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(American Dingo) The Carolina Dog has a very similar physical appearance to that of a small Dingo. The breed’s distinguishing characteristics have led to their survival throughout the swamps and forests of the south. The Carolina Dog has a well-developed chest and a medium-length, straight back. Their belly is tucked up and their neck is long. They have almond-shaped eyes that are dark in color and a pair of large, high-set ears that stand erect. Their head is wedge-shaped and their jaws are strong and powerful. They have a distinctive tail that exists in the shape of a fish hook. The tail is carried in various positions depending on the dog’s mood. The short-haired coat of the Carolina Dog is very thick, and a dense undercoat forms during season. Hair is longer on the neck, withers, and back. The coat is usually a deep red ginger in color, and pale buff markings often exist on the shoulders and side of the muzzle. Other coat colors for this breed include white (with spots), tan, beige, desert sand, yellow, orange, ginger red, and red sable.
User added info
Some Carolina Dogs also have long hair. The colors of the Carolina Dog are piebald, black, sable and red.
The Carolina Dog is a truly primitive breed that is the result of natural selection. It is not a completely domesticated breed, and specimens are still found today that exist in the wild. The Carolina Dog is a pariah dog that has survived throughout the swamps, forests, and savannahs throughout South Carolina and Georgia for thousands of years. They make excellent pets and are highly adaptable to domestication. Many Carolina Dogs are shy around people who are not included in their family pack and prefer to make friends and acquaintances on their own terms. With proper socialization from an early age, they are proven to be loyal and amenable companions. Because of their natural instincts, this breed loves to feel as though it is part of the pack. For this reason, they fit well into the natural framework of a family. They are gentle, kind, and get along great with children. They are clean and easy to housebreak. They are intelligent and responsive, and they are not aggressive or destructive. This breed has a tendency to howl at certain noises.
The Carolina Dog was the first domesticated dog of the Americas. They were an Indian breed, and they come from the deep, southern regions of the United States. They are believed to be direct descendants of the ancient pariah dogs that accompanied Asians traveling across the Bering Straits around 8,000 years ago. The breed was discovered and named by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., a biology professor, at the United States Department of Energy’s site in the Savannah River in South Carolina. Wild dog breeds have roamed freely in this deserted area for many years. While many scientists believe the Carolina Dog is almost identical in appearance to the Dingo, some believe the breed’s bone structure is similar to the remains of the Neolithic dog bones from Native American burial sites that are thousands of years old. Scientists believe that researching the Carolina Dog could give them a better understanding of today’s dogs. The Carolina Dog is naturally talented and is utilized for a number of purposes.
The Carolina Dog has can have one of three coats, short, medium or Long/Soft. The short-haired coat is easy to groom and care for. While the coat will benefit from an occasional brushing, it can pretty much clean itself. This breed should be bathed only as necessary. The Long/Soft coat does not matt or knot up and does not require more grooming. Also, the soft coat usually sheds less.
The Carolina Dog can live in a small household or apartment but they are not a fully domesticated breed, they require plenty of outdoor space. They adapt well to sunny climates, but they shouldn’t live in cold weather conditions. They don’t require a great deal of exercise, but they should have at least a small amount on a daily basis.
Carolina dogs with long/soft coats do fine in most any climate.
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From my experience (mine has short hair) Carolina Dogs shed a lot less than other breeds. Added bonus, this is a dog that does not smell like a dog, even when wet, and rarely needs a bath.
I have one and I live in Wisconsin. She loves the snow and doesnt mind the cold weather. She would play outside all day in the single digits if I let her...but I don't. Maybe they mean they wouldn't do well if they had to live outside in the cold since they are native to the warm south.
Usually are not meral, saddleback or all white. Thats a typical Carolina Dog, but it is not unusual for there to be any range of traits they may have been added to the gene pool of a true Carolina Dog pack. I live in the midlands of SC and have seen wild packs and they all do not fit into one mold.
Do you know anyone in SC or GA? They turn up in shelters and rescues all the time. Most are labeled as shepherd lab mixes. If it looks too shepherd, it probably is a shepherd.
Yes they can tolerate the cold especially if aclimated by taking them out or leaving them outside in a runfor a few hours a day. They will build a thick undercoat. As they reach old age they will be less tolerant of the cold for long periods
I have just discovered that my dog is a Carolina dog. I would not say that she is non allergic. I am allergic to her saliva and coat but love her anyway!!! She is a wonderful dog who tries hard to please!
I assume my dog is mostly Carolina Dog. She is very active and does need a lot play time. She started out as a puppy in a large house with a large yard. Since then we now live in a small apartment. Luckily there's plenty of places to take her to play and learn.
She does well as long as she gets enough exercise. And she's good about letting me know when she's getting bored while inside.
Sandy was a rescue from a shelter in Virginia. She's posing here beside a replica Native American shelter to illustrate her heritage.
