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Hunting Dog

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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HUNTING DOG ( Lycaon pictus ), an African wild dog, differing from the rest of the family in having only four toes on each foot, and its blotched coloration of ochery yellow, black and white. The species is nearly as large as a mastiff, with long limbs, broad Cape Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictus). flat head, short muzzle and large erect ears, and presents a superficial resemblance to the spotted hyena on which account it is sometimes called the hyena-dog. "Mimicry" has been suggested as an explanation of this likeness; but it is difficult to see what advantage a strong animal hunting in packs like the present species can gain by being mistaken for a hyena, as it is in every respect fully qualified to take care of itself. These wild dogs are found in nearly the whole of Africa south and east of the Sahara. The statement of Gordon Cumming that a pack "could run into the swiftest or overcome the largest and most powerful antelope," is abundantly confirmed, and these dogs do great damage to sheep flocks. Several local races of the species have been named.