New Guinea Singing Dog

This particular species of wolf has a special singing talent, therefore the name.

Singing dogs have the same body, appearance, diet, and behavior as a dingo but have a unique ability to sing, hence this name. Compared with other forms of dog, the New Guinea singing dog is described as relatively short-legged and broad-headed. These dogs have an average shoulder height of 31–46 cm (12–18 in) and weigh 9–14 kg (20–31 lb). They do not have rear dewclaws. The limbs and spine of the New Guinea singing dog are very flexible, and they can spread their legs sideways to 90°, comparable to the Norwegian Lundehund. They can also rotate their front and hind paws more than domestic dogs, which enables them to climb trees with thick bark or branches that can be reached from the ground; however, their climbing skills do not reach the same level as those of the gray fox and are closely related to those of a cat.

The eyes, which are highly reflective, are triangular (or almond-shaped) and are angled upwards from the inner to outer corners with dark eye rims. Eye color ranges from dark amber to dark brown. Their eyes exhibit a bright green glow when lights are shone on them in low-light conditions. There are two features that researchers believe allow New Guinea singing dogs to see more clearly in low light. Pups are born with a dark chocolate brown pelt with gold flecks and reddish tinges, which changes to light brown by the age of six weeks. Adult coloration occurs around four months of age. For adult dogs, the colors brown, black, and tan have been reported, all with white points. The sides of the neck and zonal stripes behind the scapula are golden. Black and very dark guard hair is generally lightly allocated over the hair of the spine, concentrating on the back of the ears and the surface of the tail over the white tip. The muzzle is always black on young dogs. Generally, all colors have white markings underneath the chin, on the paws, chest, and tail tip. About one-third also have white markings on the muzzle, face, and neck. By 7 years of age, the black muzzle begins to turn gray.

The autoerotic stimulation that New Guinea singing dogs exhibit is also remarkable. This stimulation includes a significant propensity to bite the genitalia in both fun and hostile ways, a cheek-rub that may be a marking action, and a threat to gnash teeth. The howls of New Guinea singing dogs are known for being distinctive and melodious, with a fast rise in pitch at the beginning and very high frequencies at the finish.

The howls of these canines are easily distinguishable from those of Australian dingoes, and they sound significantly different from those of grey wolves and coyotes. Dogs from New Guinea that sing may imitate other canines. Packs of singing dogs frequently "sing" in unison, coordinating their tones. The singing dog's howling provides communication, social bonding, and territorial purposes. In the chorus, every dog's voice has a unique "signature." The singing dog is incredibly nimble and can squeeze through small spaces, climb trees, and jump almost one meter vertically. The singing dog's acute senses included excellent hearing and scent detection. These canines are capable of swimming, but because of their mountainous environment, they rarely do so in the wild.

Since only single dogs or couples have ever been seen in the wild, it can be assumed that, unlike their relative, the gray wolf, wild New Guinea singing dogs do not form stable groups. Wild dogs in New Guinea that resembled New Guinea singing dogs—whether they were hybrids or purebreds—ate tiny to medium-sized marsupials, rodents, birds, and fruits. In New Guinea, according to biologist Robert Bino, its prey included cuscuses, wallabies, dwarf cassowaries, and other birds.

As mesopredators, singing dogs aid in the management of rodent and marsupial populations. Other than humans, huge pythons, feral dogs, eagles, and crocodiles, the singing dog has few natural enemies. The singing dog may hunt at night, but its activity is primarily crepuscular, meaning it is active between dawn and dusk.

Reproduction

Mating:

• Monogamous pairs; breeding season once per year.

Gestation:

• Around 63 days.

Litter size:

• 2–4 pups.

Parental care:

• Both parents guard and feed the pups.

The singing dog's social structure consists of solitary individuals or small, close-knit family groupings. The singing dog uses a complex vocal range for communication, including trills, yelps, whines, and "singing."

This dog has an intelligent, cautious, and inquisitive temperament. It is frequently reticent, but with early socialization, it can develop strong relationships with its caregivers. While captive-bred singing dogs can be kind and loving but are nonetheless independent and less tamed than canines, wild singing dogs are inherently suspicious of people. Due to their incomplete domestication, these wild dogs are unpredictable when kept as pets.

