New Guinea Singing Dog vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison

In 1957 the New Guinea Singing Dog was “discovered” in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and he is found no where else. There is a lot of debate among scientists, taxonomists and biologist as to what is really a species and what is a subspecies. When the NGSD was found he was classified as a new canid species then in 2007 they were downgraded to a subspecies.

Today the NGSD is considered to be a wild dog and a primitive dog. They have lived in Papua New Guinea in the Highlands for thousands of years. They are closely related to other wild dogs, such as Australia’s dingo. They are today as they were a thousand years ago – wild. So wild that many counties have them in their zoos.

With the right care and enough socialization, they do very well as companion animals living with people. They are difficult to domesticate however and the person who owns one should be a part of the NGSD community in order to get support, share issues, and learn from others who have lived with these “wild dogs” for many years.

Any New Guinea Singing Dog found in North America or Europe is a direct descendent of two couples that were taken to zoos in China and Australia. The NGSD makes a howling sound that modulates and undulates through a wide series of tones. No other dog makes this musical sound. Rare even in New Guinea today, the Singer is thought to be the rarest of all dogs.

The only organization that recognizes the Singing Dog is the UKC and they are allowed in UKC competition. The NGSD now holds the classification of a domestic dog – a Canis lupus dingo - which is a subspecies of Canis lupus. In 2016 a group of 15 wild dogs were photographed for the first time ever. Prior to this the NGSD were never seen in more than pairs.

It is believed that they do not live and operate in packs, but rather solitary, pairs or family groups where both the parents do the work of raising the pups.

The Greyhound belongs to a group of dogs known as sighthounds. This is an ancient sighthound breed dating back a few thousands years.

The dog has been bred for racing but today is also a popular pet. They’ve also been used for hunting too because of their keen eyesight and sense of smell.

In the United States there are Greyhounds registered with the American Kennel Club as well as those registered with the National Greyhound Association.

The New Guinea Singing Dog is a medium sized dog with short legs and a broad head. They are about average height and they are very limber and flexible. They can rotate their paws and spread their legs at much greater angles than the average canine. Thus, they can easily climb a tree. They can jump like a cat.

They have very reflective eyes that are shaped like almonds and have dark rims. The color of the eye can be dark brown to dark amber. It is also believed that they can see better than other domestic dogs in low light settings. Their pupils let in more light due to pupils that are wider than most other dogs.

The ears of the NGSD are lined with fur, pointed and erect. The are forward laying and can be rotated in order to hear even the farthest and faintest of sounds. There are dark guard hairs on the spine and back of the ears and tail. On young dogs the muzzle is black but by age 7 it is already beginning to turn gray.

The Greyhound is a tall, muscled, long-legged, slender dog with a flexible spine, a deep chest and exceptional eye sight.

The Males are usually about 71 to 76 cm in height with the females being slightly smaller. The dogs weigh in the region of 27 to 40 kg. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and is found in an assortment of colors, from fawn to white, tan, black and brindle.As far as grooming goes, he is looked upon as a low maintenance breed.

He has a long narrow muzzle, semi-erect/semi-floppy short ears and a long slender tail.

Sometimes referred to as being hypoallergenic, you need to allow your Greyhound indoors as the dog doesn't have an undercoat. He is therefore more susceptible to extreme temperatures. The face is long, narrow and pointed, the ears short and half-erect-half-floppy with a long, thin, whip-like tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent and gentle, the Greyhound is described by those who have owned them as wonderful pet. They are somewhat aloof around strangers but love their own human family. This is a non-aggressive, gentle, docile, calm dog. They are loving and get on well with their entire family, whether human beings or pets.

They’re sensitive dogs who appreciate quiet, calm environments. They may be quiet, but they are still social, loving the company of their family. They’re not great barkers and because they are non-aggressive, they don’t make wonderful guard dogs.

Children friendliness

They could be, but it must be remembered that this is a wild dog.

Special talents

Varying the pitches when howling

Adaptability

It’s possible but not recommended. Leave them wild.

Learning ability

Highly intelligent but trainability is questionable unless well socialize and attached to their people.

The Greyhound, forgetting about the racing part, makes a superb pet too. He won't do well in a household where there are screaming, noisy children and adults as he wants a quiet home to live in.

He can get on well with kind, gentle, respectful children as well as with pets in the home. Just like any dog, he will also need training and socialization as this can build up his confidence and then he knows how to please his owners and what they expect.

The Greyhound will require a gentle, fair, kind owner who understands his need for peace and quiet, and then he becomes a most wonderful devoted, loyal and loving pet.

Health Problems

Though the breed is not extinct – it is so wild and secretive that there is no history or record of any health problems. However, the small number of domestic companion animals have shown health issues in recent years.

Pancreatitis – can be chronic or acute. If chronic it needs to be treated and diet changed. If acute it is usually deadly.

Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis.

Greyhounds are a wonderfully healthy dog breed and with good care can reach 14 years of age. They aren't prone to many genetic illnesses and unlike so many other dog breeds, this is one dog that doesn't battle with hip dysplasia – in fact it is almost unknown among this tall, slim dog breed.

The Greyhound does however, have a deep chest and this is what makes him vulnerable to bloat or gastric torsion. You have to take action quickly if you detect bloat – the stomach swells up – as this is a life-threatening condition that can occur quickly when air is trapped in the stomach. The stomach can become twisted.

Make sure your Greyhound doesn't gobble his food too quickly and preferably give him smaller meals as opposed to one or two large bowls of food.

Feeding the puppy

In the wild both pups and adults are thought to eat small mammals and birds as well as fruits. In homes feed a high protein diet. Because of the tendency toward pancreatitis do not feed raw or under cooked meat. If feeding meet do so in small amounts well cooked, very lean. Stay away from the fat. Feed puppies very small amounts. ¾-1 cup high quality dry puppy food twice a day.

Feeding the adult

Same as the puppy when it comes to meat although you could give the adult a little more. 1 ½ cups od high quality medium breed dog food twice a day.

Points for Good Health

In the wild there is no indication of health issue. A very healthy breed.

Games and Exercises

The NGSD needs a lot of stimulation both mental and physical. They must have a daily walk and somewhere to run. They are escape artist in homes. Remember they can jump like cats and climb trees. If their head can pass through a hole, so can the rest of their body.

Diet:

Your Greyhound’s breeder will be the best guide for the type of- and the amount of dog food your hound will need. Of course, a growing puppy has different nutritional needs from a mature or senior Greyhound.

Growing puppies and young dogs use a lot of energy so they will require a diet rich in protein. According to Greyhound experts, an adult Greyhound dog will need an average daily caloric intake of 1740 calories.

Older dogs and those that have been spayed or neutered will need less. Apart from the very best quality kibble, your Greyhound will most certainly require raw meat from time to time. You can also give him some cooked chicken, vegetables and brown rice. He should have access to a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The Greyhound's coat is smooth and short and he sheds very little so he will only need a gentle brush-down once or twice a week.

Exercise:

Having a relaxed lifestyle is what your Greyhound will love. He is a dog that needs to spend time indoors. When outdoors, whether you live in the city or the country, he will need daily walks and a run in the park regularly.

Just because he is a sprinter, it isn't wise to take him with you with cycling or jogging as he is geared for a short burst of speed as opposed to a long run.