Canis lupus familiaris (also Canis familiaris): The Domestic Dog

Habitat: Worldwide.

Characteristics: There are a great many domestic dogs and genetically they're almost identical to wolves. The difference between a wolf gene and a dog gene is almost indistinguishable, so close that without the animal's body being present, a genetic test cannot alone conclusively determine if the animal was a domestic dog or wild wolf. Back in the dim distant past human beings loved wolves so much, and felt such kinship with them; they were domesticated as our helpers and companions. Through the years selective breeding led to domestic dogs of virtually every shape and size.

An alphabetical list of 519 breeds of domestic dogs: Affenpinscher, Afghan Hound, African Wild Dog, Ainu Dog, Airedale Terrier, Akbash Dog, Akita Inu, Alano Español, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Klee Kai, Alaskan Malamute, Alopekis, Alpine Dachsbracke, American Bandogge Mastiff, American Blue Gascon Hound, American Bulldog, American Cocker Spaniel, American Crested Sand Terrier, American Eskimo Dog, American Foxhound, American Hairless Terrier, American Indian Dog, American Lo-Sze Pugg, American Mastiff, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Staghound, American Water Spaniel, American White Shepherd, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Anglos-Francaises, Anglos-Francai Grand, Anglos-Francais de Moyenne Venerie, Anglos-Francaises de Petite Venerie , Appenzell Mountain Dog, Ariegeois, Armant, Aryan Molossus, Arubian Cunucu Dog, Australian Bandog, Australian Bulldog, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Kelpie, Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Australian Terrier, Austrian Brandlbracke, Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher, Azawakh, Banjara Greyhound, Barbet, Basenji, Basset Artesien Normand, Basset Hound, Bavarian Mountain Hound, Beagle, Beagle Harrier, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Bedlington Terrier, Bedouin Shepherd Dog, Belgian Griffons, Belgian Mastiff, Belgian Shepherd Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd Laekenois, Belgian Shepherd Malinois, Belgian Shepherd Tervuren, Belgian Shorthaired Pointer, Belgrade Terrier, Bergamasco, Berger des Picard, Berger des Pyrénées, Berger Du Languedoc, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Bichon/Yorkie, Billy, Black and Tan Coonhound, Black Forest Hound, Black Mouth Cur, Black Russian Terrier, Bleus De Gascogne, Bloodhound, Blue Lacy, Bluetick Coonhound, Boerboel, Bolognese, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Boston Terrier, Bouvier des Flanders, Bouvier de Ardennes, Boxer, Boykin Spaniel, Bracco Italiano, Braque D' Ariege, Braque D' Auvergne, Braque Du Bourbonnais, Braque Dupuy, Braque Saint-Germain, Braques Francaises, Brazilian Terrier, Briard, Brittany Spaniel, Briquet, Broholmer, Bull Boxer, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Cairn Terrier, Cajun Squirrel Dog, Canary Dog, Canaan Dog, Cane Corso Italiano, Canis Panther, Canoe Dog, Cão da Serra da Estrela, Cão da Serra de Aires, Cão de Castro Laboreiro, Cão de Fila de São Miguel, Carlin Pinscher, Caravan Hound, Carolina Dog, Carpathian Sheepdog, Catahoula Bulldog, Catalan Sheepdog, Caucasian Ovtcharka, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Central Asian Ovtcharka, Cesky Fousek, Cesky Terrier, Chart Polski, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chien D' Artois, Chien De L' Atlas, Chiens Francaises, Chihuahua, Chinese Chongqing Dog, Chinese Crested, Chinese Foo Dog, Chinook, Chippiparai, Chortaj, Chow Chow, Cirneco Dell 'Etna, Clumber Spaniel, Cockapoo, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Combai, Corgi, Coton De Tulear, Cretan Hound, Croatian Sheepdog, Curly-Coated Retriever, Cypro Kukur, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Danish Broholmer, Danish/Swedish Farm Dog, Danish Chicken Dog, Deutsche Bracke, Deutscher Wachtelhund, Dingo, Doberman Pinscher, Dogo Argentino, Dogue Brasileiro, Dogue de Bordeaux, Drentse Patrijshond, Drever, Dunker, Dutch Shepherd Dog, Dutch Smoushond, East-European Shepherd, East Russian Coursing Hounds, East Siberian Laika, English Cocker Spaniel, English Coonhound, English Foxhound, English Pointer (See Pointer), English Setter, English Shepherd, English Springer Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Entelbucher Sennenhund, Epagneul Francais, Epagneul Pont-Audemer, Epagneuls Picardies, Eskimo Dog, Estonian Hound, Estrela Mountain Dog, Eurasier, Fauves De Bretagne, Field Spaniel, Fila Brasileiro, Finnish Hound, Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, Flat-Coated Retriever, Foxhound, Fox Terrier, French Brittany Spaniel, French Bulldog, Galgo Espanol, Gascons-Saintongeois, German Hunt Terrier, German Longhaired Pointer, German Pinscher, German Sheeppoodle, German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Spitz, German Wirehaired Pointer, German Wolfspitz, Giant Schnauzer, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Gordon Setter, Gran Mastin de Borinquen, Grand Anglo-Francais, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Greek Harehound, Greek Sheepdog, Greenland Dog, Greyhound, Griffon