The term coydog refers to a hybrid dog created by mating a male coyote with a female dog. They are very similar to the dogote, however, they should not be confused, as a dogote is a hybrid resulting from the mating between a male dog and a coyote mother.
How to identify a coydog is something many people wonder about as they are very similar to a coyote. To tell the difference between a coydog and a coyote, you’ll need to know about the distinctive characteristics that will help you tell them apart.
Being the mixture of a wild animal and a domestic dog, coydogs present the characteristics of both parents. What’s more, since the resulting hybrids of both sexes are fertile, they can successfully breed. Since this kind of crossbreeding has occurred for so long, it’s difficult to determine the percentages of wild hybrids.
Before you scroll down this coyote and dog mix guide, check out: Pomeranian Cockapoo Mix Dog Breed Guide! (2023) and Vietnamese Hmong Dog: The Dog Cat Mix Breed! What You Should Know! (2023).
Are Coydogs Rare?
There are several reasons why coydogs are not very common. Can a coyote mate with a domestic dog? Yes, they can. But the truth is that coyotes and domestic dogs don’t get along very easily.
Coyotes have a wild instinct and tend to turn aggressive in the presence of other animals or people. The breeding occurs when coyotes expand into new areas and can’t find a mate. In that case, this results in mating with another dog.
Another reason is that the mating season of dogs and coyotes doesn’t occur at the same time. The mating season for coyotes is a short period during the winter, while it takes place during the spring for dogs. Due to the interaction with humans, dogs’ mating season has been altered, to the point they can reproduce all year around.
Coydogs are also rare because dogs and coyotes don’t form pair bonds. As a result, only the mother cares for the litter, which significantly reduces the survival of the puppies.
How to Identify a Coydog?
To identify coydogs, it’s important to know their main characteristics. For one, the appearance may vary depending on the breed of the (dog) parent. In general, they keep several distinctive traits from the (coyote) parent, especially when it comes to their physics and strength.
They are medium to large in size, strong, and athletic. Coydogs have a wild side, which is inherited from the coyote. They are used to hunting for survival, which makes them agile and energetic. For that reason, this kind of dog needs to be active. In other words, long hikes and brisk walking need to be part of their daily routine. Otherwise, they will resort to undesirable and destructive behavior.
They have a bushy tail that points downward, eyes that are generally brown, upright triangular ears, and a long muzzle. If you were wondering how to identify a coydog, don’t trust their coat as they typically maintain the dense sable coloration of the coyote parent. In rare cases, they are white, brown, or black.
The main question up to this point is, how do you tell a coydog from a coyote? You’ll need to pay attention to their tail, muzzle, and ears. They also generally have a white face mask that’s not typical in coyotes. One last little detail is that while they can howl like a coyote, they can also bark like a dog.
Is It Possible My Dog Is Part Coyote?
Once you know the main characteristics of coydogs, you may be able to determine if your dog is a part coyote.
Most of the time, the crossbreed of other species produces sterile offspring as in the case of the mule. In the case of coydogs, the offspring can still reproduce. If you’re wondering whether your dog may be a part coyote, then there’s a slight chance it is.
To determine if your pet is a part coyote, you must focus on characteristics that differentiate a coyote from a dog, as well as their behavior. Here’s what you need to pay attention to:
- Coyotes are sleeker built. They look skinnier and more slender than regular dogs.
- While dogs tend to have an alert tail that wags, that’s not the case with a coyote’s tail. If your dog’s tail is bushy and drooping, this might be an indicator that he’s a part coyote.
- Coyotes have pointed muzzles that are uncommon in some dog breeds. This is the first thing you will notice that will make you wonder if your dog may be a part coyote.
- A flatter forehead is also a distinctive coyote characteristic. You should pay attention if your dog has a smoother forehead in comparison to other dogs.
Are Coydogs Friendly?
It’s important to understand that coydogs can adopt the personality of any of the parents. This means that they can have the manageable behavior of a domestic dog or the wild behavior of a coyote. As a result, coyotes can be either gentle and friendly or fearful and aggressive.
You need to keep in mind that coydogs are energetic and agile, they need daily exercise to stay active. Otherwise, they may turn to destructive practices to burn off excess energy. It is best to take coydogs on walks or hikes and engage them in long hours of high-intensity play.
While there have been cases in which a coydog can live around a family, they don’t get along with strangers and may be unpredictable. These kinds of dogs are more of a one-person pet, as they create a kind of bond that they respect.
If you decide to have a coydog as a pet, you’ll need to be prepared for rigorous training.
Can You Own a Coydog?
