Much like wolves, coyotes are wild canines that combine beauty with danger, making them particularly gorgeous animals.
Coyotes are- of course- not suitable to be kept as pets due to being wild animals. However, if you find yourself taken with the beauty of the coyote, then there are various breeds that have a similar look to them.
With this in mind, we are going to be looking at over fifteen different dog breeds that look like coyotes. Keep in mind that some of these breeds are the result of crossbreeding with wild animals.
So they are likely to be much more high maintenance and would only be suitable for more experienced dog owners, particularly those who have direct experience with large, powerful breeds.
Let’s get started!
1. The Kugsha Dog
This is one of the most popular dogs that look like coyotes. The Kugsha is a crossbreed of a wolf and husky, which makes it an incredibly strong breed.
They are known for their ability to pull sleds and other heavy objects, as well as their incredible strength.
These dogs are also very smart and trainable, meaning they make great companions for people who enjoy working with animals. Their coats come in many colors, including black, gray, and white.
2. Shikoku Kenji Dog
The Shikoku Kenji dog was originally bred by Japanese farmers to hunt hares, rabbits, and birds. This breed is extremely loyal and protective towards its family members and will do anything for its owner.
They are also known for their intelligence and are able to learn new commands quickly and efficiently.
The Shikoku Kenji has a very similar appearance to the coyote, though it is much larger than the average dog. Its coat comes in several colors, including black, brown, fawn, and gray.
3. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is another breed of dog that looks like a coyote. They are known for their incredible speed and endurance, often used for hunting. The Siberians are intelligent and easy to train, making them excellent companion dogs.
They are also incredibly friendly and are great with children. Much like the coyote, the Siberian Husky has a long, bushy tail that helps it balance while running.
4. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the most common breeds of dogs and is known for its loyalty and obedience. They are also highly intelligent and are able to understand human speech easily.
The German Shepard is also known for their size and strength, capable of pulling up to three times its own weight. German Shepherds are often used to crossbreed with both coyotes and wolves, giving rise to various hybrid breeds.
5. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a rare breed of dog that combines the best qualities of both the wolf and the husky. They are incredibly fast and very agile. It is also very playful and energetic.
The Czechoslovakian wolfdog has many similarities to the coyote, such as having a long bushy tail, and a thick fur coat. They have one of the strongest resemblances to the coyote on this list.
6. Saarloos Wolfdog
The Saarloos Wolfhound is another breed that is incredibly similar to the coyote in terms of looks. They are a rare breed of canine, created by crossing the wolf with the hound.
It is considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs, first created around 1000 years ago.
The Saarloos are known for their loyalty and exceptionally good nature. They are also very intelligent, muscular, and capable of pulling up to five times their own body weight.
They have a very similar look to the coyote, as we said, but can be distinguished by their longer, pointier ears.
7. Tamaskan Dog
The Tamaskan Dog is a rare breed of domestic dog that originated in Russia. They are known for being very loyal and obedient, as well as being incredibly intelligent. The Tamaskans are athletic, too, and are able to swim across rivers and lakes.
Whilst the Tamaskan is closely related to the jackal, it also has several similarities to the coyote, such as their agility and appearance.
8. Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is an extremely popular dog breed and is well suited to families with young children. They are also very loyal and affectionate and make an ideal pet for anyone who wants a dog that is gentle and loving.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog has a lot in common with the coyote, such as their strength and intelligence.
However, the Canadian Eskimo Dog has larger eyes than the coyote, and its nose is more pointed. Also, unlike the coyote, the Canadian Eskimo Dog does not have sharp claws and instead has soft pads on its feet.
9. Native American Indian Dog
The Native American Indian Dog is part of the Canidae family and is close relative to the coyote, bred by crossing the coyote with aboriginal dogs in the Old World over 30,000 years ago.
The Native American Indian Dog was originally native to North America, however now they live all over the world. This is because people started breeding them with other dogs from different countries.
They are extremely strong and powerful and can pull up to four times their own weight. They are also very agile and have excellent hearing.
The Native American Indian Dog has a number of similarities to the coyote, including their coloration, shape, and behavior.
10. Utonagan Dog
The Utonagan Dog is a rare breed that originates from Alaska. It is believed that these dogs were developed to protect Alaskan natives during harsh winters.
These dogs are very loyal and are exceptional guard dogs. They are also very protective of their owners and make great watchdogs.
The Utonagan’s similarities to the coyote range from its size to its hunting abilities. However, the Utonagan Dog has shorter legs than the coyote and has a fluffier coat.
11. Italian Wolfdog
The Italian Wolfdog is a breed of dog that originated in Italy. This breed is incredibly loyal and is said to be incredibly intelligent. The Italian Wolfdog has been used for centuries as a guard dog and is often kept by farmers to protect livestock.
The Italian Wolfdog is also very agile and able to run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
The Italian Wolfdog shares many similarities with the coyote, including their intelligence, their hunting abilities, and their ability to adapt to different environments.
It is important to note that this breed of dog is actually illegal in some countries due to their unpredictability, and taking after their wild relatives.
