Carolina Dog

Historians believe the Carolina Dog has descended from Pariah Dogs brought to North America from Asia about 9,000 years ago. Historians have determined that dogs with the same bone structure as the Carolina Dog were found in ancient Native American burial sites. Actual written records pertaining to the breed were not kept until about forty years ago when Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., a biology professor at the University of Georgia, began researching the breed. Dr. Brisbin discovered the Carolina Dog at the United States Department of Energy’s ecology site along the Savannah River. He noticed dogs that strongly resembled Dingoes living in remote swamp areas of South Carolina. Some of these dogs were not domesticated; however, he did find breeders who specialized in the breed. It is thought that these dogs became trusted companions of the Native Americans and migrated with the tribes. These dogs maintained much of their wild nature but also became hunting companions and village dogs while travelling with the various tribes. He is still considered to be a primitive breed, meaning he still retains many of his ancestors’ primitive instincts. Today, there are more domesticated Carolina Dogs than feral in the deep south of the United States. There are expeditions into the swamps of the Savannah River basin being led by ecologists, including Dr. Brisbin, to search for pure bred Carolina Dogs. As these dogs are found, they are placed within pre-approved foster homes and are trained as hunters and family companions. The United Kennel Club recognized the Carolina Dog and he is eligible to compete in all UKC sanctioned events. The American Kennel Club has accepted him into their Foundation Stock Service as of July 2017.