YorkiePoo vs New Guinea Singing Dog - Breed Comparison

The YorkiePoo is a hybrid cross between a toy Poodle and a Yorkshire Terrier. These two breeds are extremely popular as therefore so is the crossbreed. Yorkiepoos were developed a little over ten years ago in the United States. They were developed as hypoallergenic toy dogs that are easy to take care of. They are toy sized, healthy and calm. Each pup is different from the others depending upon the characteristics they develop from their parents and across multi-generational breeding. They are small watch dogs and bark for intruders. It is believed they were developed sometime in the past twenty years or so.

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 YorkiePoo was developed with the Yorkshire Terrier and the Toy Poodles. Some are now being bred with miniature poodles instead. This has created some variety in the size of the YorkiPoos. Serious breeders have stuck with the toys so that there will be more consistency and reliability in the cross breed.They are small watch dogs and bark for intruders

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.

Children friendliness yes be careful young children don’t hurt him 2.Special talents intelligence and bold nature 3.Adaptability can live anywhere 4.Learning ability very high unless negatively reinforced then stubborn

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.

Like most designer or hybrid breeds, the general health of the YorkiePoo is pretty good. They are prone to some illness however that their parents might have. This might include: • Hip dysplasia – can lead to lameness. • Elbow dysplasia – can lead to lameness. • Von Willonbrand’s Disease • Epilepsy • Patellar Luxation – slipped kneecaps can lead to lameness. • Hypothyroidism – causes lethargy, skin issues. • Thrombopathia • Atopic dermatitis – should be treated right away. • PSS Portosystemic Shunt – stunted growth, seizures, abnormal behavior.

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.

1Feeding the puppy toy high quality puppy kibble feed 3-4x day 2.Feeding the adult toy high quality adult kibble feed 2x day 3.Points for Good Health - 4. Games and Exercises agility, obedience are great for this hybrid. They need social interaction and stimulation.

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.