Once you’ve learned about the physical characteristics and the general aspects of coydogs’ behavior, it’s only natural to wonder: can you own a coydog? Legally speaking, there is no widespread prohibition to owning this hybrid breed.
It’s important to know, however, that this kind of dog has a wild strike that you need to understand and work around. They can adapt to domestic life, but that will require patience, training, and extensive knowledge of their territorial instincts and possible aggression.
Understanding your dog’s behavior and respecting its space is the best chance you have to help him get used to life around a family.
Are Coydogs Good Pets?
To determine if Coydogs are good pets, you’ll need to learn as much as you can about their temperament. Once again, this dog is a hybrid created by the crossbreed of wild and domestic animals.
They can have the shy and gentle temperament of a domestic dog as well as the aggressive behavior of a wild animal. They have to be cared for by someone that understands them well.
There have been cases in which, being raised from a very young age, coydogs bond with an entire family and have friendly behavior. However, Coydogs are more of a pet for a single individual. They become attached to one individual whom they tend to protect and respect.
As for their health, coydogs have the hardiness and fit for survival as their wild ancestors. However, there are genetic diseases you need to take into account if you’re thinking of taking a Coydog as your pet.
Coydogs are susceptible to the following diseases:
- Hip dysplasia happens when the hip joints don’t fit together correctly. It presents in the first years of life but you’ll probably not notice it until later in life.
- Elbow dysplasia, like hip dysplasia, will start affecting your dog in the early years, but you won’t notice it until arthritis gets severe as the dog ages.
- Arthritis.
On other aspects, such as grooming, coydogs are very low maintenance. Depending on the dog breed that mates with the coyote, their fur will only require some brushing every once in a while. Whenever you do this, you may also take the time to check the skin for allergies and irritation. Trimming their nails periodically is also recommended.
If you want your coydog to be part of your family, he will need to be highly trained and you’ll need to be ready for unexpected behavior. Coydogs have the traits of wild animals, so you should always keep that in mind.
Can You Keep a Coyote as a Pet?
There are several reasons why a coyote is not a good animal to keep as a pet. While they may look like adorable puppies, you’ll need to remember that they are wild animals.
Here are some of the main reasons why it’s not a good idea to keep a coyote as a pet.
First, it’s illegal to own a coyote in many states as it’s considered a dangerous wild animal. If you live in a state where it is legal, there are other things you need to consider.
It is not possible to domesticate an adult coyote. No matter how prepared you think you are, coyotes are wild animals by nature, which makes it impossible to change their base behavior.
These wild animals need to be kept in a secure, well-fenced area. Coyotes are very clever animals that use jumping, climbing, and digging to get around. With this information, you may imagine the kind of fence you’ll need. At least six feet high, solid, and buried at least 12 inches deep, so they will not dig under the fence to escape. No matter what, you can’t let them walk around freely.
Taking your coyote for a walk and around dogs or people is out of the question. They will respond to their wild behavior and endanger other dogs and even people they come across.
Coyotes need to be kept on a healthy diet and be fed at least two times a day, and maybe even more frequently. When a coyote is not fed properly, it can turn its attention to your other small pets, livestock, or chickens for food.
Socializing with a coyote will also be a challenge. The first encounter with an unknown person may be a terrifying experience, as they tend to turn defensive and aggressive.
Can You Befriend a Coyote?
It is possible to domesticate wild animals like coyotes, and they are more difficult to raise as pets than dogs. The wild has given them feral impulses to survive. Although some humans have successfully domesticated wild coyotes, such practices are not recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally speaking, coydogs are not ideal pets. They are likely to bond with only one person, if at all, and their temperament can vary wildly between timid and aggressive.
It’s possible for a coyote and a house dog to breed. When a male coyote mates with a female dog, the result is a coydog.
Coyotes are known to attack smaller dogs when an opportunity presents itself.
Conclusion for “Coydog: Dog Breed Information”
As we’ve seen, coydogs and coyotes share similar physical characteristics like their thick fur coat and other conduct traits, especially their unpredictable behavior.
While coydogs may be a good pet for a single person, rigorous training will be still necessary as well as other precautions.
On the other hand, coyotes are for many reasons, not the best animal to have as a pet. For once, they are illegal in many states in the US and they have a wild instinct that no diligent training will tame.
For more mixed breed guides similar to this Coydog article, check out:
- Catahoula Blue Heeler Mix Information, Facts, and Images! (2023)
- Auggie Dog Information, Facts, Images! (2023)
- Beagle Aussie Mix Breed Information, Facts, Images! (2023)
You can learn more about the Coydog mix by watching “German Shepherd Coyote Mix: Is This Breed Safe?” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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