|
|
| Tracks and signs left by domestic dogs of any breed. |
|
Canis domesticus |
 |
|
Dog Track Note: The size of dog tracks varies widely due to the many different breeds of dog tracks. The shape can vary as well. Some are more elongated, having what is called the "hare foot." Others appear more like the track above. Where possible, I indicate the breed that left the track, but this was not always possible. Just be aware that there is enormous variation in dog track shapes and sizes. |
|
|
 |
|
This is the front track
of a domestic dog. Notice that the heel* pad is
larger than in the hind track, below. The hind
track also appears narrower, with the toes less
splayed out. Claw marks show and there are four
toes. However, there will be tracks in which the
claws don't show. This track was made by the same
dog as the track below. |
 |
|
The hind track of a domestic dog. This is the hind foot. It was made by the same dog that left the track above. Notice that the hind paw is more oval or egg-shaped in overall outline. Claw marks show clearly in this print. Also notice the bulge in the center of the track, where the "negative space" is. This bulge is characteristic of dog tracks. The outer toes are more triangular in shape rather than teardrop-shaped like those of felines. |
 |
|
Right front track of domestic dog. You can see the dewclaw as well as the carpal pad in this photo. The dewclaw is the imprint to the left just below the metacarpal (palm) pad. The imprint in the lower right corner of the photo is the carpal pad, which does not usually show up in tracks. The animal has to be moving fast, or jumping for this complete a track to show up. Some species have dewclaws on their hind feet, but generally this is a feature of front feet. The carpal pad is found only on the front foot. |
 |
| A hind track of a domestic dog. |
 |
| This digging in sand was done by a domestic dog. |
 |
|
A nice dog track in sand. The bulge in the center of the track, between the toes and the heel pad, is a canine characteristic. |
 |
|
A pair of dog tracks in mud. Notice that the claw marks don't show clearly in all toes.Claw marks are not something to rely on. They don't always show up and you can't identify the track based on presence or absence of claw marks alone for this reason. Use many clues to identify what you've found. |
 |
|
Front track (top) and hind track of a domestic dog. The claw marks are not well defined in the front track, but other characteristics tell you this is a canine track. The top track could be mistaken for a cougar track due to the lack of claw marks. So, be careful to not rely on only that as a clue. The toes are in a symmetrical orientation and the metacarpal (palm) pad is triangular in shape, with a single lobe at the top. |
 |
|
The front track of a dog in sand. Notice the claw marks, indicating it is canine, and the larger metacarpal (heel) pad indicating the front foot. |
 |
| Hind track from a domestic dog. |
 |
|
This animation shows the outline of a dog track. Compare it to the outline of a cougar track on the canine vs. feline page. |
 |
| A running dog makes tracks that look different than those made at a walk. |
 |
|
A domestic dog scat. Note the lack of
bones and fur from prey animals due to the diet of
dog kibble. Dog kibble also has a tendency to show
up in scats as a lighter brown color. This color
is not normally common in wild canine scats. If
you break it apart, you can also see that it shows
a granular texture. |
 |
|
Domestic dog track in sand. The various breeds of dogs all make different tracks. Dog tracks are extremely varied. |
 |
| The hind track of the same dog as above. |
 |
|
Domestic dog scats can usually be differentiated from those of wild canines by looking at the contents. Scats of dogs fed on kibble will look like this. Wild canids normally have fur from prey, and possibly bones, in their scats. |
 |
|
This distorted dog track was made in soft mud which had algae growing on top of it. Although this track appears to have an overall round outline, the claw (indicated by the red arrow) indicates that this is a canine track. |
 |
|
This dog track shows a lot of distortion because the animal slipped when it made the track. Notice how the mark from the heel is long? This indicates slippage. |
 |
| Another distorted dog track, showing a slip in the mud. |
 |
|
Will this small dog make tracks that look anything like those of the huge Mastiff below? |
 |
| What do the tracks of a 140-pound dog look like? |
 |
| This is the front track of the mastiff above. It was made by a muddy paw on concrete, so there was no depth to it at all. No mud for it to sink into. |
 |
| The hind track of the mastiff above. Also muddy paw on concrete. |
 |
| The mastiff's tracks in mud. |
 |
| Mastiff tracks from muddy feet on concrete. |
 |
|
The foot of a large dog can be compared to the foot of a smaller breed below. They share the features of having four toes and claws, but the amount of fur and the size vary considerably. |
 |
| The tiny front foot of a Maltese. |
 |
|
The delicate hind foot of a Maltese. Compare these feet to those of the larger dog above. With the many dog breeds out there, you can see why dog tracks are not uniform in appearance. |
 |
|
The hind track of a domestic dog in mud. Note the egg-shaped or oval appearance and the blunt claws. |
 |
|
A pair of domestic dog
tracks in mud. The larger front track is on the
left. There is a single claw mark visible on the
left inner toe. This track could be confused with
that of a puma/cougar. The track on the right is
the hind track from the same dog. The track on the left
could be confused with a mountain ion/cougar
track. Why is it a dog? Claw marks. The toes are
arranged in a symmetrical way, and the toes are
relatively round, not tear-drop shaped. The
metacarpal pad has a relatively flat leading edge,
but it doesn't show two lobes. It's relatively
triangular in shape. |
 |
| Domestic dog track in sand |
 |
| Domestic dog track in mud |
Domestic
Dog 
