Wild dogs, dingoes, and coyotes abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?
- What are wild dogs?
- What are African wild dogs?
- What are dholes, or Asian wild dogs?
- What are dingoes?
- What are Coyotes?
- What are Tanukis, or Raccoon Dogs?
- Where can you encounter wild dogs in the wild when travelling and abroad?
- What are the most dangerous types of wild dogs and why?
- What to do if you encounter a wild dog?
- What should you do if you are bitten by a wild dog while abroad?
- What diseases can you get from wild dogs and street dogs?
- Where is the best place to work or volunteer with wild dogs, dingoes, and coyotes?
- What should you consider when working with wild dogs abroad?
What are wild dogs?
- Wild dogs and domestic dogs belong to the group canidae.
- There are 35 species of wild dogs, including foxes, wolves, jackals, dingoes, raccoon dogs and other wild dogs. Quite a bit of variation! We zoom in on a few species below.
- Wild dogs are carnivores, and therefore mainly eat meat.
- Dogs are of course best known for their domestication. People have been using dogs for all kinds of daily tasks for 10-12 thousand years!
What are African wild dogs?
- The African wild dog is an endangered species that belongs to the canids.
- The dog is spotted and lives in large packs.
- They are the only carnivores that let their young eat their prey first.
- African wild dogs are also called hyena dogs.
What are dholes, or Asian wild dogs?
- Dholes are wild dogs with a reddish-brown coat, white belly, bushy appearance, short snout and clumsy build.
- They live in social groups (packs), similar to wolves.
- They hunt in groups and are very coordinated.
- Prey is often medium-sized ungulates such as deer.
- Dholes "whistle" instead of barking or howling - a unique sound among canids
- Unfortunately, dholes are endangered - due to habitat loss, competition with other predators and diseases of dogs.
What are dingoes?
- Dingoes are descendants of dogs that were introduced to Australia from Asia about 4,000 years ago.
- Dingoes come in many colour patterns, but the most recognisable is the yellow-brown coat. Furthermore, they are medium-sized, slender and have straight ears and a straight tail.
- They sometimes live in groups, but often solitary.
- The dingo's prey are kangaroos, rodents and birds. They can survive well in dry, hot areas. How convenient is that in Australia!
What are Coyotes?
- Coyotes resemble small wolves, but are lighter and smaller, slimmer and have large ears.
- Coyotes are omnivores. They eat small animals such as rodents, birds and carrion, as well as fruits and garbage.
- They are also very smart, adaptable and hunt alone or in small groups.
What are Tanukis, or Raccoon Dogs?
- A tanuki (Nyctereutes procyonoides), also known as the Japanese raccoon dog, is a unique mammal that looks like a cross between a dog and a raccoon — but it is not a true raccoon. The tanuki belongs to the family Canidae and is related to dogs, foxes and wolves.
- A tanuki has short legs, thick fur and a dark mask around the eyes (just like a raccoon!).
- They are mainly active at night and hunt insects, small animals, plants and fruits.
- In cold areas, tanukis hibernate briefly.
- There are all kinds of folk tales about the tanuki. For example, it is said to have supernatural powers, such as the ability to change shape. It is also the mascot of prosperity.
Where can you encounter wild dogs in the wild when travelling and abroad?
- In Europe, the grey wolf is probably the most popular, and sometimes controversial, species. It is the largest wild dog species, they live in groups and they have a great significance in culture and mythology.
- In Africa, people usually look for the African wild dog, in the Arctic regions the arctic fox is a popular species for travelers, in India it is fantastic to see the dhole and in Australia you are sometimes lucky enough to spot a dingo.
- What is special about the dingo is that there is debate about whether this species is really wild. The ancestors are dogs that were brought to Australia by humans thousands of years ago.
- The tanuki/raccoon dog originally only occurs in East Asia, but has now also been introduced in Europe.
- The jackal is mainly found in Africa and parts of Asia and Europe.
- The coyote is well-known in North America. You can find them in forests, deserts, prairies and even cities. You can hear their famous howl from far away. Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia and Greenland are some of the best places to see sled dogs at work.
- Where can you see African wild dogs in the wild?
- Botswana: Okavango Delta.
- Malawi: Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve.
- Mozambique: Gorongosa National Park.
- Namibia: Kalahari and Khaudum National Park.
- South Africa: Kruger National Park.
- Tanzania: Ruaha National Park.
- Where else do they live: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya.
What are the most dangerous types of wild dogs and why?
- The African wild dog is probably the most dangerous to other animals. They are very efficient hunters and hunt in packs for prey larger than themselves. They are rarely a threat to humans.
- When we look at danger to humans, wolves are historically more notorious. However, attacks on humans are extremely rare, especially in modern times. In the past, this was more common with hungry or sick wolves or in times of war.
- Other wild dogs are also dangerous, but real collisions with humans are very rare.
What to do if you encounter a wild dog?
- Many animals are more afraid of us than we are of them and will therefore stay away or run away when they see you.
- If you do find yourself in a threatening situation, it is important to remain calm. Do not run away, as this can trigger the hunting instinct.
- Stand still, move slowly backwards, while keeping an eye on the dog.
- Make yourself big, spread your arms or coat.
- Speak in a low, calm voice.
- Do not look directly into the eyes. This can be experienced as challenging.
What should you do if you are bitten by a wild dog while abroad?
- Major risks of a dog bite include: infection, blood poisoning, tetanus and rabies.
- Clean the wound as soon as possible after the bite. First with clean water, then with alcohol or betadine.
- Bandage the wound to prevent dirt from getting in again.
- It is then advisable to go to a doctor for a tetanus shot.
- In many countries outside Europe, rabies is still common and rapid rabies treatment is essential.
What diseases can you get from wild dogs and street dogs?
- You can get several diseases from wild dogs and street dogs, especially if you are bitten, scratched, or come into contact with their saliva, urine or feces. Below are the most important diseases that they can transmit to humans.
- Rabies can be fatal if left untreated and is transmitted through bites, scratches or saliva in an open wound/mucous membrane.
- Worm infections are spread through contaminated soil, feces or fleas.
- Scabies through skin-to-skin contact.
- Giardia and other parasitic infections are spread through feces.
- There are more diseases, but they often only occur if you are going to work with dogs for a long time. So discuss this well with the place where you are going to do work, an internship or volunteer work.
Where is the best place to work or volunteer with wild dogs, dingoes, and coyotes?
- Australia: dingoes
- Namibia: African wild dogs, often not specifically mentioned but part of 'animal conservation'
- Canada: Coyote projects focussing on co-existence with humans
- Zimbabwe: African wild dogs
What should you consider when working with wild dogs abroad?
- In most jobs and projects with wild animals there will not be direct contact with the animals, be aware of animal welfare debates
- In a dingo shelter you will often come into contact with sick, injured and traumatized dogs.
- Assessing the behavior of these dogs requires experience.
- Make use of the expertise of experienced handlers.





















































