COUNTRY: New Guinea
WEIGHT: 20 pounds
HEIGHT: 14-15 inches
COAT: Medium-short, dense
COLOR: Red; with or without symmetrical white markings
GROUP: Southern
The island of New Guinea, second largest in the world, is home to many strange creatures. Its variation from the tropical clime in the lowlands to Alpinelike cold in the higher elevations is uncommon. Early domesticated southern dogs spread from the Middle East to southeastern Asia with various human migrations many thousands of years ago. Some drifted to Australia to become the Dingo and others to Malaysia (the Telomian).
Not far from Australia, a dingo-type dog took up residence in New Guinea. The torrid forests and chilled mountain peaks spawned a hardy animal called the New Guinea Singing Dog.
Many lived as pariah dogs with the village natives in the lower elevations. Other dogs climbed to the mountains, where they turned feral. In the cold climes, they developed a thicker, double, slightly longer coat than most pariahs. But curled tails, the foxy, wedge-shaped heads and high prick ears follow the usual pariah characteristics.
Although smaller than its near relative, the Singing Dog is similar to the Dingo but with unique propensities. It possesses the erect ears and is a swift hunter with social instincts. Unlike the Dingo, the New Guinea female cycles twice a year in captivity.
Its howl has an eerie yet synchronized quality which gives the breed its name. The howl can be spurred by agitation or excitement. One tone blends with the next, sending goosebumps up a listener's back.
In 1948, a pair of the dogs was brought to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Several other zoos clamored for the progeny, and pairs were brought to Europe and Russia in the 1950s-60s. For a time, the Singing Dogs fascinated the public. The interest in keeping and viewing a dog—albeit a feral dog—waned, although two pairs still live in zoos in the States.
"Singer" and "Dancer" sing for their supper at the Minnesota Zoo, with another pair at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. The Minnesota duo once "accompanied" Metropolitan Opera star Benita Valente on television. The Singing Dogs are tame enough to be handled and petted, but don't tolerate these attentions for long. These dogs are believed to be scarce or even extinct in New Guinea.
WEIGHT: 20 pounds
HEIGHT: 14-15 inches
COAT: Medium-short, dense
COLOR: Red; with or without symmetrical white markings
GROUP: Southern
The island of New Guinea, second largest in the world, is home to many strange creatures. Its variation from the tropical clime in the lowlands to Alpinelike cold in the higher elevations is uncommon. Early domesticated southern dogs spread from the Middle East to southeastern Asia with various human migrations many thousands of years ago. Some drifted to Australia to become the Dingo and others to Malaysia (the Telomian).
Not far from Australia, a dingo-type dog took up residence in New Guinea. The torrid forests and chilled mountain peaks spawned a hardy animal called the New Guinea Singing Dog.
Many lived as pariah dogs with the village natives in the lower elevations. Other dogs climbed to the mountains, where they turned feral. In the cold climes, they developed a thicker, double, slightly longer coat than most pariahs. But curled tails, the foxy, wedge-shaped heads and high prick ears follow the usual pariah characteristics.
Although smaller than its near relative, the Singing Dog is similar to the Dingo but with unique propensities. It possesses the erect ears and is a swift hunter with social instincts. Unlike the Dingo, the New Guinea female cycles twice a year in captivity.
Its howl has an eerie yet synchronized quality which gives the breed its name. The howl can be spurred by agitation or excitement. One tone blends with the next, sending goosebumps up a listener's back.
In 1948, a pair of the dogs was brought to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Several other zoos clamored for the progeny, and pairs were brought to Europe and Russia in the 1950s-60s. For a time, the Singing Dogs fascinated the public. The interest in keeping and viewing a dog—albeit a feral dog—waned, although two pairs still live in zoos in the States.
"Singer" and "Dancer" sing for their supper at the Minnesota Zoo, with another pair at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. The Minnesota duo once "accompanied" Metropolitan Opera star Benita Valente on television. The Singing Dogs are tame enough to be handled and petted, but don't tolerate these attentions for long. These dogs are believed to be scarce or even extinct in New Guinea.