Both the dog and the wolf are mammals of the canine family. If you are asked how to distinguish a wolf from a dog, one thing comes to mind: wolves live in the forest, and dogs live near a person. Often, gray predators can be found in the zoo, where they are practically no different from ordinary yard dogs. However, do not confuse pets with wild dogs such as jackals, hyenas, and the like.
If during a walk through the forest you met a cute dog with kind eyes, do not rush to get to know him more closely, because it can turn out to be an angry and bloodthirsty beast. So, let's figure out how to distinguish a wolf from a dog in the forest. It is worth noting that the size of the animal is not the main thing, because many dogs, such as husky dogs, are very similar to wolves and are very large compared to their wild relatives.
How to distinguish a wolf from a dog
The main signs that are striking are:
- The wolf’s ears are always raised, because the animal simply does not know how to press them.
- The muzzle of a predator is pointed, elongated.
- The wolf moves at a trot. The path along which the animal runs does not exceed the width of the paws in width. If animals move in a pack, then they go along the same road and almost a trail to the next.
- The jaw of a wolf is quite narrow, but stronger than that of a dog. The animal eats very slowly, being afraid to choke, sometimes whimpers, since swallowing food quickly can cause pain.
- The wolf weighs more than a dog, so its tracks in the snow will be visible very clearly. The two middle fingers on the front legs of the predator are longer, while they are closer to each other.
- On average, a wolf weighs from 35 to 55 kg, which indicates its large size.
- Despite the fact that the wolf face is very similar to the face of a German shepherd or husky, it is more powerful and wide.
- The tail of the wolf is not capable of twisting, so it is constantly located horizontally to the ground or down.
- To the question of how to distinguish a wolf from a dog, one more difference can be made: a predator cannot withstand a long high-speed pursuit of a prey, although it can be tracked for days. If a dog immediately kills its prey when it overtakes, then the wolf will tear it to pieces for a long time, because its skull is so anatomically arranged.
Human factor
Above we looked at how to distinguish a wolf from a dog, and now let's find out why these animals have so many differences. There is a natural factor here: for a long time, dogs and people live together, which made it possible to tame the animal and make it his friend. The breeding moment is also important, as a result of which the animals changed in external parameters. Physiological maturation of wolves occurs only by two years, while dogs reach puberty by 7-8 months. However, both animals are very sociable in their environment: wolves communicate howl, and dogs more often bark.
Other differences
The life of dogs was greatly affected by communication with humans. These animals have become our pets, helpers and protectors, which cannot be said about their gray brothers. For example, a wolf during a famine can easily attack a dog and even a person. But the dog is in no hurry to get involved in a battle with a predator, except for self-defense purposes.
In addition, dogs have so adapted to people's lifestyles that their natural nocturnal activity has faded. Now they mostly sleep in the dark, but their forest counterparts are full of strength and energy. Our four-legged friends are distinguished by friendliness, endurance, humility and tolerance. They are very bored when we are not at home, and can not stand long loneliness. Wolves do not need such frequent communication, they love loneliness.
