Canid / Canine Hybrids and Crosses

Canid hybrids and crosses are the results of different members of the Canid family (Canines) breading. Some of these hybrids and crosses are done on purpose, like the wolfdog which is a popular hybrid pet, and others are done on accident and have a huge effect on the population of various species, such as the breeding of coyotes and the American red wolf. Either way there is a great variety of crosses and hybrids among the Canid family, providing a great deal of interesting information.

Wolfdogs-Wolfdogs are by far the most popular Canid cross. They are actually not a hybrid, since in 1993 dogs were classified as subspecies of wolves, therefore they are merely a cross like any other breed cross, producing a mutt. However, these crosses are often wilder then the average mutt and have strong personalities requiring great care as pets. The majority of wolfdogs are produced in captivity with pet ownership in mind. However, there are a few cases where dogs and wolves are breeding in the wild causing some issues with the wolf populations, as fewer and fewer wolves are pure bread.

Coydogs and Dogotes-Coydogs are the offspring of a male coyote and a female dog. On the other hand dogotes are the offspring of a male dog and a female coyote. Some of these animals are bred on purpose with pets in mind. Most report that their friendly Coydog pups turn into coydogs that are nervous, shy, fearful, and not at all playful or outgoing. Some are even reported to quickly bite when frighted, or they feel they are threatened. Still others report that there coydogs are less neurotic, and even gentle, loving, and playful. This is a matter of the coydog and depends on handling throughout their lives as well as personality. Because this is a breed that is so high strung it is not for the average dog owner and taking a coydog should only be done after great consideration. Coydogs and dogotes have been reported in the wild as well. This is rarer then one might think. The breeding cycle of coyotes and dogs differs greatly reducing the number of coydogs and dogotes that are produced, especially in the wild. It has been known to happen however.

Coywolves-Coywolves are the crossbreed of the coyote and a wolf. This happens occasionally in the wild. In fact it is interbreeding of these two that may have produced the American Red Wolf. Many are against the idea that coywolves exist. This is mainly do to the fact that if it is declared that wolf populations are not pure, that are indeed partially coyote hybrids, then the need for preservation would be eliminated and these wolf populations would no longer be protected. As it is many coyote/wolf hybrids are hunted for their pelts. Fur is very profitable and these pelts offer a large pelt, and under many laws a legal on since coyote hunting if often allowed.

Wolf/Coyote/Dog-In recent times there have been some experimenting with wolf/coyote/dog crosses. These crosses are made by crossing a wolfdog and a coyote, or a coydog and a wolf. The purpose of these experiments have been for the exotic pet market. Many such "dogs" have had even more extreme behavioral issues then their crossed parents and are often very difficult to deal with. As always there are a few who report having great dogs that are extremely well behaved and friendly.

Dingo hybrids and crosses-Dingos, wild Australian dogs, have been crossed with many of the other Canids. Dingos have been found to be descendants from domestic dogs from South East Asia, through recent genetic research. Dingos easily breed with dogs. Often this is done on purpose with the idea of having an exotic pet. These animals are often let loose and then accepted into the Dingo population. There they breed with full blooded Dingos, feral dogs, and other mixed breed Dingos. In some locations in Australia the Dingo population is composed of an estimated 80% mixed breed Dingos. Dingos will also breed with Coyotes in captivity and have done this on accident in a few locations.

Jackal Hybrids-Jackals can cross with wolves, coyotes, and dogs. Often these animals are hard to predict behavior, much like other crosses and hybrids. However, in recent times Russia has produced sniffer dogs, with excellent sense of smell, by crossing dogs and jackals and then breeding the offspring back to dogs. This next generation hybrid makes a great dog, having enough dog blood to calm the jackal within. These dogs are gaining popularity. One other thing to note, it is believed that the Pharoanic Egyptians kept dog jackal hybrids resembling the god Anubis as pets.

Dox-The dox is a dog fox hybrid. It is believed by many that male foxes will produce offspring with female dogs, especially Terriers, Alaskan Malamutes, Sheltie, Siberian Husky, and various hounds. The most publicized of these hybrids is a case of a a miniature Sheltie supposedly producing offspring with a fox in Saskatchewan, Canada. Two of the three offspring died young. The surviving female was barren. Supposedly they looked like foxes with some oddities. There was never any genetic research done on either the deceased or living offspring. Most scientist agree that such claims are very unlikely because of genetic differences between the dog and the fox. There have been documented cases of the South American Fox and the dog producing offspring. However, this "fox" is closer in genetic make up to the wolf, then to the red fox.

Many of these hybrids and crosses occur easily because of the genetic make up of these animals. Wolf like canids including the dog, dingo, golden jackal, wolf, and coyote have 78 chromosomes that are arranged in 39 pairs. During breeding each animal sends the offspring 39 chromosomes which easily match up with the 39 produced and sent to the offspring from the other parent. This means that the offspring is usually fertile and healthy, lacking health issues either parent may have to face. This is also why the fox and some jackals are left out, because they have different numbers of chromosomes and do not match up easily to the other species or breed of animal.

In many cases these animals should be thought of. In the exotic pet market, the breeding of such animals should be limited so that appropriate homes can be found for the creatures produced. It is extremely sad when these animals are put down, left in shelters, and rescues because people can't handle or deal with them. Additionally letting them go can effect the native populations in a very negative way. Many wolf populations and dingo populations suffer from the cross breeding of animals. It is very possible that such creatures will overwhelm the populations and the original species may go extinct.