The Dingo has intense eyes that vary in color from yellow to orange. The very mobile, small, rounded ears are naturally erect. The well-furred and bushy tail is relaxed and has good length. The hindquarters are lean and muscular. The coat is soft. Its length, density, and texture vary according to climate. Typical coat colors are yellow-ginger, but can occur in tan, black or white, including an occasional brindle; albinos have also been seen. All purebred Dingos have white hair on their feet and tail tip. The Dingo is a wild animal brought to Australia by primitive man in the semi-domesticated state about 4,000 years ago. It is believed that the Dingo is the ancestor of all dog breeds, the base stock of the 600 true dog breeds. The dogs and people made their trek before Australia was cut off from the mainland and surrounded by water. Captain William Damphier, who wrote of the wild dog in 1699, first officially noted the Dingo.   
A direct descendant of the original pariahs from the Middle East and southeastern Asia, the Dingo became savage and returned to the wild. With the European's introduction of domestic sheep and rabbit, the Dingo population flourished. Man's interference in Australia's perfectly balanced ecology has been essentially blamed on the Dingo. The Australian Native Dog Training Society, based in New South Wales, has raised and trained many Dingoes. Other areas have stringent permit requirements. The Federal Government classifies the Dingo, as wildlife and it may not be exported except from and to registered and approved wildlife parks and zoos. Dingoes are very rare outside Australia.