Breed Description for the Australian Dingo

CHARACTERISTICS: The Dingo is strongly individualistic, highly intelligent, curious and affectionate, seldom slavish or demonstrative in its affection, and generally cautious.

NB: Approach and handling of this breed must at all times be gentle. The hand should be extended to below the head and time given to accept. At no time should the dog be panicked by forceful handling. The breed seldom recovers from a frightening experience, or rejection.

HEAD AND SKULL: The skull is strong and impressive. Broad between the ears and moderately rounded with ample muscling; there is a distinct furrow extending down to between the eyes, the muscles on either side of the furrow being independently mobile.

The forehead is slightly rounded. There is a distinct occipital peak, and a slight but distinct stop, the skull tapering to a strong, deep muzzle. The muzzle is strong, clean and deep, only slightly lessening in width and depth towards the nose. Length of muzzle is approx. equal to the length of skull. Viewed from the front, the head forms a wide triangle, the tapering of the muzzle accentuated by the highly developed jaw muscles. The jaws are powerful, clean and deep. The lips are tight fitting and black. The teeth are well developed, even, and meet in a scissor bite.

The canines, being long and sharp, slender and sabre shaped are often damaged. This should not be penalised. The nostrils are large, well opened and sensitive. Usually black in colour, liver or pink noses are acceptable. In the young, short coated varieties in particular, there is often distinctive fine wrinkling on the forehead giving a frown effect.

Faults: Skull lacking distinctive strength, lippiness, missing teeth, over or undershot jaws, gross or heavy muzzle.

THE EYE: The eye is almond shaped, set obliquely, hazel or dark brown in colour, open, but not protruding, medium sized and expressive. Eye rims should be black and unbroken. Overall expression is one of softness and intelligence, far-seeing and cautious, giving impression of a dog with strong reasoning ability.

EARS: The ears are distinctive, expressive and sensitive in their use, strong, slightly rounded at the tip, erect when alerted but can be carried folded back along the neck, set on top of the head, slightly hooded, fine in texture and forward pointing.

A characteristic position is for one ear to be firmly pricked and the other to rotate sensitively to pick up sounds. Size is medium, but varies from the large lightly haired ear of the dog from the hot climates, to the often smaller but well haired ear of the dog from the colder regions. Ear placement is more important than size, but it is essential that they be hooded, forward pointing and set on top of the head.

Faults: Low set or loose ears, or ears lacking the characteristic hooded and forward pointing qualities, large, soft ears.

NB: Naturally, the ears of immature dogs may not exhibit the strength and mobility of the adult.

NECK: The neck is impressive in its strength and development, strong, crested, fitting well into the shoulders accentuating the crest to give the head a lofty carriage.

Faults: Weak or throaty necks.

FOREQUARTERS: The chest is narrow to medium in width, the brisket deep, reaching to the elbows in mature specimens. The forelegs are straight with long forearms and distinctive musculation. The pasterns should be of good length, moderately straight, flexible, but vary from the shorter and thicker pastern of the mountain dog to the straight and more upright pastern of the northern dog. The shoulders are fine at the points, well laid back with good length of forearm. Feet may be slightly turned out, but equally so. Strength of bone varies but at no time should it detract from the strength and mobility of the dog.

Faults: Weakness of any kind.

BODY: The back is strong, straight and short with no suggestion of slackness, slightly rising over the loin.

The ribs are well sprung, oval in shape, deep with plenty of heart room, deep brisket, short coupled and ending in a definite waist with well defined cut-up.

NB: In this breed, the ribbing of bitches carries further back forming a much shorter coupling.

Faults: Dipping back, slack loin, heavy body lacking characteristic waist.

HINDQUARTERS: Strong, powerful and muscular, set under the body, well angulated and exhibiting tremendous drive and agility thus enabling the dog to turn quickly and spring in any direction.

