Believed to have arrived in Australia some 400 years ago, Dingo is the native animal of Australia as it was found here before the European settlement. It was probably introduced to Australia from Southeast Asia. The dingo ('ding-go') is an Australian native dog about the size of a medium domestic dog (like a small German shepherd) and usually has a short, ginger coat. The dingo was a highly valued companion to the Aborigines, their hunting companion, guard dogs and also used to keep them warm at night. The dingo can be found in all areas of Australia - from harsh deserts to lush rainforests. The highly adaptable dingo is found in every habitat and every state of Australia, except Tasmania.
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| The number of original full-blooded Dingo's are now dwindling in number because of their interbreeding with domestic dogs and increasing human invasion in to the wilderness. The dingo is different from the modern dog in several ways: it yelps and howls, but it does not bark, it has a different gait, and its ears are always erect. Dingo's are naturally lean and they are usually cream to reddish-yellow with white points, some are black with tan points. An adult dingo stands more than 60cm high and weighs about 15kg. The carnivorous dingo is usually a lone hunter, feeding on small mammals, birds and lizards. | In its natural state the dingo lives either alone or in a small group unlike many other wild dog species, which may form packs. The dingo is an intelligent animal and is no more dangerous to man than any other feral dog. |