Nivernais, Griffons Vendeens, Guatemalan Bull Terrier, Hairless Khala, Halden Hound, Hamiltonstovare, Hanoverian Hound, Harlequin Pinscher, Harrier, Havanese, Hawaiian Poi Dog, Hellenikos Ichnilatis, Hertha Pointer, Himalayan Sheepdog, Hovawart, Hygenhund, Ibizan Hound, Icelandic Sheepdog, Inca Hairless Dog, Irish Glen Imaal Terrier, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier, Japanese Spaniel, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Jindo, Kai Dog, Kangal Dog, Kangaroo Dog, Kanni, Karakachan, Karelian Bear Dog, Karelian Bear Laika, Karelo-Finnish Laika, Keeshond, Kemmer Feist, Kerry Beagle, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Shepherd, Komondor, Kooikerhondje, Koolie, Krasky Ovcar, Kromfohrländer, Kugsha Dog, Kuvasz, Kyi-Leo®, Labradoodle, Labrador Husky, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Landseer, Lapinporokoira, Lapphunds, Large Münsterländer, Larson Lakeview Bulldogge, Latvian Hound, Leonberger, Leopard Cur, Levesque, Lhasa Apso, Lithuanian Hound, Llewellin Setter, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, Lowchen, Lucas Terrier, Lundehund, Lurcher, Magyar Agar, Mahratta Greyhound, Majestic Tree Hound, Maltese, Malti-Poo, Manchester Terrier, Maremma Sheepdog, Markiesje, Mastiff, McNab, Mi-Ki, Mi-Ki, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Mioritic Sheepdog, Mongrel, Moscow Toy Terrier, Moscow Vodolaz, Moscow Watchdog, Mountain Cur, Mountain View Cur, Mucuchies, Mudhol Hound, Mudi, Münsterländer, Native American Indian Dog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Nebolish Mastiff, Nenets Herding Laika, New Guinea Singing Dog, New Zealand Huntaway, Newfoundland, Norbottenspets, Norfolk Terrier, North American Miniature Australian Shepherd, Northeasterly Hauling Laika, Northern Inuit Dog, Norwegian Elkhound, Norwegian Buhund , Norwich Terrier, Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever, Olde Boston Bulldogge, Old Danish Bird Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Old-Time Farm Shepherd, Olde English Bulldogge, Original English Bulldogge, Otterhound, Owczarek Podhalanski, Papillon, Pashmi Hound, Patterdale Terrier, Pekepoo, Pekingese, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Perdigueiro Portugueso, Perdiguero de Burgos, Perdiguero Navarro, Perro Cimarron, Perro de Pastor Mallorquin, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Perro Ratonero Andaluz, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Petit Brabancon, Pharaoh Hound, Plott Hound, Podengo Portuguesos Grande, Podengo Portuguesos Médio, Podengo Portuguesos Pequeno, Pointer, Poitevin, Polish Hound, Polski Owczarek Nizinny, Polski Owczarek Podhalanski, Pomeranian, Poodle, Poos, Porcelaine, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, Portuguese Water Dog, Portuguese Rabbit Dog, Potsdam Greyhound, Prazsky Krysavik, Pudelpointer, Pug, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Mastiff, Rafeiro do Alentejo, Rajapalyam, Rampur Greyhound, Rastreador Brasileiro, Rat Terrier, Redbone Coonhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Rumanian Sheepdog, Russian Harlequin Hound, Russian Hound, Russian Spaniel, Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, Russo-European Laika, Saarlooswolfhond, Sabuesos Espanoles, Sage Ashayeri, Sage Koochee, Sage Mazandarani, Saint Bernard, Saluki, Samoyed, Sanshu Dog, Sarplaninac, Schapendoes, Schillerstovare, Schipperke, Schnauzers, Schnoodle, Scotch Collie, Scottish Deerhound, Scottish Terrier, Sealydale Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Segugios Italianos, Shar-Pei, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Shichon, Shih-Tzu, Shika Inus, Shikoku, Shiloh Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Siberian Laikas, Silken Windhound, Silky Terrier, Simaku, Skye Terrier, Sloughi, Slovensky Cuvac, Smalandsstovare, Small Greek Domestic Dog, Small Münsterländer, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, South Russian Ovtcharka, Spanish Mastiff, Spanish Water Dog, Spinone Italiano, Stabyhoun, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Staghound, Standard Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, Stephens Stock, Stichelhaar, Strellufstover, Styrian Roughhaired Mountain Hound, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Lapphund, Swedish Vallhund, Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher, Swiss Laufhunds, Tahltan Bear Dog, Taigan, Tasy, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, Telomian, Tenterfield Terrier, Thai Ridgeback, Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Titan Terrier, Tosa Inu, Toy Fox Terrier, Toy German Spitz, Toy Poodle, Transylvanian Hounds, Treeing Tennessee Brindle, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Tyroler Bracke, Valley Bulldog, Vasgotaspets, Victorian Bulldog, Villano de Las Encartaciones, Vizsla, Volpino Italiano, Vucciriscu, Weimaraner, Welsh Corgi, Welsh Sheepdog, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, West Russian Coursing Hound, West Siberian Laika, Westphalian Dachsbracke, Wetterhoun, Whippet, Wirehaired Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Vizsla, Wolf Hybrid, Xoloitzcuintle, Yorkshire Terrier, Yugoslavian Hounds.

