Coydog: Your Complete Guide
Coydogs are some of the most interesting dogs you can find. You won’t find a dog that looks more like a coyote anywhere else, which gives them a unique appearance and a cult-like following. That said, coydogs don’t just look like coyotes; they have a little bit of coyote in them.
Coydogs are the result of breeding male coyotes with a female dog. These dogs aren’t to be mistaken for dogotes, which have a dog father and a coyote mother. The result of the breeding between these dogs is a dog that shares traits with a coyote and the dog that it was bred with. What’s more, most coyotes are fertile so that the breed can continue for multiple generations.
While this breed is unique and interesting, it’s one of the rarest breeds to come across. Their mating season is only in January, February, and March, which leaves a limited window for mating.
Aside from the overall rarity and uniqueness of this breed, it’s important to note that this dog is less well-behaved than traditional dog breeds, so you need to know what you’re getting yourself into when you adopt one. Fortunately, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn more about the coydog to see if it fits your family well.
Quick Look at the Coydog
Below is a glance at the coydog in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 60 to 120 pounds, 22 to 28 inches at the shoulder |
| Coat Type | Medium-length, coarse, multi-color |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Standoffish, unpredictable, curious |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 5-15 years |
What Is the History of Coydogs?
Coydogs can trace their history back to Mexico during the 20th century. The breed was purposely created because coyotes were highly regarded in Mexico. Coydogs were bred to protect homes, farms, and individual families during the 20th century.
That said, there isn’t much history about coydogs besides where they first started getting bred. For example, they began in the city of Teotihuacan, which was a common place to find coyotes, wolves, and dog hybrids.
Aside from their history in Mexico, coydogs were also thought to be present in large numbers in places like Pennsylvania, New York, and even New Jersey. However, as time passed, more people discovered that these were likely naturally occurring coyotes that had different shades of red than coyotes from the West Coast.
Today, many coydogs can still trace their heritage to Mexico, but the abundance of coyotes scored in the United States has made it easier for breeders to get their hands on more coyotes across the continent. This has also led to different genetic variations. For example, some Canadian coydogs have a different appearance than Mexican coydogs.
What Do Coydogs Look Like?
Coydogs look like, well, coyotes. The major difference in appearance is that coydogs have smaller legs and longer hair. These are the traits that they inherit from the dog parent. On the other hand, some coydogs will also have different color variations from traditional coyote colors.
For example, many coydogs can have white, brown, or even black hair, which is uncommon among your average coyote. Their coats are medium in length and they usually maintain the dense undercoat that coyotes have – Undercoats are soft and thick, but their topcoats are more coarse.
Coydogs have other coyote-like features as well. They have pointy ears, long snouts, and eyes that look like they pierce right through your very soul. Their head is flat between the ears, and they usually have a muscular body accompanied by a fluffy and long tail.
While their legs are shorter and their hair is longer, they typically look like a slightly smaller coyote all around.
What Size Is a Coydog?
Coydogs are large dogs, but there is a lot of size variation. This is because the size of a coydog comes down to the dog that’s bred with the coyote. On the low end, coydogs can weigh as little as 60 pounds, but on the high end, some weigh close to 130 pounds. The sex of the dog can also impact its weight. Male coydogs will typically weigh more than their female counterparts.
When it comes to height, there is also a lot of variation. Some coydogs are shorter than average and only stand at around 22 inches at the shoulder, whereas others may reach heights of 30 inches at the shoulder.
What Is a Coydog’s Coat Type and Length?
Coydogs have a medium-length coat that’s coarse and thick to the touch. This hair is straight, and they maintain a dense undercoat that sheds during the spring and fall months. The undercoat helps them stay warm in the winter and reflects light from the sun during the summer.
Most coydogs have straight or slightly wavy hair, but some variations may occur due to different dog breeds being mixed with coyotes.
What Is a Coydog’s Temperament?
Coydogs have temperaments that resemble a dog and a coyote at times. Picture a combination of a dog and a coyote, and that’s the temperament you’re left with.
