The coydog is the hybrid result from the mixing of a dog and a coyote. One needs to make the difference between the coydog and the coywolf, as these terms are often mistaken for one another. 
Coydogs are also known as Dogotes as it helps reduce the confusion between coydogs and coywolves. This is an extremely rare mix as they very rarely occur naturally.
Dogs and coyotes have different breeding seasons, making it very hard to mate them. It can only be done with dog breeds that have two breeding seasons a year.
It can take a lot of effort and money to find an actual Coydog as many breeders lie about them. It’s highly recommended to ask for a DNA test to see exactly what you’ll be taking home.
This awesome mix can be an excellent companion and an even more amazing hunting or hiking buddy. These beautiful creatures are almost impossible to predict if you don’t know much about coyotes or their dog parent.
Generally, they weigh between 60 to 120lb and can grow to be between 22 to 27 inches tall. The size of the Coydog depends on the dog parent, while its appearance will often take after the coyote.
Unfortunately, this mix can live anywhere between 5 to 15 years. They also can’t be bred for more than four generations as the offspring comes out sicker and sicker.
Quick – Pros & Cons
Coydogs can be unmatched when it comes to having an exciting and active companion. They’re great for single people that have a lot of time on their hands, have a strong personality, and are very active.
You will be surprised how intelligent Coydogs can be as their coyote parent is one of the most intelligent breeds in the canine world. They’re also very energetic and will manage to keep up with even the most exigent jogger out there.
If you have a family with small children or even young teenagers, you shouldn’t even think about getting a Coydog. They only know of one master and will get aggressive with the children, and will even kill infants and other new pets.
Pros
Extremely intelligent
Excellent hunting or hiking companion
Easy to groom
Loyal
Relatively healthy
Very beautiful and very rare
Cons
Absolutely not safe for children and will continuously test your authority, making them difficult to train.
Need a lot of exercise and don’t do well with owners that are always away from home.
Have to live in a home with a big and secure backyard, they require a tremendous amount of exercise
Temperament
If you’re looking for a challenge and love rare crossbreeds, you don’t need to look further than the Coydog. These creatures can be extremely beautiful and even more intelligent than any dog you’ve ever had.
Coydogs take the shy nature of the coyote parent and can become a gentle and friendly pet. But they can also become very aggressive when they’re scared or protecting their territory. You’ll need to work a lot with them to turn them into your dream pet.
If you’re a strong-willed person and can always out-Alpha him, your Coydog will respect and listen to you until the rest of his days. This doesn’t mean that it will be an easy job as he will continuously try to out-smart you.
Is a Coydog good with children?
Absolutely NOT! Don’t even consider getting a Coydog if you have children. If your kids are older than 14-15 and you have a lot of time on your hands, then you can opt for these wild and beautiful creatures.
Children tend to play much too hard with pets and the Coydog is definitely not a patient pet. More than that, he will retaliate in the worst way possible. He will also protect his toys, food, and sleeping area from kids and get aggressive when they “trespass” onto their territory.
Coydogs and children are never a good mix. You can try your best to keep them apart but accidents can always happen. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Behavior towards strangers
If you have more dogs besides your Coydogs, you will quickly realize how different they act when they see strangers. Your dogs will go as close to the stranger as possible and bark, while the Coydog will run and hide.
Your Coydog will only come out when the “danger” has passed or when he really has to fight. Then he can get very dangerous and will not think twice before biting. But generally, they maintain their coyote parents’ fear of humans and avoid conflict if possible.
Coyotes are very different so you can’t expect them to act like one. They will protect you until their last breath but only if they really have to.
How it does with other pets/dogs
If you plan on having other dogs after you get your Coydog, it’s highly recommended to only get them while the Coydog is small. This will help him understand that they’re part of the family and not a danger.
Coyotes hate dogs and will even eat them if they’re given the chance. So getting your Coydog used to other dogs will take a little bit of time and proper socialization. Getting them to accept cats and other pets will be even harder.
Even with the best training and socialization in the world, Coydogs are not as trustworthy as dogs and will give in to their wild instincts if given the chance.
Aggressiveness of a Coydog Mix
Coydogs would rather not fight if the stranger is not on his territory. But they can get very aggressive when they’re scared. You also have the chance to end up with a social butterfly that loves getting petted by everyone. Their personalities are extremely unpredictable, even when you know everything about the dog parent.
But if you do end up with a more aggressive Coydog, it can be a lot more dangerous than a coyote. This is because coyotes are terrified of humans and will always flee when they see one.
On the other hand, Coydogs learn that humans are not as dangerous as they seem, and when they get scared or threatened they won’t avoid attacking.
Does it bark a lot?
Coydogs can make a lot of sounds, and some are even comical. They can bark or howl like a coyote, or they will develop a mix of the two sounds. This usually develops into a fusion of a howl and a high-pitch bark.
When they are threatened, they will often start gaping like a coyote instead of snarling like a dog. They can also emit a hissing sound that’s characteristic of cats, not dogs.
But when they’re not under any stress they’re usually very quiet and calm. They don’t bark in response to other dogs and don’t howl in the middle of the night as coyotes do. But since they are so unpredictable, you never know what you might end up with.