The Red Wolf Species
Canis Rufus

Florida red Wolf ~ Canis rufus floridianus
Gregor's red Wolf ~ Canis rufus gregoryi

Habitat: Originally red Wolves ranged throughout much of the eastern United States, from as far north as Pennsylvania and New York to as far west as Texas. In the early 20th Century, predator control programs took heavy tolls on both the red Wolf and their close relative the Gray Wolf.

Characteristics: A reclusive animal that weighs between 18 and 36 kilograms (40 and 80 pounds), the red Wolf is typically a nocturnal hunter who travels in small packs of two or three individuals. There is disagreement about the origin of the red Wolf. Some insist it is a genetically distinct species, while others assert that it's a subspecies of Gray Wolf, and still others theorize that it's a hybrid of Gray Wolves and coyotes.

Deforestation and loss of habitat allowed coyotes to move eastward and began to interbreed with the red Wolf. As the red Wolf population dwindled, diseases like heart worm contributed to the demise of the red Wolf. Listed as an endangered species in 1967, it came under the protection of the US Fish and Wildlife Service with the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in a cooperative program with USFWS, established a captive breeding program in 1973. In the next few years red Wolves were removed from the wild to save them from extinction. This was the first USFWS recovery program to include captive management for species recovery. Only 14 pure red Wolves remained alive, and by 1980 red Wolves were considered to be extinct in the wild. In the years since the captive breeding program began, the population has grown and the current population is about 300. Extensive statistical analysis of the population and careful attention to the details of managing a very small gene pool has helped to maintain genetic diversity.

In 1987, the first red Wolves were released to native habitat in northeast North Carolina. Animals were radio collared, tracked, and studied. The first wild birth occurred the following year. Today, about 75-80 red Wolves are surviving and breeding in the wild.

The Maned Wolf Species
Canidae Chrysocyon Brachyurus

Also called the stilt legged fox.

