The Carolina Dog is one of very few breeds existing today that is truly a primitive dog. A primitive dog is one that is the result of natural selection for survival in nature, and is not a product of selective breeding. This dog that has survived as a free-living animal in the swamps, savannahs, and forests of South Carolina and Georgia for thousands of years, and has also proven to be highly adaptable and amenable to domestication.

Many of the characteristics of the natural dog that are predominant in the Carolina Dog contribute to his ability to adjust well to being a loving pet. The Carolina Dog enjoys and needs to be part of a pack, and thus integrates very well into the family framework. It is a gentle, social dog, and bonds very well with children, enjoying play and activities with them. The Carolina Dog is very clean by nature and is easy to housebreak. It is intelligent and responsive and learns easily and is usually not destructive. Although not requiring a great deal of exercise, the Carolina Dog should have some exercise daily, and activities and toys to keep him occupied. This is not an ideal dog for the city; the Carolina Dog does best if it has some space to move around in. Not aggressive by nature but with a well developed hunting instinct, the Carolina Dog will get along with other animals if introduced to them at a young age. Like the other types of pariah dog, the Carolina Dog is quite independent and responds best to a "partnership" relationship. It is suspicious and may be somewhat shy to strangers and in unfamiliar surroundings or circumstances. This is not a dog that is outgoing and friendly to everyone, but rather is devoted to his own "pack".

The Carolina Dog is very similar in appearance to a small Dingo. It is a medium sized rather lightly built dog. The UKC standard suggests that they should range from 45 to 50 centimeters (17 3â"4 to 19 5/8 inches) at the shoulder and weighing from 15 to 20 kilograms (30 to 44 pounds). The Carolina Dog Association allows for larger dogs up to 50 pounds, the most important thing is that they remain proportional. The distinctive features of this breed are those that have been valuable to its survival in the swamps and forests of the South. The Carolina Dog has a medium length straight back, well developed chest and well tucked up belly, giving it a slight resemblance to the sight hound breeds. It has a long neck, wedge shaped head with powerful jaws, almond shaped dark eyes with a soft, intelligent, yet alert expression, and large erect high set ears, which are very mobile. The Carolina Dog is very well muscled and powerful for its size, showing strong, free and agile movement with a lot of drive and is very flexible and able to turn instantly.

Distinctive to the breed is the "fish-hook" tail, carried in various positions according to the mood of the dog, but never slack or loose. The skin is tight and the coat is short but thick with a dense undercoat in season; there is a profusion of longer guard hairs on the neck, withers and back that may be erect when the dog is aroused. The color of the Carolina Dog is distinctive, usually a deep red ginger with pale buff markings on the shoulders and side of the muzzle, and paler shadings on underside, throat and chest. Lighter shades of red and cream are not uncommon. Darker shading over the back, loins and tail is permitted.

The Carolina Dog must look like a natural animal, capable of surviving in the wild, hardy, strong and capable. They are not trimmed.

The Carolina Dog is considered to be a descendent of the primitive dogs that accompanied the first humans that crossed the Bering Straits land bridge from Asia to North America in prehistoric times. These primitive dogs were the result of the original domestication of the wolf-like ancestor of today's canines and are related to other primitive breeds like the dingo. They have ever since been the companions of Native Americans; archaeologists have documented ceremonial burials of these dogs. Studies in the areas of South Carolina and Georgia revealed the existence of populations of these free-living dogs in isolated regions where they had no contact with other breeds. Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin Jr., a biology professor at the University of Georgia, discovered and named the breed, and established a breeding program. Today there is a national breed club, and the breed is recognized by the UKC.

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