The traits that coydogs get from their dog parents usually include loyalty, trainability, and their desire to protect a family.
On the other hand, their coyote parents provide them with traits that are more suitable for wild environments. Therefore, many coydogs will be standoffish towards strangers and may even get aggressive without the proper training.
Aside from these traits, it’s also important to note that they don’t always behave like dogs. While they might like a walk here and there, they’re not as outgoing or social as your average canine companion.
Are Coydogs Good With Kids?
Coydogs aren’t the best with kids. While they can be friendly with kids once they open up to the whole family, they can get aggressive if they’re hurt. Additionally, they have prey instincts and might harm your child if you don’t keep an eye on them. This applies to children of all ages, especially toddlers and children who may accidentally hurt the dog during rough play sessions.
Are Coydogs Good With Other Animals?
Coydogs are okay with other animals once they’ve been around them for a long time. Since coydogs are half wild animals, it’s not uncommon for them to chase smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, mice, and even cats. However, if they live with these animals for extended periods, you shouldn’t have to worry as much.
To improve their cooperation with other animals, it’s best to provide coydogs with socialization training from a young age. The younger, the better with coydogs, so aim for 3 to 6 months.
Are Coydogs Aggressive?
Coydogs aren’t necessarily more aggressive than other dogs, but they have coyote genes. This makes their behavior unpredictable compared to other breeds, which may lead to aggression and standoffish behavior.
Thankfully, this can always be trained out with a consistent training regimen. Also, you have to behave like the pack leader, or they may even begin to challenge you.
While coydogs can be more aggressive than other breeds, they’re also more shy than other breeds. Ultimately, it depends on the individual dog and how they’re trained.
Do Coydogs Bark?
Coydogs bark like any other dog, but they also howl. When strangers pass by or enter their territory, they may bark, howl, or even growl. While they’re not as vocal as huskies, coydogs will make their opinions well known.
Are Coydogs Affectionate?
No, coydogs are not affectionate. When trained properly, they will be loyal to their owners, but they’re not the type of dog to cuddle up or try to sit on your lap. Moreover, coydogs are unpredictable and may even lash out at their owners when they feel unhappy or challenge their pack leader.
Are Coydogs Intelligent?
Coydogs are intelligent. They love to snoop around and learn about their environment, so make sure you have plenty of space for them to establish a territory.
When providing them space to play, it’s best to fence it off and avoid leaving room for them to escape because they will at the first chance. Coydogs are also smart enough to train and can handle complex tasks (when they feel like it).
Are Coydogs Energetic?
Coydogs are an energetic breed that needs to be walked once or twice per day. If you have a backyard, it’s also a good idea to play with them, train them, or let them wander around. This can help you expend some of their energy. That said, coydogs have a mind of their own, so their energy levels can fluctuate.
Are Coydogs Easy to Train?
Coydogs are hard to train. If you’re not a professional and don’t know how to assert your dominance, coydogs won’t respect you. The lack of respect results in a dog that won’t learn new tasks or even bother with training. If you’re not a professional and want to train your coydog, take them to a professional.
Are Coydogs Good Watchdogs?
Coydogs are great watchdogs. They’re alert, brave, and standoffish with strangers, so they’ll let you know when someone is approaching. Plus, their bark or howl is hard to miss. Coydogs are naturally territorial, so you won’t even have to train them to become a watchdog. They’ll do so on their own.
Are Coydogs Good Service Dogs?
No, coydogs are not good service dogs. They’re one of the few dog breeds that should not be a service dog because of their unpredictability. In fact, coydogs aren’t even legal in some states.
For these reasons, they’re not good for physical or psychiatric service dog work. While you can train them to complete complex tasks, coydogs won’t carry out the commands from someone they don’t respect as a pack leader.
Coydogs are also bad emotional support animals. While you can register one as an ESA if they’re legal in your state, their unpredictable behavior can get you kicked out of housing because they might bark at people or even get aggressive with them. This also applies to therapy dog work.