Habitat: The maned Wolf lives in the tropical savannah and forests of South America; Northern Argentina, Paraguay, Eastern Bolivia, and Southeastern Peru.

Characteristics: This species is considered vulnerable It's estimated that there are between 2200-4500 maned Wolves.

Some think this Wolf looks like a Wolf/fox hybrid. Maned Wolves are about 88 cm (35 inches) tall shoulder height and weigh 110 kilograms (50 pounds). The body is covered with golden-red fur with a black legs and a black mane.

Maned Wolves are nocturnal, preferring to rest under the forest canopy during the day and hunt at night. Contrary to popular belief, these animals are very shy and only attack humans when they feel threatened or afraid.

Maned Wolves live in monogamous pairs which only interact during the early spring, the beginning of the breeding season. In early fall, bitches give birth to 2-5 pups.

The Abyssinian Wolf Species
Canidae Canis Simensis

Canis simensis simensis; north of the Rift Valley
Canis simensis citernii; south of the Rift Valley

Also called the Ethiopian Wolf and Simien Jackal or Fox

Habitat: Ethiopian Wolves are found in only six or seven mountain ranges of Ethiopia. Habitat is limited to grasslands where vegetation is less than 0.25 m high (9 inches) and at altitudes from between 3 to 4.4 km (5 to 7 miles) the largest population exists in the Bale Mountains National Park with 120-160 individuals.

Characteristics: Ethiopian Wolves are carnivores who generally prey on rodents, goslings, eggs, and young ungulates (hoofed mammals) and occasionally scavenge carcasses. Prey is usually captured by digging it out of burrows. Areas of high prey density are patrolled by Wolves walking slowly. Once prey is located, the Wolf moves stealthily towards it and grabs it with its mouth after a short dash. Occasionally, the Ethiopian Wolf hunts cooperatively to bring down young antelopes, lambs, and rabbits.

Although Ethiopian Wolves primarily do their hunting alone, they are social animals, forming packs of 3-13 individuals. Packs maintain the boundaries of their territories by scent marking and vocalization. Home ranges of packs are small for a canid of its size. The typical home range is 4-15 square kilometers (3-9 miles) The Ethiopian Wolf is diurnal and sleeps in the open during night, alone or in groups. Pack structure is hierarchical and well defined by dominant and submissive displays as seen with other canids. Each gender has a dominance rank with shifts occurring in males occasionally but not in females.

Males generally remain in their natal pack, and a small number of females disperse in their second or third year. To combat the potential for inbreeding inside the closely related pack, mating outside of the pack occur fairly often. Mating outside the pack occurs with males of all rank, but those within the pack occur only between the dominant male and female. While mating between males and subordinate females does occur, pups that may arise from this union rarely survive.

Ethiopian Wolves mate once a year between August and November. Prior to copulation, the dominant female increases her rate of scent marking, play soliciting, food begging towards the dominant male, and aggressive behavior towards subordinate females. Ethiopian Wolves mate over a period of 3-5 days, remaining tied for up to 15 minutes. Between October and January, the dominant female in each pack gives birth to a litter of 2-6 pups. Gestation lasts approximately 60-62 days. The female gives birth to her litter in a den she digs in open ground under a boulder or in a rocky crevice. The pups are born with their eyes closed and no teeth. They are charcoal Gray with a buff patch on their chest and lower areas. At about 3 weeks, the coat begins to be replaced by the normal adult coloring and the young first emerge from the den. After this time, den sites are regularly shifted, sometimes up to 1300m (1400 yards). It is not uncommon for a subordinate female to assist in suckling the young. In these cases, the subordinate lactating female is likely pregnant and either loses or deserts her own young for those of the dominant female.

Development of the young occurs in three stages; the first, from birth to four weeks, when the pups are completely dependent on their mother for milk; the second, from week five to week ten when the pups' milk diet is supplemented by solid food regurgitated from all pack members, this ends when the pups are completely weaned; finally, from week ten until about six months, the young survive almost solely on solid food provided from adult members of the pack. Adults have been seen providing food for young up to a year old. The Ethiopian Wolves attain full adult appearance at about two years of age. Both genders are sexually mature during their second year.