At full speed they gallop. The senses of smell, hearing, and sight are acute. Prey is captured by an open chase or by stalking and pouncing. The diet may vary by season, and vegetable matter is important to some species at certain times. Some canids, especially the larger species, occur in packs of up to 30 members and seek prey animals that are larger than themselves.
Most smaller canids hunt alone or in pairs, preying on rodents and birds.
There is usually a regular home range, part or all of which may be an exclusive territory. Females generally give birth once a year. Litters usually contain 2-13 young. Gestation averages around 63 days. The offspring are blind and helpless at birth but are covered with hair.