in stock at Bud Cargo today:
| Strain | Why it is similar | Profile | Bud Cargo today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum Blackberry · guide | Blackberry-led indica | Dark berry, sweet | Platinum Blackberry ounce $70 (4.84 from 19 reviews) |
| Huckleberry Soda · guide | Berry-forward hybrid | Berry, blueberry, tree fruit | Huckleberry Soda ounce $70 |
| Nuken · guide | Dark, earthy BC indica | Woody, earthy, pine | Black Nuken ounce $45 |
| OG Kush · guide | In Black Dog’s family tree | Woody, pine, earthy | OG Kush ounce $90 |
The Purple Kush ounce ($83) is another dark, earthy indica option in stock.
Where can I buy Black Dog in Canada?
Bud Cargo sells Black Dog as an ounce deal, in stock as of 10 November 2026:
| Product | Size | Price | Per gram | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Dog ounce deal | 28 g only | $74 | $2.64 | 3.5 from 2 |
| Platinum Blackberry ounce deal | 28 g only | $70 | $2.50 | 4.84 from 19 |
Black Dog has only two reviews so far, so the score is based on very little feedback. Ounce deals are sold as a full 28 g only; we have 46 ounce deals in stock, from $45 to $110 with a median of $70. See our grams in an ounce guide for how far 28 g goes, our AAA vs AAAA grading guide for what grades mean, or browse all indica flower and ounce deals.
Orders ship across Canada for $25 to BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, $30 to Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and $35 to the territories. Shipping is free on orders over $150 (over $250 to the territories). You can pay by Interac e-Transfer or credit card. Bud Cargo is a mail-order dispensary, not a provincially licensed retailer.
Adults may carry up to 30 g of dried cannabis or its equivalent in public under the Cannabis Act, so a single ounce is within the limit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Dog indica or sativa?
Black Dog is an indica-dominant strain. Leafly files it as an indica, AllBud lists it as 85% indica and 15% sativa, and SeedFinder calls Humboldt Seed Organisation’s Black D.O.G. mostly indica. Relaxed and sleepy are its top Leafly feelings.
What is Black Dog a cross of?
Black Dog crosses Blackberry Kush with Emerald Headband. It was released by Humboldt Seed Organisation and selected by the breeder Biovortex, according to the HSO description on SeedFinder. Leafly and AllBud list the same parents.
How strong is the Black Dog strain?
Black Dog is moderately strong. Leafly lists a 19% THC average with about 1% CBG, and AllBud gives 16% to 24%. SeedFinder users who grew it rated it very strong and long lasting.
What does Black Dog taste like?
Black Dog tastes of dark berries and grape over earth and pine. Leafly’s top flavours are tar, berry, earthy and pine, and HSO describes grape, berry and gassy tones. AllBud lists berry, grape, pine and sweet.
What does Black D.O.G. stand for?
Neither Humboldt Seed Organisation’s release description nor Leafly explains the initials. Leafly lists Black D.O.G. and Black Dog as the same strain, and AllBud notes it is named for its very dark appearance.
Is Black Dog the same as Thai Black Dog?
No. Thai Black Dog is a separate, sativa-leaning strain with Thai genetics. Black Dog, or Black D.O.G., is HSO’s indica-dominant Blackberry Kush × Emerald Headband.
How much is Black Dog at Bud Cargo?
As of 10 November 2026, a Black Dog ounce (28 g) costs $74 at Bud Cargo, about $2.64 per gram. It averages 3.5 stars from 2 customer reviews.
Sources: Leafly, Black Dog. AllBud, Black D.O.G.. SeedFinder, Black D.O.G. (Humboldt Seed Organisation). Leafly, Blackberry Kush. AllBud, Emerald Headband. Leafly, Headband. Schwabe and McGlaughlin, Journal of Cannabis Research, 2019. Prices and stock checked on budcargo.net on 10 November 2026.
