The New Guinea Singing Dog (NGSD) is genetically a dingo and - in its native range - a true wild dog. It immigrated to the island of New Guinea, but was never domesticated there. New Guinea Singing Dogs are also known as Singers or New Guinea Dingos. They are medium-sized dogs; the typical adult reaches 11-18 inches tall and weighs 20-30 pounds, according to Dog Breed Info.
They are also known as one of the rarest dog breeds on Earth, having spent most of their history roaming the mountainous terrain of New Guinea, well away from the eyes and homes of curious humans.
It is through the unique vocal expressiveness of the NGSD that they get their name. The sounds made by a New Guinea Singing Dog are unlike those of any other. Producing a wide range of sounds, the NGSD can howl, yelp, yip, trill and chirp. Groups or packs of New Guinea Singing Dogs also sing in concert with each other. These highly coordinated songs are useful for communicating with other Singing Dingos over the heavily forested and high-altitude regions of their native habitat, according to Dogster.
Another unique quality of the NGSD is their enhanced night vision. They have an outstanding ability to see in the dark. Whereas most dogs' eyes glow red when light shines in their eyes, the eyes of a New Guinea Singing Dog glow green because they are able to absorb so much more light.
However, the number of New Guinea Singing Dogs still living in the wild is unknown. Committed organizations such as the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society and New Guinea Singing Dog International are dedicated to the study and conservation of this rare wild dog breed.
The Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia is one of the few zoos that has a few of these magnificent dogs and are trying to keep them from extinction.The first pack of New Guinea Singing Dogs came to the Taronga Park Zoo in the 1950's, brought down from the New Guinea Highlands, according to the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society.