Appearance and Grooming
Although all Coydogs have various coyote characteristics, they can all look very different from one another because of the dog parents’ breed. They all tend to have a fluffier tail, triangle-shaped ears, and a piercing gaze.
You won’t have to be scared of grooming as they actually only change their coat once a year. It’s highly recommended to start “fake grooming” them from an early age to get them used to it. The more interaction you have with your Coydog pup, the more cuddly and friendly he will grow up to be.
How big does it get?
Coyotes are medium-sized creatures. They’re smaller than wolves but bigger than foxes. But Coydogs are hard to predict as their size greatly depends on the dog parent. Generally, they don’t get taller than 27 inches or heavier than 120lbs.
They can also be as small as 20-22 inches and only weigh 50-60lbs. It’s very important to get all the information on the parents so you can at least guess what to expect and how to prepare.
What does a Coydog look like?
Coydogs can look ridiculously different from one another. And this is all because of the dog parent. However, since coyotes can attack and eat dogs, only larger dogs can successfully mate with them. This is why you won’t find a small-sized Coydog.
They typically have a fluffy tail and a white mask, as coyotes have. Coydogs will also inherit the larger, triangle-shaped ears of the coyote parent. But when they’re small you will rarely be able to tell they’re not just ordinary dogs.
Appearance and color
No matter what dog parent a Coydog has, they always take their coyote’s athletic physical appearance. They are energetic dogs and they have the bodies to show it. They can also reach incredible speeds. You will also notice that their faces have Husky markings as well.
The color of the coat can be sable, brown, and even white. But since dog breeds can differ so much from one another, there are various possibilities. This includes a reddish color that makes them look like a fox more than a coyote mix.
Type of coat
Although there are some Coydogs with short coats, they usually have a medium or long double coat. But again, you never know what you might end up with.
If they take after the coyote parent, your Coydog’s undercoat will be very thick and fluffy. This will keep your pet warm in colder climates. While his topcoat will be waterproof.
If you like fluffier dogs but not extremely, Coydogs might be an excellent choice.
How easy it is to groom?
Coydogs need weekly brushing and teeth cleaning. It doesn’t take much time as they’re not big shedders. But you might want to brush them for a minute or two every day as well. This will get them used to the whole grooming process.
Long nails can cause a lot of pain to Coydogs so make sure you cut them at least once a month. They’re very active creatures so you might not need to cut them more often than that. You should also check for any rashes or skin irritation every time you’re grooming them.
Coydog Care Guide – Diet, Exercise & Health Issues
This is an extremely active animal and you should consider another dog if you don’t take exercising seriously every single day. If your Coydog doesn’t get all the stimulation he needs, he will quickly start destroying things around the house.
Coydogs are also a very bad choice if you’re a vegan and can’t handle feeding your animal meat. More than that, coydogs need a healthy diet of raw meat and bones. Otherwise, they can get sicker and sicker and lead a miserable life.
Sometimes even the best commercial dog food can’t completely replace the natural diet of a coyote.
Diet Tips: What does it eat?
You should always formulate your Coydog’s food for a medium-sized dog with a very high level of energy. He’ll need to replace all the nutrients and fats he burns while he’s running around all day. Typically, they do well on high-quality dog food and raw meat.
Coydogs can develop teeth problems if they only eat simple dog food and they need bones, preferably uncooked. Coyotes eat anything from deer to mice so you have a wide range of options you can choose from.
Exercise Requirements: Keeping the dog in shape
When it comes to keeping your Coydog in shape, it can quickly become a nightmare if you live in an apartment. They thrive on properties that have lots of space and well-secured yards they can enjoy. You should also make sure the fences run deep as they love to dig holes.
A coydog might need up to 4 hours of exercise per day, and at least two hours when you’re extremely busy and can’t let him out for more. But this can’t happen too often.
Coydogs are also highly recommended to exercise off-leash as they love running and there’s a small chance you can keep up with them even when you’re running.
Common Health Issues for a Coydog
Coyotes have excellent overall durability and Coydogs are relatively healthy animals. The health problems come from the dog parent and you need to learn everything you can about it. Avoid the breeder if he refuses to give you the needed information.
Your dog might develop Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, and Elbow Dysplasia. They are all very painful for your dog so make sure you’re keeping up with the annual vet checkups so you can catch any of these early on.
Training a Coydog
The representatives of this hybrid breed bond to just one person, which becomes their favorite family member, even if they may accept and tolerate others.
They are highly intelligent and agile, with an athletic constitution and reaching very high speeds. They inherit the shyness from the coyotes, so training and socialization must start at a very early age.
You can train them from a very early age but it all depends from one individual to another how easy or hard is going to be. You’ll need the patience of a saint and never use harsh training methods or punishments.
Obedience Training
Obedience training needs to start as early as possible and you can begin with 10-15 minutes a day. The basic commands should always come first, such as “sit”, “wait”, “stop”, “go”, “down”, etc. It’s important to always show you’re the Alpha 
but never scare the little pup.
You should be strict and consistent but be careful of harsh techniques as they can backfire very badly. Invest in a professional trainer that’s also aware of the behavior of coyotes, not just dogs. This will ensure successful training.
