Oddly enough, they are neither a fox nor a wolf. Their unusually long legs and red coats make them appear like a "fox on stilts," leaving no uncertainty when answering the question, " Is a fox a cat or a dog?" Maned wolves are another type of wild dog that really, truly do look like they were run through a Photoshop spree. Don't you want to hand them a cute rodent or fish to eat? Maned Wolf Look at how cute they are! They don't even bark they let out whining noises instead. There are several subspecies of raccoon dogs including the Ussuri raccoon dog, the Japanese raccoon dog, and the Korean raccoon dog. This cute species of wild dog is indigenous to East Asia and Japan, where most locals know it as a tanuki. Surprisingly, they are not related to raccoons in the least bit! Named for its uncanny resemblance to the common trash panda, raccoon dogs are actually one of the more notable collections of wild dog species on this list. Don't you just want to hold them? They look like tiny teddy bears! Raccoon Dogs These cute, South American dogs are pretty tiny compared to other species on this list. This otter-like dog is as aquatic as feral dogs get, and even evolved to have webbed toes for faster swimming. Incoming! Here's another strange, wild dog that doesn't actually look like a dog at first glance: the bush dog. Surprising? It's probably because it's the only surviving member of the genus Atelocynus. It eats fish, insects, and small rodents. Unlike other wild dogs, it doesn't hunt game.
Along with a more feline-than-normal appearance, it also has a very feline gait. It looks more like a raccoon or red panda's relative, doesn't it?ĭespite the strange appearance, the short-eared dog is definitely a member of the Canis family. This wild dog doesn't actually look like a dog, per se. Perhaps one of the strangest wild dog species that skates under the radar is the Amazonian short-eared dog. Okay, maybe this one shouldn't be domesticated. These large dogs hunt in packs, can run up to 44 miles per hour, and can easily take down a gazelle if they feel like it, They have spots, stripes, large ears, and a very fierce disposition. African wild dogs are also called "painted wolves" because they look like someone threw several cans of paint in their direction. No, this image is not a painting or a Photoshopped mess.
Mexican grey wolves have a shaggier, more multi-colored coat, featuring shades of rust and black alongside standard grey. The big difference between North American wolves and Mexican wolves is the coat. Currently, only 300 wolves are found in captivity, but that's going to increase as long as efforts continue. The Mexican grey wolf was almost hunted out of existence until conservation efforts helped revive the species. You might not realize, though, that there's a similar but separate wolf species native to Mexico. You are probably well-aware of North American grey wolves, primarily because they are on just about every single tie-dyed shirt that you'll find at a flea market. Around 200 red wolves exist in captivity, and recently, officials discovered a pack of red wolves near Galveston, Texas, as well as in certain pockets in North Carolina. A rarer species, the red wolf, thrived throughout Appalachia until hunters declared it a nuisance and almost wiped them out of existence.Ĭontrary to popular belief, the red wolf is not extinct. You might be surprised to hear this, but grey wolves weren't the only wild dogs that lived in the United States. Even so, it's a very rare species to spot due to overhunting, agriculture, and other human activity.
This wolf breed is known for its bright red coat, black ears, and bushy, multicolored tail-not unlike a fox! Their coats have made them prime targets for poachers, which is why there's only a scant 400 left in the wild.Ĭonservation efforts are underway, thankfully. Ethiopian Wolvesĭid you know that Africa is home to tons of different wild dog species, including several wolves? It's true, and one of the rarest wolf breeds is the Ethiopian Wolf. Here are some you probably would want to have as a pet-if they could be domesticated, that is. I'm talking, of course, aside from your typical coyotes and grey wolves.Īs of right now, there are many species of canidae that tend to be overlooked by both environmentalists and dog lovers alike. With all the attention that we lavish on our domesticated dogs, we often forget that there are still many wild dog species out there. We have curly-haired poodles, hairless Inca orchids, as well as a rarer dogs like the split-nosed Catalburun. They have been a companion to our species for thousands of years, and since that time, we have seen some really interesting breeds pop up out of domestication.
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