Keeping wild dogs as pets is becoming common, with some of us contemplating the idea of owning a wolf, a fox, or even a coyote. Many dogs that we know and own are classified as Canis Familiaris. The likes of foxes and wolves belong to a different biological family called Canidae, which begs the question, and can you really keep them as pets?
Absolutely yes! Well, before you fret on how to tame these dogs, read on to understand the possibility of it with the right knowledge, skill, and attitude.
Among them are:
- New Guinea singing dogs
- Coyotes and coy dogs
- Wolves and wolf dogs
- Red fox and domesticated foxes
- Other foxes: Arctic, Grey, Swift, and Corsac
- Fennec fox
1. New Guinea singing dogs
These dogs look like your normal daily domestic dogs. An adult weighs up to 28pounds, pretty similar to the well known New Guinea highland dog. This amazing breed has a narrow muzzle, wide cheekbones, and petal-shaped ears for you to stroke gently. If properly socialized, they can be with humans, getting attached to their owners.
Their most unique characteristic is the ability to vary the pitch of their howl. You won’t notice barking repetitively but having a complex vocal behavior including yelps, whines, and single-note howls. Normally, you will find the singing dogs usually active, lively, and alert, constantly exploring everything in their environment, using all five senses, including taste. Although gentle and affectionate when familiar with you, they can be aloof with a stranger.
Point to note, however, is, unlike the Dingo, the New Guinea experience two circles a year in captivity. The New Guinea Singing Dog has never been studied thus, little is known about its behavior, social organization, or general natural history under a free-ranging environment.
2. Coyotes and coy dogs
Know a coyote? Well, now imagine a coyote and a dog match. Viola! A coy dog. This hybrid is gaining popularity daily, forming adorable litters. In your nearby urban setting, you are easily capable of spotting a coy dog with the increasing number of licensed owners. These breeds are calm when domesticated, loving to the outdoors, unlike the past when they were caged. Coyotes are really fluffy, and you will enjoy their companionship. Often, this dog breed can be really wild and requires lots of patience to train and become affectionate. With time, their attachment to you shall be remarkable; you won’t realize how previously wild the dog was.
3. Wolves and wolf dogs
You’ve probably seen dogs that completely resemble wolves and telling the difference becomes harder and harder with each closer look. This is primarily because dogs descend from wolves. One parent is a domesticated dog, and the other a gray wolf.
While sometimes referred to as hybrids, wolves and dogs are all members of the same Canis species. Historically, the first domesticated dogs were wolves about 15,000 years ago. Dogs today are classified as a subspecies of wolves, which is why it is possible to crossbreed dogs and wolves.
Despite the fact that wolf dogs are mostly dogs, you owning one will require extensive experience, as this canine crossbreed has characteristics that can make it a challenging addition to a family. Some wolf dogs are more like wolves than they are like dogs, and their temperament can differ greatly from that of a Siberian husky or an Alaskan malamute. Still, if you consider yourself attracted to this pet, owning one can be a delightful addition to the family. Loads of patience will be something you will need to have, especially on the initial days of adoption.
4. Red fox and domesticated foxes
Of all wild dogs across the world, foxes are regarded as incorrigibly wild. They have even been shown in movies as fluffy mammals, clever intelligent, and untamable. However, research which begun little about 60 years ago changed all that, and now there is a sustainable population of domesticated foxes.
You will fancy how they are incredibly fearless of humans, actively seeking them out as companions with the most known one being the elite fox. These cool dog breeds also possess traits not seen in the wild, like spots in their fur and curled tails. Owning one is hard and costly, not to mention that keeping them is banned in several states. Though friendly, you should still regard the red foxes as wild because of their unpredictability.
5. Fennec fox
Looking for a cool amazing dog breed? One you won’t find too bulky to carry? The fennec fox is the smallest, characterized by large ears measuring six inches. They are really fun to look at and completely adorable.
Their unusual and peculiar nature makes them target as exotic pets. If you are an indoor person, these wild dogs the most suitable for 100% indoor life. Fennec foxes are also clean. Surprisingly, because of their desert adaptation, they have very dry droppings. You will find that moving around with a fennec is so easy and love it.
6. Other foxes: Arctic, Grey, Swift, and Corsac
Generally, foxes share a lot of characteristics, which range from posing high energy to being overly playful. Check out the variety below.
Arctic
- Beautiful white color, which is sometimes blue-grey.
- Change color depending on season and environment.
- Females give birth to up to 14 pups.
Grey
- It is the size of a small dog.
- It has grizzled grey fur with lighter cinnamon-colored patches.
- Long, bushy, black tail.
Swift
- Height is 12 inches.
- Weight: 5-7 pounds.
- Length: 23-34 inches.
- Commonly found in grasslands.
- Dark-grayish, tan coloration.
- The tail is black-tipped, with black patches on their muzzle.
- Ears are noticeably large.
Corsac
- Asian species
- Medium in size with grey to yellowish fur and possess an acute sense of smell.
- It has a number of scent glands, some of which produce a pungent smell.
Owning a wild dog as a pet comes with its differences in comparison to the normal domestic ones. Still, you will find it intriguing to have a unique and amazing dog breed as your companion. Having a wild dog pet is one of the items you can scrape off your bucket list now that you know it is possible. Learn more about dogs on our blog.
