Coyote vs. Dog tracks

I have been hunting all of my life, killed many coyotes and bobcats, but have never paid much attention to their tracks. I live in a sparsely populated acreage subdivision, so there are no loose dogs that I have seen. I saw some fresh tracks next to my house and was wondering if there is a way to tell the difference between coyote and dog tracks. We have a small dog and don't want it to turn to coyote food when we let it out. Thought maybe some of you guys could help?? Thanks

i'd say telling the difference could be next to impossible if were the right dog. more importantly, however, is that coyotes are VERY common in areas like you described and they do quite well feeding on pets. There have been to instances where I have seen coyotes try to take out one of our dogs while we were standing right there. I live in an area with a good bit of city too. Be careful.

http://www.bear-tracker.com/coyote.html

http://www.bear-tracker.com/dog.html

This what I have been told by a Wildlife Biologist, and so far it has held water. Look at the "X" spacing between the pads. A coyotes will have a much more pronounced spacing than a domestic dog. Also you can determine by the claw/toe spacing, coyotes are more splayed,where a dogs are more spearhead shaped(is that the right word?). That is for an individual print. If you have multiples, then you can tell by the gate.

Chupa

No way to tell.

With all due respect, bull. First, coyote tracks will be in a single line, dog tracks will be spread out left and right. Coyote tracks will usually only show the middle two nails I(but may show more), while dog tracks will usually show all the nails. Coyote tracks tend to also be narrower and more oval than dog tracks that tend to be rounder.

Coyote tracks:



Comparison:

Bob is spot on with his response! You see enough tracks, you can most definately tell the difference.

Thanks a lot everyone for the responses and advice. I will definitely take a second look. It would be bad if something happened to her dog. If momma aint happy nobody is happy!

sorry trapper, there is a way to tell. coyotes are noticeably narrower then dog tracks, especially on the back foot. Bob's pic illustrates this perfectly.

I'm not going to argue with the predator shooters on here but after 20 years of trapping I can tell you that if you have canine tracks that travel a considerable distance, like down a muddy road, then yes you will see the wild canine moving in a straight line. The domestic canine will likely have a more random route.

As for the size, there are too many breeds of domestic canine to rely on size as an accurate indicator.

As for using the claw print, it is relative to the softness of the surface where the track was made. If a dog track and a coyote track are left in the same surface at about the same time then you would likely be able to tell the difference but not if left at differing times when the conditions of the ground are different.

I assumed from your post you just have some tracks near your house and not much more than that which is why I advised without more information such as when they were left or the distance they were visable you would not be able to tell the diference.

BTW this is from actual experience rather than googleing for the information and example photos.

ouch

Just off the top of my head thinking about what I have seen in the yard from my own pooches, I cannot recall seeing one of their prints with all claws showing like in that pic. I ll take a closer peek next time.

Not sure if this remark is directed towards me or Bob, doesn't really matter. Bob is a respected predator hunter as I'm sure you yourself are a respected trapper. I would value both of your opinions equally. As for myself, I have been hunting/calling coyotes for quite some years now(not as much as some and probably not as long as you've been trapping) and I do know that in order for a coyote to be called, a coyote must be in the area. Meaning part of my duties is looking for signs that coyote may or may not be within earshot. So I've spent some time looking at prints in the dirt along with some other less pleasant signs looking for whether I see berries or fur in it.

As far as Googleing my information, I didn't have to search for it, I knew exactly where it was because I have researched it before. Both in the field and online. BTW, I pulled it from another website that I'm a member of that is dedicated to Predator Hunting and then I consulted my crystal ball to see if the info was accurate

Take care brother!
Chupa

Nice post bob

So was mine.

Interesting thread. Did you ever figure out what it was?

Hit the nail on the head there Bob! Great information!

I live in the stix myself, and have often seen both, but I would throw out a game camera or spend some time out while the moon is getting full and listen for coyotes or try a howler or howling tape to get a vocal confirmation on the local pack. Tracks can be difficult to read at best when fresh and almost useless in just a few hours. And by the way I have seen what a pack of three pitbulls can do to cattle, I'd rather have the coyotes. I know I just proposed some overtime work for ya, but if keeping poochie alive maintains domestic tranquility it just might be worth it, good luck.

coyote tracks are not near as wide as a dog of the same size dog tracks speard out more when they step , coyotes feet are more narrow when walking ,
also if your dogs small i wouldnt let it out alone any way owls , hawks , an coyotes or dogs could grab it , i work for animal control and there are lots of coyotes bobcats an every other critters in the city ,

think of it like this...coyote are oval if you draw a circle around them....dog is more round

18 replies and the one most discriminating difference has not been told of, and it is the way you tell.

the front two claws are narrow and point in.

straight line, Bob? lol.