A. Personal introduction
The fascination of New Guinea - the Last Unknown.
My journey to Australia and New Guinea half a centrury ago. Visit to Sir Edward Hallstrom and „his“ dogs at Taronga Park Zoo of Sydney.
Travelling twenty times (from 1959 to 2003) into the wilderness of New Guinea: to the Central Highlands and the Papuan Gulf District – discoveries of ancient strains of New Guinea village dogs.
This publications presents the first comprehensive survey of Papuan dogs.
B. Scientific introduction
Troughton's description of Canis hallstromi from the highlands of New Guinea – the so
called „New Guinea Singing Dog“.
The actual scientific status of Papuan dogs: wild or feral ?
C. About strains and breeds
A dynamic definition of dog breeds. Reference to Lawrence Alderson.
Pariah dogs. What are „primitive dogs“ ? References to Eberhard Trumler's research.
The NGSD breed is separated from traditionally kept Papuan dogs.
D. Early migrations to New Guinea and Australia
South-east Asian dogs: their origin and differenciation.
The zoo-geographical isolation of New Guinea and the Australian continent.
Migrations of humans, dogs and pigs from the Asian mainland – first to New Guinea and from there to Australia.
The evolution of the Dingo.
E. Adaptation and differentiation of dogs on New Guinea
The criteria for evolution of native breeds on the New Guinea island continent.
The role of ecological and cultural factors.
Early traces of dog husbandry (archaeological evidence).
The so far undefined strain of the coastal zone (e.g. in the Papuan Gulf, the Raja Ampat Archipelago) and the newly discovered strain of the foothills inland (the Mt. Bosavi region) and the Southern Highlands District.
Their relations to the Australian Dingo.
The Fraser Island Dingo link-population.
F. Our experiences with Individual Papuan dogs
"Sóbi" and "Nérumu" in the field and at home in Germany. Observations of their behaviour, various anecdotes.
G. Traditional dog husbandry in selected regions of New Guinea
The use of dogs in game hunting.
Eating of dog meat.
Dog teeth as ornaments. Customs related to the collecting of dog teeth. Barter trade.
The attachment and status of dogs in Papuan village society: integration and affection.
H. Mythology and folk-tales about dogs in selected Papuan tribes
Collected from early travel books and ethnographical literature.
I. Preservation of strains - but how?
The endangered status of Papuan dog strains
Their near extinction and measures for their preservation.
Footnotes (F...separate article)
Research papers (Bibliography...in the same separate article)