New Guinea Singing Dog

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The New Guinea Singing Dog is a wild dog known for their unique howl once found throughout New Guinea. They are also known to be called as New Guinea Dingo, Hallstrom Dog and Singer. These dogs serve as companion dogs when in captivity. They are conserved for their exceptional intelligence and physical abilities. No trimming or alterations are done when Singers are entered in rare breed show competitions.

If provided with proper socialization at an early age, these dogs are gentle, affectionate, lively, active and curious. Although they are not recommended for the inexperienced dog owners, they can develop attachments with their human pack members and become stressed from separation. Grooming is fairly easy for their short-haired weather-proof fur and they do not have the usual doggie smell.

Color

This dog's coat color includes Golden Red or Black/Tan with White markings on the underside of the chin, tail tip and feet. They are born Chocolate Brown and lighten to Red or Sandy color when they age. Some will also have White on their face, neck and chest.

Coat

The dog's coat is short, medium texture, straight and crisp to the touch having a very dense felt-like undercoat during the cold season. Blow their coats twice a year.

Personality

This dog is lively, active, curious, gentle and affectionate provided that they got early socialization. They can develop attachments with their human pack members and become stressed if separated. The dog is not recommended for most families. It needs an experienced dog owner to care for it. The Singing Dogs can be a bit shy with strangers at first that they actually avoid them but they are very gentle and friendly with humans. They are not known to be aggressive with people or ever heard of a case where they bit humans. They are also notorious escape artists that they can climb and jump like cats so make sure that their kennels and your house yard are very secure. To add to that, they are also great diggers and they can get through a really small space you never thought that they could. This is also the only dog breed where the bitches are the ones who are dominant.

Care

The dog's weather resistant coat can take care of itself. Brushing and combing daily is all that it requires. They rarely need bathing. They do not have doggy odor. These dogs are generally known to be healthy.

Training

The Singers' intense hunting drive makes it difficult to train. They do not get along well with other dogs unless they were given proper socialization early. Along with physical training, they should also be given a high level of mental stimulation or they can develop destructive behaviors when bored.

Activity

These dogs need plenty of exercise which means they need long daily walks or jogs. They will not do well in a small spaced apartment. It would also be best that you have at least a large securely fenced yard that they could run around and play in. Keep them on a leash during walks especially in public parks.