Canine vs. Dog: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Harlon Moss || Updated on May 20, 2024
Canine refers to animals in the dog family, including wolves and foxes, while dog specifically denotes the domesticated species Canis familiaris.
Key Differences
Canine is a broader term encompassing all members of the Canidae family, which includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and other related species. Dog, on the other hand, refers specifically to domesticated dogs, scientifically known as Canis familiaris.
Canine is often used in scientific and veterinary contexts to discuss biological and behavioral traits shared by the entire family. In contrast, dog is commonly used in everyday language to refer to pets and working animals that live with humans.
Canines exhibit a wide range of habitats and behaviors across different species. Dogs, however, are typically adapted to living closely with humans, displaying behaviors and traits that make them suitable as companions and helpers.
Canine teeth are a characteristic feature of this family, used for grasping and tearing food. Dogs, while also having canine teeth, are often selectively bred for traits like size, temperament, and specific functions such as herding or guarding.
The term canine can be used adjectivally to describe characteristics related to the Canidae family, such as "canine behavior." Conversely, dog is more commonly used as a noun, but can also be an adjective in phrases like "dog food" or "dog breed."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Members of the Canidae family
Domesticated species, Canis familiaris
Context
Scientific, veterinary
Everyday language, pets
Species Included
Wolves, foxes, jackals, etc.
Specifically domesticated dogs
Behavioral Traits
Wide range across species
Adapted to live with humans
Usage
Adjectival (e.g., canine teeth)
Noun and adjectival (e.g., dog breed)
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Canine and Dog Definitions
Canine
A tooth used for tearing food, found in mammals.
She had sharp canine teeth.
Dog
A male canine.
The dog marked its territory.
Canine
Adjective describing attributes of dogs.
Canine behavior varies widely.
Dog
A domesticated carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris syn. Canis lupus subsp. familiaris) occurring as a wide variety of breeds, many of which are traditionally used for hunting, herding, drawing sleds, and other tasks, and are kept as pets.
Canine
Relating to dogs or other members of the Canidae family.
The canine family includes wolves and foxes.
Dog
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.
Canine
A member of the Canidae family.
The wolf is a formidable canine.
Dog
A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of a fox or a domesticated breed.
Canine
Of, relating to, or characteristic of the canids.
Dog
Any of various other animals, such as the prairie dog.
Canine
Of, relating to, or being one of the pointed conical teeth located between the incisors and the first bicuspids.
Dog
A person
You won, you lucky dog.
Canine
An animal of the family Canidae, especially a dog.
Dog
A person regarded as contemptible
You stole my watch, you dog.
Canine
One of the pointed, conical teeth located between the incisors and the first bicuspids. Also called cuspid.
Dog
A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting.
Canine
Of, or pertaining to, a dog or dogs.
Dog
Something of inferior or low quality
"The President had read the speech to some of his friends and they told him it was a dog" (John P. Roche).
Canine
Dog-like.
Dog
An investment that produces a low return or a loss.
Canine
(anatomy) Of or pertaining to mammalian teeth which are cuspids or fangs.
Dog
Dogs(Slang) The feet.
Canine
Of an appetite: depraved or inordinate; used to describe eating disorders.
Dog
See andiron.
Canine
Any member of Caninae, the only living subfamily of Canidae.
Dog
(Slang) A hot dog; a wiener.
Canine
(formal) Any of certain extant canids regarded as similar to the dog or wolf (including coyotes, jackals, etc.) but distinguished from the vulpines, which are regarded as fox-like.
Dog
Any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for gripping or holding heavy objects.
Canine
In heterodont mammals, the pointy tooth between the incisors and the premolars; a cuspid.
Dog
(Astronomy) A sundog.
Canine
(poker slang) A king and a nine as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em due to phonetic similarity.
Dog
Totally; completely. Often used in combination
Dog-tired.
Canine
Of or pertaining to the family Canidæ, or dogs and wolves; having the nature or qualities of a dog; like that or those of a dog.
Dog
To track or trail persistently
"A stranger then is still dogging us" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Canine
Of or pertaining to the pointed tooth on each side the incisors.
Dog
To hold or fasten with a mechanical device
"Watertight doors and hatches were dropped into place and dogged down to give the ship full watertight integrity" (Tom Clancy).
Canine
A canine tooth.
Dog
To be persistently or inescapably associated with
Questions about his youthful indiscretions dogged him throughout his career.
Canine
One of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars
Dog
To be recurrently or persistently in the mind; haunt
Despair dogged him in his final years.
Canine
Any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
Dog
A mammal of the family Canidae:
Canine
Of or relating to a pointed conical tooth
Dog
The species Canis familiaris (sometimes designated Canis lupus familiaris), domesticated for thousands of years and of highly variable appearance because of human breeding.
The dog barked all night long.
Canine
Of or relating to or characteristic of members of the family Canidae
Dog
Any member of the family Canidae, including domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes, and their relatives extant and extinct; canid.
Canine
Pertaining to the characteristics or behavior of dogs.
The canine exhibit at the zoo is very popular.
Dog
A male dog, wolf, or fox, as opposed to a bitch or vixen.
Dog
The meat of this animal, eaten as food:
Did you know that in South Korea, they eat dog?
Dog
A person:
Dog
A dull, unattractive girl or woman.
She’s a real dog.
Dog
(slang) A man, guy, chap.
You lucky dog!
