As a result, the species has been exterminated from large parts of Africa and today it is one of the continent's most rarely encountered animals. It's about the size of a fairly big domestic dog, such as a German shepherd. The tip of the tail is always white. Extending between the muzzle and the ears is a dark stripe of fur. Because of its blotchy coat, wild dogs are well camouflaged, making it difficult for them to be seen in the bush or in long grass.
Wild dogs have four digits on each foot.
They are extremely lean animals, very muscular and long with slender legs. The species is restricted to Africa, preferring a habitat with open short-grassed or bushy grasslands where there is water and where it has space to run down its prey. In the subregion of the continent it used to be more widespread, but today is found only in the national parks and other game areas. Wild dogs are currently being reintroduced to several gameparks, and the progress of the operation is being monitored. Active in the late afternoon and early morning, the animal usually sleeps when the sun is hottest.