Breeding Season Observations

As we head towards the breeding season here are some of Berenice’s experiences at the Merigal Dingo Sanctuary.

Berenice kept records of her observations on dingo behaviour. These records spanning 15 years show how quickly she came to understand the Dingo compared to other so-called ‘experts’.

The last two paragraphs may be of particular interest to those who have an entire male dingo.

1978

Male dogs have been arching their tail over the past month This would appear to be the action that activates the scent gland during the season. No odour has yet been noticed.

Although three junior bitches did start discharging late February, some of the mature bitches have just started to “show”. (Written in April)

1979

The Dingoes had a very late fall of coat so I anticipate the breeding season will be a little later this year. However, members have already reported spates of restlessness and destruction during the past few weeks. Desexed males and females are equally affected.

Many reasons have been given why only the dominant male and female generally breed in the wild. It has been suggested for some reason the less dominant do not come into season.

From observations carried over a five-year period, it is evident the dominant bitch suppresses the less dominant bitches all year and becomes aggressive at the onset of the breeding season. The dominant male receives the respect and submission of the less dominant males and females.

The dominant female cherishes her male all year, showing complete adoration through submissiveness, mouthing and attentiveness, and frivolous displays of attraction, leading him on with sex play; mounting him to excite him and dominate her. At all times she keeps his attention on her. Should he show interest in another bitch, she will flirtingly place herself between her male and the rival. If this doesn’t work she will force the rival into submission, her male showing real delight at being the centre of such rivalry.

The male appears to positively revel in this adoration and seldom has eyes for other than his tantalising mate.

The reaction of two males who were used for service to bitches other than the chosen mate was of interest. On the one count the dog was removed from the pen shared by his mate and mated to a daughter. When he returned he was soundly beaten by his irate and jealous, mate, and tension continued for many days.

Another male was taken from his mate, mated to another bitch and returned. This bitch’s feelings had obviously been terribly hurt by her mate’s infidelity, but when he was put back with her she welcomed him happily and submissively, and within a short time, both were romping together, though she seemed careful to play out the role of the weaker sex, encouraging him to dominate her. These two dogs enjoyed a very happy relationship for four years though they were not allowed to breed. Apparently, her love for her mate was such that on his return all was forgiven.

1983

The breeding season was showing all the signs of starting a few weeks early. The trees were colouring up, and despite the heat of February, all the Dingoes were coming into heavy coats. Meri came in quickly and Napoleon jumped the 61-foot fence with 2-foot lip and three strands of barbed wire, scrambling, or struggling, and mated. For peace's sake we left him there, but assumed, as she was on a contraceptive she did not conceive. Unfortunately, Napoleon seemed to get bored. Perhaps he sensed she was not going to conceive and tried to gate-crash into the main enclosure.

I rang our veterinarian. The bitches were becoming very excited, flirtatious and quarrelsome,  Napoleon restless. The first thing Jim asked was 'Is the drought going to break? Well it did, four days later.

Napoleon was given an injection to quieten his ardour for approximately three to four weeks, and he has become much more manageable, behaving as he does in the non-breeding season.

Strangely we received advice from Elizabeth Pestalozzi that she had had to get her Binuey a 'chemical castration' shot … he would have been unmanageable without it … thank goodness they only have one season a year.’ Elizabeth lives in Switzerland, and I found it most interesting that we were having similar problems at this time, although she lives on the other side of the world.

1992

We had a near crisis with Snowy. Several females came in season May to June, and of course Snowy thinks he is the alpha male, and no other male should be bred. He screamed and bellowed his way up to the end of May, constantly trying to dig his way out of his yard. His dominant roars delayed the elderly Kimba mating to Willie till I moved him right away. Snowy, nevertheless constantly peered through the bush ever ready to break up any romance and I could not tolerate his dominance any longer and put him onto a tranquilliser. Even though the dose was small, he appeared drugged - but still for most of the time continued to be stressed. The vet suggested we had no alternative but to give him a hormone injection. As the injection would take about a week to moderate his behaviour, he was to be kept on a full dose of the tranquilliser for several days.

