Canids
Domesticated dogs constitute one of the most varied species in the animal kingdom. Ranging from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane, they span a wide range of sizes, colors and shapes. But despite their physical differences, they share extremely close genetic ties to each other and their wild cousins.
The Wolf is the ancestor to all true canids and is the largest and most social hunter of all the dogs. Living and hunting in large packs, Wolves communicate with each other throughloud howling noises, body signals and behaviors full of lupine meaning. The oldest male and female lead the pack, directing the behavior of the other members. They mark and guard territory, hunting for food in forest areas.
The Jackal family contains four distinct species. There are the Golden, Side-striped, Black-backed and Simien varieties. The Golden Jackal inhabits Africa, southern Europe and parts of Aia, the Side-striped and Black-backed live in sub-Saharan Africa and the endangered Simien lives only in the mountain regions of Ethiopia. Jackals live in close family groups that hunt and scavenge for food. They work together to raise young pups by teaching lessons and bringing food. The families center around a mated pair, who will live together unless one is killed. Yhey mark and patrol territory together, protecting their own region. Coyotes share very similar physical and social traits with Jackals, but inhabit North America rather than Afrca.
Foxes are far less social than Wolves and Jackals. They roam across many continents and climates, living mostly solitary lives except when they pair to mate. Their bodies are distinguished by a long shape, pointed faces and long, bushy, white-tipped tails. They possess large, erect ears that hear with great acuity and have a keen sense of smell. They are widespread carnivores that prefer diets of rodents and small birds. There are nine species of fox, including the Red and Arctic varieties.
Aside from Wolves, Jackals ad Foxes, a wide variety of wild canids also exist in Africa, Asia, AUstralia and South America. They are carnivorous hunters that live more solitary lives than most dogs. Some examples of African dogs include hunting dogs and the Bat-eared Fox, which dines on insects andf fruit. In Asia, the Raccoon Dog and Dhole make their homes. The Australian Dingo is actually a domesticated dog that was reintroduced into the wild. A large number of South American dog groups exist and include Patagonian Fox, the Maned Wold and the Crab-eating Fox (which rarely eats crabs).
Although physical size may limit many dogs’ ability to mate with other dogs, domestic dogs and many of their wild cousins can create fertile offspring together. The Coydog, a cross between domestic dogs and coyotes, occasionally appears. The animals often have difficulty adapting to either domestic or wild life, and are not encouraged to reproduce. New domestic breeds have been, and continue to be, created by crossing different breeds that possess desired traits. Nearly every house dog has evolved from a mix of many different dog type.