| Country of origin: | USA |
| Registries: | UKC, ARBA |
| Occupation: | Primitive dog |
| Size: | 17 to 24 in tall; 40 to 60 lbs |
| Longevity: | 12 to 14 years |
| Exercise: | Active |
| Training: | Easy; needs positive methods |
| Grooming: | Easy |
The Carolina Dog, or American Dingo, is a landrace or naturally selected type of dog which was discovered living as a wild dog or free roaming dog by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin. Carolina Dogs are now bred and kept in captive collections or packs. They were discovered during the 1970s living in isolated stretches of longleaf pines and cypress swamps in the Southeastern United States. Carolina Dogs are of medium size, with a fawn, black, white or piebald[1] coat and frequently a melanistic mask
Dog breed synonyms: The American Dingo & The Old Yeller
HISTORY
Carolina Dogs were Indian dogs and were the first ,,domesticated,, dog of the Americas. It is considered to be a pariah dog (“pariah dog” is a general name in India for the half-reclaimed dogs that swarm in every village, owned by no one in particular, but ready to accompany any individual).
What is interesting about this dog is that his ancient bloodlines were never altered by humans. Unlike most dogs, they do not exist because people needed them. They exist only because Mother Nature decided they earned that right.
Although there are still free-ranging Carolina Dogs, several breeding programs over the last few decades have made it possible for people to have a Carolina Dog in their yard as a pet.
PERSONALITY
Although Carolina Dogs are generally quite reserved, they tend to form very close attachments to their owners to whom they demonstrate immense loyalty. When surrounded with strangers, they are suspicious and nervous but never aggressive. Carolina Dogs have very strong pack instincts and form very close bonds with other dogs.
Carolina Dogs are athletic, playful and have very high stamina so they can literally be active all day long. They are bold, resourceful, tenacious and never back down when faced with adventure. If not exercised enough, they can turn to destructive behavior and excessive barking.
Carolina Dogs are intelligent, agile, strong, independent, stubborn, alert, calm and highly adaptable.
TRAITS
Carolina Dogs have muscular and medium-sized dogs with well-developed chest and tucked-up belly. The hallmark of the breed are their wedge-shaped heads with high-pointed ears, long dark-colored muzzles and almond-shaped eyes. Another distinctive marker of the breed is the ‘fish-hook’ tail.
The Carolina Dog’s coat is noticeably affected by the seasons. It is heavier in the winter and lighter in the warmer months. The coat’s colors can range from white with spots, tan, beige, desert sand and yellow, orange ginger red or red sable.
The average height of the Carolina Dog is between 17-24’’ (45-61cm). These dogs typically weigh around 30-44Ib (15-20kg).
HANDLING
When training and handling, Carolina Dogs it must be kept in mind, that they are a primitive and not fully domesticated breed, that still retains much of its wild nature. They are stubborn and not very eager to please, which makes the collaboration quite difficult. The first task, the owner must complete is achieving pack leader status. Once the dog understands its role and status in the pack, it will not question them.
Socialization from an early age is very important in Carolina Dogs. Lack of socialization usually leads to behavioral issues such as fear and nervousness, especially around new people. Carolina dogs should not be left alone, especially outdoors, since they have a tendency of bringing their owners ,,presents,, in a form of dead animals.
HEALTH
Because the Carolina Dog is a primitive breed it does not display the usual health problems that other domesticated breeds do. Until this day, the Carolina Dog was shaped entirely by natural selection. Therefore any genetic defects would have been quickly eliminated by the demands for survival. So far, there seems to be no genetically inheritable diseases in the Carolina dog. However, since the breed has very narrow gene pool, breeders must be vigilant to ensure that no problems develop in the future.
The average life expectancy of the Carolina Dog is between 12 and 15 years.