New Guinea Singing Dog Names, Singing Dog Names

The New Guinea Singing Dog is one of the most ancient and extraordinary dogs on earth -- a basal lineage from the high, misty mountains of New Guinea that was once classed as a species all its own, Canis hallstromi. It is a close cousin of the Australian dingo, and the two share an ancestry that wound through Island Southeast Asia thousands of years ago before reaching their island homes. For much of the twentieth century it lived almost unseen in the highland wilds, and only a small captive population carries the breed today.

It gets its name from its voice. The Singing Dog is effectively barkless, but it produces an unmistakable yodel-like howl -- a harmonic, rising-and-falling song that has been likened to a wolf howl with the overtones of whale song. When several sing together the sound is haunting and unforgettable. Physically it keeps a lean, wild look: pricked ears, bright reflective eyes, a broad head and relatively short legs, wrapped in a plush coat of sandy red -- from soft fawn to deep rust -- or red sable, black-and-tan, or white.

This is a primitive dog through and through: active, intensely intelligent, agile, and fiercely independent, with little of the eager-to-please nature of ordinary pet breeds. It bonds with its people but stays aloof with strangers, and it thrives only with experienced, patient owners. Names can celebrate its famous song, its sandy-red coat, or its wild spirit. Its voice suits Echo, Melody, Harmony, Lyric, Aria, Jazz, Carol, Piper, and Bell; a sandy-red coat wears Rusty, Ginger, Sandy, Copper, Fox, Cinnamon, Red, and Tawny; and its wild heart suits Spirit, Maverick, Free, Wolf, Scout, Bandit, and Rebel.

Explore our full collection of New Guinea Singing Dog names below. Filter by gender, save your favourites, and find a name as wild, ancient, and musical as your Singing Dog.