Dingo Dogs

Dingo Dogs (Canis lupus dingo) are feral dogs that inhabit Australia and numerous islands in Southeastern Asia. These animals have much in common with domestic dogs and wolves. Actually, they are almost unchanged descendants of the ancestors of all modern dogs, but not the direct ancestors of modern dogs.

Dingo Dogs look much like present-day mutts or mixed breeds. They are medium in size (28-58 cm at the withers and 23-32 kg in weight) and have a uniform yellow-ginger solid-colored coat. Other common colors are black, tan, and white. Hybridization with domestic dogs leads to other coat colors and patterns. Compared to domestic dogs, Dingoes are stronger, with longer canine teeth. Dingoes are opportunistic feeders taking advantage of everything they can find from insects to buffalos. There are 170 species to be included in their diet. Their common prey are rats, mice, wallabies, and geese. Dingoes are able to hunt both alone and in groups. When food is scarce, they feed on carrion. Asiatic Dingoes living close to humans are fed human refuse.

Dingo Dogs form small packs, but are usually seen alone. A pack controls a large territory and keeps it clear from strange dogs. An average Dingo pack includes up to 12 animals consisting of a dominant pair and subordinate members. Only dominant Dingo Dogs reproduce; other pack members assist in rearing the pups. There are usually 5-6 pups in a litter. At 3-6 months of age, pups become independent, but remain in the pack for a year. Dingo pups become sexually mature at about 1 to 3 years of age.

Dingo Dogs are very important in maintaining the ecology balance in their habitats. They control the population of feral cats, red foxes, and other pests, thus lessening the pressure on biodiversity. Today, the Dingo gene pool is in decline because of crossbreeding with domestic dogs. About half of all wild Dingoes in Australia are actually crosses with domestic dogs. In remote areas, the interbreeding is less advanced, but the extinction of the species is inevitable, unless conservation measures are taken. Dingo Dogs are nowadays protected within World Heritage areas, Federal National Parks, Aboriginal reserves, and some other areas.