Carolina Dog Breed

The Carolina Dog, or American Dingo, is a wild pariah-type dog that is currently found mostly found in the Southeastern United States, especially the South Carolina-Georgia area. What is unique about the breed is that that are exclusive from any European lineage and scientists postulate that it is America's oldest breed, initially crossing the Bering Land Bridge with Paleolithic migrants over 10,000 years ago! Leader of these hypothesis and discoverer of the breed, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin furthers the acknowledgement of the dog he dubbed the "American Dingo" due to its close resemblance to the Australian Dingo. These dogs are now UKC and ARBA recognized.

Ideally, if you insist on owning a Carolina Dog (as opposed to letting them be in their natural state) you need plenty of time for exercise and socialization. A large fenced yard is best, as this breed may wander if adopted as an adult. Otherwise, they may live indoors but aren't well suited for apartment life. Here are a few American Dingo facts:

PROS

• Adaptable as a pet
• Usually non aggressive
• Good with children
• Friendly with other dogs
• Affectionately bonds with owner/family pack
• Easily groomed, little shed and odor
• Fairly quiet
• Not super active or high strung
• Can live indoors or out provided enough space
• Easily trained
• Excels in agility, obedience, games like frisbee
• Very healthy and long-lived

CONS

• Needs early socialization with cats and small pets they may consider prey
• May develop anxiety if left alone for the majority of the day
• Usually remains reserved around strangers
• May be aloof around you and, although affectionate, is not a lapdog
• Needs daily, outdoor exercise (about an hour)
• Long lived= long commitment

America's oldest breed, the Carolina Dog, is a medium-sized wild dog that appears very similar to the Australian Dingo and the Korean Chindo-kae. They look very typical of the pariah/wild dog (according to the UKC and ARBA) with a lean body that displays a deep chest and tucked belly. Their ears are large, pointed and erect and almond-shaped, obliquely spaced eyes that portray a reserved gentleness. The short, dense coat comes in a few color varieties (see color section) but is most often some shade of red-ginger. Carolina Dogs have a long, hooked tails they use for signaling to one another.

Most information on the Carolina Dog is in agreement that this dog is both adaptable to living with humans and fairly easy to train. They respond well to gentle commands and praise and are notably easy to housebreak. If entering as a puppy into a household with multiple dogs, CDs are typically submissive-- either way this breed is almost never aggressive.

This breed is a pack dog that will bond affectionately with their owner or family, although they may appear aloof much of the time. Understandably, they often remain suspicious and reserved around strangers. They are great with kids and friendly with other dogs, perhaps even cats (if very well socialized); they may retain prey instincts towards other small pets. Interestingly, the males of this breed share the responsibility of raising puppies with the females.

Members of this breed can make appropriate indoor dogs, as they are relatively calm and quiet, however, they still have moderate exercise needs that must be taken care of daily. It would be appropriate to have a large fenced yard and they are not suited to apartment life. Small animal hunting, hiking, long walks, agility training, games and yard time are all good activities for a Carolina Dog.

Although the Carolina Dog doesn't thrive in urban areas like other pariah breeds, they are surprisingly in possession of personalities that make them very adaptable to living with people. They may remain reserved and even suspicious of strangers but, if trained and socialized as a puppy, the Carolina Dog temperament will be friendly, watchful and pack-oriented. Their behavior towards an owner/family is affectionate yet aloof and, though they are not lapdogs, will bond closely and do not prefer being alone. Members of this breed are good with children, other dogs and even cats (if well socialized), however, small pets like mice and snakes are likely a no-go.

These dogs are generally quiet indoors but may alert bark, if necessary. The American Dingo temperament makes them easy to train (obedience, housebreaking). They are moderate energy and need moderate exercise (an hour or so outside, daily). They excel athletically and enjoy hunting small animals, long walks, hikes, games such as frisbee, and plain old playtime in the yard.

The American Dingo is an extremely healthy breed that may live up to 15 years. These Southeastern swamp and forest dwellers are considered pariah dogs, meaning they have been shaped very little (if any) by humans throughout the course of their evolution. Typically, the interbreeding of dogs over long periods to fit certain "standards" are what introduces diseases and disorders-- luckily this breed has not yet experienced that misfortune and there is no documentation of common health concerns!