Carolina
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 coat and frequently a melanistic mask.
Temperament
The Carolina Dog is 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 on a hunting expedition.) The Carolina Dog is one of the very few breeds existing today that is truly a primitive dog, a result of natural selection for survival in nature, and not of selective breeding. Wild specimens are still known, so this is not a completely domesticated canine. This dog that has survived as a free living animal in the swamps, savannahs, and forests of South Carolina and Georgia for thousands of years has also proven to be highly adaptable and amenable to domestication, and an excellent pet. Many dogs are known to be extremely shy around people and dislike a lot of handling unless socialized at a very young age. With proper socialization, they are proven to be loyal companion dogs. Many of the characteristics of the natural dog that are predominant in the Carolina Dog contribute to his ability to adjust well to being a loving pet. The Carolina Dog enjoys and needs to be part of a pack, and thus integrates very well into the family framework. He is a gentle, social dog, and bonds very well with children, enjoying play and activities with them. The Carolina Dog is very clean by nature and is easy to housebreak. He is intelligent and responsive and learns easily and is not destructive. Not aggressive by nature but with a well-developed hunting instinct, the Carolina Dog will get along with other animals if introduced to them at a young age. Like the other types of pariah dog, the Carolina Dog is quite independent. If you are to keep one of these dogs as a family pet, one needs to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. He is suspicious and may be somewhat shy to strangers and in unfamiliar surroundings or circumstances. This is not a dog that is outgoing and friendly to everyone, but rather is devoted to his own “pack.” They enjoy hunting small game, a task they do with grace and quickness. The Carolina Dog could almost pass for a larger size Dingo. Like the Dingos and pariahs before them, they have strong herding instincts. Carolina Dogs have a tendency to howl at certain noises.
Care
Occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush is recommended for the Carolina Dog breed. There are no known health issues associated with the Carolina Dog.
Coat
The coat of the Carolina Dog is the most distinctive feature with the appearance being affected by the seasons. The Winter coat is heavier and more dense than the Summer coat. The hair is short and smooth on the ears, head, and front legs. There are longer, coarse guard hairs over the neck, back, and withers.
Training
The Carolina Dog must have a clear leader who exhibits respect. Early, intense, and ongoing socialization and obedience are crucial. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with respect, reward, firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency.
Activity
The Carolina Dog is not suited for apartment or city living. They do best in a rural setting with a large yard to romp and run. Yards must be securely enclosed. Fencing must be buried into the ground to prevent escape through digging and capped at the top to prevent climbing over.
Temperament
The Carolina Dog is 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 on a hunting expedition.) The Carolina Dog is one of the very few breeds existing today that is truly a primitive dog, a result of natural selection for survival in nature, and not of selective breeding. Wild specimens are still known, so this is not a completely domesticated canine. This dog that has survived as a free living animal in the swamps, savannahs, and forests of South Carolina and Georgia for thousands of years has also proven to be highly adaptable and amenable to domestication, and an excellent pet. Many dogs are known to be extremely shy around people and dislike a lot of handling unless socialized at a very young age. With proper socialization, they are proven to be loyal companion dogs. Many of the characteristics of the natural dog that are predominant in the Carolina Dog contribute to his ability to adjust well to being a loving pet. The Carolina Dog enjoys and needs to be part of a pack, and thus integrates very well into the family framework. He is a gentle, social dog, and bonds very well with children, enjoying play and activities with them. The Carolina Dog is very clean by nature and is easy to housebreak. He is intelligent and responsive and learns easily and is not destructive. Not aggressive by nature but with a well-developed hunting instinct, the Carolina Dog will get along with other animals if introduced to them at a young age. Like the other types of pariah dog, the Carolina Dog is quite independent. If you are to keep one of these dogs as a family pet, one needs to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. He is suspicious and may be somewhat shy to strangers and in unfamiliar surroundings or circumstances. This is not a dog that is outgoing and friendly to everyone, but rather is devoted to his own “pack.” They enjoy hunting small game, a task they do with grace and quickness. The Carolina Dog could almost pass for a larger size Dingo. Like the Dingos and pariahs before them, they have strong herding instincts. Carolina Dogs have a tendency to howl at certain noises.
Care
Occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush is recommended for the Carolina Dog breed. There are no known health issues associated with the Carolina Dog.
Coat
The coat of the Carolina Dog is the most distinctive feature with the appearance being affected by the seasons. The Winter coat is heavier and more dense than the Summer coat. The hair is short and smooth on the ears, head, and front legs. There are longer, coarse guard hairs over the neck, back, and withers.
Training
The Carolina Dog must have a clear leader who exhibits respect. Early, intense, and ongoing socialization and obedience are crucial. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with respect, reward, firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency.
Activity
The Carolina Dog is not suited for apartment or city living. They do best in a rural setting with a large yard to romp and run. Yards must be securely enclosed. Fencing must be buried into the ground to prevent escape through digging and capped at the top to prevent climbing over.
History
Discovered in the American South, Carolina Dogs are believed to have descended from Asian “pariah dogs” brought to North America across the Bering Strait 9,000 years ago. Much more recently, a University of Georgia professor discovered these Dingo-like dogs living in a remote area of South Carolina. Some historians have noted that the Carolina Dog’s bone structure resembles the dog bones found in American Indian burial sites. Things You Should Know Carolina Dogs can live as long as 15 years with relatively few genetic health issues. They are fairly easy to groom, needing only an occasional brushing. Carolina Dogs are used to fending for themselves in the wild. For this reason, they might not be happy living in apartments. A large, fenced yard is ideal. They also appreciate long hikes in the woods. When in public, always keep the Carolina Dog on a leash. Origin Carolina Dogs were Indian dogs and were the first domesticated dog of the Americas. The Carolina Dog comes out of the American Deep South and is thought to be a direct descendant of the ancient pariah dogs that accompanied Asians across the Bering Strait land bridge 8,000 years ago. A number of such pariah types exist in the USA. The Carolina Dog was discovered and named by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., a biology professor at the University of Georgia, at the United States Department of Energy's Savannah River site in South Carolina. This is a remote area from which the public has been excluded, and wild dogs that have lived there for centuries have had little opportunity to breed with domestic dogs. Brisbin noted that these dogs were almost identical in looks to the Dingo. Other scientists observed that the Carolina's bone structure was very similar to the remains of the neolithic dog bones from Native American burial sites thousands of years old. Ecologists in the South, including Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., are searching for pure specimens still in the wild swamps and piney woods of the Savannah River basin. Pups are occasionally placed with selected families to be raised and trained as companions and hunters of small game. Brisbin hopes that by researching the Carolina Dog, today's dogs can be better understood. Many of these dogs were favored by Indians and used for various tasks such as herding. The Kentucky Shell Heap Dog and the Basketmaker Dog are examples of ancient pariahs on the North American continent. Down South, the Carolina Dog is affectionately named "Old Yaller" because of his yellow color. Height - 17 - 24 inches (45 - 61 cm)
Weight - 30 - 44 pounds (15 - 20 kg) Life Expectancy About - 12-14 years Country of origin - USA Other names - American Dingo, Dixie Dingo, North American Native Dog, Indian's Dog |