[Coyoteman]

Are coyotes and domestic dogs two different races of canines?

Or are domestic dogs several hundred different "races" -- mostly the AKC breeds -- with coyotes being just another breed?

Actually a difficult question.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) and dogs (Canis familiaris) are classified as different species, which implies they do not interbreed. While this may be true for the most part, coyotes can interbreed with both dogs and wolves (Canis lupus/rufus).

The differences among these three Canis species is far greater than the difference among various breeds of dog.

I am not sure if the term "race" applies, as that term has many meanings and still is poorly defined. However, if you use it to mean visible differences it would probably work for dog breeds.

[Hawthorn]

> Coyotes (Canis latrans) and dogs (Canis familiaris) are classified as different species, which implies they do not interbreed. While this may be true for the most part, coyotes can interbreed with both dogs and wolves (Canis lupus/rufus). <

If one were to take the above practice as a guideline, then the Eskimos and the Australian aborigines would constitute different species, since they generally don't interbreed -- even though presumably they "can" do so!

[brytlea]

Are you sure about this?

The differences among these three Canis species is far greater than the difference among various breeds of dog.

I was under the impression that DNA testing could not tell if a dog was part wolf, altho that may no longer be true. Here is a reference:

http://www.idir.net/~wolf2dog/genetic1.htm

susie