Dingo

Why collectors care

Vintage Dingo boots, usually listed as “Acme Dingo,” turn up often in resale and vintage-boot shops, many described as made in the USA in the 1960s and 1970s. A collector blog on 1970s fashion names Dingo and Frye as the leading makers of the tall, heavily stitched mid-1970s boot, citing a September 1976 Cosmopolitan ad aimed at men and women.

Today's Dingo 1969 line from Dan Post Boot Company is a separate product from the Acme-era boots. Telling the two apart is the main dating question.

Company history

Acme Boots was founded in 1929 by Jessel and Sidney Cohn, who moved a children's shoe plant from Chicago to Clarksville, Tennessee, and turned to western boots after 1935. Acme was later held by Arena Brands of Dallas; H.H. Brown (Double-H Boots) bought the Acme brand in 2002.

The launch year of Dingo is not locked here. The current brand site says DINGO 1969 has existed “since its inception in 1969.” Dan Post says Dingo has “roots in the early 70s,” and McRae Industries says it was “conceived in the early 70's for a social- and fashion-conscious generation.” Acme's founding date is not Dingo's.

McRae Industries' fiscal 2002 Form 10-K states: “On June 29, 2001, Dan Post acquired the Dingo brand name and certain inventory from Lucchese, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Arena Brands, Inc.” The same filing says McRae imported adult western boots from Brazil, Mexico and China.

Dan Post Boot Company, headquartered in Greater Nashville, describes itself as a family of three labels: Dan Post, Laredo and Dingo1969. The current range still includes harness and biker styles such as the Dean, Rev Up and Chopper.