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Medium Size Poodle
Carolina Dog
Written by Natalie Decker
The Carolina Dog originates from the USA and is found both in human care and in the wild in the swamps of South Carolina. Alternative names for this breed include American Dingo, Dixie Dingo, North American Native Dog, Indian's Dog, Yellow Dog, and (Old) Yeller.
© Sagar21/Wirestock Creators / stock.adobe.com
The Carolina Dog is a very 'original' dog. It used to live alongside the Native Americans.
Table of contents
- Appearance: Wild, Primitive Look
- Character: The Wild Nature of the Carolina Dog
- Keeping and Engaging the Carolina Dog
- Care and Diet: Low Maintenance
- Health: Extremely Robust Breed
- History: Companion of Native Americans
- Breeding and Acquisition: How Much Does a Carolina Dog Cost?
- Conclusion: A Wild Catch for Dog Experts
- Carolina Dog Profile
Appearance: Wild, Primitive Look
The Carolina Dog bears a resemblance to the Dingo, a wild Australian domestic dog, to which this breed is closely related.
The wedge-shaped head, large, triangular pointed ears, pointy snout, and long legs give this canine a wild appearance that also reminds one of a wolf or a fox.
Medium-Sized Dog Breed
With a slender, square body, the Carolina Dog reaches a shoulder height between 45 and 61 centimetres and a weight of about 15 to 20 kilograms, placing it among the medium-sized dog breeds.
“Yellow Dog”
Its coat is short, dense, and soft. It displays hues of beige, red, brown, or yellow, earning it the monikers “Yellow Dog” or “Old Yeller”.
“Old Yeller” is also the title of a 1957 Disney movie featuring a stray with sandy-coloured fur.
Along with solid-coloured variants, there are spotted ones with white markings on their cheeks, throat, and chest. Black and tan fur may also be present in this breed.
Tail as a Communication Tool
A main characteristic of the Carolina Dog is its sabre-shaped curved tail, which it uses more passionately as a communication tool than many other dogs.
The extended topcoat on the neck, withers, and back can bristle when the dog is excited.
Character: The Wild Nature of the Carolina Dog
There are both wild and domesticated Carolina Dogs, and the breed falls into the category of Pariah dogs. These are dogs that live near humans but are not fed or intentionally bred by them.
As such, the Carolina Dog is independent and adaptable. To become a pet, it must be accustomed to living with humans from puppyhood.
A well-socialized and affectionately trained Carolina Dog proves to be a cheerful, loyal, and cuddly housemate.
Pack Life
In the wild, Carolina Dogs, like wolves, live in packs with hierarchical structures. They hunt together and care for their puppies in a family unit. Even as a domestic pet, the American Dingo is deeply fixated on its (human) pack.
It forms a strong bond with its owners and is good with children. It acts wary and suspicious of strangers but is rarely aggressive to them. This dog possesses a strong protective instinct towards its family.
Wild Nature
These animals exhibit behaviours and traits more commonly associated with wolves and wild dogs.
For example, the females go into heat three times a year and not twice like females of modern breeds, and the puppies are fed regurgitated food paste.
The activity level is more influenced by the seasons than in other breeds: the Carolina Dog is more agile during the summer months than in winter.
Courageous Hunter
The American Dingo is a brave, skilled hunter that even takes on snakes. It covers its droppings with sand or earth.
Is the Carolina Dog Suitable for Beginners?
Due to its wild roots, the Carolina Dog is not recommended for beginners. It requires gentle training and careful familiarization with various environmental stimuli.
Any form of aggression, including raising one’s voice, unsettles the sensitive Yellow Dog.
In unfamiliar situations, this dog becomes nervous and does not easily cope with moves or enjoy joint holidays. These are not to its liking.
Keeping and Engaging the Carolina Dog
An energetic natural fellow like the American Dingo should ideally reside in a house with a garden to frolic into its heart’s content.
However, the garden must be securely fenced as the Carolina Dog is an excellent climber and has a strong hunting instinct.
The owners should not be overly concerned with having a pristine lawn and tidy flowerbeds, as this dog loves to dig.
Meaningful Tasks for the Carolina Dog
Ordinary walks do not suffice for this intelligent, trainable pooch. It takes pleasure in all kinds of dog sports, such as agility or flyball. At least once a day, the swift, agile Yellow Dog needs a thorough tiring-out.
