Dog vs. Fox — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
A "dog" is a domesticated canine, bred for various tasks and companionship, while a "fox" is a wild, small to medium-sized carnivore known for its cunning nature and bushy tail.
Difference Between Dog and Fox
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "dog" predominantly refers to Canis lupus familiaris, a domesticated subspecies of the wolf. They've been human companions for thousands of years, serving numerous roles from hunting to herding to simply being pets. On the other hand, the "fox" describes several species of wild canids, notable for their sharp features, agility, and often reddish-brown fur. Unlike dogs, foxes are not domesticated and are known to be quite elusive.
While there's a broad range in dog breeds, most dogs have a robust build with variations in size and features based on their bred purpose. "Foxes," however, typically possess a slender body, pointed ears, a long snout, and a bushy tail. Their physical structure is more attuned to stealth and agility, given their roles as hunters in the wild.
"Dogs" have been bred for thousands of years to work alongside humans, which has made them highly adaptable to human environments. Their behavior varies based on training and breed but is generally molded to fit with human lifestyles. "Foxes," as wild animals, exhibit behaviors necessary for survival in the wild, such as hunting small prey and establishing territories.
The "dog" is a creature of human habitats. Whether in urban apartments or rural farms, they've adapted to live with humans. "Foxes," meanwhile, inhabit a variety of environments, from deserts to forests. While they occasionally venture into human-populated areas, they remain creatures of the wild.
"Dogs" have found a place in numerous cultures as loyal companions, protectors, and even deities. Their roles in myths, legends, and daily life are vast and varied. "Foxes" too have cultural significance but are often associated with traits of cunning and trickery, with stories highlighting their intelligence and sly nature.
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Comparison Chart
Taxonomy
Subspecies of Canis lupus
Several species in the Vulpes and other genera
Domestication
Domesticated
Wild
Physical Features
Varies widely by breed
Slender body, pointed ears, bushy tail
Typical Behavior
Adaptable to human interaction and training
Elusive, cunning, adapted for hunting in the wild
Cultural Portrayal
Loyalty, companionship, protection
Cunning, intelligence, trickery
Compare with Definitions
Dog
A member of the canine family, closely related to the wolf.
The bond between a dog and a human is truly unique.
Fox
A member of several genera of the Canidae family, often with reddish-brown fur.
We spotted a fox darting across the meadow at dusk.
Dog
A loyal companion and protector for humans.
The dog stood guard outside the house, alert to any intruders.
Fox
A person who is attractive or has magnetic charm.
She was known as the fox of the group, turning heads wherever she went.
Dog
The domestic dog (Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. The dog derived from an ancient, extinct wolf, and the modern grey wolf is the dog's nearest living relative.
Fox
A problem or puzzle that's challenging to solve.
That math problem is a real fox; I can't figure it out.
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.
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or brush).
Dog
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae, such as the dingo.
Fox
A member of a North American people formerly living in southern Wisconsin, and now mainly in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Dog
A male animal of the family Canidae, especially of a fox or a domesticated breed.
Fox
The Algonquian language of the Fox, now almost extinct.
Dog
Any of various other animals, such as the prairie dog.
Fox
Baffle or deceive (someone)
The abbreviation foxed me completely
Dog
A person
You won, you lucky dog.
Fox
Relating to the Fox or their language.
Dog
A person regarded as contemptible
You stole my watch, you dog.
Fox
A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting various parts of southern Michigan, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and eastern Iowa, with present-day populations in central Iowa and with the Sauk in Oklahoma.
Dog
A person regarded as unattractive or uninteresting.
Fox
The Algonquian language of the Fox.
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).
Fox
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the family Canidae and especially of the genus Vulpes, found worldwide and characteristically having upright ears, a pointed snout, and a long bushy tail.
Dog
An investment that produces a low return or a loss.
Fox
The fur of one of these mammals.
Dog
Dogs(Slang) The feet.
Fox
A crafty, sly, or clever person.
Dog
See andiron.
Fox
(Slang) A sexually attractive person.
Dog
(Slang) A hot dog; a wiener.
Fox
(Nautical) Small cordage made by twisting together two or more strands of tarred yarn.
Dog
Any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for gripping or holding heavy objects.
Fox
(Archaic) A sword.
Dog
(Astronomy) A sundog.
Fox
To trick or fool by ingenuity or cunning; outwit.
Dog
Totally; completely. Often used in combination
Dog-tired.
Fox
To baffle or confuse.