Socialization
Coydogs can be very scared of humans, which can lead to aggressive behavior. This means you’ll need to start the socialization process as early as possible and introduce him to lots and lots of new people and dogs.
This will allow the Coydog to gain confidence in himself and be more comfortable around you, your family, and even strangers. If you keep him isolated or if you don’t have time for training, he might grow up to be pretty problematic.
Exercise requirements
Coydogs need up to 3-4 exercising sessions a day. They don’t play like typical dogs do. Your Coydog might not like fetch or play around with toys. He might prefer running after or from your other dogs and dig lots and lots of holes.
This is why Coydogs are great companions to hikers or people that jog a lot each day. They also bond during exercise so the more you include them in your exercising habits, the more they’ll trust you.
Breeding & Puppies
With a strong pair bond and with a long-term commitment, coyotes have discouraged any interlopers to step in. The pair is active sexually only once per year and usually it is for a very brief period.
There are only ten days when the female is receptive and the courtship sometimes takes up to several months, which leads to the strengthening of the bond. Puppies usually are born during spring, when there are plenty of food sources.
Puppies are very adorable but they need early training and socialization to grow into obedient Coydogs. You’ll have to get used to nipping and biting while they’re young until they learn better.
Finding a Dog and Coyote Mix – Kennels & Pedigree
Finding a Coydog can be very hard as the breeding conditions are very hard to create. In fact, they’re so rare that a lot of people will even argue with you that this mix doesn’t even exist. Their argument is that the mating seasons are different from dogs to coyotes. And they’re right.
But there are also dogs that go into the mating season twice a year, and one of these seasons coincides with the mating season of coyotes. You’ll deal with lots and lots of breeders that only claim to have a Coydog but they’ll only have one that barely looks like a Coydog.
How much does a mixed Coyote/Dog cost?
If you’re sure the Coydog is the best pet for you, then you need to be prepared to empty your bank account just to get one. A Coydog puppy can cost anywhere between $1500 and $3500. The deposit will also be around $500.
Be very careful when you’re getting your puppy and make sure you receive all the information necessary. This includes the health history of the parents along with their behaviors and if you’ll have to expect any surprises.
History & Origins of the mixed breed
The coywolf is rather popular in the northeast parts of North America, while the coydog is only very rarely to be found in the wild.
The reason why the latter is not very common is the mismatch between the mating cycles of the two parent breeds, as well as the coyote’s adversity towards dogs, even when they are bred in captivity. This reduces the chances of them mating even more.
The mating between coyotes and dogs does, however, occur especially when the first is expanding, but don’t have too many alternatives for mating from their own species. The hybrid puppies have a rather low survival rate, as the two species do not form pair bonds.
Despite this, the surviving puppies are fertile and will be able to breed up to four generations. The hybridization between the coyotes and the dogs goes quite a long while back before the Europeans colonized America.
Testimonies to this are the black pelts the coyotes seem to have inherited from the dogs brought by the pre-indigenous ancestors, around twelve to fourteen thousand years ago.
Coyotes were very appreciated in Pre-Columbian Mexico and this is where the Coydogs started to be bred. Breeding Mexican grey wolves and coyotes with dogs was a usual practice in the city of Teotihuacan.
The purpose of this crossbreeding was obtaining a loyal, resistant breed, with a bit of temperament and good guarding abilities. In North Canada, the aboriginal people were mating the sled dogs with wolves and coyotes for the same purpose of obtaining more resilient animals.
It turned out that, in captivity, the F1 hybrid puppies are less manageable than the dog puppies, and also, when they reach maturity they are less trustworthy than the wolf-dog hybrid.
The looks of this hybrid resemble pretty much the looks of the coyote, with a white facial mask, sable coat, bushy tail, and a very active violet gland.
Usually, the F1 hybrids are a simple mix between the coyote and dog traits, while the F2 ones can be much more varied. Both categories are dominated by the coyote’s shyness and aggression intra-sexually.
According to the Indian legend, the first coyote-dog hybrids were obtained by men who scattered partially decayed meat near cave entrances and captured the puppies, who were very valuable and only a few had such puppies in that period of time.
It was often discussed the possibility that coyotes have genes of domestic dogs. Although hybridization between coyotes and dogs did occur and proved to be possible, there was no genetic clue that genes of domestic dogs were present under the form of wild coy-dogs.
Conclusion
Coydogs are excellent companions to single people that have a strong personality. If you love wilder animals, have lots of time on your hands, and love mischievous behaviors, these beautiful crossovers might be all you need.
They’ll continuously test you and will even try to turn the training session back on you. Coydogs will never allow you to have a dull day. They’re extremely intelligent and although they’re not as trustworthy as typical dogs, they remain loyal to you and only you.
FAQ – Related Questions
What is a Coydog?
A Coydog is a mix between a Coyote and a domesticated dog.
Are Coydog mixes aggressive?
Coydog mixes can be aggressive, especially when frightened and when they’re protecting their territory.
What is the typical price for a Coydog mixed dog?
A Coydog puppy can cost anywhere between $1500 to $3500.