MEET THE CAROLINA DOG
Photo: D. B. Brisbin
Photo: D. B. Brisbin
Photo: D. B. Brisbin
Photo: Jennifer Farrior
COLOR “The most common coat color is any of various shades of gin- ger. The ginger coat may vary in color ranging from a reddish ginger to a lighter straw-color to a pale-yellow, or buff and at times may vary on different areas of the body. For example, the back of the neck, withers, and trunk may often be of a darker shade of ginger than the flanks and other, more ventral parts of the body below them. The ginger coat usually has pale buff markings over/behind the shoulders (angel wings) and usually includes lighter shadings on the underside, chest, and throat, sometimes being nearly white on the throat. The muzzle may also have pale buff or white along the sides and underneath the lower jaw. Some white on the toes and feet is common and is not to be penalized. Some dark sabling over the back, loins and tail in a ginger dog is permissible. Dogs less than two years of age may have dark muzzles, but this is not required. In addition to ginger coats, the following coats/patterns are permitted: solid black, with or without minor white markings; black and tan (may have buff or red accents), and piebald. Ticking is permitted only on white socks and feet. Ticking is not permitted throughout the body of the dog. A few gray hairs from age or injury may be allowed, especially on the muzzle.” Now that you know the basics of identifying a Carolina dog, you may want to know what they “do.” Being that this is a primitive dog (built to adapt and survive under natural conditions) makes it surprising that they can be such close companions. They are used to hunt small game, and they excel
Photo: D. B. Brisbin
at sports like FastCAT and Barn Hunt. They can learn tricks, and since early times with Native Americans, they can gather stock. Their vocal alarms are protective of their canine and human tribes. When raised in the wild, the fathers can be active in raising the pup- pies; eating and regurgitating food, and feeding their young. So, you see, the Carolina Dog is not only “America’s First Dog” it is “America’s Family Dog.” Currently, there are only a few people who naturally raise this dog. So, if you are looking for a breeder, or want more information on this breed, feel free to visit the website www.carolinadogfanciers. com where you will find articles and videos about the breed, as well as the Breed Standard and a Breeder’s Directory. Look out for the breed at your next Open Show; we already have had a few Carolina Dogs take Best in FSS and Open Shows.
BIO Donna Brisbin is a former state law enforcement investigator and former owner of her own private investigations firm. She has owned Border Collies for the past 30 years and competes in the United States Border Collie Handlers Association sheepdog trials as an Open handler. She owns horses and is a former member of several fox hunting clubs. Donna is married to Dr. I. Lher Brisbin, founder of the Carolina Dog breed, and she is the President of the Carolina Dog Fanciers of America, the parent club for the Carolina Dog. She was a member of the now defunct Aiken Dog Training Club, which hosted Obedience and Agility classes, and during her time there, the club obtained an Agility license with the AKC. Donna has assisted her husband in training mantrailing Bloodhounds and has obtained several Canine Good Citizen titles on dogs for others, and for her own dogs. Together, she and Dr. Brisbin are two of a handful of people who have also obtained the CGC title on New Guinea Singing Dogs, an almost extinct breed. Currently, she is showing Carolina Dogs in Conformation.
272 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2022
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