CANINE

also called Canid, any member of the family Canidae (order Carnivora), which includes about 14 living (and about 70 extinct) genera of dogs and doglike mammals (wolves, foxes, and jackals). Found throughout the world except in Antarctica and on most ocean islands, canines are adapted for running and tend to be slender, long-legged animals with long muzzles, bushy tails, and erect, pointed ears. They have four- or five-toed forefeet; four-toed hind feet; blunt, nonretractile claws; and well-developed canine and cheek teeth. Canines depend mainly on hearing and smell. They run on their toes and can endure long chases. Largely carnivorous, they prey on all types of animals, and some also eat carrion and vegetable matter, or both. Their litters usually contain about four to six young born after a gestation period of 6065 days. Canines probably were the first animals to be domesticated (as indicated by remains in Neolithic campsites). Although they are helpful in controlling rodent and rabbit populations, they have been hunted for their pelts and slaughtered to prevent their reputed (sometimes real) destruction of livestock and large game. The genus Canis includes nine living species of canines. It contains the coyote, dingo, and dog (qq.v.) and various wolf and jackal (qq.v.) species.