The dingo is a wild dog of Southeast Asia and Australia. It is commonly known as the Australian wild dog. The dingo is believed to have originated in Asia and brought to Australia by Austronesian traders some 3,000 years ago. They flourished upon introduction, and quickly spread out across Australia, quite possibly with human assistance. Within a short period of time the dingo had occupied the entire continent and became a dominant predator, likely contributing to the extinction of marsupial carnivores such as the Thylacine.
In recent generations, the dingo has become seen as a pest species, and many measures, including an extensive fence, have been made to stem its encroachment on human property/welfare. Also, because of its inbreeding with dogs introduced by European settlers, the dingo gene pool is also considered to be increasingly "polluted". Thus, its present-day status is considered "Vulnerable", with some believing its extinction to be inevitable.
Physical Description:
The dingo weighs between 22 and 53 pounds roughly, being usually smaller the wolves of the northern hemisphere. It stands at about 17 - 25 inches at the shoulder, and measures approximately 34 - 48 inches long. Although fur coloring differs slightly, dingoes are usually ginger in color. It has a lean muscular build with erect ears. Although the dingo does not generally occur in packs (more often existing in pairs or small family groups), it is capable of forming larger groups to hunt.
Diet:
Dingoes predate on a variety of animals. Most of its prey species are small or medium in size, including lizards and rodents. However, the dingo will also take larger prey, including sheep and kangaroos. The dingo is opportunistic, and in addition to hunting is also known to eat fruits and plants and scavenge from humans.
Habitat:
Modern dingoes are distributed primarily in small pockets of forests in Southeast Asia and in many portions of Australia. In Australia, it occurs mostly in the north. The "Great Dingo Fence" was begun in the 1880s, and meant to keep dingoes out of the relatively fertile southeast of Australia and to protect sheep. Although it has managed to stem the dingo from existing in larger numbers, some dingoes can still be found in the southern portions of the continent today.
Reproduction:
Dingoes breed once per year, generally between March and June. Pups are born after about 63 days, and litter sizes range from 4 to 6 offspring. The young may be left on their own after only a few months, or they may stay with their parents for up to a year before independence. Males reach sexual maturity by the age of one, and females become capable of breeding at about the same age.
If you are looking for a watch dog or a guard dog you will find that the Beauceron is one of the best. They are highly intelligent, obedient, and fearless. It is considered a working dog so having one for a pet is not always the best. They tend to like tasks and other activities that will keep them busy mentally as well as physically. It should come as no surprise that they are also great for herding other animals. To establish a relationship with a Beauceron you need to establish a master versus subordinate relationship. The Beauceron loves to receive praise and please you as an owner. Typically they choose just one person as the master over all. This doesn't mean you can't have them around little children, but you do need to take some precautions. First you will want to raise the Beauceron from a puppy if you are going to have it around children. They can be a little overzealous in energy sometimes, so small children tend to be a little wary, but the dogs will not be aggressive.
You will also find the Beauceron is great around dogs they know and have met before, but territorial instincts can override their sense when exposed to new dogs. Therefore socialization should begin as a puppy to help dissuade this behavior in a pet. As they are often guard dogs you should not be surprised if they show a little aggression towards unknown people or pets.
Dog breeds are plentiful and you can always find a true breed for a dog breeder, but it is essential that you understand the dog breed you are interested in before going to the dog breeder. You want to have questions prepared and double check information. So you will find information regarding the Beauceron dog breed below to help you determine if they are the right dog for you.
Part of owning a dog is understanding their care. You will find the Beauceron can have health problems related to hip dysplasia, and bloating, but for the most part they are one of the healthiest dogs. They tend to have a high amount of stamina as well. Grooming will be required periodically, but the coat does not shed much and a brush is sufficient to getting the dirt off. Again part of care is also exercise. You want to make sure you have a backyard that is sufficient to proper exercise and that they are given at least an hour a day for walking, playing and training. If you show the Beauceron proper care you should expect to have them in the family for over ten years. You will find they do well in moderate climates or even warmer climates. The cold can affect them a little, and they should be kept indoors during the colder storms.
The Beauceron dog breed is known by several names including Berger de Beauce, Bas Rouge, and Beauce Shepherd. They are a French breed of dog dating back to the fifteen hundreds as herders. These dogs are very athletic in build and temperament. You will find they enjoy being outdoors with plenty of room to run. You will also find they resemble Doberman Pinschers in their looks and body type. They often have the same black fur with the tan muzzle, ears, and paws. This dog can weigh up to 110 pounds with a height of 24 to 27 inches, which makes them a medium to larger sized dog.