"Discovered" 30 years ago, the Carolina Dog can be found in the Southeastern United States. 

  You've read about the New Guinea Singing Dog (Dog Fancy, Dec. '98). Now there's the Carolina Dog, a descendant of dogs that crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia to North America 8,000 years ago. The breed was in the news recently when DNA testing at the University of South Carolina linked its development with Australian Dingoes. Today, the dogs are found in swamp and forest regions of South Carolina, Georgia and other Southeastern states.

   The American Kennel Club does not recognize the breed. The American Rare Breed Association and United Kennel club do. The breed standard is between 17 and 22 inches high, medium-sized (35-50 pounds), with a short coat that may be white, ginger, black, tan and black, and, sometimes, white with tan or black spots. The dog has a broad, round head that tapers to a long, pointed muzzle. Its almond-shaped eyes are dark brown and its tail has a bushy fishhook shape.

   The dogs are good with children, excellent watchdogs and not prone to inherited health problems that plague other breeds.

   For information, contact Jane Gunnell, President, Carolina Dog Association, (803) 215-6164; www.CarolinaDogs.com