Tweed Water Spaniel vs New Guinea Singing Dog - Breed Comparison

Tweed Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but New Guinea Singing Dog is originated from Papua New Guinea. Tweed Water Spaniel may grow 22 cm / 9 inches higher than New Guinea Singing Dog. Tweed Water Spaniel may weigh 17 kg / 38 pounds more than New Guinea Singing Dog. Tweed Water Spaniel may live 8 years less than New Guinea Singing Dog. Both Tweed Water Spaniel and New Guinea Singing Dog has same litter size. Both Tweed Water Spaniel and New Guinea Singing Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

The Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct. Fortunately, we have some beautiful dogs that come from this dog. It is involved in bringing about the Golden Retriever. They were athletic dogs from Berwick-upon-Tweed.

It was in 1816 that Richard Lawrence wrote of the origins of the Tweed Water Spaniel which is thought to have come from the Newfoundland dog. It is believed that huntsmen used these dogs to retrieve the ducks and geese they shot. This purebred dog wasn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club or the FCI.

new guinea singing dog - historyIn 1957 the New Guinea Singing Dog was “discovered” in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and he is found no where else. There is a lot of debate among scientists, taxonomists and biologist as to what is really a species and what is a subspecies. When the NGSD was found he was classified as a new canid species then in 2007 they were downgraded to a subspecies.

Today the NGSD is considered to be a wild dog and a primitive dog. They have lived in Papua New Guinea in the Highlands for thousands of years. They are closely related to other wild dogs, such as Australia’s dingo. They are today as they were a thousand years ago – wild. So wild that many counties have them in their zoos.

With the right care and enough socialization, they do very well as companion animals living with people. They are difficult to domesticate however and the person who owns one should be a part of the NGSD community in order to get support, share issues, and learn from others who have lived with these “wild dogs” for many years.

Any New Guinea Singing Dog found in North America or Europe is a direct descendent of two couples that were taken to zoos in China and Australia. The NGSD makes a howling sound that modulates and undulates through a wide series of tones. No other dog makes this musical sound. Rare even in New Guinea today, the Singer is thought to be the rarest of all dogs.

The only organization that recognizes the Singing Dog is the UKC and they are allowed in UKC competition. The NGSD now holds the classification of a domestic dog – a Canis lupus dingo - which is a subspecies of Canis lupus. In 2016 a group of 15 wild dogs were photographed for the first time ever. Prior to this the NGSD were never seen in more than pairs.

It is believed that they do not live and operate in packs, but rather solitary, pairs or family groups where both the parents do the work of raising the pups.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Miscellaneous dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Papua New Guinea
Height Male:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
35 - 38 cm
13 - 15 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
32 - 35 cm
12 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
8 - 15 kg
17 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
6 - 10 kg
13 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
15 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
1 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Ladykirk Spaniel
Hallstrom Dog, NGSD, New Guinea Highland Dog, New Guinea Dingo, Singer, New Guinea Wild Dog
Colors Available:
Liver
Black and tan with white markings, golden red.
Coat:
Medium length, wavy to curly
weather resistant coat double coat breed
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Curious, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

The Tweed Water Spaniel had a curly liver-colored coat with a long feathery tail and medium-sized floppy ears. It is thought that he was a large dog standing at between 50 to 60cm in height and weighing between 25 and 32kg.

The Tweed Water Spaniel, regarded as a moderate shedder, would have required being brushed from time to time.

Temperament:

The Tweed Water Spaniel had so many wonderful characteristics that made him a splendid family pet. He was smart and able to learn basic commands. He was also very playful and would have made a robust, playful friend for children.

They made gentle, loyal companions for their human family and wee able to get on well with other pets in the home. They would have got on well with other pets in the home too and it is believed that they were amicable enough to have been suited as a therapy dog.

They made good watchdogs too, being active and alert, just loving the outdoors. They’re well suited to life in the country or a home with a big garden and wouldn’t like to be cooped up on a small property in the city.

new guinea singing dog puppy - descriptionThe New Guinea Singing Dog is a medium sized dog with short legs and a broad head. They are about average height and they are very limber and flexible. They can rotate their paws and spread their legs at much greater angles than the average canine. Thus, they can easily climb a tree. They can jump like a cat.

They have very reflective eyes that are shaped like almonds and have dark rims. The color of the eye can be dark brown to dark amber. It is also believed that they can see better than other domestic dogs in low light settings. Their pupils let in more light due to pupils that are wider than most other dogs.

The ears of the NGSD are lined with fur, pointed and erect. The are forward laying and can be rotated in order to hear even the farthest and faintest of sounds. There are dark guard hairs on the spine and back of the ears and tail. On young dogs the muzzle is black but by age 7 it is already beginning to turn gray.

Characteristics

Intelligent, courageous and friendly, it seems such a pity that the Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct because he seemed to have been a super dog.

