11 Wild Animals That Look Like Dogs

I like to share information about wildlife, animals, and pets—dogs in particular.

Dogs (Canis familiaris) are the descendants of wolves and are classified as a subspecies of the grey wolf (Canis lupus). Recent genetic studies, however, have shown that dogs descended from an extinct genus that diverged from modern-day grey wolves about 40,000 years ago. So some animals we consider to be a breed of dogs are actually creatures of a different species.

11 Wild Animals That Look Like Dogs

In this article, learn about 11 animals that look like dogs, and many of them are considered a separate breed of dogs, but in reality they are wild animals and different species.

• African Wild Dog
• Albino Tanuki (Raccoon Dog)
• Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog)
• Australian Dingo
• Bush Dog
• Coyote
• Fox
• Jackal
• The Short-Eared Dog
• Tanuki (Raccoon Dog)
• Wolf

1. African Wild Dog

African wild dogs are medium-sized canines from Sub-Saharan Africa, also known as cape wild dogs, African hunting dogs, bat-ear dogs, African painted dogs, and painted wolves. They are social animals and tend to live in a pack. African wild dogs are solidly built and extremely athletic; they're intelligent hunters that can run at a speed of up to 41 mph for 10 to 60 minutes at a time. When pack-hunting, a male dog makes the first attack by grabbing a prey animal by the nose. The pack then joins in, usually killing their prey in under five minutes.

2. Albino Tanuki

The Albino Tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog "Nyctereutes viverrinus"), is a species of cane endemic to the Central Alps area of Japan. Basically, this is a rare variety of mainland raccoon dogs that have white coat and red eyes. The origin of this mutation is not available, and history of this mutant gene is not known.

3. Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog)

The Dhole is also known as Indian wild dog, red dog or red fox dog. This dog is not a canid from the family of “Canis familiaris.” It’s a canid of “Cuon alpinus.” It is native to Central, South, and Southeast Asia. Dholes are excellent hunters and skilled swimmers that can kill a prey up to 10 times their own size. They have high running speed of about 34 miles per hour. Dhole dogs are highly social animals and live in packs of between 8-12 members.

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4. Australian Dingo

Australian dingos have been described as a wolf in the form of a dog. Dingos are native to Australia, but their origin is not clear, many experts believe they began as a mix between wolves and primitive domestic dogs brought to Australia from Asian countries. In the wild, they live in packs and feed on both scavenged meat and live prey. They are naturally very healthy, athletic, and sturdy. Despite being wild animals, they are friendly when domesticated and are sometimes kept as pets.

5. Bush Dog

Bush dogs are small, rare, wild canines that aren't particularly well-known. Their origin is unclear, but they are now present in Panama and other parts of Central America, east of the Andes in South America, and as far south as central Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. Bush dogs are very unique-looking—they have short legs, a short bushy tail, a rounded muzzle, erect ears, and a squat body. Like dholes, these dogs have been observed marking their territory on tree trunks while in a "handstand" position.

6. Coyote

The coyote is a species of canine native to North America, which is a close relative of the wolf. The coyote is slightly smaller than eastern wolf and red wolf, much larger than foxes. Coyotes are about as big as medium-size dogs and same ecological niche as the golden jackal does in Eurasia.

7. Fox

Foxes are omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the Canidae family. Because of their close genetic similarity, dogs and foxes share many physical traits, but foxes are smaller than a medium-sized dog, with a long snout and a bushy tail. The domesticated dogs are reliable pets and companions, but foxes are not reliable as pets.

8. Jackal

Jackals are medium-sized omnivorous mammals from Canidae family, of the subtribe Canina that are close relatives of coyotes, foxes, and wolves, and dogs. The first animal of this species was identified in the year 1601. The history of their origin is not clear, but their presence is found in the history of Turkish çakal, Persian shaqāl, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Sanskrit sṛgāla jackal.

9. Short-Eared Dog

Amazon short-eared dogs (also known as short-eared Zorros and small-eared dogs) are a lesser-known, relatively rare breed native to the Amazon rainforest in South America. Their social structure, mating habits, and lifespan are similar to those of domestic dogs. They were first studied in 1984 in Panama by German biologist Sigi Weisel and a Panamanian local from Embera–Wounaan group.

10. Tanuki (or Raccoon Dog)

Tanuki, or raccoon dogs, look like North American raccoons. Tanuki are thought to have evolved independently. While most raccoon dogs are wild, a woman in England named June Lincoln adopted a four-month-old raccoon dog pup that turned out to be a perfect family pet. An interview with June in the Daily Mail quoted her as saying “he is a dog, but his [closest] relative is a type of fox, so stealing is in his nature... while he is generally well behaved, it has been impossible to teach him not to steal."

11. Wolf

Wolves are members of the canine family, which also includes dogs, foxes, and Jackals, and ancestor for modern dogs. The dogs descend from an extinct genus that diverged from modern-day grey wolves about 40,000 years ago. Because of their close genetic similarity, dogs and wolves share many physical traits. Wolves, however, are stronger with higher levels of energy and stamina. Wolf instincts and temperament differ quite dramatically as well. Wolves are stubborn, erratic, difficult to train, and a danger to children and other small animals. These qualities make them a poor choice to keep as a guard dog or household pet.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2022 ARADHYA