Dog vs. Wolf: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on January 24, 2024
A dog is a domesticated canine bred for companionship, work, or show, while a wolf is a wild carnivorous mammal, ancestor to the dog, living in packs and hunting in coordinated groups.
Difference Between Dog and Wolf
Dogs and wolves, both members of the Canidae family, share a common ancestry. The dog, through centuries of domestication and selective breeding, has evolved into a myriad of breeds, each tailored to specific human needs or aesthetics. Wolves, on the other hand, have remained wild animals, adapted to specific habitats and equipped for predatory life in the wild.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Dogs have developed behaviors and temperaments that align with human companionship and work. From guarding livestock to being affectionate family pets, dogs are intrinsically bonded with humans. Wolves, while intelligent and often portrayed with a certain mystique, remain wild creatures, driven by instincts honed for survival, hunting, and pack dynamics.
Muazma Batool
Jan 20, 2024
The physical differences between dogs and wolves can be notable. While there's a wide variety of dog sizes and appearances due to selective breeding, wolves have a more uniform appearance designed for endurance, hunting, and survival. Most wolves are larger than the average dog, with bigger paws, longer legs, and a more robust physique.
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Jan 20, 2024
In terms of communication, dogs have adapted to understand and respond to human cues, both verbal and non-verbal. They've learned to live in harmony with people, understanding many of our commands and emotions. Wolves communicate primarily with their pack, using vocalizations, body postures, and scents to convey messages crucial for group hunting and hierarchy.
Lucas
Jan 20, 2024
Lastly, while dogs primarily rely on humans for food, shelter, and care, wolves are apex predators in their ecosystems. A wolf's diet consists of prey they've hunted, be it large ungulates or smaller animals, while a dog's diet is often provided by their human caretakers, tailored to their specific health and nutritional needs.
Lucas
Jan 20, 2024
Dog vs. Wolf Comparison Chart
Dog vs. Wolf Definitions
◉Dog
A domesticated mammal bred for various purposes like companionship, herding, or guarding.
She adopted a dog from the shelter last week.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
A wild carnivorous mammal that is the largest member of the dog family and lives in packs.
The wolf howled in the distance, haunting the night.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris syn. Canis lupus subsp. familiaris) occurring as a wide variety of breeds, many of which are traditionally used for hunting, herding, drawing sleds, and other tasks, and are kept as pets.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
Any of several carnivorous mammals of the genus Canis, especially the gray wolf of northern regions, that typically live and hunt in packs.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of a fox or a domesticated breed.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
(Slang)A man who habitually makes aggressive sexual advances to women.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
A harshness in some tones of a bowed stringed instrument produced by defective vibration.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
Something of inferior or low quality
"The President had read the speech to some of his friends and they told him it was a dog" (John P. Roche).
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
Dissonance in perfect fifths on a keyboard instrument tuned to a system of unequal temperament.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
To eat greedily or voraciously:"The town's big shots were ... wolfing down the buffet"(Ralph Ellison).
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
Any of several related canines that resemble Canis lupus in appearance, especially those of the genus Canis.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
Any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for gripping or holding heavy objects.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
(music) A wolf tone or wolf note.
The soft violin solo was marred by persistent wolves.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
(figurative) Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially, want; starvation.
They toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door.
the bee wolf
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
One of the destructive, and usually hairy, larvae of several species of beetles and grain moths.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To track or trail persistently
"A stranger then is still dogging us" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
A white worm which infests granaries, the larva of Nemapogon granella, a tineid moth.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To hold or fasten with a mechanical device
"Watertight doors and hatches were dropped into place and dogged down to give the ship full watertight integrity" (Tom Clancy).
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To be persistently or inescapably associated with
Questions about his youthful indiscretions dogged him throughout his career.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To be recurrently or persistently in the mind; haunt
Despair dogged him in his final years.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
The species Canis familiaris (sometimes designated Canis lupus familiaris), domesticated for thousands of years and of highly variable appearance because of human breeding.
The dog barked all night long.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
To make amorous advances to many women; to hit on women; to cruise for sex.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
Any member of the family Canidae, including domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes, and their relatives extant and extinct; canid.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
Any one of several species of wild and savage carnivores belonging to the genus Canis and closely allied to the common dog. The best-known and most destructive species are the European wolf (Canis lupus), the American gray, or timber, wolf (Canis occidentalis), and the prairie wolf, or coyote. Wolves often hunt in packs, and may thus attack large animals and even man.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
The meat of this animal, eaten as food:
Did you know that in South Korea, they eat dog?
