8 Types of Coydog – Rare Coyote Dog Mixes (With Pictures)
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Did you know that coyotes and dogs are biologically related? In fact, it’s possible for a dog to breed with a coyote, resulting in a coydog. But while dogs can breed with coyotes, it’s pretty rare and often ill-advised.
Still, which breeds mix best with coyotes? We’ve highlighted eight different options for you to consider here! But before you rush out and get one, do yourself a favor and read our brief guide after the best mixes so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
The 8 Types of Coydog Breeds
1. Belgian Malinois/Coyote
| Height: | 22 to 26 inches |
| Weight: | 40 to 80 pounds |
The Belgian Malinois, also known as the Belgian Shepherd, isn’t the most well-known dog breed out there, but it’s one of the most common coyote-dog mixes. Even with this distinction, Belgian Malinois-coyote hybrids are extremely rare.
When mixed with a coyote, these dogs typically have pointier ears, and they’re usually extremely intelligent, which can present its own concerns.
2. German Shepherd/Coyote
| Height: | 20 to 25 inches |
| Weight: | 45 to 80 pounds |
If you’re looking for an extremely strong and powerful dog-coyote mix, the German Shepherd-coyote hybrid is an interesting option. You’ll certainly get a powerful and adorable-looking coydog, and it’s why it’s one of the more prevalent coyote hybrid mixes. But their large size and powerful strength can create quite a headache during the training process.
3. Pitbull/Coyote
| Height: | 16 to 20 inches |
| Weight: | 30 to 55 pounds |
Another extremely powerful and protective hybrid mix includes a Pitbull and a coyote. Pitbulls are extremely strong, protective, and loyal dogs, and coyotes are extremely intelligent and aggressive. If you get the right mix, this can be a great hybrid. But if you get the wrong mix, you could end up with a strong, intelligent, and aggressive dog.
4. Australian Shepherd/Coyote
| Height: | 19 to 23 inches |
| Weight: | 30 to 55 pounds |
One of the more beautiful dog-coyote mixes is the Australian Shepherd-coyote mix. Both Australian Shepherds and coyotes are extremely intelligent breeds that have tons of energy. This makes them one of the more challenging yet more rewarding coydogs you can own.
5. Labrador Retriever/Coyote
| Height: | 19 to 23 inches |
| Weight: | 40 to 70 pounds |
There are a few different Labrador Retriever options you can mix with a coyote, but the biggest differences between the breeds come down to their appearance. Yellow labs mixed with a coyote won’t look the same as a chocolate lab mixed with a coyote.
6. Siberian Husky/Coyote
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be15DHGBhIP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
| Height: | 19 to 24 inches |
| Weight: | 30 to 60 pounds |
Is any dog quite as beautiful as the Siberian Husky? It’s a gorgeous breed, and when you mix it with a coyote, you add a unique flair to the breed. But Siberian Huskies are high-energy dogs, and so are coyotes. If you’re going to keep up with a Siberian Husky-coyote hybrid we recommend giving them plenty of space to run around.
7. Border Collie/Coyote
| Height: | 17 to 22 inches |
| Weight: | 25 to 45 pounds |
Perhaps the most intelligent coyote hybrid is the Border Collie-coyote hybrid. Both coyotes and Border Collies are extremely smart, so you’re getting a brilliant coydog no matter what parent they take after. They’re both high-energy breeds, so ensure you give them plenty of space and time to roam.
8. Golden Retriever/Coyote
| Height: | 19 to 23 inches |
| Weight: | 40 to 65 pounds |
Perhaps no dog is more loyal than the Golden Retriever, and when you’re mixing with a feral animal, that’s a great trait to have. They’re not the easiest breeds to get together, but if you do manage to get a Golden Retriever to breed with a coyote, it’s an outstanding pairing.
Just remember that the puppies can get traits from either parent, so it’s still possible to have tons of behavioral problems with any coydog, including a Golden Retriever-coyote mix.
Can You Legally Own a Coyote Dog Hybrid?
It depends on where you live, but in most places in the United States, you can legally own a coyote-dog hybrid. However, you’ll want to look into the local laws and regulations in your area about owning an exotic animal.
Since coyote-dog hybrids are pretty rare, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to find information about dog-wolf hybrids. If you can legally own a dog-wolf hybrid in your area, there’s a good chance you can own a coyote-dog hybrid.
Should You Own a Coyote Dog Hybrid?
Just because you can own a coyote-dog hybrid in your area doesn’t mean you should. That’s because dogs are extremely loyal and loving companions, but coyotes are feral and don’t trust humans.
You never know what traits the puppies are going to inherit from each parent, which makes it very challenging when owning a coyote-dog hybrid. If you’re up for a challenge, it’s certainly possible, but we don’t recommend owning one if you have other pets or small children in the home.
If they inherit their temperament from their coyote parent, there’s a good chance they’ll have some aggressive tendencies that you’ll need to train out of them.
Final Thoughts
While coyote-dog mixes are extremely interesting breeds, you should proceed with extreme caution before bringing one home. Coyotes are feral animals, and while you might have one mixed with a dog, they’re still going to have some feral animal traits.
Still, they’re fun to look at and they’re interesting mixes, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with admiring them from afar!
See Also:
- Coyote vs Dog: What’s the Difference? (What Science Says)
- 7 Dogs That Look Like Coyotes (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Harry Collins Photography, Shutterstock