Although dingoes and singing dogs are large enough to be harmful, they often avoid conflict with people. The majority of attacks involve feeding wild canines that sing. In New Guinea, singing dogs are assaulting a variety of animals, including people and other fantastical beings.

Threats:

• Habitat loss (logging, mining, human settlement).

• Hybridization with feral or village dogs, reducing genetic purity.

• Small population size and inbreeding in captivity.

Conservation status:

• IUCN: “Data Deficient,” but considered critically endangered or functionally extinct in the wild.

• Fewer than 300 known individuals in captivity.

• Conservation groups, such as the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society, are working to maintain purebred lines and protect wild populations.

Few singing dogs, once common throughout New Guinea, are thought to still exist in the wild today. They reside in highlands that are heavily vegetated with moss and are wet. If the New Guinea singing dog is a real wild dog, it is in risk of extinction.

The "Sky People" or Terrans from Earth introduced the New Guinea singing dog to two Earth-like exoplanets: Berbania from Ursa Major and Reinachos from Cygnus between the 2600s and 2700s, during The Recollections of Queen Arianna (TROQA) saga. Despite the fact that our earth is dead, this species is being saved from extinction due to conservation efforts. This species arose as a result of human interactions for rewilding and game hunting, but they backfired, with the singing dog becoming invasive. The singing dog lived in the same environment and climate as Earth on two Earth-like exoplanets. The singing dog was found in Dirthsao and Jacksonia continents of Berbania, and in Pascua and Amazonia continents of Reinachos.

• Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant

• Movement Pattern: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: 200 to 300

• Locomotion: Amphibious

• Habitat: Taiga; Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests, Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Mushroom Forests; Mushroom Fields; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain.

• Earth: 

  • Extant (Resident): Indonesia (West Papua); Papua New Guinea

  • Extinct: Afghanistan; Albania; Armenia; Australia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belgium; Bhutan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Cambodia; Canada; China; Croatia; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Greenland; Hungary; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Jordan; Kazakhstan; North Korea; South Korea; Kyrgyzstan; Latvia; Libya; Lithuania; Laos; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Mexico; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Myanmar; Nepal; Netherlands; North Macedonia; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Palau; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Solomon Islands; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Syrian Arab Republic; Tajikistan; Taiwan; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Turkiye; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States; Uzbekistan; Vietnam; Yemen

• Reinachos: 

  • Extant & Introduced (Resident): Ascunsia; Angussia

While they can be domesticated, the New Guinea Singing Dog is not recommended as a pet for most people. They require firm leadership and exhibit wild dog tendencies such as an extreme hunting drive and a desire to roam and explore. They are rare in New Guinea but can be found in zoos across the world.

The New Guinea singing dog is rarely maintained as a pet due to its wild impulses and escape inclinations, the need for specialist care, space, and enrichment, and conservation restrictions—the majority are kept in zoos or by approved conservation breeders. This dog is not advised for the normal household; however, some socialized individuals have coexisted effectively with humans.

Scientists have estimated that only 200 to 300 New Guinea singing dogs currently exist in captivity in zoos and protective centers. Observations of the highland wild dog are also rare in New Guinea.

There had been reports of highland wild dogs living in an area in Papua New Guinea in 2009, the study noted. But there were only two known cases of highland wild dogs being seen and photographed up until 2016.

• Fikkar

• Ahmadi

• Raqim

• Kimino

• 2019: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-UKsT_QZw1-s4nnpQd-n_2G7FoqnkxaN

• 2023: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LUQdAAaaVod_ylozKdxudX_DU9uXBpAd

• ???

• Coming soon

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Guinea_singing_dog

• https://www.starlingarts.com/blog/our-favourite-singing-quotes

• https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41585/10484199

• https://www.cesarsway.com/new-guinea-singing-dog-breed/

• https://www.science.org/content/article/new-guinea-s-mysterious-singing-dogs-found-again-wild#:~:text=Today%2C%20between%20200%20and%20300,occasionally%20heard%20the%20dogs'%20wailing

• https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/ancient-new-guinea-singing-dog-rediscovered-after-50-years/5578709.html#:~:text=Scientists%20have%20estimated%20that%20only,in%202009%2C%20the%20study%20noted

• https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/singing-dog

• https://animalia.bio/canis-lupus-dingo

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/New-Guinea-Singing-Dog-791323563

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/New-Guinea-Singing-Dog-2023-947861363