12. Kunming Wolfdog
The Kunming Wolfdog is another rare breed of dog that was created in China. The Kunming Wolfdog is similar to the wolf but is smaller and lighter.
The Kunming Wolf Dogs are highly trainable and can perform tricks like fetching objects or even jumping through hoops.
The Kunming breed is also known to be very friendly, as well as good hunters that are able to track prey down using their sense of smell.
The Kunming Wolfdog has the agility and speed of the coyote- as well as a similar look- however, they are slightly bigger and better adapted to colder climates.
13. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamutes are a breed of dog originating from Alaska, as their name suggests. Their name comes from the word “malamute” which means ‘wolf dog’.
These dogs are very loyal and gentle and are especially good around children. The Alaskan Malamute is also very intelligent, making for an ideal family pet.
The Alaskan Malamute is also very fast, reaching speeds of up to 45 mph. Their appearance is very similar to that of the coyote, however, they are larger and more muscular.
14. Samoyed
Whilst the Samoyed does not look as much like a coyote as some of the other breeds on this list, it still shares many characteristics with them. For example, both the Samoyed and the coyote are very agile, loud, and capable of running at high speeds.
The Samoyed is also very independent and enjoys being outdoors, like the coyote. Samoyed’s are much more fluffy though and make for great house pets!
15. The Jämthund Dog
The Jämthund is a Swedish breed of dog that looks quite similar to the coyote. This large dog is very powerful and is used for guarding purposes.
The Jämthunds have long hair, and their coat is usually black or dark brown, although there are white Jämthund puppies. They are extremely loyal to their owners and will defend them against intruders.
The Jämhund is also a very smart dog and is able to learn new commands easily It, is well as playful and enjoys spending time with people. However, because of their size and strength, it is advised that you do not leave your Jämthund alone outside.
16. West Siberian Laika
The West Siberian Laika is a breed of dog that originates from Siberia. This dog is very similar to the coyote and is a crossbreed.
The West Siberian Laika is very agile- capable of running at speeds of up to 35mph- as well as being very clever and able to use their keen senses to find food, much like coyotes.
Unlike coyotes, though, the breed is very affectionate!. The West Siberian Laikas are also very hardy due to their Russian origins, able to live in cold weather conditions.
17. East Siberian Laika
Much like its Western counterpart, the East Siberian Laika is a crossbreed and a very agile animal. It is also the more common type of Laika. The East Siberian Laika can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and is a very active, social, and intelligent animal.
The East Siberian Laikas are also incredibly strong, able to pull sleds weighing over 100 pounds. When it comes to their similarities to coyotes, they both share similar traits such as agility, speed, and intelligence.
18. British Lupine Dog
It has been said that the British Lupine Dog was originally bred by wolves and that they were brought to Britain during Roman times, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that they became popular.
In fact, the first lupines were imported into England by King Charles II, who wanted to create a wolf-dog hybrid.
The British Lupine Dog is a medium-sized dog, and is often referred to as a “wolf-hound”. They are very friendly dogs and love to be around people. They are also very protective and intelligent.
These dogs are great hunters and can chase down prey with ease. Despite being hybrids of wolves, they also have similarities to coyotes in that they are very agile, and are able to hunt.
19. Sulimov Dog
The Sulimov dog is a rare breed of dog that originated in Russia and is the hybrid of a domestic dog and a jackal. They were bred in the USSR specifically for security purposes, such as sniffing out contraband and explosives.
The Sulimov has a thick fur coat which helps it stay warm when out hunting, as well as an excellent sense of smell that allows them to follow trails left behind by game.
Much like the coyote, the Sulimov is also very agile and fast, reaching speeds of up to 25 mph and able to jump great heights.
This breed is incredibly rare, with very few in existence, and so whilst they have similarities to coyotes, it wouldn’t be possible to have one as a pet.
20. Northern Inuit Dog
Made famous for playing the roles of the Direwolves in the Game of Thrones television series, the Northern Inuit dogs are very wolf-like but also have similarities to coyotes.
Although they are not native to North America, many people believe them to be descendants of Native American wolves.
The Northern Inuit dogs are known to be loyal and very protective. They are also incredibly intelligent and are able to learn new tricks easily.
Due to their wolf-like nature, the Northern Inuit dogs need lots of exercises and should be kept on leads or leashes while outside. Other similarities that they have to coyotes include being very agile, intelligent, and having a keen sense of smell.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to dogs that look like coyotes, there are definitely some breeds out there that can make for fantastic pets and family members.
Such as German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, and Alaskan Malamutes (as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to care for them, and they have enough space to get all the exercise that they require).
Some of these breeds aren’t as suitable though due to being incredibly rare or being somewhat unpredictable as they are hybrids of domesticated dogs and wild animals.
Make sure that if you are looking to get a dog, do not only choose a dog simply because of its appearance.
Choose your pup based on their personality, whether you are able to provide the care that they need and how well they fit into your home.
If you are interested in getting a dog, make sure that you research the breed before making any decisions!
