Home Other Animals # Are Foxes Actually Dogs? Can They Interbreed? The Woof & Beyond Team Updated January 22, 2021 1 min read ![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/a493d999a2bb5596bdc49b7267dd4828/5e493/image.jpg) Foxes sure look like a mix of both dogs and cats. Does that mean that a fox is a type of dog? The short answer is no, but they are genetically related. **Foxes are not dogs nor cats—they are their own species. However, foxes are related to dogs, wolves, and coyotes - all of which are members of the** [**Canidae family**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canidae)**.** Biologically speaking, foxes share some genetic code with dogs. Still, since their genes diverged from dogs around seven to ten million years ago, they are very different animals. ## Can Dogs Breed with Foxes? While dogs and foxes both belong to the [Canidae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canidae) family, they don’t belong to the same genus. Dogs are a part of the [Canus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canis) genus, while foxes belong to the [Vulpes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpes) genus. Foxes and dogs have an incompatible number of chromosomes. Dogs have 78 chromosomes, while red foxes only have 38. In simple words: **The genetic makeup of foxes is too different from that of dogs, and therefore, they cannot interbreed together.** ![A fennel fox.](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/a87fc9f075c8ef0a797bbf051a2b23df/a2510/image2.jpg) A fennel fox. ## Foxes Have More in Common with Cats Than Dogs Foxes may look more like dogs, but they actually share more behavioral and physical traits with cats. ### Behavioral Similarities - Foxes and cats are stealth hunters. They stalk, pounce, and sometimes play with their prey. - Foxes and cats hunt the same prey. - Foxes and cats are solitary hunters. Unlike dogs that hunt in groups, foxes and cats hunt alone. - Foxes and cats use the same method for killing their prey. They use their sharp teeth to bite and kill as opposed to dogs that grab and shake instead. - Foxes and cats are most active after the sun has settled. ### Physical Similarities - Foxes and cats have sensitive whiskers and spines on their tongues. - [Gray foxes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_fox) and cats can climb trees. - Foxes and cats have vertical pupils that enhance their night vision. ## In Summary Foxes are not dogs and cannot interbreed with them. They actually have more in common with cats than with dogs. Breeding Previous What Kind of Dog Is Doge? Next Are Hyenas Dogs? Can They Interbreed? People also ask Are Hyenas Dogs? Can They Interbreed? Can Coyotes Breed With Dogs? Dog Inbreeding: Can You Breed Sibling Dogs? When Should Dogs Stop Breeding? Top Things to Consider How to Know When Your Male Dog Wants to Mate: Signs to Watch out For Female Dog Refuses to Breed? Here’s Why & What to Do ## Other questions about other animals The ones people read straight after this. Other Animals ### [Are Hyenas Dogs? Can They Interbreed?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/are-hyenas-dogs/) The appearance of hyenas looks somewhat similar to that of dogs and even some cats. Does that mean… January 24, 2021 2 min read Other Animals ### [Can Coyotes Breed With Dogs?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/can-coyotes-breed-with-dogs/) Yes. Coyotes can breed with dogs and create fertile offspring, which is also called a coydog… January 14, 2021 1 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [Dog Inbreeding: Can You Breed Sibling Dogs?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/dog-inbreeding/) Inbreeding remains a gray area, with an ongoing debate on whether it should be encouraged. It may… April 11, 2021 4 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [When Should Dogs Stop Breeding? Top Things to Consider](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/when-should-dogs-stop-breeding/) Most dogs can start reproducing when they reach sexual maturity between 6-15 months of age… February 18, 2021 5 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [How to Know When Your Male Dog Wants to Mate: Signs to Watch out For](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/signs-male-dog-wants-to-mate/) Keeping unaltered male dogs in the home can be quite an endeavor versus their neutered counterparts… August 16, 2022 5 min read Dog Ownership & Care ### [Female Dog Refuses to Breed? Here’s Why & What to Do](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-does-my-female-dog-refuse-to-mate/) The day is finally here. After hours of research, you’ve selected the time, place, and male… August 1, 2022 5 min read