DENTAL ANATOMY of DOGS.

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/dogpage.html

Primitive Breeds of Domestic Dogs. by Bonnie Dalzell,MA

http://netpet.batw.net/articles/primitive.html

What is a Pariah Dog?

A pariah is any dog of a breed or landrace that adheres to the long term pariah morphotype, has a deviant estrus cycle from the typical canine one and displays primitive behavioral characteristics e.g. those of a wolf. I should add to this the ability to survive on their own through hunting their food but several breeds have lost this due to being bred for the show ring. What exactly does this mean? Well basically a pariah is a dog that is in the first stages of domestication, just a step or two removed from a wild canid. Thus Pariah=Primitive=Wild Type.

Now just because a dog has the look does not mean it is a true pariah. It must be a member of a breed or landrace. If you take a dog that is a mix of say Belgian Malinois , Labrador Retriever and Chow Chow the result may look like a pariah but it would be a single individual not a member of a breed or landrace and it would also lack the physiological and behavioral traits of a true pariah. This mixed breed pariah look alike would most probably also lack the ability to truly survive in the wild by hunting.

What is the the Long Term Pariah Morphotype (LTPM)? This is the description of what a primitive dog in the first stages of domestication looks like.

(1) General Appearance:-They should have a wolf or foxy appearance with a wedge-shaped head and a pointed muzzle, almond eyes, fully erect prick ears and a long curved or curled tail.

(2) Height & Weight:- Typically 20-25 inches at the withers and 35-45 pounds but may vary according to specific populations and geographic pressures.

(3) Coat:- The coat is generally short to medium in length and double. Thickness may vary in density due to climate.

(4) Color & Markings:- This may vary in different regions but the most common one is sandy yellow but also black & tan, brown, black and brindle. The most common marking pattern is solid but they may also be piebald(spotted). Solid marked dogs often show darker sabling along the back and tail. White marks along the cheeks and muzzle are common.

The estrus cycle differs from the commonly seen twice yearly heat cycles of the average domestic breeds. Pariah breeds generally have a once yearly estrus, like wild canids e.g. wolves, coyotes and jackals. Although some like the Carolina Dog and Carib Tyke tend to cycle more often than every six months and if the female does not prove she may immediately cycle again. This may be an evolutionary reflex to heart worms.

The behavioral patterns of pariahs are primitive and resemble those of wolves. They must be able to survive in the wild and hunt their own food. A strong packing instinct exists based on hierarchy, though due to natural pressures some might be solitary. A pronounced prey drive with a tendency to howling and reduced propensity to bark.

Pariahs can be further divided into Northern/C. Inostranzewi and Southern/C. Poutiatini Types, based on differing cranial morphology e.t.c. Northern Types are thick coated for protection from the cold and wolf-like e.g. Laikas and Greenland Dogs. Southern Types are short coated for warmer climates and tend to be smaller than the Northern Type and jackal-like e.g. Carib Tykes, Telomian Dogs, Avuvis.

By: David G. A. Rostant / WolfPack Kennels

Founder / President of the O.C.T.I.B.C.R.