wild dog

noun

: any of various undomesticated canids (such as an African wild dog or a dingo) that resemble the domestic dog

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web While some species have been less successful (namely cheetahs), others, such as the endangered African wild dog, have thrived. Mary Holland, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2023 The New Guinea highland wild dog is thought to have left mainland Asia in the company of humans and then returned to the wild before trekking across a land bridge to Australia and there evolving into the dingo. Richard Pallardy, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021 This made scientists ponder: could something similar be happening to Chernobyl’s wild dogs? Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 1 Apr. 2023 Or maybe a wild dog? oregonlive, 23 Mar. 2023 Satpura night drives run through the park’s buffer zones, and offer the chance to witness a host of creatures: leopards, sloths, wild dogs, and, of course, tigers. Stephanie Vermillion, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2023 The Olkola and some conservationists disagree over the role played by the dingo—a wild dog species that has been present in Australia for around 3,500 years. Anthony Ham, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2023 Additionally, the date of admixture aligns with the change in archaeology and the introduction of the dingo, a wild dog which happens to resemble the feral populations of India. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2013 Attacking in large groups and built for long chases, around 80% of wild dog hunts end in a kill. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2010 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wild dog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wild dog was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near wild dog

Cite this Entry

“Wild dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wild%20dog. Accessed 27 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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