Temperament of the Dog

Dingo dogs have never been fully domesticated. They do not qualify as friends or companions like many other dogs. There can be some reasons cited for this though- remote isolation of the animal and lack of human intervention. Previously untrained, adult Dingoes just cannot be obedience trained.

A Dingo pup may, however, be obedience trained in the best manner with the display of kindness and patience and the extending of firm yet gentle efforts. Such pups to be trained should be the ones taken from the litter before six weeks of age. Once over ten weeks old, the pups are certainly not to be taken out of the wild.

Some unusual traits can be observed in the Dingoes too. They are great tree climbers. They stay interestingly aloof at times. The Dingoes have only one breeding cycle a year unlike other dogs. Female Dingoes, unlike ordinary bitches, choose a single mate for life. The bitches may even mourn themselves to death after the loss of their partners. The Dingo dam may place the litter of pups in the hollow of a tree thus securing their protection from all sides while placing herself in guarding position at the front.

The Dingo dogs exhibit strong co-operative instincts- vocalizing together before a hunt. They live and hunt in packs of various sizes. They do not bark like other dogs. Instead a distinctive yelping or howling can be heard from them at times. The dogs do not also prefer to swim. If needed by they will only wade through water.

Dingoes staying in the wild always tend to shy away from human beings. They also rarely show aggression. They tend to run away rather than attack and bite humans. During breeding season (around May/June) the male dingoes kept as pets become very restless.