Age :
4 MONTHS AT TIME OF PHOTO
Name:
TOBY
Color:
BROWN/TAN
Description:
POUND PUP RESCUED AT FROM THE POUND AT 3 MONTHS, NOW ENJOYING HIS MEALS AND HOUSE
Age :
1
Name:
Abbey
Color:
Red Ginger/Buff
Description:
Posing in the backyard.
Age :
1 1/2
Name:
Lola
Color:
ginger
Description:
She was found as a stray - skinny, worms, fleas & a rope burn around her neck. While she needed to be socialized and leash trained, She is extremely smart, playful, and has bonded well w/me.
Age :
4
Name:
SNOOPY
Color:
Red
Description:
55lb male, always alert, independently rotating ears, laser beam chaser, loves to play in ocean, lakes and public water fountains. Howls at fire engines and police cars, but otherwise does not bark unless someone is intruding, and even then the sound is more of " ah-whooo. ah-whooo " than " ruff-ruff".
SNOOPY is currently used as a hearing signal dog for his hearing-impaired owner.
Age :
4
Name:
Snoopy
Color:
Red
Description:
55lb male, always alert, independently rotating ears, laser beam chaser, loves to play in ocean, lakes and public water fountains. Howls at fire engines and police cars, but otherwise does not bark unless someone is intruding, and even then the sound is more of " ah-whooo. ah-whooo " than " ruff-ruff".
Needs daily runs. SNOOPY is currently used as a hearing signal dog for his hearing-impaired owner.
Age :
5
Name:
Ruby
Color:
tan and white
Description:
She is a Carolina dog that I adopted while I was living in India, so more of an Indian Carolina dog. She has beenin the US for almost 4 years.
Age :
2
Name:
Leah
Color:
Ginger and White
Description:
Leah is a beautiful 2year old American Dingo/Carolina dog
Age :
2.5
Name:
Bonnie
Color:
Ginger
Description:
A sweet, sensitive soul
Age :
2.5
Name:
Bonnie
Color:
Ginger
Description:
The distictive fishhook tail carriage
Age :
1 year
Name:
Comet and Bandit
Color:
blonde
Description:
We chose these 2 from a litter of 8 at a shelter in Lake Mary, Fl.
Age :
1 year
Name:
Comet
Color:
blonde
Description:
Adopted with his brother Bandit from a shelter in Lake Mary, Fl. They came from a litter of 8.
Age :
2 years
Name:
Zar
Color:
Ginger
Description:
Cute Puppy!!
Age :
2 years
Name:
Zar
Color:
Ginger
Description:
Zar is a 2 year old Carolina Dog. He has a wonderful temperment and is one of the pack.
Age :
4 years
Name:
Phoenix
Color:
Golden
Description:
A picture showing his little curly fish hook tail since the others did not.
Age :
4 mths
Name:
Phoenix
Color:
Golden
Description:
This is Phoenix as a little pup! His litter was found on the side of the road in Missouri. His mom was a mutt and no one ever knew what the dad was. I have a sneaking suspicion it was a Carolina Dog! He is now 55 lbs and has many, if not all, of the characteristics of a Carolina.
Love him!
Age :
4
Name:
Phoenix
Color:
Golden
Description:
Phoenix is a great all-around dog. He loves to play fetch, is very obediant and knows lots of tricks. He likes kids and loves his family but is very protective and territorial around strangers. He also has a strong hunting instinct.
Age :
2-3 years
Name:
Savvy
Color:
red
Description:
Savvy is at CARA Animal Shelter in Jackson, MS. Her temperment and looks fit the description of the Carolina Dog but I'd like to hear from someone familiar with the breed. Is Savvy a Carolina Dog??
Age :
3
Name:
Barrett
Color:
ginger
Description:
Extremely inteligent, strong, clean, energetic, companionable, playful. Talks to me in low, snore-like grunts. Loves the water-swims like a duck. I love it when the hair on her neck stands straight up when aroused by an aggressive dog. She's great with our 3 rescued Papillons and our old cat. Judging from the appearance of "show" CD's I'd have to say Barrett's a pure bred. My wife found her as a puppy along the roadside near our home in Roland AR.
Age :
5
Name:
talia
Color:
blond
Description:
standard carolina dog... hook tail, 46lbs., gentle, a bit shy until she gets to know you.... very playful and easy with other dogs... loves dog class!
My perfect dog!
Age :
3?
Name:
Girly Girl
Color:
Reddish Brown
Description:
She weighs about 63 pounds. She "adopted" us in South Florida about 2 years ago. The pads on her feet were bleeding and raw. My husband was out walking our min. schnauzer, Casey, and she came up and walked with them. I left food and water out for her, and after she got over being skittish, she let me doctor her paws.She's been with us ever since. Likes to do sneak attacks from behind and has actually nipped a few people. Howls at sirens and is afraid of noises. Very protective of Casey, our schnauzer.
