Wolf vs Dog

Though wolves and dogs are related, one can come across more dissimilarity between the two. The first difference is that dog is domesticated and wolf is only a wild animal.

While dogs are good companions and good pets, wolves are wild and not suited to live with people. In biological terms, wolves belong to canis lupus family and dogs belong to canis familiaris family.

One of the main differences seen is in their physical structure. The wolf is bigger than the dog. The wolf has a longer muzzle than a dog. When comparing their legs, the wolves come with longer legs, larger feet and a broader skull than the dogs.

The wolf and the dog also show difference in their movement. When a wolf run or trot, the hind legs swing in the same line as the front legs. Dogs on the other hand while running places its hind legs between its front legs. This gives the dog a slower movement than the wolves. While a wolf paces, a dog trots.

Moreover, a wolf has a narrow chest with the forelegs pressed into it. Its elbows are turned inward and feet turned outward.

A wolf is a good hunter but a dog has lost this talent because of its domestication. Wolves are much stronger than dogs. Though wolves and dogs have the same number of teeth, the difference is specific. The teeth of a wolf are modified for hunting. Unlike the dogs, the wolves have stronger molars, which helps it to crush largest bones.

Wolves are considered to be more intelligent than the dogs. Wolves are more aware of their environment than the dogs.

A dog barks, while a wolf only howl. While a dog easily learns to howl, a wolf can only make a sharp muffled sounding bark.

When comparing their sexual drive, the female dogs come into “heating” twice a year but female wolves get into “season” only once a year. It has been noticed that only the alpha female wolf or head female wolf is allowed breeding.

Another difference that is noticed is that wolves have strong instincts. They always love to be in pack, even if it is a pack of 2 or more. But dogs do not love to live in packs and they most times are seen fighting each other.

Summary
1.Dog is domesticated and wolf is only a wild animal.
2.Wolves belong to canis lupus family and dogs belong to canis familiaris family.
3.While a wolf paces, a dog trots.
4.A wolf is a good hunter where as a dog has lost this talent because of its domestication