Is this possible?

Re: Is this possible?

Miriam Lodewyks — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 23:13:34 GMT

Well yes, I can quite see how a Dingo might one day decide to go for a swim, across an ocean, then amble on up and over a few little hills (plenty meat to scavenge around Everest's Base Camp, I'm sure), wander through a desert or two, and then decide to settle down in a pleasant little country like Romania. Only to be trapped by some crazy hominids and transported unwillingly to an even more pleasant little island called Great Britain. Perfectly plausable! ;-)

Re: Is this possible?

Virginia Campbell — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 21:43:41 GMT

[quote user="Sammy82"]I would try to get a price, or even before going through the hassle of finding out, tell the owner that they might not be allowed to keep the dog if it turns out to be a dingo. That might be enough to put them off[/quote]

+1 Owners really don't care if you spend an hour of your life chasing their pointless whimsy. It's OK if you happen to be slack that day and enter into the spirit of the thing, or are looking for info that might be useful in future, but on several occasions I have painstakingly found out about what weird blood samples to send to send to what lab; or wasted a referral vet's time describing a case when the Os turned out to have no real intention of paying for referral or sampling. It costs owners no time or effort to ask you to use your time to find out. If you have better things to do, slap a big price on it off the top of your head and then if they're still keen you can find out how much it will really cost.

Re: Is this possible?

Sammy82 — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 21:22:49 GMT

I would try to get a price, or even before going through the hassle of finding out, tell the owner that they might not be allowed to keep the dog if it turns out to be a dingo. That might be enough to put them off. And I imagine there might be other costs and complications involved if you really have to send blood to australia. I don't think you can just pop it in the post, you probably need an import certificate or something for the sample.

How much money are the owners willing to spend?

Re: Is this possible?

Christina Smith — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:47:11 GMT

Thanks very much for that. AHT don't have the test so would need to look further afield. probably Australia.

Re: Is this possible?

Sally Everitt — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:32:14 GMT

Romania doesn't seem a particulraly likely source of Dingoes but you never know.

It looks as if it is technically possible http://www.babs.unsw.edu.au/research/dingo-dna-testing, though the test may not be available in this country, the Animal Health Trust would probably be your best source of advice.

However before undertaking the testing you / they might like to consider the implications of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Dingoes are classified as Canis lupus dingo not Canis familiaris so the Defra advice on hybrids may be relevant.

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/wildlife/protect/dwaa/hybrid.htm

Sally Everitt

Re: Is this possible?

Christina Smith — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 22:46:02 GMT

Well apparently it looks exactly like a dingo. No other justification.

Re: Is this possible?

Miriam Lodewyks — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 22:44:25 GMT

I think we need a little clarification....