Thighs are thick, strong, well muscled, but vary from the moderately turned stifle of the mountain dog to the well turned stifle of the open range dog. The hindquarters may appear cow hocked when standing or gaiting slowly, but should move parallel when in full gait.

Faults: Weak hindquarters, long rear pasterns.

LEGS AND FEET: The legs are clean, strong but not clumsy and must be of good length with sufficient slope of pastern to give flexibility. The ideal feet are medium sized, compact, round to oval in shape, with thick pads and arched toes. There is ample hair between pads.

Faults: Weak and splayed feet.

TAIL: Like the ears, the tail is expressive, set on as a continuation of the spine, broad at the base, and tapering to a point. It has a moderate brush which varies from the full, fox-like brush of the heavier-coated varieties, to the tail of the shorter-coated varieties which is clothed all round in a short, dense coat. This gives it the rounded appearance of an otter-like tail, base plump as in dogs regarded as water dogs.

There is a black dorsal spot about a quarter of the length from the butt, which denotes a scent gland. In older dogs it may be defined by dry, bristly hair. It is common for the tail to be seen held out from the body, dropping at a right angle just above the scent gland.

Tail carriage varies from the low sweeping tail of the open range dog, to the curled on top position of some varieties, curling over the rump in a single loose curl and falling gracefully to one side.

Length of tail varies, but must fit in with overall balance of the dog.

COAT: The coat is a distinguishing feature and is seasonal, the winter coat being distinctly heavier than the summer coat. It varies from the short, single coat of the dog from the tropical lowland regions, to the thick and dense, longer fox-like coat of the dog from the cool Snowy Mountains region.

Hair is springy. It is short and smooth on the head, ears and front legs. Most varieties exhibit a wealth of undercoat in cooler months which is lost in serial ridges beginning at the extremities.

All varieties have a broad band of coarse hair extending from ears to tail, and often ending in a dark dorsal spot.

When aroused, this hair stands erect. Coat behind shoulder blades is often lighter in colour. Skin pliant.

A. Tropical lowland regions. Short straight, springy, single coat, medium texture, sparse growth of undercoat in cooler months particularly on chest, neck and ribs. Little or no brush or breeching. Skin pliant. Fine wrinkling on forehead often distinct.

B. Central regions. Double coated and well insulated. The topcoat is moderately short, straight, medium texture, springy with short dense undercoat, medium to good brush with moderate breeching. Skin pliant.

C. Northern and central coastal ranges and tablelands. Double coated with moderately short, medium textured, straight springy hair with short dense undercoat. The dog of the colder tablelands carries an extremely heavy fur-like coat in the cooler months, particularly on the neck, chest, ribs and back of thighs. Moderate to full brush and breeching. Skin pliant.

D. Snowy Mountain region. Very fox or coyote like with a thick moderately long, sometimes open coat, springy, of medium texture, forming moderate breeching and good brush. Thick close undercoat. Skin pliant.

Faults: Hair lacking springiness; long, curly or wavy coats are highly undesirable and should be heavily penalised.

COLOUR: Cream, gold, red, black, sable, commonly with white or fawn markings are all acceptable and equally desirable.

MOVEMENT: Is governed by terrain and varies considerably. At all times impressive, and must exhibit lightness, power, strength and agility.

A. The dog from the plains has a swift swinging stride with tireless light running gait.

B. The dog from the tablelands and open range country has a powerful gait with durability

C. The dog from the steep mountain regions has well developed hindquarters, capable of far reaching, effortless, light running springing gait whilst at the same time ready to change direction.

WEIGHT AND SIZE: The weight is dependent on the overall size and build, but varies from approximately 13.5 to 22.7 kilograms. At no time should the breed appear heavy bodied. Bitches are lighter built than dogs.

HEIGHT: The average height for dogs is 48 to 55cm, less for bitches, but can vary from 43.2 to 61.0cm, according to variety and seasons. Type and symmetry are more important than size.

AExplanation and Acknowledgments

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