Breeds / Medium
Carolina Dog puppies
A primitive type from the American southeast, alert, self-reliant and strongly bonded to their own household while staying cautious with strangers.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin United States
- Adult weight 13.6 to 24.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 30 to 55 lb
- Adult height 45 to 50 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Carolina Dog
The Carolina Dog was not designed by anyone. They were found living wild in the swamps and pine woods of the American southeast, and they look the part: a medium, lightly built dog of 13.6 to 24.9 kg with a wedge head, upright ears, a short smooth coat and a tail they carry in a fishhook curl. Their behaviour still runs on old instincts. They are watchful, reserved with strangers, closely bonded to their own group, and they dig snout pits in soft ground.
Energy is moderate rather than relentless, so daily walks, a fenced garden and some scent or trick work usually cover it. Grooming is easy: the coat sheds seasonally and they keep themselves clean, so a brush and regular nail trims are enough. They suit an owner who enjoys an independent dog and is willing to earn their trust slowly, and they disappoint anyone wanting instant friendliness. Be generous with early socialisation, because skimping on it turns natural caution into real fear.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Carolina Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Sensitivity to ivermectin and related antiparasitic drugs, worth raising with a vet before any worming or heartworm treatment
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
Your Carolina Dog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Carolina Dog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 13.6 to 24.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 24.9 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Carolina Dog
Previous: Cardigan Welsh Corgi · Next: Catahoula Leopard Dog
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes
- Health notes from Carolina Dog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/carolina-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Noloha, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.