Dingo Dog

Dingo

Dingo Characteristics: The self-reliant, hardy and alert Dingo is a medium sized dog, well known as the wild dog of Australia, a subspecies of the gray wolf. It has an agile, lean, compact body, a heavy, wolf-like head with a pointed muzzle, large, erect ears, a short, soft, bushy tail with a white tip and a sandy to reddish brown coat. Dingoes are pack animals that hunt at night and the wild dingo howls rather than barks enabling the sounds to travel over long distances. The dingo has been found to easily adjust and tolerate captivity and has been crossed with various breeds of domestic dogs such as the German Shepherd which has produced the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.

The Dingo was also used in the breeding program that produced the Australian Cattle Dog.  The temperament of the Dingo can be described as independent, resilient and suspicious. The coat type of the Dingo is described as short, harsh coat in assorted colors.  Due to its characteristics and qualities the Dingo, although an undomesticated feral dog, has been crossbred with many other breeds. It is known by its alternate name the "Australian Dingo" as the dog is indigenous to this country.

Fast Facts about the Dingo: The following facts provide fast information about the Dingo breed. Size: Medium *** Wild Dog *** Nick name: "Australian Dingo" *** Origin: Australia *** Male Height: 19 - 23 inches (48 - 58.5 cm) *** Female Height: Slightly Less *** Male Weight: 50 - 70 pounds (23 - 32 kg) *** Female Weight: Slightly Less *** Coat Type: short, harsh coat *** Coat Colors: assorted colors *** Litter Size: 1 to 10 puppies (average 5) *** Health Problems: Hip Dysplasia *** Lifespan: 8-10 years ***

Origin of the name: The origin of the name "Dingo" derives from the Native Australian Aborigine word meaning "tame dog", although the English used it to describe wild Australian dogs. Australian Bushmen refer to the animal by the name "wild dog."

Other names for the Dingo: The Dingo is known by the nickname of the "Australian Dingo". Other names for this breed of dog include the Australian Dingo, Australian Native Dog, Maliki, Mirigung and Boolomo, it is a Pariah or Primitive breed of dog.

Dingo History and Origin: The country of origin of the Dingo breed was in Australia during the Ancient Times about 5000 years ago. The dingo is the only native dog of Australia and is believed to have descended from wild Asian dogs. One of the earliest descriptions of the Dingo was in the book "House Dogs and Sporting Dogs", published in 1861 by the Englishman John Meyrick, who described the breed, under the section Wild and Half-Reclaimed Breeds,  as "being indigenous in Australia, and not imported to that continent by early discoverers". Merrick also stated that the Dingo was "found in every part of the continent of Australia "where it was "found wild and is sometime domesticated" by Australian Aborigines. Dingoes are carnivores and hunt in packs for many animals including kangaroos, wombats, lizards, birds, rodents and sheep. Dingoes hunt in packs and live in family groups which protect its territory from other dingoes.

They communicate with each other by howling. The howls carry for miles alerting the pack to any dangers or confirming their latest location. The Dingo has by used man in various breeding programs to introduce the tough resilience, intelligence and quietness of the dingo to new breeds. Another important trait of the Dingo that attracted dog breeders was that their bark is short and rarely used - a loud bark disturbs animals that herding dogs are guarding.  The Australian Cattle Dog was developed by crossing the Dingo with different breeds of dogs consisting of the Collie, the Dalmatian and the Kelpie. The  Carolina Dog was originally a wild dog that roamed the swamplands of the Southeastern United States and was given the nickname "American Dingo" because of its feral, undomesticated background.

Dingo Height: The Dingo is a medium sized dog. The height to the shoulder of a male dog is 19 - 23 inches (48 - 58.5 cm). The height to the shoulder of a female dog is slightly less.

Dingo Weight: The weight of the Dingo male dog is 50 - 70 pounds (23 - 32 kg). The weight of the smaller female dog is slightly less than the male.

Dingo Coat Type: The coat type is described as a short, harsh coat. Their bushy tail is 25–37 cm long.

Dingo Coat Colors: The colors of this dog consist of assorted colors. The coat color of the dingo is determined by where it lives and used as camouflage. The ginger or yellow dingoes are found in desserts and other sandy areas. Darker black and tan dingoes are found in forests to enable them to blend in with their surroundings.

Dingo Litter Size: Dingoes breed one a year and usually mate in the Fall. The gestation period of the Dingo is two months. The litter size of this dog breed ranges from 1 to 10 puppies (average 5).

Dingo Temperament and personality: The temperament and personality of the Dingo is described as self-reliant, independent, reserved, resilient, agile and alert.

Dingo Lifespan: The typical lifespan of the Dingo breed is 8-10 years. Dingoes raised by people can live for over 15 years.

Dingo Facts - The Pack: Dingos are often seen alone but most belong to a pack and meet every few days. An average  pack has 10 dingoes. The pack hunt together and make their dens in caves, rabbit holes and hollow logs. Rank within the pack is highly contested and a dominant male and his mate lead the pack although the male as the ultimate pack leader.

Dingo Facts - Pups: The pack is ruled by an alpha male and its mate. The dominant female kills any pups born to other females in the pack. Members of the Pack help care for the pups of the dominant pair.

Dingo Facts - Habitat: Dingoes are found throughout western and central Australia. They have adapted to living in different habitants including desserts, plains, forests and mountainous regions.

Dingo Facts - Territory: Dingoes are territorial and live their lives within 15 miles of their birthplace (known as the 'home range'. It is highly unusual for dingoes to fight over territory with other packs.

Dingo Facts - The Dingo Fence: Dingoes are regarded in Australia as predators and pests. There is a Dingo Fence in Australia that stretches for 3,307 miles (5,322 km) to keep dingoes away from sheep

Dingo Facts - Legal: Dingoes are restricted animals under the 2014 Biosecurity Act under which terms it must not be moved, kept, given away, sold, fed, or released into the environment without a permit.

Dingo Facts - Vectors: Dingoes are vectors meaning they transmit diseases such as distemper and parvovirus. They also spread parasites which are a major problem to dogs and livestock.

Dingo Facts - Flexibility: Dingoes are able to rotate their wrists and turn their heads 180 degrees. This gives this intelligent dog the ability to turn door handles with their paws.

Dingo Facts - Danger of Extinction: The only major threat to the dingo is the domestic dog. This is because dingoes are able to breed with other dogs and are in danger of becoming extinct as a pure species.

Dingo Facts: The New Guinea Singing Dog is genetically very close to the Australian dingo.

Fast Facts about the Dingo: The following facts provide fast information about the Dingo.. Scientific name: Canis lupus dingo *** Type: Wild Dog *** Size: Medium *** Country of Origin: Australia *** History / Date: Ancient Times *** Male Height: 19 - 23 inches (48 - 58.5 cm) *** Male Weight: 50 - 70 pounds (23 - 32 kg) *** Coat Type: short, harsh coat *** Litter Size: 1 to 10 puppies (average 5) *** Lifespan: 8-10 years ***

Site Search

 

 
Dingo Facts and Info - Breed Standard - Size - Colors - Coat Type - Characteristics - Diet - Exercise Requirements - Breed Standard - Grooming - History - Origin - Tips - History - Health Problems - Height - Information about Dingos - Lifespan - Litter size - Dingo Names - Male - Female - Boy Dog - Girl Dog - Origin - Personality - Qualities - Size - Temperament - Guide - Weight - Male Dog Names - Female Dog Names - Breed Description - Art - Pictures - Images - Dingo Facts and Information