Post by Paradox on Apr 21, 2016 17:13:50 GMT
Wolves, Dogs, And Coyotes OH MY! (With Pictures) This has been written to clear up the amount of confusion on species between wolves, dogs and coyotes, all of which are in the genus Canis, and can interbreed with each other, making it difficult to tell them apart.
So, first things first. Wolves.
Wolves are carnivorous canines ranges from 3-4 feet in height and approximately 85-95 lbs in weight. Wolves have blunt muzzles, perfect for taking down larger prey. Wolves also have a thicker build than dogs and coyotes, as well as less fur on their tails than coyotes. Wolves are very shy of humans, and will usually run away rather than fight one. A wolf's coat usually comes in a blend of colors, but it can also be pure black, white, gray, or brown depending on where they live and the type of terrain. Wolves have more curved ears than the coyote, and a bigger nose pad as well. Wolves have long legs,longer than a dogs.Wolves, although tamable, cannot be controlled as well as dogs, and are more easily angered and encouraged to hunt.Wolves also have bigger feet than the coyote. During a hunt, wolves will chase down prey until it is worn out, then the pack will surround it in an effort to bring it down. Wolves kill by biting an animal's underside or neck; wolves rarely bite up their prey like dogs will. Wolves live in packs with a family hierarchy, and although most packs keep to a number of around 7 or so family members, they can get bigger. (one of the biggest recorded was 42!) Wolves walk with their tail up or horizontal, as opposed to coyotes, who walk with their tail down or horizontal. Wolves are born with blue eyes, although their eyes will change to yellow, green, gray, brown, amber, or orange when they get older. Pure wolves NEVER have blue eyes-if your wolf side has blue eyes, it is not a pure wolf.
Dogs-
Dogs are man's best friend, and a loyal companion. Dogs can range in all different sizes and weights (so adding an average weight and height will not be possible here.)Dogs tend to have shorter legs than wolves, although this may depend on the breed of dog as well. Dogs have blunter, shorter muzzles than wolves, and a more friendly disposition. Dogs may also have weaker jaws and more fragile systems than their wild wolf counterparts. A dog's tail tends to be less furred over than a wolf's and many dog breeds have long hair instead of actual fur. Dogs may have folded or crimped ears, whereas in adult wolves these traits are absent. Dogs CAN have blue eyes;this trait is most noticeable in the husky. A dog's tail is usually kept up above the body naturally, as opposed to wolves and coyotes, who keep their tails down when in a neutral mood. Dogs bark more often than wolves, and dogs also tend to be more compliant and tolerant of human, as well as more playful. Dogs are also more social, and can readily pick up on ques from humans. When fighting, a dog will give a warning bite (in which it takes a deliberate miss when fighting, in order to warn it's foe. Dogs will also bite more when fighting, while wolves will just try to kill as quickly as possible.Dogs tend to be weird mixes and patterns of colors, and also tend to be one color more often than wolves and coyotes. Dogs can have heterochromia (two different eye colors on two different eyes.) Dogs tend to also be stronger than wolves on different aspects-for example, some dogs breeds can smell better than wolves, and many dogs, like the husky, have a higher endurance ability and can run faster and longer than wolves.
Coyotes-
Often mistaken for dogs such as the German Shepard, coyotes are wild canids similar to wolves, except smaller. They tend to be little more than two feet on average, and weigh from 15-46 lbs. Coyotes are smaller than the wolf, and can be seen as a competitor by them, so frequently where wolves are, coyotes are killed, and the coyote population tends to be lower because of this. Coyotes are opportunistic carnivores; they need meat to survive, but will eat almost anything, from berries to dog food to even domestic animals! (always keep your pets in around an area with coyotes.) Coyotes are usually a tannish color, like the one shown above. Coyotes are smarter than wolves, and can easily survive in urban areas populated by humans. They can be diurnal, but in human areas become nocturnal. Coyotes, when running, keep their tails down and run in a more bouncy motion, almost like if they're a rabbit. Coyotes normally eat carrion, and small mammals like mice and voles. Coyotes are one of the most adaptable animals on the planet, and because of that they can live near humans, and can be hunted extensively without even creating a dent in it's population. Coyotes and wolves normally don't like each other, and both will kill the others pups, given the chance. Coyotes, when threatened, will open their mouth and arch their back, unlike wolves, who grimace, bare their teeth, and snarl. Coyotes don't really hunt in packs, unless there is an abundance of food, making it easier to pack together and hunt. They will be in a pack like structure for a time (when pups are born and are being raised), but usually once the pups are full grown, they are chased out of the pack, unlike wolves, who will stick together for years. Coyotes are bolder than wolves, which is why they will come closer to humans than wolves will. Coyotes are one of the more intelligent species of wild canids.
