People usually search for the New Guinea Singing Dog when they’ve heard the famous “singing” howl, or when they’re trying to work out what this animal actually is: a dog breed, a wild canid, or something in between. That matters, because it changes what’s realistic (and ethical) to expect in terms of temperament, training, availability, and welfare.
What follows keeps its feet on the ground: where the New Guinea Singing Dog comes from, what science says about its relationship to the New Guinea Highland wild dogs, what the “singing” really is, and what careful, practical care looks like for any similarly primitive, high-drive dog.
At a glance
- Size: Small-to-medium (often described as compact and agile)
- Coat: Short to medium; dense; often reddish-brown with lighter markings
- Notable trait: Distinctive, modulated howls (“singing” vocalisations)
- Temperament (typical): Alert, independent, wary with strangers; forms bonds through consistent handling
- Activity level: High; needs daily exercise and mental work
- Availability: Rare; most are in managed conservation or specialist settings rather than ordinary pet pathways
What is a New Guinea Singing Dog, exactly?
The New Guinea Singing Dog (NGSD) is a rare population of dogs associated with the highlands of New Guinea, known for a distinctive vocal style that can sound almost flute-like compared with the flatter howl of many other dogs.1, 2
Its taxonomic status is still debated in the scientific literature. You’ll see it described in different ways (as a distinct taxon, or as part of the domestic dog/dingo lineage), and that disagreement largely reflects how hard it is to draw clean lines between “wild”, “feral”, and “ancient domestic” canids in this region.3, 4
Origin, history, and why it stayed so little-known
NGSDs were brought to wider scientific attention in the mid-1900s after dogs were collected from New Guinea’s highlands and sent to Australia, where early descriptions and later research began to build a picture of a distinctive, primitive-looking dog population.4
Because the terrain is rugged and much of the region is remote, sightings and collections were historically rare. That scarcity shaped the global captive population too: many NGSDs outside New Guinea descend from a very small number of founders, which has consequences for genetic diversity and long-term health management.2
The “singing”: what those vocalisations are (and aren’t)
The “singing” is not a trained trick and it isn’t a sign of happiness or sadness on its own. It’s a type of vocal communication—howls that can shift in pitch and include distinctive modulation—seen in this population and described in behavioural studies and modern summaries of NGSD biology.2, 4
Like other canids, they may vocalise more in certain contexts (arousal, separation, response to other sounds, territorial or contact calling), but it’s best to treat it as communication rather than a reliable window into “how they feel”.
New Guinea Highland wild dogs and what genetics revealed
In 2020, a major genomic study compared captive NGSDs with New Guinea Highland wild dogs and found the two are extremely closely related, supporting the view that the Highland wild dogs represent the wild source population closely aligned with NGSD ancestry.1, 5
The same work noted that captive NGSDs and the Highland wild dogs are not genetically identical—partly because captive NGSDs come from a small founder base (inbreeding pressure), while the Highland dogs show signs of admixture and different population history in the wild.1, 5
In plain terms: the “singing dog” story isn’t just museum history. There is evidence of closely related wild highland dogs in New Guinea, and that has real implications for conservation and genetic management of the captive population.1, 2
Physical characteristics and field marks
Most descriptions emphasise a compact, athletic dog with a wedge-shaped head, pricked ears, and a dense coat suited to cooler highland conditions. Common coat colouring is reddish-brown with lighter markings, though variation exists.4
They’re often described as fox-like at a glance, but they are still dogs—built for moving lightly over steep ground, with a body that reads as spare and efficient rather than bulky.4
Temperament and behaviour: what to expect
NGSDs are frequently characterised as highly alert, quick to notice change, and more independent than many modern companion breeds. That independence isn’t “stubbornness” so much as a behavioural style shaped by selection pressures very different from those that produced, say, a gundog bred to work closely with people.4
Common patterns reported in managed settings include:
- Wariness with strangers and a preference for predictable routines
- High curiosity, with strong exploratory drive
- Strong motivation to chase moving animals (prey drive), making small pets a risk without strict management
- Escapability: many are adept climbers, diggers, and fence-testers
Training and exercise: practical care, not wishful thinking
Training tends to go best when it’s calm, consistent, and reward-based. Harsh methods can create avoidance and defensive behaviour, especially in dogs that already lean towards caution in unfamiliar situations.
For high-drive, primitive-type dogs, the essentials are usually less about “teaching tricks” and more about building safe patterns:
- Secure containment (roofed runs, dig-proof boundaries, double gates where possible)
- Recall realism: long lines and enclosed areas for practice; don’t assume off-lead reliability
- Daily outlets: long walks, structured scent games, scatter feeding, and problem-solving enrichment
- Early, careful socialisation: gradual exposure to people, dogs, surfaces, sounds—always under threshold
Health and lifespan: what’s known (and what’s overclaimed)
You’ll sometimes see claims that NGSDs have “no breed-specific health issues”. That’s too absolute. Any small, rare, founder-based population can face inherited risks, and the limited gene pool in captivity is well recognised in conservation discussions.1, 2
Rather than assuming they’re trouble-free, treat them like any other dog with additional genetic management considerations: regular veterinary checks, dental care, parasite control, and a diet that keeps them lean and well-muscled.
Grooming and day-to-day maintenance
Coat care is usually straightforward: a weekly brush will remove loose hair and help you notice skin problems early. Increase brushing during seasonal shedding.
Don’t skip the quiet basics:
- Nail trims (especially for dogs that don’t naturally wear nails down)
- Ear checks
- Dental care (home brushing where possible, plus veterinary advice)
Diet and nutrition: safe feeding basics
Feed a complete and balanced diet appropriate to the dog’s life stage, and keep body condition lean. For active dogs, calories can creep up faster than fitness does, especially if treats are doing a lot of training work.
Some human foods are consistently dangerous to dogs. In Australia, RSPCA guidance and state animal welfare advice commonly lists risks including chocolate, grapes/raisins/sultanas, and alliums such as onion and garlic.6, 7, 8
Are New Guinea Singing Dogs suitable as pets?
In most households, no. Not because they’re “bad”, but because their rarity, behavioural profile, and welfare needs make them a poor match for typical suburban life. Where they are kept under human care, it’s often in specialist or conservation-minded settings with robust containment, experienced handling, and a strong focus on welfare and genetic stewardship.1, 2
If you’re drawn to the idea of an NGSD because you like the look and the independence, a more realistic path is often choosing a dog from a reputable rescue or breeder whose temperament and needs can be clearly assessed—then building enrichment and training around that individual.
References
- Surbakti S, Parker HG, McIntyre JK, et al. (2020). New Guinea highland wild dogs are the original New Guinea singing dogs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2020). Scientists use genomics to discover an ancient dog species that may teach us about human vocalization.
- PubMed record: Surbakti S, Parker HG, McIntyre JK, et al. (2020). New Guinea highland wild dogs are the original New Guinea singing dogs.
- Koler-Matznick J, Brisbin IL, Feinstein M, Bulmer S (2003). An updated description of the New Guinea singing dog (Canis hallstromi, Troughton 1957). Journal of Zoology.
- NIH Intramural Research Program (2020). Scientists use genomics to discover an ancient dog species that may teach us about human vocalization.
- RSPCA Australia. Household dangers to your pet (toxic foods and other hazards).
- Agriculture Victoria (Animal Welfare Victoria). Human foods to avoid for cats and dogs.
- RSPCA Pet Insurance. What fruit and vegetables to avoid feeding your dog.
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom