The Carolina Dog Project

Here at The University of South Carolina we are currently conducting tests to determine whether or not the "Carolina Dog" is a true biological breed.The hypothesis in question involves whether these dogs are of ancient decent, along the same lines as the Australian Dingo or the New Guinea Singing Dog,or if they are simply wild mongrels which happen to roam the backcountry of South Carolina and Georgia. In addition to a similar appearance, these animals also share some similar patterns of behavior. Currently we are testing most of the animals to follow in the pedigrees on this page. Here in the Sawyer Lab, of the Biology Department of the University of South Carolina, our genetic testing involves everything from canine genetics to alligator mating systems to the evolution of feather keratins.

Select which pedigree that you would like to view:

Carolina Dogs from Banbury Cross or Swamp Fox Sanctuary / New Guinea Singing Dogs

Any questions? send e-mails to woods@biol.sc.edu or Glenn@srel.edu
Other points of reference include the following: 
Mlot, C. 1997. Stalking the Ancient Dog. Science News 151: 400-401.
Morehead, E. 1992. The Carolina Dog: Making a Comeback. DogWorld May: 50-51. 
Vila,C., P. Savolainen, J.E. Maldonado, I. R. Amorim, and J.E. Rice. 1997. Multiple and
  Ancient Origins of the Domestic Dog. Science 276: 1687-1689.
Wayne, R.K. 1993. Molecular Evolution of the Dog Family. Trends In Genetics 9:6: 218-224.
Brisbin, I.R.,R.P. Coppinger, M.H. Feinstein, S.N. Austad, and J.J. Mayer. 1994. The New
  Guinea Singing Dog: Taxonomy, Captive Studies and Conservation Priorities. Science in New
  Guinea 20:1: 27-38.
Bino, R. 1996. Notes on Behaviour of New Guinea Singing Dogs (Canis lupus dingo). Science in 
  New Guinea 22:1: 43-47.
Brisbin, I.R., and T.S. Risch 1997. Primitive Dogs, Their Ecology and Behavior: Unique 
  oppurtunities to study the early development of the human-canine bond. Journal of the American
  Veterinary Medical Association 210:8: 1122-1126.
Flamholtz, C.J. 1991. A Celebration of Rare Breeds Volume II. Centreville, Alabama: 
  OTR Publications.