Dog
To track or trail persistently
"A stranger then is still dogging us" (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Fox
To make (beer) sour by fermenting.
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).
Fox
To repair (a shoe) by attaching a new upper.
Dog
To be persistently or inescapably associated with
Questions about his youthful indiscretions dogged him throughout his career.
Fox
(Obsolete) To intoxicate.
Dog
To be recurrently or persistently in the mind; haunt
Despair dogged him in his final years.
Fox
To act slyly or craftily.
Dog
A mammal of the family Canidae:
Fox
To turn sour in fermenting. Used of beer.
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.
Fox
A red fox, small carnivore (Vulpes vulpes), related to dogs and wolves, with red or silver fur and a bushy tail.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Dog
Any member of the family Canidae, including domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes, and their relatives extant and extinct; canid.
Fox
Any of numerous species of small wild canids resembling the red fox. In the taxonomy they form the tribe Vulpini within the family Canidae, consisting of nine genera (see the Wikipedia article on the fox).
Dog
A male dog, wolf, or fox, as opposed to a bitch or vixen.
Fox
The fur of a fox.
Dog
The meat of this animal, eaten as food:
Did you know that in South Korea, they eat dog?
Fox
A fox terrier.
Dog
A person:
Fox
The gemmeous dragonet, a fish, Callionymus lyra, so called from its yellow color.
Dog
A dull, unattractive girl or woman.
She’s a real dog.
Fox
A cunning person.
Dog
(slang) A man, guy, chap.
You lucky dog!
Fox
A physically attractive man or woman.
Dog
(derogatory) Someone who is cowardly, worthless, or morally reprehensible.
Come back and fight, you dogs!
You dirty dog.
Fox
A person with reddish brown hair, usually a woman.
Dog
(slang) A sexually aggressive man.
Fox
(nautical) A small strand of rope made by twisting several rope-yarns together. Used for seizings, mats, sennits, and gaskets.
Dog
A mechanical device or support:
Fox
(mechanics) A wedge driven into the split end of a bolt to tighten it.
Dog
Any of various mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening something, particularly with a tooth-like projection.
Fox
A hidden radio transmitter, finding which is the goal of radiosport.
Dog
A click or pallet adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel, to restrain the back action.
Fox
(cartomancy) The fourteenth Lenormand card.
Dog
A metal support for logs in a fireplace.
The dogs were too hot to touch.
Fox
(obsolete) A sword; so called from the stamp of a fox on the blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox.
Dog
(cartomancy) The eighteenth Lenormand card.
Fox
Air-to-air weapon launched.
Dog
A hot dog: a frankfurter, wiener, or similar sausage; or a sandwich made from this.
Fox
(transitive) To trick, fool or outwit (someone) by cunning or ingenuity.
Dog
Underdog.
Fox
(transitive) To confuse or baffle (someone).
This crossword puzzle has completely foxed me.
Dog
Foot.
Fox
(intransitive) To act slyly or craftily.
Dog
(Cockney rhyming slang) (from "dog and bone") Phone or mobile phone.
Fox
(intransitive) To discolour paper. Fox marks are spots on paper caused by humidity. (See foxing.)
The pages of the book show distinct foxing.
Dog
One of the cones used to divide up a racetrack when training horses.
Fox
(transitive) To make sour, as beer, by causing it to ferment.
Dog
(informal) Something that performs poorly.
That modification turned his Dodge hemi into a dog.
Fox
(intransitive) To turn sour; said of beer, etc., when it sours in fermenting.
Dog
(film) A flop; a film that performs poorly at the box office.
Fox
(transitive) To intoxicate; to stupefy with drink.
Dog
(transitive) To pursue with the intent to catch.
Fox
(transitive) To repair (boots) with new front upper leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
Dog
(transitive) To follow in an annoying or harassing way.
The woman cursed him so that trouble would dog his every step.
Fox
A carnivorous animal of the genus Vulpes, family Canidæ, of many species. The European fox (V. vulgaris or V. vulpes), the American red fox (V. fulvus), the American gray fox (V. Virginianus), and the arctic, white, or blue, fox (V. lagopus) are well-known species.
Subtle as the fox for prey.
Dog
To fasten a hatch securely.
It is very important to dog down these hatches.
Fox
The European dragonet.
Dog
To watch, or participate, in sexual activity in a public place.
I admit that I like to dog at my local country park.
Fox
The fox shark or thrasher shark; - called also sea fox. See Thrasher shark, under Shark.
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.
Fox
A sly, cunning fellow.
