We developed an original print capturing the unique beauty of the highly endanged African Wild Dog also fittingly called Painted Dogs. Then we translated it into our outstanding bestseller, the Cozy Coat. $1 of each coat sold goes directly to conservation efforts via the World Wildlife Fund East African Wild Dog Project. Please read on to learn more about these amazing creatures...
What are African Wild Dogs?
Lycaon pictus are members of the Canidae family, and the most endagered relative of the domestic dog in the wild. They are not to be confused with Hyenas, which are actually more closely related to mongooses and meerkats than dogs, and are in a completely different biological family, Feliformia, which also includes cats.
African Wild Dogs are lean, 35 - 80 lbs, and tall about 30 inches at the shoulder and 40 long with another foot of tail. They have a special coat, each unique to its owner, in a disruptive pattern that makes a group of dogs look much larger than they really are and confuses prey.
They have an unusual social structure in which males help raise the pack's cubs and there is very little agression among pack members. If young dogs are present at a kill, adults will even allow them to eat first, unlike any ather pack arrangement, like lions or wolves.
They are among the most efficient hunters in the world, playing a pivotal role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance. They work together to bring down a wide range of prey, calling to each other (they sounds like birds) and directing each other's movement with their large ears.
African Wild Dog at the Bronx Zoo. Photo by Stavenn.
The African Wild Dog Cozy Coat
Our custom designed pattern attempts in some small way to echo the unusual beauty of these Painted Dogs. Flattering for all domestic dog colors, we rendered it in the thickest stretchiest fleece we've used to date. Then to make our Cozy Coat extra special, we bound the edges in chic black binding for added durability. Now your dog can reclaim his or her wild side and be a force for nature ...
The World Wildlife Fund East Africa Project
There are only an estimated 3,000 - 5,000 Wild Dogs left in the wild. One third of them are found in the Selous Reserve in Tanzania. Through the funding of this project, WWF started monitoring, assessing threats and managing the dogs with the help of local communities. If you would like to download a PDF about the project Click Here.
Wild Dogs. Photo by Bart Swanson.