How to Care for a Coydog?
Coydogs are low-maintenance dogs that like to maintain their independence, so you don’t have to do much to care for them. They’re also low maintenance when it comes to grooming needs, so you only have to focus on keeping them happy, healthy, and well-fed.
It’s important to note that coydogs do have an unpredictable personality, so caring for them starts with being the pack leader at home. Train them to the best of your ability to make sure they respect you. Otherwise, caring for a coydog will be a nightmare.
Do You Need to Groom a Coydog?
Coydogs don’t need to be groomed often, and they’re a relatively low-maintenance dog. You should only bathe them when they’re dirty and give them time outdoors to have them trim their own nails by digging and playing.
That said, having them examined by a groomer every 6 months doesn’t hurt. If they get exceptionally dirty, use shampoo that doesn’t mess with the natural oils present in their coats. You can also brush their coat a few times a week to manage shedding and prevent matting.
Do Coydogs Shed?
Coydogs do shed. They have a thick undercoat that sheds a lot during the spring and fall months. Otherwise, their shedding is minimal compared to some other dog breeds. This is because coyotes aren’t known for their shedding.
What Health Problems Do Coydogs Have?
Coydogs have a wide range of illnesses that can impact their health. Aside from dealing with common dog health issues, like hip and elbow dysplasia, they also struggle with some problems that coyotes deal with. For example, it’s common to find coydogs with illnesses like parasites, mange, and dental health problems.
Some other notable conditions include arthritis, allergies, and Leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis causes headaches, digestive problems, fever, and other severe problems that can lead to death. It’s also important to note that this condition can spread to humans and cause similar symptoms. That said, this illness is more common in warm climates and less likely to occur in coydogs that have been bred by professionals in a safe environment.
Many of the health conditions that develop in coydogs can be avoided by adopting one from a reputable breeder. Finding coydogs in the wild increases the likelihood of these illnesses being present in your new canine companion. Regular vet checkups, exercise, and a healthy diet can also improve your coydog’s longevity.
How Long Do Coydogs Live?
There is a lot of variation in a coydog’s lifespan. This is because you have to consider coydogs in and out of captivity. In captivity, with a loving owner who knows how to care for them, coydogs can live as long as 15 years. On the other hand, in the wild, they might only make it 5-7 years due to mistreatment, illness, and being hunted.
Also, coydogs might not live as long if they’re not fed their appropriate diet.
What Should a Coydog Eat?
Coydogs don’t have your average canine diet. Instead, you need to find food that appeals to their coyote nature. This means that you’ll want to incorporate some raw meat into their diet for the best level of success. When feeding a dog raw meat, it’s essential that the meat comes from reputable sources and doesn’t contain harmful bacteria.
Aside from raw meat, it’s also important to make sure coydogs get fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. These can be found in kibble that’s designed for high-energy dogs.
When feeding a coydog, it’s always best to consult with your vet to find the right diet.
Is a Coydog the Right Dog for Me?
Coydogs are a unique dog breed that’s not for everyone. You’re getting a combination of coyote and dog genes in a canine companion, so you need to weigh this heavily before you consider adoption.
That said, coydogs can be a good fit for you if you have experience training dogs and acting as a pack leader. If you have a weak mind towards them or don’t stand your ground when they act up, these dogs will give you a hard time.
People who don’t have children and have a lot of open spaces are also a good fit for the coydog. They like to have their own space to roam and don’t always get along with children, so make sure you bring them into the right environment.
On the other hand, you may want to avoid coydogs if you’re not experienced with dogs. If you’ve never trained a dog before, these dogs can make your experience miserable. Also, ensure that you have enough space before adopting. Coydogs aren’t suitable for apartments and other confined spaces because they might feel threatened.
Despite the concerns, coydogs aren’t inherently dangerous and can make great companions with the right training, care, and attention. Just ensure you have the time to commit to a coydog before adopting.