Wonder what it is actually like to live with a New Guinea Singing Dog? Then you came to the right place! This page is here to give you a glimpse into the lives of Singers and their humans. Check out our sections on the breed standard and history for more information on these amazing dogs.

Singers are very similar to other primitive breeds. They participate in dog activities including rally, obedience, barn hunt, scent work, and some are also therapy dogs. The major requirements for owners are common sense and responsible ownership in keeping and training your Singing Dog. Our education section can give you more in depth information about behavior and management practices. Read on for a glimpse at what life is like with these very special dogs. Singer owners (and a 2021 study) have reported them to be:

• Intelligent and easily bored. Singers thrive when given outlets like puzzles, games, scent work, obedience, and tricks. When not given a good outlet they will quickly find their own entertainment, potentially at the expense of your furniture, cabinetry (and its contents), your closets, your houseplants, your landscaping, etc.! They respond very well to positive reinforcement type training but the use of compulsion or aversives will leave both of you miserable.

• Vocal! There is nothing quite like being serenaded by a Singer. A single Singer will show off their melodic howl when guests arrive, when the mail comes, to greet their humans, or whenever there is something exciting that they feel requires musical accompaniment. A group of Singers can harmonize their howls in a way that sounds more like a choreographed chorus than a pack of dogs.

• Busy babies. Young Singers may require multiple long walks or a few hours playing in a yard to keep them happy. Mental stimulation can also help tire out an energetic pup, so be prepared with puzzle toys or training sessions on rainy days! As they hit 2-3 years old most Singers tend to slow down and prefer long naps over long walks. 

• Excited about chasing anything that moves. Like many other primitive dog breeds, hounds, and terriers, Singers tend to have a strong prey drive. This is not to say that it’s impossible to have them get along well with smaller dogs and cats but care must be taken to introduce them safely, especially with adult Singers. 

• Occasionally fearful. While not all Singers struggle with dog-directed and stranger-directed fear, many do. Especially Singers coming from neglect cases or that have been under-socialized may struggle with fear-related behaviors. It is important to note that these behaviors are usually NOT aggressive. Singers have been shown to display significantly less stranger-directed aggression when compared to other primitive dog breeds and are absolutely not aggressive in nature.

• Unreliable off-leash. Like many other independent and inquisitive primitive breeds, Singers are not velcro dogs and often think that the sights, sounds, and smells of the outside world are more interesting than listening to your recall. Even if you think you have a rock-solid recall it is best to keep your Singer on leash any time you are not in a fenced in area.

• Difficult to housetrain. While not every Singer is difficult to housetrain, many owners have reported their dogs struggling with it. The cause is still unknown though we hope further research may shed light on the subject. Possible causes could be where dogs were acquired, intact individuals, or dogs who were not crate-trained or housebroken as puppies.

• Loving and loyal family members. The main thing reported by every NGSD owner is the strong bond they have with their dogs. Singers love their humans, both the ones they live with and the visiting humans they have chosen as their own. It is a very special feeling to be chosen by a Singer! These dogs love snuggling up on the couch with their humans, curling up in front of a warm fire, and being the little spoon in bed. It is a common misconception that Singers do not do well with children. Like most dogs, Singers prefer children who are polite and respectful to interact with. Rude petting will usually be met with an equally rude reaction from your dog.

The information above gives a generalized overview of what NGSDs are like with their families, though each individual dog will vary to some degree. Singing Dog owners love their dogs because of and, at times, in spite of, the characteristics on this list. Like any other modern or primitive dog breed, Singers are not for everyone. If you think you might be interested in living with a Singer please make sure to read over the rest of the breed information in our Education section. You can also check out the “Before You Get Your Puppy” page in the “Breeding” section!

Molly H. Sumridge, Malini Suchak & Christy L. Hoffman (2021) Owner-Reported Attachment and Behavior Characteristics of New Guinea Singing Dogs Living as Companion Animals, Anthrozoös, 34:3, 375-392, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2021.1898218