Serbian Mountain Hound vs Dingo - Breed Comparison

The Dingo dog was in all probability, introduced to Australia thousands of years ago. He isn’t your usual domesticated dog and in fact it is a feral dog native to Australia.There are stories that suggest that while they may have once been pets, they were abandoned so that they reverted back to their wild state.

They became pests for Australian farmers, going for their livestock, and huge fences were erected. The different climates in Australia have meant different kinds of Dingo developing, so while the desert ones are like the desert sands - golden yellow to red the alpine ones are rarer and are cream colored.

These wild canines were also introduced to Southeast Asia some 3,500 years ago, however the dog’s exact origin is debatable. There are any number of groups of people who could have brought the dingo to Australia, and among some of these are Indian mariners or maritime hunters.

The dog has been found in many parts of mainland Australia but never became established in Tasmania.There has also been an effort to remove the Dingo from farming areas. It is interesting to note that the first Dingo, referred to as the Australian dog, was registered at the London Zoo in 1828.

Known as the Srpski Planinski Gonic dog and coming from Yugoslavia, the Serbian Mountain Hound is one of two modern hounds that was once known as the Yugoslavian Mountain Hound or Jugoslovenski Planinski Gonic.

There isn't much information on the origins of the dogs. These two dogs are considered similar breeds, only varying in region. Its a hunting dog thought to have descended from Asian search dogs.

An interesting fact with these fascinating feral dogs, is that like humans, they’ve got rotating wrists. This characteristic of theirs allows them to use their paws much like the human hand to catch their prey. A domesticated Dingo can therefore learn how to open doors.

The Dingo is a medium sized dog standing at roughly 52 – 60cm in height, measuring up to 1.2 meters in length and weighing roughly between 23 to 32kg.

He has long canine teeth, a long muzzle, upright ears and a long, thick tail. The coat is essentially one color, sandy, white, cream, tan or black and sometimes there are white markings on the chest, the paws and around the muzzle.

The fur is typically shortish and thick — though the hair's thickness and length will depend on the climate of the area. The Dingo is a moderate shedder and a good brushing of the coat twice a week will keep the thick coat shiny and healthy.

Temperament:

These wild canines are social animals, and in the wild they live in packs. There are some that opt to live on their own.

They’e territorial, but they are able to share their living space with humans. They’re generally shy around humans, but a Dingo that is trained and socialized can get along well with children and pets in the home.

The Serbian Mountain Hound is about 46 to 50cm in height and weighs around 18 to 22 kilograms. This Yugoslavian hound breed has been used in Serbia as a hunting dog and they are thought to be rare outside of Serbia.

The coat of the newer Mountain Hound is fairly short and thick and mainly black with some tan marks around the paws and muzzle. The dog has floppy ears and a long tail.

Temperament:

This is a hardy scent hound that is confident and bold. They are used to hunting on rough terrain in the Balkan region. They are independent dogs and training and socialization will refine them, making the dog obedient and well mannered.

When he isn’t outdoors, he becomes a good-natured, gentle amiable dog that is good with children in the home.

Dingoes have been domesticated successfully. Some people swear by them as making a fantastic pet. However, they’re wild dogs and can be unpredictable.

There are others who have tried to keep the Dingo as a pet but who have discarded them when they proved to be a danger in the home.

Dingoes can be trained but they’re high energy dogs and require a lot of exercise. How do you feel about owning a Dingo as a pet? Many people feel that its not fair to bring an essentially wild animal into your home. They feel that there are plenty of rescue dogs dying for a home without human beings searching in the wilds for an unusual pet, and regretting it later on.

The Serbian Mountain Hound is such a social, happy, friendly kind of dog that he makes a wonderful family pet.

He learns well, he likes to please, he gets on well with children and dogs in the home, he is independent and not a noisy barker. He is also fairly low maintenance.

Take good care of him and you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful pet and companion.

The Dingo is a long-lived dog and you can expect your Dingo to live till anything between 15 and 20 years.

When it comes to health issues, they are robust and resilient, having less medical problems to contend with than your regular dog.

However if you see that your Dingo is not his usual robust, energetic self, get him to the vet as soon as you can.

Nobody wants their dog to be sick and lethargic, after all they are our best friend’s. Some ways to check the status of your dog’s health -

Breath:

Check his breath, as a bad breath, just like as with a human being, can be a sign of illness. It can also be indicative of dental problems, digestive or kidney problems.

Skin and coat:

Spread his fur and check that the skin is a healthy color – pink, grey or black. Make sure there is no crusting or itching with red, inflamed areas. Make sure the coat is thick and lustrous – not falling out and thinning.

Paws and Nails:

Make sure the nails aren’t split, flaking and broken and that the paws aren’t cut so that the dog is constantly licking them.

Super thirsty:

Every dog drinks a lot of water after hectic exercise, but if your dog suddenly becomes very thirsty more than usual, it could be indicating a medical problem, and you will need to discuss it with your vet.

Caring for your Dingo will be different to caring for your usual pet dog. You have to remember the Dingo is an ancient, wild species with some unique characteristics. Having a Dingo as a pet and companion may not be an easy task, and it is why many people selfishly dump their Dingoes – they didn’t quite live up to what they had in mind.

Training:

Your Dingo, just like any other dog you’d have, will require training and socialization, and the earlier the better. No training will simply mean you having an unruly pet in the home.

Diet:

Your Dingo can be fed just like you would with your other dogs. You can feed him quality dog kibble as his main diet, but you can also add in cooked rice, vegetables and chicken. Your Dingo is essentially a wild dog, so you will definitely want to include some raw meat into his diet from time to time as well.

Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available.

Excercise:

A Dingo is used to running free so he will require plenty of outdoor exercise. He can also be put on a leash and taken for a walk. He’ll love joining you in your activities such as running alongside you as you jog or cycle. He can adapt to life in the city if he is well exercised but he isn’t suited to a small home or garden.