Snowy has always been a very boisterous, affectionate dog, jumping up into your face with joy, but there was something threatening in the way he jumped at David about a week ago. It made us realise he needed to be treated with added caution while he was under such stress. A day later, I was leading him up from the large exercise area, and he vigorously showed me he wanted to go where the in-season females were. When I checked him, he leapt up at my shoulder, but his bite was so inhibited, I did not even feel his teeth; nevertheless, he got a thump on the top of his head and a short, smart obedience exercise. He was very quiet afterwards, and I knew he was sorry for overstepping the mark.

On Friday, Snowy was still receiving the tranquilliser and looking very doped, particularly in the eyes. Mary was working at the kennels, when we had another altercation with him. As always, she spoke to Snowy, who was lying on the ground. She noticed he wagged his tail and bent down to pat him. He suddenly flew at her, growling, biting her hand, but again a very inhibited bite that barely broke the skin.

I rang the vet again to reassess the drugs Snowy was receiving, as his aggressive behaviour was not normal, even making allowances for his frustrations. He explained that some dogs, especially flighty, highly sensitive ones, can be adversely affected by tranquillisers. It can cause them to go into a state of 'daydreaming' where they may appear aware but are not. So, when Mary approached Snowy, he automatically wagged his tail, but reacted in fright as something suddenly appeared near his head (Mary's hand). He had reacted in defence. The vet enquired if Snowy's third eyelids were inflamed, which they were, and this confirmed his diagnosis that the drug was adversely affecting Snowy's behaviour.

Snowy was taken off the tranquilliser and 36 hours after the first one, looks his normal self but still protests loudly at goings on between other Dingoes. Seven days after receiving the injection, instead of trying to demolish his enclosure when a mating occurs, he goes to the top corner of his yard and sings along with the other dingoes. To me this is an indication that the stress has diminished - but not completely.

Too often, well intentioned persons tell me 'dingoes are just dogs', but they are natural hunters and extremely independent. The greatest care must be taken, especially during the breeding season. The dog that appears well adjusted, well-mannered and under control by the person it respects as its alpha person, would not necessarily respect other people, and could therefore be unpredictable and dangerous deprived of the 'alpha person'. The Dingo's instincts and behaviour are natural. They have not been dulled by domestication.

In my opinion, it is necessary to work with your males, to share your lives with them; in all the little things in life, he must recognise you as dominant to him. This is not accomplished with harshness, but through allowing him to share his life with you. Just the regular putting on of a lead, and taking him for walks, moving him from his yard to another, brushing and handling him generally, all help you to assert your authority through your dedication, without which the risk of a challenge from your companion is high.

To Julie with Love by Berenice Walters

Julie, the little Dingo placed with us will always be remembered with love and affection. She seemed to roam through life with a perpetual smile on her face, but she was not always so happy.

In mid May 1980, I had a phone call from Vicki enquiring if we could give a home to a little female Dingo who was being held at a Wildlife Park that was closing. Julie, along with other animals, was to be shot.

"Please give her a home", pleaded Vicki.

We were later to learn that Julie had been a much loved companion of a young boy and had lived as one with the family, never having been restricted to a yard. Inevitably, she got herself into trouble killing poultry, and was finally kept on a chain which was welded to her neck. 

She howled miserably in her sadness at this sudden rejection, causing neighbours to complain. Finally, she was given to a wildlife park which did not really want another Dingo and was confined to a small shed where she continued to cry out in her grief. Vicki, who worked part time at the park, was overcome with the suffering and loneliness of this little Dingo, and in her own time took her for walks and spent as much time with her as possible. Julie never forgot Vicki's kindness.

Then another disaster occurred. The park had to close, and Julie was to be shot. At this time, we received Vicki's her phone call, and she brought Julie up to Bargo to visit us. She won our hearts and we agreed to take her in, sponsored by Vicki.

It is usually very difficult and time consuming to introduce a new Dingo to a resident colony. However, L'il Jo had been returned to us recently after being lost in the city for five months, and she was a very gentle, unaggressive and submissive Dingo. The two settled in well, Julie taking a motherly interest in her very timid companion, encouraging and protecting her. I vividly remember the first time I saw the depth of Julie's compassion, her sensitivity, and her strong reasoning powers. We were experiencing a severe hail storm which created a deafening roar on the iron roofs of the kennels. Terrified, L'il Jo bolted out into the storm. Julie instantly raced out after her and gently herded her back into the kennel. After standing together miserably for a few seconds, L'il Jo again dashed out into the storm, and again Julie went out after her friend and brought her back. The third time L'il Jo took off, Julie and sat and watched her hopelessly, her beautiful face showing the deep concern she felt for her companion, and her helplessness in being unable to calm her fears.

Julie had the same depth of understanding and caring with people. She was delightfully gentle with children and babies and could be relied upon always to be amiable. However, her extraordinary understanding of the needs of a blind visitor was uncanny. Mrs Joan Hodges belonged to the Royal Blind Society in London, and she had read about our Society in a publication which was printed in braille. She vowed that when she visited Australia, she would also visit MERIGAL. She duly arrived on a glorious sunny day, the pleasant anticipation of meeting our Dingoes seeming to light up her whole being. Julie was running with her two ten-month-old pups, Minki and Kimba at the time, and as we entered their enclosure, Julie very quietly approached Mrs Hodges in an obviously fond greeting, and then never left her side, not pressing against her legs, but gently touching so that she knew where Julie was always. She knew Mrs Hodges was blind. At one stage Minki and Kimba had a noisy quarrel and I was concerned that our visitor may have felt vulnerable, but the smile never left her face. Although she could not see, she knew there was no threat to herself. I was so proud of Julie and once again so overwhelmed at the depth of understanding and concern that this beautiful animal displayed.

Shortly before Julie's untimely death at nine years of age, she accompanied me on visits to two hospitals where she was, as always, the star and to a display in Sydney. We had received an invitation from the Animal Welfare League to participate in a "Parade of Dogs of the World" to be held in Martin Place, Sydney, as part of Animal Welfare Week. A Dingo was invited to represent the Australian breeds. 


Naturally, it was Julie who was selected to go. Margaret Fulton and Michael McKeag met us in Martin Place, and the following is their recount to our Committee of the occasion -

"We were proud to be in Martin Place with Julie, representing Australia. I wish you could all have been there. As the dogs assembled and the lunchtime crowds gathered, there was an air of excitement and anticipation.

"Michael and I found Berenice and Julie. Berenice was wearing her brand new sweatshirt showing Kimba standing at the alert. Curious passers-by were circling to read its inscription, "Dingo - An Original Australian". And there was Julie; beautiful, lovable, intelligent, friendly Julie.

"Berenice asked me to help parade Julie. I was delighted. We were the third to step out - the dogs were shown in alphabetical order by their country of origin.

"The Dingo - Dog of Australia" rang out the announcement. Up went a great loud cheer from the crowd. There was no doubt about how they felt about THEIR dog. Julie, like a true thoroughbred, walked with such dignity. She seemed to know she was showing her birthright, her right to be there in her land, representing her country.

"Julie, Berenice and I took our place at the edge of the ring as the others paraded. The unbelievably long, lean Borzoi from Russia, the giant St Bernard from Switzerland. A strange, long-haired swisher from Hungary swept in, rather like a black silk mop polishing the floor. A pampered, shampooed poodle from France - they are very intelligent, I am told. There were thirty dogs representing as many countries. They came in an amazing array of shapes and sizes. Their grooms making sure they looked their best, fixing a pink ribbon bow, a last minute brush, and tease of the hair. Oh, my! What a world separated them from Julie.

"As we sat watching the parade, Julie gently muzzled between an elderly couple who were surprised to find that the soothing nose belonged to a Dingo. But Julie's air of quiet confidence was catching, and they relaxed with a smug exchange of glances and a gentle pat for Julie who by this time had snuggled between them to share their rug.

"Berenice and I were intrigued with what we were seeing and hearing as each breed of dog was announced, and its country of origin. The reality of it swept over us. Here, among this wonderful parade of beautiful pampered, cared for, cherished dogs was one dog that was different, our dog, our Dingo, our Julie.