We call a crafty and cruel man a fox.
Dog
(transitive) To criticize.
Fox
Rope yarn twisted together, and rubbed with tar; - used for seizings or mats.
Dog
To divide (a watch) with a comrade.
Fox
A sword; - so called from the stamp of a fox on the blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox.
Thou diest on point of fox.
Dog
(slang) Of inferior quality; dogshit.
Fox
A tribe of Indians which, with the Sacs, formerly occupied the region about Green Bay, Wisconsin; - called also Outagamies.
Dog
A quadruped of the genus Canis, esp. the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).
Fox
To intoxicate; to stupefy with drink.
I drank . . . so much wine that I was almost foxed.
Dog
A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch.
What is thy servant, which is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?
Fox
To make sour, as beer, by causing it to ferment.
Dog
A fellow; - used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly dog; a lazy dog.
Fox
To repair the feet of, as of boots, with new front upper leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
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).
Fox
To turn sour; - said of beer, etc., when it sours in fermenting.
Dog
An iron for holding wood in a fireplace; a firedog; an andiron.
Fox
Alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
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.
Fox
A shifty deceptive person
Dog
An ugly or crude person, especially an ugly woman.
Fox
The gray or reddish-brown fur of a fox
Dog
A hot dog.
Fox
English statesman who supported American independence and the French Revolution (1749-1806)
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.
Fox
English religious leader who founded the Society of Friends (1624-1691)
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
Fox
A member of an Algonquian people formerly living west of Lake Michigan along the Fox River
Dog
A dull unattractive unpleasant girl or woman;
She got a reputation as a frump
She's a real dog
Fox
The Algonquian language of the Fox people
Dog
Informal term for a man;
You lucky dog
Fox
Deceive somebody;
We tricked the teacher into thinking that class would be cancelled next week
Dog
Someone who is morally reprehensible;
You dirty dog
Fox
Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly;
These questions confuse even the experts
This question completely threw me
This question befuddled even the teacher
Dog
A smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
Fox
Become discolored with, or as if with, mildew spots
Dog
A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
Fox
A small to medium-sized wild carnivore known for its cunning and agility.
The fox slipped through the bushes, barely making a sound.
Dog
Metal supports for logs in a fireplace;
The andirons were too hot to touch
Fox
A term describing someone who is crafty or sly.
He's a fox when it comes to negotiations, always getting the best deal.
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 bred for various roles, from hunting to companionship.
The dog eagerly waited for its owner to return home.
Dog
A term used to describe someone who is persistent or relentless.
He's a dog when it comes to chasing his dreams.
Dog
A descriptor for something that's broken or in bad condition.
That old car is a real dog; it breaks down all the time.
Common Curiosities
Can dogs and foxes interbreed?
It's rare and not naturally common, but there have been documented cases of dog-fox hybrids.
Are dogs and foxes related?
Yes, both dogs and foxes belong to the Canidae family.
How did dogs become domesticated?
Dogs evolved from wolves and were domesticated by humans over thousands of years through selective breeding.
Do foxes make good pets like dogs?
Foxes are wild animals and generally don't adapt to domestic life as well as dogs.
Why are foxes considered cunning?
Folklore and observations of fox behavior, highlighting their intelligence and survival strategies, have earned them this reputation.
How long have humans had dogs as companions?
Humans have had dogs as companions for thousands of years, with evidence dating back at least 14,000 years.
What do foxes typically eat?
Foxes are omnivores and eat a mix of small animals, fruits, and insects.
Can foxes be trained like dogs?
While foxes can learn certain commands, they aren't as trainable as dogs due to their wild nature.
Why do dogs come in so many breeds but foxes don't?
Dogs have been selectively bred by humans for various purposes, leading to diverse breeds. Foxes evolved naturally without such human intervention.
Are all dogs descendants of wolves?
Yes, all domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are descendants of wolves.
Do foxes have a specific sound like a dog's bark?
Yes, foxes produce various sounds, including the distinct "vixen's scream."
What's the main difference between a dog's and fox's lifestyle?
Dogs are domesticated and live alongside humans, while foxes are wild and follow a life suited to their natural habitats.
Why do dogs bark?
Barking is a form of communication for dogs, signaling everything from excitement to warning.
Are there wild dogs like there are wild foxes?
Yes, there are species like the African wild dog, distinct from domesticated dogs.
Are foxes found worldwide?
Foxes inhabit various regions worldwide, but specific species are native to certain areas.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