Hybrids! (Note: Most animal hybrids do tend to have problems when born and living in the wild. However, the Genus Canis is special in that the members can hybridize without much issue or genetic problems.) The members of the Genus that can interbreed are Wolves, Coyotes, Dogs, and/or jackals. (note that a jackal hybrid is extremely unlikely due to the ranges of each species, although they are genetically possible.
Wolfdogs-
Wolfdogs are a hybrid of a wolf and a dog. Wolfdogs tend to be closer to wolves in size, but can be unpredictable, due to the mashup of genes. They tend to be unafraid of humans. Wolfdogs are smarter and more cunning than regular dogs, and some actually used to be mistaken for werewolves back in the day (a little history lesson )
Wolfdogs usually have coat patterns like a combination of a wolf and a dog (so for example, a husky-wolf mix might have the husky's white spots above the eyes, but with a wolfish colored coat.) Huskys and Malmutes, unless stated so by pedigree, are not wolf-dog hybrids. Wolf dogs are unreliable when it comes to doing things that a regular dog can do, as their wild nature makes them more likely to misbehave and get into fights with other dogs.
Coydogs-
Coydogs are hybrids of coyotes and dogs. Although these hybrids can and do exist, it is extremely hard for them to have second and third generation puppies, due to the fact that coydogs go into heat at different times than regular dogs and coyotes do. Coydogs are slightly easier to handle than wolfdogs, due to the coyotes easier temperament, but they are still very wild. Coydogs are occasionally shot down by hunters. As with wolves, if you see a coyote with blue eyes, then it is a coydog, and not a pure coyote. Coydogs also seem to be less afraid of humans than regular coyotes.
Coywolves-
Now,this is an interesting category. A coywolf is basically the product of a male wolf mating with a female coyote. There are actually three types of coywolves, officially. The Red Wolf (which is a confirmed coywolf hybrid despite it's name) the Eastern Coyote, and first generation Coywolves (which are first generation pups to a wolf father and coyote mother, and so technically cannot fit in either category.) Despite the naming of each group, they are all the same species, and are actually viewed as the newest emerging species this planet has seen. They are cunning, bolder and more intelligent than regular wolves and coyotes. They are also more likely to form packs, and they have a mixture of wolf and coyote instincts. They are also one of the most adaptable creatures on the planet, and are rarely seen by human eyes. Coywolves can and have been mistaken for Red Wolves, regular wolves, and regular coyotes.
So, this is all the info I have to give on these types of canines. this was mainly done so at least newbies aren't getting confused trying to figure out what their animal's species is (not everyone will be a wolf.) If you have any questions, ask me.
So, first things first. Wolves.
Wolves are carnivorous canines ranges from 3-4 feet in height and approximately 85-95 lbs in weight. Wolves have blunt muzzles, perfect for taking down larger prey. Wolves also have a thicker build than dogs and coyotes, as well as less fur on their tails than coyotes. Wolves are very shy of humans, and will usually run away rather than fight one. A wolf's coat usually comes in a blend of colors, but it can also be pure black, white, gray, or brown depending on where they live and the type of terrain. Wolves have more curved ears than the coyote, and a bigger nose pad as well. Wolves have long legs,longer than a dogs.Wolves, although tamable, cannot be controlled as well as dogs, and are more easily angered and encouraged to hunt.Wolves also have bigger feet than the coyote. During a hunt, wolves will chase down prey until it is worn out, then the pack will surround it in an effort to bring it down. Wolves kill by biting an animal's underside or neck; wolves rarely bite up their prey like dogs will. Wolves live in packs with a family hierarchy, and although most packs keep to a number of around 7 or so family members, they can get bigger. (one of the biggest recorded was 42!) Wolves walk with their tail up or horizontal, as opposed to coyotes, who walk with their tail down or horizontal. Wolves are born with blue eyes, although their eyes will change to yellow, green, gray, brown, amber, or orange when they get older. Pure wolves NEVER have blue eyes-if your wolf side has blue eyes, it is not a pure wolf.
Dogs-
Dogs are man's best friend, and a loyal companion. Dogs can range in all different sizes and weights (so adding an average weight and height will not be possible here.)Dogs tend to have shorter legs than wolves, although this may depend on the breed of dog as well. Dogs have blunter, shorter muzzles than wolves, and a more friendly disposition. Dogs may also have weaker jaws and more fragile systems than their wild wolf counterparts. A dog's tail tends to be less furred over than a wolf's and many dog breeds have long hair instead of actual fur. Dogs may have folded or crimped ears, whereas in adult wolves these traits are absent. Dogs CAN have blue eyes;this trait is most noticeable in the husky. A dog's tail is usually kept up above the body naturally, as opposed to wolves and coyotes, who keep their tails down when in a neutral mood. Dogs bark more often than wolves, and dogs also tend to be more compliant and tolerant of human, as well as more playful. Dogs are also more social, and can readily pick up on ques from humans. When fighting, a dog will give a warning bite (in which it takes a deliberate miss when fighting, in order to warn it's foe. Dogs will also bite more when fighting, while wolves will just try to kill as quickly as possible.Dogs tend to be weird mixes and patterns of colors, and also tend to be one color more often than wolves and coyotes. Dogs can have heterochromia (two different eye colors on two different eyes.) Dogs tend to also be stronger than wolves on different aspects-for example, some dogs breeds can smell better than wolves, and many dogs, like the husky, have a higher endurance ability and can run faster and longer than wolves.