Age :
9weeks old
Name:
Cali girl & Ceasar
Color:
rust & beige
Description:
Adorable Caro pups @ 9 wks old. Great family pets. Cute, cudley, good eaters. Make great watchdogs. Self cleaning and never smell. Very social with other dogs and people. Never aggressive but always alert and cautious. They will burrow in hot weather but don't dig under the fence to escape. Tendency to bark but can be trained to quiet on command.
Age :
2 and 3 years
Name:
Bonnie and Julie
Color:
yellow
Description:
Bonnie and Julie, photo Courtesy of California Carolina Dogs, age 2 and 3
Age :
4
Name:
Finn
Color:
Yellow
Description:
I'm not totally sure Finn is a CD/AD; I got him from a shelter in Tennesse. Based on his photos and some behaviors though he seems a pretty good candidate
Age :
5 years
Name:
Phoebe
Color:
yellow
Description:
Gentle with cats.
Age :
5 years
Name:
Phoebe
Color:
yellow
Description:
Hanging out on the deck.
Age :
5 years
Name:
Phoebe
Color:
yellow
Description:
From a humane society in SC. She's our second Carolina. Best sort of dog: gentle, smart, and entertaining. They get along beautifully with others dogs. They are very clean and never run out of energy on a hike. They do need time to get to know strangers. It makes an excellent watch dog in this way. She would never bite, but she lets us know if a new person shows up at our house.
Age :
8 years old
Name:
JET
Color:
yellow
Description:
sweet, playful and protective
Age :
8 years old
Name:
JET
Color:
yellow
Description:
super handsome. energetic, loyal, loving needy. Always wanting you in view even at home. Loves to hike and play at the beach!
Age :
11
Name:
Gobo
Color:
Ginger/Yellow
Description:
some friends found Gobo running around the woods in an industrial area of Atlanta. He was about four weeks old when we brought him home. I figured he was a mutt until I started reading about these intelligent and fastidious dogs with the strangely curled tail. He is great with kids, can socialize with other dogs, and has an incredible howl, He also likes to kick dirt over his "presents" in the yard. Although he has all of the characteristics of a Carolina Dog, I don't think he qualifies since he was found in Atlanta (albeit in the woods).
Age :
8 months
Name:
Rocky
Color:
Tan
Description:
...And another shot of Rocky showing the characteristic fish hook tail.
Age :
aprox. 12
Name:
Sheila
Color:
deep ginger
Description:
Sheila was wild caught in Texas when she was aproximately 2 years old. She is just the best dog in the world. She is very protective and talks to other dogs that may mean me harm, she will not attack unless attacked first by the other dog. I can call her away. She is great with the kids and the cats. She loves to race cars. She doesn't chase them, she always has a head start.
Age :
13
Name:
Phantom
Color:
fawn
Description:
Quiet, sensitive, easy to manage but requires daily exercise. Loves other people and dogs around. Likes to feel part of a pack. No trouble with cold weather. (I live in MN). Has been a wonderful dog!
Age :
6
Name:
Austin
Color:
Red
Description:
We are not sure if he is this breed of dog. We found him in Manning, South Carolina when he was just 7-9 months old. He was running wild around my in-laws development in Wyboo. We notified the SPCA and posted ads in the local gas stations, diners ect... nobody claimed him and the description of the Carolina Dog fits him perfectly. He is a one family dog, very protective but is very social with other animals. He is an absolutely incredible hunter. His list of animals is everything from a wild pig, deer and he unknowingly messed with a porcupine.
Age :
5
Name:
Laura
Color:
Golden
Description:
Female
Age :
8 years
Name:
Gabby
Color:
ginger
Description:
Princess Gabby with her best friend Tank who is an English Shepherd
Age :
8 years
Name:
Gabby
Color:
ginger
Description:
She is a princess!
Age :
4 years
Name:
Ranger Clark
Color:
Soft Coat
Description:
Ranger Clark, a soft coat, photo Courtesy of California Carolina Dogs, age 4
Age :
unsure
Name:
Ready Knight
Color:
Medium Coat
Description:
Ready Knight photo Courtesy of California Carolina Dogs, age 7
The puppy on the left is a soft coat.
Age :
3 years
Name:
Julie
Color:
Short Coat
Description:
Julie, photo Courtesy of California Carolina Dogs, age 2
Age :
1 year
Name:
Spice and Ducky
Color:
Brown
Description:
playing around
Age :
3
Name:
Molly Sue
Color:
white
Description:
I've had Molly for about a month. She is very sweet and intelligent. She has the distinctive fishhook tail, and her coat has a tinge of light rust that can be seen up close. She likes most people but gives an alert when someone comes on the property.
