Wild dogs are fascinating creatures that spark our excitement whenever we get the rare chance to speed alongside them on a high-paced hunt. One question I repeatedly get asked is what the relationship is between these pack hunters and domestic dogs or wolves. While wild dogs share some commonalities with these other two species, they are distinct in many ways, both behaviourally and genetically. In this blog, we’ll explore the relationships between wild dogs, domestic dogs, and wolves, delve into their family structures, and discuss the potential for the domestication of these wild canids.
Relatives of our domestic companions? Although they share some common traits, the African wild dogs are quite distinct from domestic dogs and wolves. As much as I love my dog, Zac (middle), I don’t know if his cushy life in Johannesburg has paved the way for him to be able to survive out in the wild like wild dogs and wolves.
The Family Tree: Wild Dogs, Domestic Dogs, and Wolves
Wild dogs belong to the Canidae family, including domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus). The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also known as the painted wolf or Cape hunting dog, is a member of this diverse family. Despite some similarities, African wild dogs are quite distinct from domestic dogs and wolves.
African wild dogs are known for their unique appearance, characterised by large, rounded ears and a coat mottled with patches of black, brown, yellow, and white – as depicted in this pup. They are highly social animals, living in packs that are typically larger and more cohesive than wolf packs. These packs are led by an alpha pair, with a social structure that emphasises cooperation and communal care for pups.
The genetic distance between the three species is depicted below. This distance is reflected in their distinct behaviours, social structures, and physical characteristics. Grey wolves are the closest wild relatives to domestic dogs. The process of domestication, which began between 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, involved humans selectively breeding wolves for specific traits, leading to the wide variety of domestic dog breeds we see today. One unique and unknown example of this is the development of facial muscles at the corners of domestic dogs’ inner eyebrow areas. This gives them the ability to move their eyebrows – a way to show emotion and is vital in human communication – and developed as humans were domesticating them. Despite their differences, domestic dogs and wolves can still interbreed and produce viable offspring, known as wolf-dog hybrids.
The genetic divergence between African wild dogs and domestic dogs (along with wolves) occurred millions of years ago. While domestic dogs and grey wolves share a more recent common ancestor, African wild dogs split off earlier, making them a separate lineage within the Canidae family.
Social Structure and Behavior
African wild dogs are renowned for their sophisticated social structure. Packs can consist of over 30 individuals, although 10 to 15 is more common. The alpha pair is the primary breeding pair, but unlike many other animal societies, wild dog packs exhibit a high level of altruism. For instance, all pack members participate in hunting and share food, ensuring that pups and weaker members are fed. Injured or sick pack members are also cared for, which is a testament to their cooperative nature.
African wild dogs are known for their strong pack bonds and cooperative behaviour. In a pack, all members help care for the pups, ensuring they are well-fed and protected. This teamwork is key to their survival and success in the wild!
Wolves also live in packs, usually comprising 6 to 10 members. Their social structure is hierarchical, with a dominant alpha pair leading the pack. Wolves communicate through a complex system of vocalizations, body language, and scent marking. Their hunting strategies and territorial behaviours are highly coordinated and efficient.
Wolves are known for their endurance, capable of travelling up to 30 miles in a single day while hunting or patrolling their territory.
Domestic dogs, while retaining some pack behaviours, have adapted to living with humans and often exhibit a more flexible social structure. Their behaviours can vary widely depending on breed, upbringing, and individual personality.
Can Wild Dogs Be Domesticated?
The domestication of wild dogs poses certain challenges. Unlike wolves, which were gradually habituated to human presence over thousands of years, African wild dogs have had limited interactions with humans that would foster domestication. Their highly specialised social and hunting behaviours are adapted to the wild, making them ill-suited to domestic life.
![Ntsevu Pride, Wild Dogs And Rhino (13) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12140214/Ntsevu-pride-wild-dogs-and-rhino-13-RCB-1598x926.jpg)
African wild dogs are also endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and diseases such as rabies and distemper. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting their natural habitats and ensuring the survival of existing populations, rather than attempting domestication.
This relationship evolved into a mutualistic bond, where humans provided food and shelter, while dogs offered companionship and assistance in hunting and herding. The genetic and behavioural flexibility of wolves allowed his transition, resulting in the wide array of domestic dog breeds we see today. All in all, while African wild dogs, domestic dogs, and wolves share a common ancestry within the Canidae family, they are distinct species with unique genetic, behavioural, and social characteristics.
Very good and interesting article, Robyn. I am often asked by friends, when I show them my photos, what the difference between our dogs and wild dogs and wolves is. Now I will be able to explain it in a better way.
Robyn, thanks for continuing my education about African animals. The wild dogs are a unique animal even coming from a lineage of Domestic dogs and wolves.
Awww Zac is sooo cute…and definitely doesn’t look like could survive outside his cushy life 😉 But good for him! Funny about the eyebrow fact…hadn’t thought about that before…but so true! Our pup is SO expressive between that and his big ears!
What a super article. I’ve been lucky to see Wild Dogs in several countries and on my last morning in Londolozi (several years ago) saw a hunt from start to finish – amazing – if brutal, spectacle
The wolves are my favorite and especially the Grey wolf. My German Shepard cross Rodviler female used to howl like a wolf. The male was huge and weighed 45 kilos. Both of them were exceptional loving companions and nobody came in my yard. Wild dogs are special with there patches and white tales.
Thanks for addressing the question about whether Painted Dogs can be domesticated, as I’m glad they cannot. There are enough domesticated animals for humans to interact with and wildlife should stay wild and free.
Wonderful post Robyn! I am always interested in more information on African Wild Dogs, as they seem endlessly interesting!