Because the sensitive, loyal Carolina Dog closely attaches to its pack leader and is sensitive to their expressions and gestures, it can also be suitable as a working dog, like a rescue dog.
Challenging search and games of fetch also bring great delight to this astute four-legged friend.
Care and Diet: Low Maintenance
The American Dingo’s short, dense coat requires little care. Running a grooming glove over the fur about once a week should suffice.
However, during the moulting season, owners may need to brush more often.
Good to know: The moulting can be more intense in this breed than in others.
Choosing Natural Food
An active dog like the Carolina Dog needs high-quality, nutrient-rich food. The feeding method BARF, consisting of fresh ingredients like raw meat, eggs, and vegetables, is well-suited for this primitive dog breed.
This biologically appropriate raw feeding method is closest to the diet of wild dogs.
Health: Extremely Robust Breed
The breed originated not from intentional breeding but from natural selection. Among the wild American Dingos, only the healthiest and strongest survived.
Therefore, typical hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, and genetically induced deafness are scarce in this breed.
However, allergic reactions to certain medications have occasionally been observed in Carolina Dogs.
How Long Does the Carolina Dog Live?
It appears that modern dog breeds have hardly influenced the Carolina Dog’s genetic makeup.
Instead, the wild dogs seem to have consistently interbred with coyotes and wolves over time.
The result is an exceptionally robust, long-lived breed that can live up to 15 years.
History: Companion of Native Americans
The Carolina Dog likely descended from East Asian dogs that crossed the Beringia land bridge from Asia to Alaska over 8,000 years ago.
These animals probably accompanied the first humans to settle on the North American continent.
Thereafter, the dogs lived for thousands of years alongside Native Americans.
Wild Carolina Dogs Rediscovered in the 70s
Hence, the alternate names “North American Native Dog” and “Indian’s Dog”. Cave paintings and bone discoveries in burial sites testify to the cohabitation of humans and dogs at that time.
As European settlers increasingly displaced various Native American tribes, their dogs retreated to a remote area along the Savannah River in the state of South Carolina.
There, the animals lived hidden in packs until being discovered in the late 70s by the zoologist Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin Jr.
Wild Specimens of the Breed Still Live in the USA Today
A biology professor from the University of Georgia researched these yellowish, wild dogs and founded the “Carolina Dog Club of America”. Since 2017, the breed has been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Wild specimens still live today in the pine forests and swamps between Georgia and South Carolina.
© Diego Ignacio Riquelme Alvarado/Wirestock / stock.adobe.com
Breeding and Acquisition: How Much Does a Carolina Dog Cost?
So far, the breed is not recognized by the international canine federation FCI and therefore lacks established breed standards and breeders locally.
Those who wish to purchase a Carolina Dog may have to search extensively or import a puppy from the USA. The price for a dog of this rare breed can reach up to £3500.
Conclusion: A Wild Catch for Dog Experts
The Carolina Dog captivates with its primitive look and wild nature. In many ways, it differs from other breeds.
It lives more symbiotically with humans than being fully submissive to them. For this reason, the American Dingo is best suited for experienced dog enthusiasts.
Carolina Dog Profile
| Distinctive Features: | The Carolina Dog lives both under human care and wild in the swamps of South Carolina. |
| Character: | Independent, adaptable, sensitive, affectionate |
| Withers Height: | 45-61cm |
| Weight: | 15-20kg |
| Coat: | Short, dense, and soft Beige, Yellow, Red or Brown, solid or with light markings |
| Coat Care: | Low maintenance |
| Exercise: | Needs a lot of activity and enjoys movement |
| Suitable for Beginners: | No |
| Barking: | Rarely barks |
| Lifespan: | Up to 15 years |
| Typical Illnesses: | May be prone to allergies |
| Price: | Up to £3500 |
| FCI Group: | Not recognised |
| Exercise Needs: | High |
| Origin: | USA |
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"A life without a pug is possible, but pointless," Loriot once said. I would unreservedly agree and add: "A life without horse, cat and rabbit as well!" My heart beats for all animals big and small and I have the great fortune to be able to write about my passion as a freelance author. With my articles I would like to raise awareness for animal welfare and give useful tips to animal lovers.
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