Carolina Dog Breed Information Puppies and Breeders Australia

Breed Category: Recognised by the American Rare Breed Association
Country of Origin: United States
Average Size: 50-60 cm (at the withers)
Average Weight: 14-20 kg
Average Life Span: 14-16 years
Grooming Requirements: Low
Exercise Requirements: High

The Carolina Dog, also referred to as the American Dingo, is thought to be the oldest dog breed in North America and one of the oldest in the world. While there are a number of theories about its origin, DNA tests confirm that the Carolina Dog is a primitive breed dating back thousands of years.

Native American artwork exists that depicts dogs bearing a striking resemblance to the Carolina Dog, suggesting that its presence in North America is not new. Fossils of dogs belonging to Native Americans also support this theory.

The Carolina Dog very closely resembles the Asian Jindo and the Australian Dingo, which may suggest common ancestry. Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. first discovered the Carolina Dog near a swampland in the southeastern state of Georgia. Familiar with the world’s wild dogs, he noted that it would be impossible to differentiate between the Asian Jindo and the Carolina Dog because their appearance is so similar. These physical similarities point to the possibility that the Bering Straight, which used to have a strip of land connecting Asia and North America, may have been means by which the Asian Jindo entered North America. It would have then migrated east and settled in the southeastern portion of the United States, therein establishing itself as the first North American dog.

This breed is medium in size and has a short, thick coat of a reddish, fawn colour. It is approximately 50-60 cm in height and 14-20 kg in weight. One of its most identifiable traits is its oversized ears, which point upward and outward, coming to a point at the tips. Its coat may also have patches of lighter or darker fur on the underbelly, back or feet. 

It is thought that the Carolina Dog has inhabited the woods and swamplands of the southeastern United States for hundreds or thousands of years, though their presence went virtually unnoticed until Dr. Brisbin shed light on the breed in the 1970s. An ecologist exploring Georgia’s swamplands, Dr. Brisbin came across a sandy-coloured dog he initially assumed was a stray. He then discovered that many similar dogs lived in packs nearby, which is feral behaviour that suggested they were not ordinary strays. It was determined that the Carolina Dogs were not simply a pack of wild canines but rather a breed of its very own. DNA tests performed on this breed determined that it was more closely related to the world’s primitive dingoes than to today’s domesticated dogs.

One unique trait of the Carolina Dog is that females breed quickly and frequently, having three estrus cycles in quick succession. This is thought to be the result of natural selection wherein dogs needed to reproduce quickly before the onset of disease. While breeding, females also dig dozens of small holes in the ground, though a reason for this behaviour has not yet been determined.

In the wild, the Carolina Dog survives on snakes, rodents and raccoons, among other small creatures. Its existence in the wild is currently threatened by a number of factors including deforestation, decreased numbers and competition with area coyotes. Since its discovery in the 1970s, many Carolina Dogs have been domesticated and turned into family pets. This has helped increase numbers for the breed, which has yet to be accepted into dog registries other than the American Rare Breed Association.

Though not particularly easy to train, the Carolina Dog can make a great pet, as it is a strong, hardy and affectionate breed. It may be reserved with unfamiliar people, but it is generally a friendly and outgoing dog. Prior to its domestication, this breed had limitless terrain to explore. The conversion to a domestic pet can be made easier by ensuring that the Carolina Dog has sufficient room to roam and that it is properly exercised on walks, runs and time spent outside.

As a result of its relatively recent domestication and a lack of intense breeding, the Carolina Dog has few known health problems. For this reason, it has an average lifespan of 14-16 years, which is longer than most dogs of its size.