Russell Terrier vs Dingo - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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.

This feisty little dog was developed in England a couple of centuries ago. He has a well documented history. An interesting aspect with this dog is that the very name ‘Jack Russell’ became a common name for predominantly white terriers after the death of clergyman Jack Russell.

The Russell Terrier was developed from Jack Russell working terrier strains that were used in the 19th century for hunting fox. The dog has been standardized by Kennel Club recognition. The Fedédération Cynologique Internationale also recognizes the breed.

It was in the early 1970s that the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain was formed.

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 Russell Terrier has a weatherproof coat that is mainly white with patches of tan or black or maybe even both. You get the smooth haired type, the broken type- as well as the rough haired Russell Terrier. All these coats shed.

He is a small dog standing at between 20-35cm in height and weighing between 7 and 12kg.

Temperament:

Your Russell Terrier is a jaunty, fearless, confident little dog with a powerful personality. The bright face with alert eyes are constantly telling you that he is just ready to spring into action when you’re ready.

He just loves games and sports and you won’t have to ask him twice to join in. Happy and energetic, you could say it's his desire to hunt as well as his high energy levels that make it necessary for him to be trained and socialized It is of particular importance because he is so strong willed. Super smart, you won't have any trouble teaching him some basic commands.

He also makes a good watch dog and while he can be aggressive towards other dogs, he is prepared to get along with children in the house who have been disciplined and who know how to treat animals with respect and kindness.

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.

It is true that this very active, very 'in-your-face' dog may not be everybody’s cup of tea. He will be discontent if not given the chance to run and be active.

If you’re a super active family who loves swimming, going on hikes or you enjoy sports such as cycling and horse riding, you can count the Russell Terrier in every time.

These dogs make a loving, loyal companion. They'll make you smile and be amused by their antics, bringing you lots of joy and entertainment.

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.

The Russell Terrier is a robust little dog who can lead a good, healthy life of 13, 14 or 15 years if well cared for. There are however, a number of common dog ailments that he can succumb to. Some of these are cataracts, deafness and myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia Gravis:

This disorder is caused by a breakdown of the transmission of impulses from the nerves to the muscles. The muscles can’t contract and the dog becomes weak. It’s a disease that can be an inherited congenital defect, and the Russell Terrier is at risk of getting this disease. Symptoms do vary from dog to dog but a common symptom is muscle weakness.

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.

Exercise:

This little dog needs plenty of exercise, and being lazy yourself and not exercising him will lead to him becoming destructive through no fault of his.

He will need walks every day as well as runs in the park off his leash. Ball- and frisbee games fill him with delight and he gives chase every time. Even though he is small, he isn’t recommended for life in the city and small properties as he is a small dog with high energy needs and requires a lot of room to run.

Grooming:

The weatherproof coat isn’t going to require much grooming apart from a brushing twice week. Regular checking of the teeth, checking the eyes, looking inside the ears and checking for lumps will be required. He will also need to have his nails trimmed.

Provide him with nice, warm, dry place to sleep.

Have him neutered or spayed if you aren’t wanting puppies.

Keep his vaccines up to date and get him to a vet if you see his is lethargic, miserable and in pain.

Provide him with top quality food, whether it is commercially manufactured food or homemade food.

Your Russell Terrier will be relying on you for good food. Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the kibble twice a week which is easy to prepare and totally uncomplicated.

You can add everything together in one big pot -chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

Simple and tasty, your Russell Terrier will love tasty treats like this. Ensure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.