"Not only did Julie show herself as a pure dog - perhaps the purest of dogs (not too big, not too small), she was the one so right for Australia. BUT ... she was the ONE who could have been SHOT ON SIGHT. What a sobering thought.

"Julie and her breed have only known what it is to be trapped, hunted, poisoned. Denied a place to live, have a mate, raise a family; watch with pride their litter grow in their footsteps. A Dingo knows the chances are slim of its offspring living to become the noble, graceful, highly intelligent animal it is, taking its rightful place in its own land.

"Berenice and Julie had risen early to be in Martin Place for the Parade. Michael, Berenice's daughter, Christine and I went to a nearby out-door cafe with Julie for a cup of tea and sandwich. We got a hot sausage for Julie. The lunch time crowds and the waitresses accepted us as Julie settled under the table. We were all so contented, happy and proud. 
Thankful that we had Julie to show the people of Australia their very own dog."

Everyone who saw Julie that day will never forget ... and Julie, we miss you so much."

As Julie was so outgoing with strangers, we thought it would be beneficial for her pups to run with her beyond the normal five to six weeks, when pups generally learn so much from their parents, including to be wary of strangers.

We were wrong. Although Julie accepted people as her own, beneath that facade was the typical Dingo cautiousness, and she aggressively forced her pups back from the fence preventing them from accepting friendly advances. This has been very detrimental to both Minki and Kimba, as the distrust implanted in those formative weeks can never be erased.

Although Julie was a gentle mother, she was a strong disciplinarian and instinctively tried to instil in her pups the necessity of self-protection, teasing them, goading them on to fight back. She never could accept Minki's submissiveness and constantly harassed her, her sharp teeth making deep scratches into the delicate skin on the inside of her thighs. To protect her from further and more serious injury, Minki had to be removed from the group. Julie taught us a lot on family behaviour relating to both Dingoes and people.

Despite her early unhappiness, Julie adapted well to life here at MERIGAL, but we were always aware of a sadness in some elusive way. She made the best of circumstances as they were, and immensely enjoyed her turn to run in the house yard. When she thought we were heading in that direction, her step would quicken, head drop, and tail come up. If she was mistaken, she would show her disappointment only momentarily, and transfer her interest to wherever we were going. She was a real optimist and I imagine that is how she survived so well.

During Julie's six years at MERIGAL, she only strayed from "acceptable" behaviour once when she dug her way under a fence that had no footings, and into the fowl yard and killed three hens. It is unimaginably hard to capture a Dingo excited by a chase, even within the confines of a small yard. If the hens squatted, they were no longer prey and were of no interest. Those that flew in panic were the targets. On another occasion, she and her two half-grown pups "escaped". They had dug along a drain after heavy rain, but within ten minutes she and her pups were panting and calling at the back gate to be let in.

Julie never forgot Vicki who visited MERIGAL at least every three months with friends taking Julie for a BBQ down at the nearby Nepean Dam. As soon as Julie recognised Vicki she would scream in excitement and leap up the fence demanding to be with her. How she enjoyed the visit and the trip to the dam. When the time came for Vicki to go, Julie would howl and cry mournfully, looking longingly down the road where she had gone - not just for an hour or so, but for days. Irrespective of how much love we could lavish on Julie, Vicki was always her first love.

I look back on the years Julie shared with us with a great deal of happiness, thankful that she was given the opportunity to mix with people, to live closely with us; thankful to our Dingo walkers who have given so much happiness to Julie and her Dingo friends each weekend.

Julie passed away while still in her prime, at the height of her beauty; we will always remember her happy and smiling face, her generosity, compassion, and understanding - so much more a human than most humans can ever hope to be or become.

***

Does anyone remember this song from 1983? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zYXKL2Zec

It is the censored version but if you don't want to watch the whole FF to 1:04. That lovely little dingo with the lady dressed as Ayres Rock and carrying a blanket is Merigal Dingo Julie. They received a very friendly greeting and Julie thought it was all for her and lapped up every minute of it.