Canidae (dogs)

Dogs have 4 toes front and hind with a prominent, triangular pad, and definite claw marks. Front and hind feet are similar in shape and size. The shape of the print alone is not enough to distinguish wild canids from domestic dogs. The entire trail, and where you find it, will be more telling. Wild canids most often walk or trot in a fairly straight line. They place their hind feet directly into the print left by the respective front foot. Domestic dogs produce wandering trails and rarely manage to step accurately into the front feet prints. Coyote (Canis latrans) Front and hind 6.5 x 5 cm, stride = 30 cm (walk: left to right foot). Found throughout southern Manitoba to the north end of Lake Winnipeg. Common in agricultural areas. Wolf (Canis lupus) Front and hind = 11 x 8 cm, stride = 50 cm (walk: left to right foot). Throughout Manitoba, less common in agricultural areas. Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) Front and hind = 6 x 4 cm, stride = 20 cm (walk: left to right foot). Only in extreme northern Manitoba. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Front and hind = 6 x 4 cm, stride = 20 cm (walk: left to right foot). Throughout the province. Grey Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Front = 5 x 3.5 cm , stride = 17 cm (walk: left to right foot). Only in extreme southern part of province. Dog (Canis domesticus) Front and hind feet from 3 x 2.5 cm to 11 x 8 cm , stride = 15 - 50 cm (walk: left to right foot). It is difficult to discount domestic dogs whenever "dog-type" tracks are encountered.