Overview
The Dingo is a free-living wild canid that arrived in Australia thousands of years ago. It is lean and medium-sized, usually ginger with white points, with a broad head, pricked ears and a bushy tail. In Australia a few are kept as companions under strict rules; in Britain keeping one would involve licensing, and the chance of a walker meeting one is close to zero.
If you are asked to walk one, understand that it is not a dog in the ordinary sense. Dingoes are shy, highly intelligent, prone to escape and strongly seasonal in their behaviour. They can be affectionate with their own people but rarely generalise that to strangers.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes of outdoor time a day in a secure environment is a sensible frame, but the walk is less about exercise and more about mental stimulation and safe exploration.
Everything happens on a lead or inside a dingo-proof enclosure. Open fields and public parks are not appropriate places to let one loose.
On the walk
- Escape: Dingoes climb, jump and dig with ease and can slip through small gaps. Harness fit and lead security are the first priorities.
- Strangers: Shy and avoidant. Keep distance from people and do not allow anyone to approach or touch.
- Other dogs: Interactions can be tense and unpredictable. Avoid other dogs on the walk.
- Prey: Any small animal will be hunted. Keep well away from livestock, poultry and small pets.
Tips for professional walkers
- Only take this on with the owner's close involvement and after several supervised sessions.
- Use a double-attachment lead to a secure harness and a backup collar.
- Walk at quiet times in quiet places, and plan the route to avoid dogs and crowds.
What to ask the owner
- What licence or legal conditions apply to the animal, and does the owner's insurance cover another handler?
- What is the escape history, and what containment measures do they rely on?
- How does the animal respond to people and dogs, and what are its warning signs?