10 Wild Cat Species & 10 Wild Dog Species We Wish We Could Take Home
Who Hasn’t Fantasized About Owning These Animals As Pets?
Who hasn’t watched “The Lion Whisperer” on YouTube and thought, “How cool would that be?” While we love the array of dog and cat breeds widely available for pet ownership, we can still dream about owning a tiger or wolf from time to time. Aside from those big beautiful majestic canines and felines, there are many deceptively cuddly-looking exotic ones you might not even know about. Here are 10 wild cat species and 10 wild dog species we wish we could take home with us.
1. Rusty-Spotted Cat
The rusty-spotted cat is a small wild cat breed native to Sri Lanka and India. At an average size of 14 to 19 inches in length, it's one of the smallest varieties of cats. It also has big bright eyes you can get lost in.
2. Siberian Tiger
The image of the Siberian tiger is synonymous with power, strength, and majesty. Like Jasmine from Aladdin, we all dreamed of owning one as a pet when we were younger, but unless you're Tiger King, it's not going to happen and nor should it.
3. Leopard Cat
This gorgeous wild cat breed is native to Southeast and East Asia. It's about the size of a housecat, but more slender and with a big puffy tail we just want to reach out and touch.
4. Snow Leopard
Everything from their thick fur to their little ears and huge paws screams "hug me." However, you may want to think twice before actually doing that as these arctic cats are fierce predators. One lazy movement of their big paw could knock you out cold.
5. Canadian Lynx
Another swoon-worthy arctic cat is the Canadian lynx. It has snow-shoe like paws that allow it to move effortlessly above deep snow, thick fur that keeps it warm in its tundra environments, and little points on the ears with a purpose we're unsure of but sure looks cute.
6. Pallas’ Cat
Can you get any more cute? Look at these guys: fluffy fur, stubby little legs, and a perpetually confused facial expression just make our hearts melt.
7. Caracal
The caracal can only be described as elegant. This is a predatory cat native to Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Caracals typically only go out at night, spending their days getting plenty of beauty sleep.
8. Lion
Who didn't dream of owning a lion when they were little? This beautiful animal is as awe-inspiring as it is dangerous. A symbol of courage and leadership, it's no wonder countless countries feature the lion on its crest.
9. Clouded Leopard
This cat has a coat so beautiful, it reminds you of how amazingly complex nature is. The clouded leopard lives in the Himalayan foothills and is one of the most impressive climbers out there. However, it's a solitary cat that wouldn't enjoy being your pet.
10. Black-Footed Cat
The black-footed cat is the smallest wild cat in Africa. Its striking fur coat isn't just for looks, it's also a perfect camouflage, especially on moonlit nights. A prolific hunter, the black-footed cat kills up to 14 small prey per night.
Now that we've talked about some of the world's cutest wild felines, let's go over some of the canines we'd love to cuddle up with.
1. Fox
If ever you've encountered a fox in the wild, you probably had the knee-jerk reaction of wanting to keep it forever. Foxes are un-arguably adorable but their wild nature would make them poorly behaved pets.
2. Jackal
Jackals are dogs with athletic builds and huge ears perfect for long-distance travel and hunting. They may seem like they'd make a perfect companion for an active dog owner, but they're far too wild and independent.
3. Raccoon Dog
We were today years old when we learned about the existence of the raccoon dog. It's a fox-like omnivorous dog native to asia and has the face of a raccoon and the body of a heavyset dog.
4. Arctic Fox
The arctic fox is like an adorable baby seal in dog form. Cute as they are, they're also incredibly strong and hearty. Their fur changes color according to the season and they live in the harshest winter environments on the planet.
5. Maned Wolf
The maned wolf looks like it may be your perfect match if you're looking for an active dog with an intelligent face and disproportionately large ears. However, this long-legged dog has wolf in its name for good reason: it's a fierce hunter and is the largest canine in South America.
6. Bat-Eared Fox
This dog's massive ears aren't just for our viewing pleasure. These little guys found in the African savanna are fantastic hunters, with the ability to hear even the most miniscule prey deep within the gound.
Yathin S Krishnappa on Wikimedia
7. Fennec Fox
Another dog with impressive ears is the fennec fox. Its ears in relation to its pretty little face makes it look like a character in a Japanese anime but those ears have the function of hearing underground prey.
8. Dingo
The dingo may look similar to certain domesticated dog breeds but its lean and nimble body is adapted for speed and stamina. This makes it an impressive hunter but far too energetic to be owned as a pet.
9. Grey Wolf
No dog is more majestic than the grey wolf. The image of a lone wolf howling to the moon has been burned into our psyches as an image of independence and stregth. Of course you can’t own these beautiful beasts as pets, but huskies are the next best thing.
10. African Wild Dog
The African wild dog is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has beautiful big ears and a unique reddish-brown fur coat. Sadly, these cute doggos are endangered due to human activities which makes us want to adopt them into the safety of our homes even more.
