Dog Behavior in the Wild

The African wild dog is a social animal.

Dogs are members of the canidae family, descended from wolves. While there is some argument over when dogs were first domesticated, evidence suggests that humans may have kept dogs as long as 15,000 years ago. Wild dogs exhibit similar behavioral traits to domesticated dogs. They are gregarious, intelligent creatures with a well-defined social structure. Most wild dogs are territorial and will mark their territory with urine to warn off competitors.

Packs

Wild dogs in Australia, Asia and Africa include species that have never been domesticated. In many other parts of the wild, dogs are the feral descendants of domesticated dog species that returned to the wild. Regardless of origin, wild dogs all exhibit some similar behavior traits. Dogs in the wild form family pack groups of up to forty individuals led by a dominant mated pair. The animals hunt and travel together and the whole pack cares for the young.

Breeding

Wild dogs cooperate in rearing pups.

The dominant male and female in a pack of African wild dogs are the only members of the pack that will breed. If another female pack member becomes pregnant, the dominant female will usually kill the pups. This breeding behavior pattern is also seen in feral dogs. According to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, the dominant pair usually remains monogamous for life. The dominant pair of wild dogs prevents the other pack members from breeding and this often causes female pack members to exhibit aggressive behavior.

Cooperative Hunting

Wild dogs cooperate to bring down prey like the Thomson's gazelle.

Wild dogs and feral dogs also practice cooperative hunting behaviors. Joining together in the hunt allows the pack to bring down more and larger prey. Pack hunting behavior also lessens the distance of the chase in many instances. Wild dogs are diurnal and usually hunt in the early morning or early evening. The pack will attempt to frighten herd animals into fleeing so that they can isolate one animal and bring it down quickly. According to the Davidson College Biology Department, African wild dogs also hunt cooperatively to protect their kills from large scavengers. As the younger and weaker pack members begin to feed, stronger dogs circle the kill to ward off scavengers such as lions and hyenas.

Dominance

Wild dogs determine pack hierarchy through establishing dominance. The dominant female in a pack is often the oldest female, while the pack may contain older males who have lost dominance to younger males. When dogs fight for dominance, the loser assumes a position on his back leaving his stomach and throat exposed. The winner places his paw on the loser's chest and the battle does not end until the loser avoids eye contact with the winner.

Altruism

Wild dogs exhibit altruistic behaviors that set them apart from most other carnivores. Injured, old or weak pack members are allowed to feed first with the young and are cared for when the pack rests. The pack exhibits affection and a desire to be close to each other not seen in pack animals such as wolves or lions. According to the University of Michigan, African wild dogs returning from a successful hunt often regurgitate food for pups and injured or weak pack members. Wild dogs rest in close contact with each other, while other carnivores such as wolves keep a distance from one another when resting.

References

• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Lycaon pictus African Wild Dog
• Davidson College Biology Dept.: Prey Selection and Cooperative Hunting
• University of Michigan: African Wild Dogs

Resources

• Smithsonian National Zoological Park: African Wild Dog- Hope for the Future