Also in 1987 a male, Darkie, which the Taronga Zoo indicated was out of a "wild-caught" female in the breeding colony at the Baiyer River Sanctuary in Mt. Hagen, New Guinea, and several Taronga females, were imported by Sheryl Langan to Canada. They failed to reproduce there, and in 1994, Darkie, at 14 years of age, was transferred to Dr. 1. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia. Even at that advanced age, Darky was successfully bred to Scratchley, a Dinkum     (Taronga )/Olga cross female at Dr. Brisbin's Swamp Fox Sanctuary. This cross has hopefully preserved as much genetic variation as possible for the future of the breed. The entire captive NGSD population, estimated in 1995 to be approximately 300 animals, has thus descended from only eight wild caught founders.

                        Efforts to capture additional wild dogs in the New Guinea Highlands have so far proved futile. Droppings and tracks were seen and howls heard during preliminary studies at a remote Highland location of Papua by both Robert Bino in 1993 - 94 and James McIntyre in 1996, so hope remains that the gene pool will be expanded when the resources become available to finance a thorough hunt for additional wild breeding stock.

                      NGSD differ from man-made breeds of dog in several ways. Physically, their upper first molar, called a carnassial tooth, is large, usually greater than 10% of the length of the skull, a trait normally present only in wild canid species such as wolves. NGSD eyes seem to be more light reflective than domestic dogs', shining bright green in low light. Like the Basenji, an African pariah breed, and the Australian Dingo, the NGSD has, on average, only one heat per year, in late Summer or Fall as the hours of daylight begin to shorten (Spring in the Southern Hemisphere ). Modern breeds average two heats per year that are not dependent upon environmental cues.

                    Although there have not been enough independent observations to confirm them, the NGSD also appears to have some behaviors that differ from that of wolves and dogs. They drop their ears forward and down, or out and down ( "airplane ears" ), in submission rather than folding them back against the head. The NGSD play invitation appears to be a "stalking" posture, performed either standing still or in motion, rather than the dog/wolf play bow ( forequarters lowered and rump high ) and tail wag, The entire body is lowered and an intent, staring gaze is directed toward the being solicited. They also have an "open-mouth play bite" that has not been recorded for dogs or wolves, but is seen in coyotes, in which the mouth is opened wide and pressed over the neck or back of the

                       In general their vocalizations are similar to the Dingo and Basenji, the NGSD howl is unique. Sonograms show this vocalization to be very different from those made by any domestic or wild dog, including the Basenji. Dr. Mark Feinstein, Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts, a canid vocalization specialist, has begun a study of the NGSD vocalizations. For the last few years Dr. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., has, in an effort to conserve this dog, which is now rarely kept in zoo collections because of its re-classification mentioned above, been providing NGSD to qualified persons who would promote them as household pets and show animals.

                       Placed as puppies, these NGSD have become extremely affectionate and enjoyable companion animals. They have adapted to environments ranging from New York City apartments to farms. However, because of their recent wild origin, NGSDs have very intense hunting drives and associated strong tendencies to work at escaping any barrier restricting their movements, so sensible precautions must be taken to keep both them and their potential prey ( birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc.) safe.

                       Like other wild and primitive dogs, NGSD are adept climbers and determined diggers, so fences where NGSDs will be left unsupervised, even large yards, must have footings and toppers to prevent escapes. Doors and gates opening to unfenced areas must be used with caution, and the dogs taught to wait for permission to exit after their leashes have been put on. They are innately "polite" and want to avoid upsetting their human pack leader, so once they understand proper behavior at exits, they normally do not attempt to squeeze out past someone going out a door.

                    When NGSDs realize they are suddenly free, they do not run "away from" home and their owner. They run toward adventure, toward the bird flitting in the bush, toward the mouse in the grass. In a perfectly safe world they would undoubtedly return home when they got tired and hungry, and several lucky NGSD owners have reported their escaped dogs were found lying on their porches when they returned home. The best way to catch a loose NGSD ( or any of the other independent breeds, such as the Basenji, Shiba Inu and the terriers ) is to have a lure, such as an old white sock or strips of white cloth tied to the end of a rope, to entice them back to play, or to drop to the ground and make strange noises until their curiosity draws them close enough for you to calmly and securely take hold of. They are so fast and agile there is no hope of catching unless they get into a small enclosed area, so running after a loose NGSD, or grabbing wildly at them, is the worst possible thing to do. That is how they learn they are faster than humans. Keep away is favorite NGSD game.

                       In order to become acceptable house pets most NGSD require some training. Due to their natural curiosity and active exploratory behavior, untrained NGSDs could, like monkeys, be very destructive it left to run the house unsupervised for extended periods.

                   However, they rapidly learn what to leave alone if given firm verbal reprimands, and then they will usually "honor' their owner's limits. Due to their sensitive natures, NGSD react negatively to physical punishment, which can slow the learning process. Part of the breed's charm is their high intelligence and independent nature, and they should not be expected to perform obedience commands such as "stay" as well as breeds that have been selected specifically for their ability to cooperate in human endeavors. In the wild an individual NGSD's life depended upon it making its own decisions.

                 They have not evolved the emotional dependence upon man that creates a desire to work for him, although they do develop very strong attachments to their human "pack" members and become distressed when separated from them. Like a cat, and other animals still close to their wild behaviors, they will be your loving friend and companion, but never your slave.

                NGSD obviously derive much pleasure from human contact. When well socialized, they are very affectionate with people they know, ever ready to give their human friends a rapid-fire series of "kisses." They have an amazingcapacity to totally relax their bodies like an under-stuffed rag doll while being held and petted by someone they trust. However, unless they fall asleep in your arms - a common occurrence when they are in a secure environment and nothing more exciting attracts their attentior) - these "love sessions" usually last for only a few minutes before they want to be off playing or exploring again. The only problem with well-socialized Singers and visiting humans is keeping them out of visitors" laps. Because of their wild heritage of natural caution, adult NGSDs that were not property socialized as young puppies are often wary of strangers, and should be given the opportunity to make the first advances. They are NOT aggressive, and never "attack."

                      Unless they have been trained to accept handling by strangers, the NGSD's first reaction to a strange person suddenly reaching out toward them is to leap away and run to a "safe" distance, then turn and approach cautiously, observing the person. If the person stays still and talks softly, even an under-socialized Singer will usually come up and allow petting around the head and then, if nothing spooks them again, on the rest of the body. Like most wild and domestic dogs, the only time a NGSD might try to bite if they feel a need to defend themselves from what they perceive as aggression by a human, such as being grabbed and forcefully held by a stranger.

                      NGSD's have no known breed-specific health or genetic problems. They are very hardy and adapt to any climate, if given adequate shelter. They do well on any quality dog kibble or canned dog food and do not require any special additives. Many amateur NGSD keepers have made the mistake of feeding an over-abundance of meat, especially red meat and chicken parts, and the dogs become malnourished on this unbalanced diet.

                      The States Kennel Club has recognized the NGSD for competition at conformation and obedience shows and the United Kennel Club began registering them in January 1996. Prices for NGSD vary with the breeder, but average between $500.00 for a pet on a non-breeding contract to $1,000.00 for a show and breeding animal. Every NGSD should come with a pedigree listing International Species Information System ( used by zoos ), States or United Kennel Club registration numbers and a bill of sale that states the breeders name, dog's birth date, sire and dam's names and numbers, and any additional conditions such as health guarantees or neuter agreements.

                      A few NGSDs are made available for adoption at minimal cost to qualified persons wishing to engage in research on their behavior, genetics, etc.

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