Luckily we have dogs such as the Golden Retriever that remind us of what a good family pet he was.

Children friendliness

new guinea singing dog dog - characteristicsThey could be, but it must be remembered that this is a wild dog.

Special talents

Varying the pitches when howling

Adaptability

It’s possible but not recommended. Leave them wild.

Learning ability

Highly intelligent but trainability is questionable unless well socialize and attached to their people.

Health Problems

Because this dog is extinct and because no health records were kept, it is assumed that he would have had the same health issues as a Golden Retriever. Typical health issues of this dog would include hip dysplasia, obesity, cardiomyopathy.

Obesity:

This is a preventable disease in dogs, and if dog owners only knew what damage they do by allowing their dogs to become obese. Certainly, obesity shortens a dog’s life.

It is mind-boggling to realize that scientific evidence tells us that fat tissue is biologically active, secreting inflammatory hormones and also putting stress on the dog’s joints. Obese dogs develop an increased risk for cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy:

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle characterized by an enlarged heart. The heart doesn’t function properly with the ventricles becoming enlarged. The muscle wall of the heart becomes thinner and this causes the heart to lose the ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Fluid can accumulate in the lungs. This can all lead to congestive heart failure. Your dog will battle to breathe, be panting and coughing, have an extended abdomen and may even collapse.

Health Problems

new guinea singing dog puppies - health problemsThough the breed is not extinct – it is so wild and secretive that there is no history or record of any health problems. However, the small number of domestic companion animals have shown health issues in recent years.

Pancreatitis – can be chronic or acute. If chronic it needs to be treated and diet changed. If acute it is usually deadly.

Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

The Tweed Water Spaniel had floppy ears and as a water dog, he may well have had ear infections in his day. One wonders if dog owners of that time were aware of the need to have the inside of the dog's ears clean and dry.

The Tweed Water Spaniel would have needed to have his eyes checked too. Pus in the eyes could indicate the dog wasn’t well.

Exercise:

The Tweed Water Spaniel would have required a lot of exercise and would have loved long walks and hikes. He wouldn’t need an invitation to go swimming and if you threw a stick or ball into the water, he’d be right there, jumping right in.

If you were a person that thrived on an active life this dog would have been for you.

Diet:

Nobody really knows what the Tweed Water Spaniel would have eaten in the 19th century when he was around. He’s the kind of dog you’d have to be careful with as he could put on weight easily.

If he were around today, you’d give him a high quality commercially manufactured food that was designed for large, active dogs. No doubt in those days, the owners gave the dog scraps off the table.

Today if you wanted to give your dog home-made food, you’d stick to healthy foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some healthy vegetables such as spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Puppies would have required 4 bowls of food a day while the adult dog would require 2 meals a day.

Feeding the puppy

new guinea singing dog dogs - caringIn the wild both pups and adults are thought to eat small mammals and birds as well as fruits. In homes feed a high protein diet. Because of the tendency toward pancreatitis do not feed raw or under cooked meat. If feeding meet do so in small amounts well cooked, very lean. Stay away from the fat. Feed puppies very small amounts. ¾-1 cup high quality dry puppy food twice a day.

Feeding the adult

Same as the puppy when it comes to meat although you could give the adult a little more. 1 ½ cups od high quality medium breed dog food twice a day.

Points for Good Health

In the wild there is no indication of health issue. A very healthy breed.

Games and Exercises

The NGSD needs a lot of stimulation both mental and physical. They must have a daily walk and somewhere to run. They are escape artist in homes. Remember they can jump like cats and climb trees. If their head can pass through a hole, so can the rest of their body.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Breed Comparison
  3. Tweed Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  4. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  5. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Gordon Setter - Breed Comparison
  6. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Magyar Agar - Breed Comparison
  7. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Eurohound - Breed Comparison
  8. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  9. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  10. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore - Breed Comparison
  11. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. Tweed Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  13. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  14. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  15. Tweed Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  17. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  18. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  19. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  20. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Labradoodle - Breed Comparison
  21. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  22. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  23. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Mixed - Breed Comparison
  24. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  25. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Other - Breed Comparison
  26. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Olde English Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  27. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison
  28. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Indian Pariah Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Dingo - Breed Comparison
  30. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  31. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Sapsali - Breed Comparison
  32. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  33. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Lottatore Brindisino - Breed Comparison
  34. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Mountain Feist - Breed Comparison
  36. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Jonangi - Breed Comparison
  37. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Kuri - Breed Comparison
  38. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Perro de Presa Mallorquin - Breed Comparison
  39. Spitz vs New Guinea Singing Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Schnauzer vs New Guinea Singing Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Schnoodle vs New Guinea Singing Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. New Guinea Singing Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  43. New Guinea Singing Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. New Guinea Singing Dog vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  46. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  47. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  48. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. New Guinea Singing Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds