Dingo (Canis dingo), a variety of dog found in Australia, both in a wild and a domesticated state. As marsupials are believed to be the only indigenous Australian mammals, it is probable that this dog, which is found in a semi-fossil state in some of the caves, was introduced by or with the earliest human inhabitants. The dingo has an elongated flat head, which is carried high; the ears are short and erect, and are kept in that position when the animal runs; the fur is soft and predominantly tawny; the tail is bushy and kept low down. It is a very muscular, fierce animal, tamable if taken young. In the wild state it seldom barks. The wild forms, joined doubtless by recent runaways from domestication, used to work very great havoc among the sheep, but vigorous endeavours have vastly reduced their numbers and minimised their ravages. See Dog.