About Wild Dogs

Around the world there are various types of wild canines, ranging from the Raccoon Dog of Asia to the Bush Dog of South America. There are the "pariah dogs," breeds that live on the fringes of human populations, including the Carolina Dog of the United States and the Dingo of Australia. In addition, there are packs of once domesticated dogs--abandoned pets and their offspring--who have reverted to a feral state.

Pack

Canines, from the most pampered poodle to the wildest wolf, are among the most social animals on earth--if not the most social. Most canine breeds live in packs, caring for their old, young, sick and disabled. They depend upon each other in hunting food, caring for new litters and teaching growing pups. They have organized social structures and select leaders among themselves. Leadership is determined by the deference of the rest of the pack. In most packs, only the highest-ranking dogs mate. If food is plentiful, others may mate. Some even form monogamous relationships with their mates. There is little fighting among dogs in packs. If an individual challenges the hierarchy of the pack and fails, he is usually free to leave the group and form a new pack.

Truly Wild

Among the truly wild dogs of the world are the Small-Eared Zorro and Bush Dog of South America, the Raccoon Dog and Dhole of Asia and the African Wild Dog. Also in this category could be the coyote of the United States, though it could also be classified as a "pariah."
The Small-Eared Zorro is a medium-sized dog that lives in the Amazon rain forest. Coloring is generally reddish-gray to black on its back. It usually has a bushy tail and partially webbed paws.
The Bush Dog lives in the forests and wetlands of Central and South America. These dogs look more like otters than dogs. They spend a lot of time in the water and have elongated bodies and short legs. They are brown with a short muzzle, short tail and partially webbed feet.
The Raccoon Dog lives in wooded areas of western Europe, Russia, China and Japan. It looks like a raccoon with similar markings and body. Raccoon Dogs are nocturnal and do not bark.
Dholes live in forested areas of eastern Asia. With thick fur in colors from deep red to grayish brown and yellow, their tails are usually tipped in black. Dholes whistle, mew and cluck to communicate.
The African Wild Dog is found throughout most of southern Africa and the Sahara. African Wild Dogs have long and thin legs. They can run at an average of 31 mph for long distances. Colors are patterned in yellows, browns, black and white. Packs may be as large as 100 members.
Coyotes are found in every state except Hawaii and are plentiful in Mexico and Central America. Their territory expanded from the western United States when the red and gray wolf was exterminated. Coyotes can thrive in nearly any environment and will even live on the outskirts of cities. Colors and size vary, and coyotes will eat just about anything. Coyotes are famous for their howl, though they also snarl, bark, growl and whine.

Endangered

Many of the world's truly wild dogs are facing increasing threats from human encroachment into their territories and habitat loss. Diseases such as distemper and parvovirus also decimate their populations. Many of the breeds face extinction.
For the Short-Eared Zorro, habitat loss threatens their future since they thrive only in areas undisturbed by humans. They are protected in Brazil and Peru and are listed on the endangered species lists of Brazil and Columbia.
The Bush Dog is rare but not hunted. Native peoples have raised them as pets.
Raccoon Dogs are hunted for their fur and as food. In Japan, hunting has driven the Raccoon Dog to the brink of extinction.
The Dhole is endangered due to declining prey, loss of habitat and hunting. They are poisoned, trapped, shot and their dens are destroyed. Distemper and rabies are also taking a toll on Dhole populations. Hunting of Dhole is prohibited in Russia, and they are protected in India.
African Wild Dogs are threatened by habitat loss and disease. While packs once numbered more than 100 members, it is now rare to seek packs with more than 20 animals.
While coyote populations have increased, these canines, too, face threats. The number one cause of death to coyotes is trapping, hunting and poisoning by humans. Rabies and hookworms also take their toll on the animals.

Pariah

Pariah dogs include the Carolina Dog of the United States, the Canaan Dog of Israel, the New Guinea Singing Dog and the Australian Dingo. The term "pariah" comes from India where it designated to those of a low cast in human society. It was also once used to describe any stray or feral dog; however, the term has now come to describe a primitive natural breed of dog. Most pariah breeds reproduce only once a year, as wolves do. Most domestic breeds reproduce twice a year. The Indian pariah dog is often called INDog or Indian Native Dog. Pariah dogs are likely direct descendants of the earliest domesticated dogs.
Some breeds of pariah dogs are now being kept as pets. Others are not recommended for pets, except by those most experienced in handling dogs.
Carolina Dogs are also known as the American Dingo, Dixie Dingo and Native American Dog. They are found in remote areas of South Carolina and Georgia. The Carolina Dog slightly resembles a hound breed and has a long neck, powerful jaws, almond-shaped eyes and large erect ears. A short coat, with a dense undercoat, the Carolina Dog's coloring ranges from deep red to cream.
The Canaan Dog is a medium-sized dog with a bushy tail. With a double coat, colors range from solid black, brown and white to patterns of white, black and brown. A wild dog in Israel, the Canaan Dog is now used by Bedouins to guard and herd sheep.
The New Guinea Singing Dog is small to medium in size and has a look similar to a fox. With a coat that can be long in length, the dogs are colored in red with white, black or tan markings. The dogs vary the pitch of their howls, thus their name. Native to New Guinea, a captive breeding program is seeking to save the breed from extinction.
Dingos range throughout Australia and can be found in some Southeast Asian countries. They live near human populations and scavenge for food. Dingos are of medium size and have a short, dense coat that is sandy or red in color. Dingos are monogamous and do not bark. They do growl, howl and whine. They are often kept as pets in Asia.

Free-Roaming

Feral dogs, former pets and the offspring of former pets, can be found near almost any human population. In Los Angeles alone, there are an estimated 50,000 street dogs. Following Hurricane Katrina, the estimate in New Orleans rose to 120,000 street dogs.
Feral dogs live on the edges of society, scavenging for food and shelter.
Some rescue organizations promote trapping and rehabilitating feral dogs to be pets. Others advise the best approach is trap-neuter-return.
With trap-neuter-return, rescuers are advised to set up stations where dogs can eat, provide shelter and spay/neuter the animals to stop reproduction, roaming and fighting. The dogs can also be relocated to a fenced area where food, water and shelter can be provided.

References

• Wild Dog Foundation
• Merck Veterinary Manual
• Lioncrusher's Domain--Carnivora Species Information

Resources

• Best Friends Animal Society
• Stray Rescue of St. Louis