Joel Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Thought I'd pop my posting cherry with a question that I have regarding a dog that my partner & I are considering taking on.... First of all... My mum and my aunt were in QLD visiting some family and saw this dog (shes named Jess) next door. She was being abused and starved. So, over they went with their crazy faces on saying that they would take her. They flew back with Jess who was (obviously) quite frightened and distressed. Considering the circumstances though, she was very good. Now, my aunt already has two ENORMOUS Rottweilers (and I mean HUGE - they look like bears) and my mum has her own dog (greyhound). Neither of them is able to adopt her due to their own circumstances. At the moment she's staying with my aunt. She's just been de-sexed, wormed, vaccinated etc. On to the main point... We don't exactly know what breed she is. The previous owner said she was a red heeler - kelpie cross, but i don’t think so. I think she’s definitely got some red heeler in her (she has (although faint) red & white heeler socks). I think she’s mostly dingo. There’s a lot of negativity surrounding Dingos, but she’s one of the sweetest dog I've ever seen, and there were a number of people at the vet (staff) that wanted to take her home (and offered). I don't have an issue whatever breed she is, but is there any special considerations that need to be made if she is indeed at least part dingo? Are there things we won’t be able to do with her or places we won’t be able to go? Any help/advice would be great! - Joel P.S. We currently live in Vic, but will most likely be moving to SA early next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) In Victoria, to own a purebred Dingo you need a special enclosure, however I don't think those rules apply to crosses. I could be wrong. If I were you, I'd have her microchipped as a Kelpie X. If anyone asks, she is a Kelpie X. Thats what you were told anyway. Edited September 16, 2009 by Kirty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 What makes you think she has dingo in her? Kelpies come in that cream colour and with part Red Cattle with the Kelpie it is more than possible to get her look - she is gorgeous by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) I think the thing that makes me think she has dingo in her is her general appearance, but notably the bushy tail and the way she slinks around everywhere. The way she walks and runs is very... i dont know a word to describe it... sneaky... or elusive. She was microchipped at the same time as she was de-sexed. I don’t know under what breed. I think there were a few D-words dropped while she was at the vet, which made us even more convinced. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to get into a situation where someone could report us and then have the authorities try and take her away (im about as likely to give up a dog that i take in to my family as i am to give up one of my legs, so that could cause some problems). Thanks for all your help so far Edited September 16, 2009 by jd88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) I think the thing that makes me think she has dingo in her is her general appearance, but notably the bushy tail and the way she slinks around everywhere. The way she walks and runs is very... i dont know a word to describe it... sneaky... or elusive. How about timid,submissive or downright fearful ? Wild dingos don't skulk. I think you're looking at the product of envirionment, not species. She looks more GSD cross than dingo to me. Edited September 16, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappiemum Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I think the thing that makes me think she has dingo in her is her general appearance, but notably the bushy tail and the way she slinks around everywhere. The way she walks and runs is very... i dont know a word to describe it... sneaky... or elusive. How about timid,submissive or downright fearful ? Wild dingos don't skulk. I think you're looking at the product of envirionment, not species. She looks more GSD cross than dingo to me. I agree. At any rate, the priority should be not what breed, but who will take her and then rehabilitation. Trust me, i've had dogs that were fearful and boy, does it take a hell of a lot of work and commitment to get even small improvements!- but the good news is that it can be done. Depending on where she goes, I would recommend that she is seen and worked on by an expert behaviourist - and then (once appropriate) gentle socialisation. How is she with other dogs and people? Poor girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) I wouldn't describe it as skulking... i don't know how to describe it. I don't mean when shes just walking next to me - even when shes playing. It may just be that shes timid. I think we will end up taking her. Even though my aunt is not the type of person to let her go to just any 'good home' - it has to be an outstanding home (and she'd check), but I love Jess' personality and I think (with help of course) that I could give her a great life. She's great with other dogs (so far). Like I said, shes staying at my aunts with her two rotties and my mum brings her greyhound over and they all do really well together. She seemed way too interested in my aunts parrot (can't blame her - it was walking around on the floor), but we'll work on that. Shes not affraid to assert herself either (not aggressively, but the rotties are huge and she doesn't let them push her around too much (much like the greyhound, which is the boss of the bunch)). So far she's seemed ok with the cat (although that said, the cat is the boss of everyone, especially the rotties lol). The good thing is shes only young. The vet said shes about a year old. So plenty of time to train and socialise. I'm glad I posted this topic, it's made me a lot more comfortable with the idea. I just hope other people are as good about her when I walk her through town or something, lol! Danke everyone Edited September 16, 2009 by Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Oh I'm sure you will get Dingo comments about her due to her colouring ;) . Just ask some of the people with cream Kelpies how much money they would have if they got a dollar every time they were asked if their dog was a dingo The dingoes I have met have been standoffish with people. There was one at Paws in the Park on the weekend - lives at Pet Resorts Australia and came out when Steve Austin was doing his demos. While it looked similar to a Kelpie or Cattle Dog it also looked quite different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RottnBullies Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Any help/advice would be great! - Joel Hi Joel, this Is the Breed Specific Legislation BSL section You would get more responses If you move this to the general section, Just ask Troy to have It moved there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 I just posted it here because my original concern was if she was indeed part dingo whether there was anything