The Truth about Dingoes: 4

Dingoes are not dogs, although they may look the same, they are distinct in many ways.

The dingo is classified as a medium sized free ranging canid indigenous to Australia. 
The dingo is a unique species for several reasons. 

Much of the dingo's life takes place in private - but myth and legend are slowly being replaced by scientific observations and research.

They have many differences to wild dogs. Genetically, environmentally, socially, reproductively, and behaviourally.

Dingoes are easily distinguished from domestic dogs in terms of behaviour and phenotype. They live in highly structured packs led by a breeding pair; perform pack hunting in certain areas; exhibit mutual defence of territories; have an annual breeding season; paternal males and alloparental care of young; and howl more than bark.

Physically they have larger carnassial teeth, longer canines, longer snout, uniform coat colours and flexible joints and lack hind dew claws. Also, dingoes are more adept at solving non-social problems than domestic dogs. Dogs are much more adapted to the human environment.

Information reproduced with permission from http://jennyleeparker3.wixsite.com/aussie-canis-dingo

On Dingo Behaviour by Berenice Walters Part 1

Berenice was eventually acknowledged as an expert on dingoes. She was not a scientist in fact, had no formal qualifications; much like many of the people whose knowledge on dingoes I respect today.

Her knowledge came from observation of her dingoes at the Merigal Dingo Sanctuary, Bargo, NSW.

From time to time I intend to post some of her observations, many of which have been confirmed in more recent times.

Berenice wrote the following in the early 1990s

*****

I was recently informed that some Dingoes in captivity were already coming in season outside the normal breeding season, the time of declining light. Well, in the 24 years I have been with Dingoes, with documentation covering hundreds of individuals, only one, a hybrid, had an out of season heat, in November, and that was very short and a one off occasion. I just wonder how many of these so-called Dingoes are really Dingoes! From my experience, they are probably hybrids as some zoo bred animals have proven to be. This is very sad for the breed.

Unfortunately, we also have case histories of genetic diseases such as hip dysplasia (we have been X Raying for this deformity since 1978), monorchids, over and undershot jaws, valgus deformity of the paster, the latter two found in wild bred stock. In the wild, dingoes with such deformities would be unlikely to breed, even survive, nature being such a stringent culler, but in the hands of ignorant or unscrupulous breeders and a very limited gene pool, our magnificent native dog could become a derelict of its former self.

Being a woman in a man's world of dogs, I have been rubbished by the best but have managed to carry on regardless fuelled by my obsession with Dingoes. I have never seen a Dingo in the wild - I have seen coyotes and skunks, and bear and wolf tracks in the United States. However, the behaviour attributed to the Dingo in the wild is frequently enacted in captivity.

For instance, when I let the Dingoes out of a morning, they rush to carefully check out their territory boundary, to very slowly and methodically check the fence line for any intruders. If I've returned home with a house Dingo, particularly a male, he will excitedly rush to get back into the yard to first check fence line, particularly gateways, then every item in the house. The scenting ability of our native dog never ceases to amaze me. There have been many instances of dogs bred at Merigal picking out mail after it has been several days in the post and coming in contact with thousands of other articles.

By contrast, Cattle dogs released into their day runs exuberantly run up and down fences, barking and generally having a ball and with no thought of survival tactics such as searching for evidence of intruders.

First Dingo to Join the Army

Boorooma (left) with his father Napoleon

Berenice received many requests for a dingo but unless people were members of the society with facilities and experience to foster a Merigal dingo there was little chance of them achieving their wish.

One of the calls she received was from Major Terry Boyce Commanding Officer of the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers seeking a regimental mascot.

It was agreed Napoleon’s son, 13-month-old son Boorooma would be suitable for the first dingo to become the mascot of an Australian Army regiment.Before they let him join the army he was taken rabbiting to familiarise him with gun shots. He then spent a couple of weeks in Sydney to test his adaptability. He took everything in his stride.

His official name was Wooleston Boorooma, but the 350 men of the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers, called him Bruiser. His army number was MAO117 and he was given the rank of Sapper. He proudly marched at the head of the regiment when on ceremonial parades.

Problems arose when the Queensland Government would not give permission for Boorooma to be with his regiment n Townsville but finally, with the help of Dr Norman Scott-Young, the local State MP, approval was received.

Boorooma settled easily into army. To avoid problems if he became a one-man dog he had four handlers. He flew in aircraft, rode in armoured vehicles and had rifles fired over his head. The soldiers welcomed him into their home where he was popular with the children.

But dingoes will be dingoes and he got black marks for chewing towels, boots and mattresses as well as running off with the hats of the duty picket.

He became the pride of the 3^rd Field Regiment, who felt the full force of prejudice against him when the Canine Control Council refused to allow him to attend a local dog obedience club.

Major Boyce was quoted as saying, “Still the army looks after its own. I am not quite sure why they did that but we will be going to work on the problem whatever it is.