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
One of the destructive, and usually hairy, larvæ of several species of beetles and grain moths; as, the bee wolf.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
Fig.: Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially, want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
An eating ulcer or sore. Cf. Lupus.
If God should send a cancer upon thy face, or a wolf into thy side.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
(derogatory) Someone who is cowardly, worthless, or morally reprehensible.
Come back and fight, you dogs!
You dirty dog.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
The harsh, howling sound of some of the chords on an organ or piano tuned by unequal temperament.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
Any of various mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening something, particularly with a tooth-like projection.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A click or pallet adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel, to restrain the back action.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
German classical scholar who claimed that the Iliad and Odyssey were composed by several authors (1759-1824)
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A metal support for logs in a fireplace.
The dogs were too hot to touch.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A hot dog: a frankfurter, wiener, or similar sausage; or a sandwich made from this.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
A person who habitually harasses or exploits others, especially women.
He's known as a wolf around the office, always flirting inappropriately.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
To devour greedily.
He wolfed down his dinner as if he hadn't eaten for days.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
An instrument used to correct the tuning of a musical instrument.
The piano tuner used a wolf to adjust the pitch.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
◉Wolf
A loud and harsh sound made by some electronic devices.
The old radio emitted a wolf when the dial was turned.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
(informal) Something that performs poorly.
That modification turned his Dodge hemi into a dog.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
(transitive) To follow in an annoying or harassing way.
The woman cursed him so that trouble would dog his every step.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To fasten a hatch securely.
It is very important to dog down these hatches.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To watch, or participate, in sexual activity in a public place.
I admit that I like to dog at my local country park.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To intentionally restrict one's productivity as employee; to work at the slowest rate that goes unpunished.
A surprise inspection of the night shift found that some workers were dogging it.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A quadruped of the genus Canis, esp. the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch.
What is thy servant, which is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A fellow; - used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
One of the two constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor, or the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog. Canis Major contains the Dog Star (Sirius).
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
To hunt or track like a hound; to follow insidiously or indefatigably; to chase with a dog or dogs; to worry, as if by dogs; to hound with importunity.
I have been pursued, dogged, and waylaid.
Your sins will dog you, pursue you.
Eager ill-bred petitioners, who do not so properly supplicate as hunt the person whom they address to, dogging him from place to place, till they even extort an answer to their rude requests.
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds;
the dog barked all night
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
a dull unattractive unpleasant girl or woman;
she got a reputation as a frump
she's a real dog
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
a smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
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Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
metal supports for logs in a fireplace;
the andirons were too hot to touch
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
go after with the intent to catch;
The policeman chased the mugger down the alley
the dog chased the rabbit
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A derogatory term used to describe someone unattractive or untrustworthy.
He called him a dog for betraying the team.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A device or tool with a specific function.
Use that dog to secure the wood in place.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023
◉Dog
A persistent trouble or problem.
That software bug has been a dog for the developers.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023
Dog vs. Wolf Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dog a descendant of the wolf?
Yes, dogs are believed to have descended from wolves through domestication thousands of years ago.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Do dogs and wolves share a similar diet?
While both are carnivores, domesticated dogs have a more varied diet, often including commercial dog food, while wolves primarily hunt prey.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Are there any dogs that look like wolves?
Yes, some dog breeds like the Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky bear a physical resemblance to wolves.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Is it legal to keep a wolf as a pet?
In most areas, keeping a wolf as a pet is either illegal or requires special permits due to their wild nature and potential danger.
Kaitlyn
Jan 20, 2024
What makes a dog different from a wolf genetically?
While they share a large portion of their DNA, selective breeding has introduced genetic variations in dogs not present in wild wolves.
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Jan 20, 2024
Can a dog and a wolf mate?
Yes, dogs and wolves can interbreed and produce viable offspring called wolfdogs.
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Jan 20, 2024
Can wolves be domesticated like dogs?
Wolves are wild animals and, while they can be tamed, do not undergo the same domestication process as dogs.
Muazma Batool
Jan 20, 2024
How do dogs and wolves communicate differently?
Dogs have adapted to understand human cues, whereas wolves primarily communicate with pack members using vocalizations and body language.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Do all dogs have a common ancestor with wolves?
Yes, all dog breeds share a common ancestry with the gray wolf.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Do wolves and dogs have similar lifespans?
Generally, wolves in the wild have shorter lifespans due to environmental dangers, while domesticated dogs can live longer with proper care.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 20, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