Coyotes-
Often mistaken for dogs such as the German Shepard, coyotes are wild canids similar to wolves, except smaller. They tend to be little more than two feet on average, and weigh from 15-46 lbs. Coyotes are smaller than the wolf, and can be seen as a competitor by them, so frequently where wolves are, coyotes are killed, and the coyote population tends to be lower because of this. Coyotes are opportunistic carnivores; they need meat to survive, but will eat almost anything, from berries to dog food to even domestic animals! (always keep your pets in around an area with coyotes.) Coyotes are usually a tannish color, like the one shown above. Coyotes are smarter than wolves, and can easily survive in urban areas populated by humans. They can be diurnal, but in human areas become nocturnal. Coyotes, when running, keep their tails down and run in a more bouncy motion, almost like if they're a rabbit. Coyotes normally eat carrion, and small mammals like mice and voles. Coyotes are one of the most adaptable animals on the planet, and because of that they can live near humans, and can be hunted extensively without even creating a dent in it's population. Coyotes and wolves normally don't like each other, and both will kill the others pups, given the chance. Coyotes, when threatened, will open their mouth and arch their back, unlike wolves, who grimace, bare their teeth, and snarl. Coyotes don't really hunt in packs, unless there is an abundance of food, making it easier to pack together and hunt. They will be in a pack like structure for a time (when pups are born and are being raised), but usually once the pups are full grown, they are chased out of the pack, unlike wolves, who will stick together for years. Coyotes are bolder than wolves, which is why they will come closer to humans than wolves will. Coyotes are one of the more intelligent species of wild canids.
Hybrids! (Note: Most animal hybrids do tend to have problems when born and living in the wild. However, the Genus Canis is special in that the members can hybridize without much issue or genetic problems.) The members of the Genus that can interbreed are Wolves, Coyotes, Dogs, and/or jackals. (note that a jackal hybrid is extremely unlikely due to the ranges of each species, although they are genetically possible.
Wolfdogs-
Wolfdogs are a hybrid of a wolf and a dog. Wolfdogs tend to be closer to wolves in size, but can be unpredictable, due to the mashup of genes. They tend to be unafraid of humans. Wolfdogs are smarter and more cunning than regular dogs, and some actually used to be mistaken for werewolves back in the day (a little history lesson )
Wolfdogs usually have coat patterns like a combination of a wolf and a dog (so for example, a husky-wolf mix might have the husky's white spots above the eyes, but with a wolfish colored coat.) Huskys and Malmutes, unless stated so by pedigree, are not wolf-dog hybrids. Wolf dogs are unreliable when it comes to doing things that a regular dog can do, as their wild nature makes them more likely to misbehave and get into fights with other dogs.
Coydogs-
Coydogs are hybrids of coyotes and dogs. Although these hybrids can and do exist, it is extremely hard for them to have second and third generation puppies, due to the fact that coydogs go into heat at different times than regular dogs and coyotes do. Coydogs are slightly easier to handle than wolfdogs, due to the coyotes easier temperament, but they are still very wild. Coydogs are occasionally shot down by hunters. As with wolves, if you see a coyote with blue eyes, then it is a coydog, and not a pure coyote. Coydogs also seem to be less afraid of humans than regular coyotes.
Coywolves-
Now,this is an interesting category. A coywolf is basically the product of a male wolf mating with a female coyote. There are actually three types of coywolves, officially. The Red Wolf (which is a confirmed coywolf hybrid despite it's name) the Eastern Coyote, and first generation Coywolves (which are first generation pups to a wolf father and coyote mother, and so technically cannot fit in either category.) Despite the naming of each group, they are all the same species, and are actually viewed as the newest emerging species this planet has seen. They are cunning, bolder and more intelligent than regular wolves and coyotes. They are also more likely to form packs, and they have a mixture of wolf and coyote instincts. They are also one of the most adaptable creatures on the planet, and are rarely seen by human eyes. Coywolves can and have been mistaken for Red Wolves, regular wolves, and regular coyotes.
So, this is all the info I have to give on these types of canines. this was mainly done so at least newbies aren't getting confused trying to figure out what their animal's species is (not everyone will be a wolf.) If you have any questions, ask me.