that I would legally have to consider. I thought it might just get lost in the crowd in the general section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I wouldn't describe it as skulking... i don't know how to describe it. I don't mean when shes just walking next to me - even when shes playing. It may just be that shes timid.I think we will end up taking her. Even though my aunt is not the type of person to let her go to just any 'good home' - it has to be an outstanding home (and she'd check), but I love Jess' personality and I think (with help of course) that I could give her a great life. She's great with other dogs (so far). Like I said, shes staying at my aunts with her two rotties and my mum brings her greyhound over and they all do really well together. She seemed way too interested in my aunts parrot (can't blame her - it was walking around on the floor), but we'll work on that. Shes not affraid to assert herself either (not aggressively, but the rotties are huge and she doesn't let them push her around too much (much like the greyhound, which is the boss of the bunch)). So far she's seemed ok with the cat (although that said, the cat is the boss of everyone, especially the rotties lol). The good thing is shes only young. The vet said shes about a year old. So plenty of time to train and socialise. I'm glad I posted this topic, it's made me a lot more comfortable with the idea. I just hope other people are as good about her when I walk her through town or something, lol! Danke everyone Just remember that a 1 year old dog is not a blank slate. What you see now will always be with her.. she'll no doubt become far more confident with people that she knows but may never really be all that great with strangers. Unfortunately the peak periods of socialisation are over and training will only get you so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravyk Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I think the thing that makes me think she has dingo in her is her general appearance, but notably the bushy tail and the way she slinks around everywhere. The way she walks and runs is very... i dont know a word to describe it... sneaky... or elusive. She was microchipped at the same time as she was de-sexed. I don’t know under what breed. I think there were a few D-words dropped while she was at the vet, which made us even more convinced. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to get into a situation where someone could report us and then have the authorities try and take her away (im about as likely to give up a dog that i take in to my family as i am to give up one of my legs, so that could cause some problems). Thanks for all your help so far My cattle cross does that and has a bushy tail. If I painted him light brown, he'd look like a dingo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 How about timid,submissive or downright fearful ? Wild dingos don't skulk. I think you're looking at the product of envirionment, not species. I agree here......and her 'sweet' nature may well change once she is well fed,and over her upheaval, and starting to feel 'at home' ........ just a little warning Nothing about her yells dingo! to me... not saying there is none- but from those photos- nothing too obvious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMA Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) I've actually got a dingo cross called Alice. Yet from the pictures you've shown here Joel, we'll there maybe some resemblance to a dingo, but to be honest I think red cattledog x kelpie is closer to what your dog is. Plus, don't forget, a lot of people think there's dingo in kelpies, even though there's not, as there is some resemblance shared between the two, whilst cattledogs actually have dingo in them, so the red ones in particular can remind one of a dingo. BTW is there any chance for better photos as that may help. Most importantly good luck looking after her as she seems like a nice girl who deserves a second chance Anyways, just for comparison, here's Alice... Edited September 16, 2009 by DMA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravyk Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhou Xuanyao Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I dont know much about the laws re dingoes but I would not overcomplicate matters. An ACD or Kelpie x will do fine and as far as you know thats what she probably is anyway ;) She is a sweet looking girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 Thanks everyone for your support and advice. I'm not too worried about her breed personally, but I just wanted to make sure that if worst came to worst then I wasn't going to end up putting us in a situation where she could be taken away from us because I didn't do my homework. DMA, Alice looks beautiful! I'll try and get some better photos of Jess soon. Those were taken the day she was de-sexed, so she was feeling quite sorry for herself (and they were taken late at night with bad lighting). Ill see what I can do. They definately dont do her justice. Im aware that her attitude may change once shes a little more 'settled in'. I'm pretty confident that we will be able to keep her under control if it turns out she becomes a handful. Members of my family have looked after previously abused animals before and those have been some of the best companions we've had. I'm sure I'll get plenty of help with her if we need it (which I'm sure we will in one form or another (whether it be professional or not)). Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone, you've all been really helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim'sMum Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 What a cutie and good on your family for rescuing her. She may have a touch of Dingo in her but could just as easily be an ACD x Kelpie.....so that is what you should have her breed listed as on the microchip info. One hint to part Dingo is if there is a white tip on the end of the tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMA Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Thanks Joel. Yeah Alice is a cutie alrighty. Just ask Ravyk Another tip about picking a dingo is watching their ankle movements. If the girl can swivel her legs in her ankles @ 180 degrees, then yes that's a dingo or cross for certain as dogs can't do that. Alice does it & it's just amazing to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravyk Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Thanks Joel. Yeah Alice is a cutie alrighty. Just ask Ravyk Another tip about picking a dingo is watching their ankle movements. If the girl can swivel her legs in her ankles @ 180 degrees, then yes that's a dingo or cross for certain as dogs can't do that. Alice does it & it's just amazing to see. Yes Alice on my 'to steal and keep' list I'd have to say she is one of the most gorgeous dogs I've ever seen. But I do agree with most in the thread, its more likely she's and ACD/Kelpie cross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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