Dog
(derogatory) Someone who is cowardly, worthless, or morally reprehensible.
Come back and fight, you dogs!
You dirty dog.
Dog
(slang) A sexually aggressive man.
Dog
A mechanical device or support:
Dog
Any of various mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening something, particularly with a tooth-like projection.
Dog
A click or pallet adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel, to restrain the back action.
Dog
A metal support for logs in a fireplace.
The dogs were too hot to touch.
Dog
(cartomancy) The eighteenth Lenormand card.
Dog
A hot dog: a frankfurter, wiener, or similar sausage; or a sandwich made from this.
Dog
Underdog.
Dog
Foot.
Dog
(Cockney rhyming slang) (from "dog and bone") Phone or mobile phone.
Dog
One of the cones used to divide up a racetrack when training horses.
Dog
(informal) Something that performs poorly.
That modification turned his Dodge hemi into a dog.
Dog
(film) A flop; a film that performs poorly at the box office.
Dog
(transitive) To pursue with the intent to catch.
Dog
(transitive) To follow in an annoying or harassing way.
The woman cursed him so that trouble would dog his every step.
Dog
To fasten a hatch securely.
It is very important to dog down these hatches.
Dog
To watch, or participate, in sexual activity in a public place.
I admit that I like to dog at my local country park.
Dog
To intentionally restrict one's productivity as employee; to work at the slowest rate that goes unpunished.
A surprise inspection of the night shift found that some workers were dogging it.
Dog
(transitive) To criticize.
Dog
To divide (a watch) with a comrade.
Dog
(slang) Of inferior quality; dogshit.
Dog
A quadruped of the genus Canis, esp. the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).
Dog
A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch.
What is thy servant, which is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?
Dog
A fellow; - used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog.
Dog
One of the two constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor, or the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog. Canis Major contains the Dog Star (Sirius).
Dog
An iron for holding wood in a fireplace; a firedog; an andiron.
Dog
A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them.
Dog
An ugly or crude person, especially an ugly woman.
Dog
A hot dog.
Dog
To hunt or track like a hound; to follow insidiously or indefatigably; to chase with a dog or dogs; to worry, as if by dogs; to hound with importunity.
I have been pursued, dogged, and waylaid.
Your sins will dog you, pursue you.
Eager ill-bred petitioners, who do not so properly supplicate as hunt the person whom they address to, dogging him from place to place, till they even extort an answer to their rude requests.
Dog
A member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds;
The dog barked all night
Dog
A dull unattractive unpleasant girl or woman;
She got a reputation as a frump
She's a real dog
Dog
Informal term for a man;
You lucky dog
Dog
Someone who is morally reprehensible;
You dirty dog
Dog
A smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
Dog
A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
Dog
Metal supports for logs in a fireplace;
The andirons were too hot to touch
Dog
Go after with the intent to catch;
The policeman chased the mugger down the alley
The dog chased the rabbit
Dog
A domesticated mammal, Canis familiaris, often kept as a pet.
She adopted a friendly dog from the shelter.
Dog
To pursue with intent to catch.
Reporters dogged the celebrity all day.
Dog
Descriptive of something related to dogs.
She bought new dog food.
Dog
A term of endearment or familiarity.
He's my old dog from college days.
FAQs
What is the main difference between a canine and a dog?
Canine refers to all members of the Canidae family, while dog specifically denotes the domesticated species Canis familiaris.
Are all dogs canines?
Yes, all dogs are canines, but not all canines are dogs.
Can the term canine refer to wolves?
Yes, the term canine includes wolves as they are part of the Canidae family.
Is a fox considered a canine?
Yes, foxes are members of the Canidae family and are therefore canines.
Do canine teeth differ between dogs and other canines?
Canine teeth serve similar functions across species, but their size and shape can vary.
Is the term dog ever used scientifically?
While dog is commonly used in everyday language, scientific contexts usually prefer the term Canis familiaris.
What is the scientific name for a dog?
The scientific name for a dog is Canis familiaris.
Why are dogs considered domesticated canines?
Dogs have been selectively bred by humans for companionship and work, making them domesticated.
Can the term canine be used for wild animals?
Yes, it encompasses both wild and domesticated members of the Canidae family.
Do canines have specific habitats?
Canines inhabit various environments worldwide, while dogs primarily live in human settings.
Can the word dog be used adjectivally?
Yes, in phrases like "dog food" or "dog breed."
Are all canines capable of being domesticated?
Not all canines are suited for domestication; only dogs have been fully domesticated.
How does the term canine apply in veterinary medicine?
In veterinary contexts, canine refers to health and medical care specific to members of the Canidae family.
Are domestic dogs' behaviors the same as wild canines?
Domestic dogs have behaviors adapted to living with humans, which differ from their wild counterparts.
What are common traits of the canine family?
Common traits include similar dental structures and carnivorous diets.
Do dogs and other canines share the same ancestors?
Yes, they share common evolutionary ancestors.
How do the lifespans of dogs compare to other canines?
Lifespans vary widely, with domestic dogs often living longer due to human care.
Can canine be used to refer to dog breeds?
Yes, canine can describe traits or behaviors related to dog breeds.
Why are canine teeth named so?
They are named for their prominence in dogs and other canines.
What roles do dogs play that other canines do not?
Dogs serve unique roles such as pets, service animals, and working animals, unlike wild canines.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
