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Australian
Dingo Article reprinted with permission from WA DINGO. Dingoes do make wonderful pets with the required care that is needed and required for these pariah animals. Dingoes by nature are gentle, timid and shy creatures. They are somewhat a paradox, they can be very friendly and aloof! They love to play and socialise when raised in human cohabitation. It takes special responsibility and tolerance to keep a dingo as a pet. With the correct attention required there are many wonderful testimonials that show having a dingo as a pet can be a rewarding challenge, for those people thinking of having a dingo please read thoroughly the pamphlet [Dingo Carer's Handbook] (PDF/1.69 MB) on attaining a dingo read the brochure thoroughly before making this big decision. Dingoes generally don't bark, although in association with domestic dogs they can and do at times simulate a copy bark. The dingo is a southern wolf and howls, although generally they are a quiet animal in solitary cohabitation with humans as a pet. Dingoes SMILE to show their joy. Their face screws up and their eyes tightly squint and their mouth folds round in a broad and definite smile! Dingoes are amazing at jumping high fences so it is paramount to have a high fence system in place for the safety enclosure of your dingo. Exercise is a necessity with attention given every day! Dingoes coats are very soft. A dingo generally only comes
into season once a year instead of twice like the domestic dog. Article by Lesley Baird Dingoes make
beautiful household members. They are intelligent, timid, shy, gentle,
and affectionate. Much more like a cat than a dog. Interview with Nic Papalia and Shauna Young SY: For the information of the survey: My Dingo was a rescue from the Apache reservation in Phoenix , Arizona . I live in Durango , Colorado – a fairly rural ski and college town. I did not get her as a pup. Positive
attributes of the species? The dingo is Canis Lupis Dingo – a WOLF. Not a dog - canis familiaris. On the verge of extinction, the dingo has been maligned and denigrated unfairly because of a powerful farmers lobby linked to a powerful 1080 Industry. The dingo is the ONLY Australian Wildlife ( It is Australian by ALL definition ) NOT having any protection. This is a National Disgrace! Hybridisation of the species in the wild has been a result of the destruction of the dingo hierarchy which when not disturbed by humans with bullets, baits and traps wont allow any dogs in their territory – this only happens when he dingo alpha leaders have been killed by human intervention. The dingo strict code of conduct maintains no dogs enter into their territory when undisturbed. The dingo is the Australian Bush cop or LION KING, keeping all in the ecosystem balanced. SY: Vast intelligence, sweet nature, extremely loyal, very clean. Negative
attributes of the species? SY: She shed badly when I first got her. That’s about all I can think of! Anecdotes/stories regarding your experience with the species? SY: My Dingo Tanya was an adoption. She is around 3 ½ or 4, and has not been treated well much of her life. She was neglected emotionally and was left to fend for herself a lot (and she has the scars to prove it). Instead of reverting to the “wild dog” that many of her cousins did on the reservation (and who could blame them), she has made the choice to be sweet and loving. She craves affection and loves to be pet and kissed. She also will gather up every soft toy they have and put them around her when she lays on the bed. If she wants a toy my older dog has (Luca is a coyote/border collie cross) she just relentlessly flirts with him until he gives it to her! I’ve had her over 6 months now and she’s not as “needy” as she was, although when she gets nervous she wants to jump up on you for comfort. She doesn’t do it much anymore, and when she does she is just so so gentle that it’s cute. A gentle “no” gets her down. Her nickname is “Poodle” because she is so not one! What
is their average life span? SY: About 20 years I hear How
well do they interact with people? SY: She is shy around newcomers, and she prefers women to men. She definitely knows who she likes! The sheer variety of the way she interacts with people is a constant surprise, and further demonstrates her intelligence. She ranges from polite to some people, extremely loving and affectionate to me and her dad, loving to her aunt Judy, and in love with her aunt Suzin. It is a constant battle to keep Suzin from stealing her! It’s funny – Suzin was having a very lonely time when they met, and Tanya has always reacted to that. She is very affectionate with her, and sleeps on the bed with Suzin when she visits. How
easily do they train? SY: Tanya seems to do what I ask out of love, not obedience training. I know that may sound like a sappy mom, but that’s how it is. I have never raised my voice or consciously trained her and yet she is completely obedient. She will walk on a leash when I want her to, but she doesn’t need one. She comes quickly at a whistle. What
type of housing do they need? SY: She is mostly in the house will full access thru dog doors to the back yard. Back there they have a large shaded fenced yard. What
do you feed them? SY: Raw meat, raw vegetables & fruit, raw bones, sometimes rice or oats. And high quality dog treats (as I said – what a flirt!). She gets “cookies” out of everyone… How destructive are they for an average household (gnawing, climbing, etc.)? NP: Dingoes are a canine that must have a walk every day. They will be very destructive in the puppy stages. A dingo is a commitment to take on for life and this is stipulated and reiterated as so many people don’t listen or think before getting a dingo. Problems result when humans are irresponsible and renege on their duty of responsibility. Dingoes don’t and are not relocated well. DINGOES ARE FOR LIFE SY: She has not been destructive. She will move my slippers around, but no damage. And not one “accident”. Are
there any problems associated with their nails? SY: Her’s are fine. Do
they have any potentially offensive odours? SY: None at all! She smells like a high quality fur coat. How
messy are their dropping and can they be litter trained? SY: Not messy at all. Even in her large backyard she only goes in one small corner. She like things neat. What
vet care should be expected? SY:
I take care of most of that. However, they don’t seem prone to any
diseases and she is very hearty. SY: Everything I’ve read says very young, but as I said before, Tanya is at least over 3 and she has been a joy. I think my next one I’ll get as a pup. What
personal traits should someone keeping them have? SY: Patience, love, the ability to hold discipline without yelling or hitting (Tanya just seems to respect me), and the desire to truly love a pet. She wouldn’t be a good one to leave out in the yard alone – she needs lots of love, exercise and attention. She also needs real food! The shelter was feeding her dog food and she hated it. The first day I had her, I mixed the kibble they were feeding her with raw meat so she could “get used to it”. She kicked that crap to the curb in a hurry – actually spitting it out of her bowl and eating only the meat. Funny, yes, but she certainly made her point! Other
Consideration for owners of them? SY: She gets along great with her “brother” but is suspicious of strange dogs. Not really the “dog-park” type. You need to remember: she’s not a dog! She’s a wolf and will act as such sometimes. If you want a doggy to do tricks and fetch, get a poodle. When I was looking for a friend for my Luca I did not plan specifically on a Dingo – she just came into my life like a little red tidal wave. She matches perfectly with my other “wild dog” and I can’t imagine a better companion for all of us. Maybe it’s just that she’s a maverick like her mom! Whatever it is, I feel that I will always have Dingo’s in my life… |
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