Physical Characteristics
The African wild dog, also known as the hunting dog, is a slowly vanishing species in East Africa. Current studies show that the wild dog is a highly intelligent and social animal. Like most predators, it plays an important role in the maintenance of the eco-system by eliminating sick and weak animals, thereby helping maintain a natural balance and ultimately improving prey species. The stereotype that the wild dog is a cruel butcher is slowly being replaced by a less harsh  and a more friendly image.
The African wild dog dots a colourful, patchy fur-coat, large and rounded bat-like ears and a bushy tail with a white tip that may serve as a flag to keep the pack in contact whilst hunting.

Habitat
Wild dogs can be found mostly in arid regions and in the savannah. They can also be found in woodlands and montane habitats where their prey lives.
Habits/Behaviour
African wild dogs live and hunt in packs of six to 20. The aggression shown towards prey is completely nonexistent between members of the pack and there is little intimidation among the social hierarchy. Wild Dogs exhibit a large range of vocalizations, which includes a short bark of alarm, a rallying howl and a bell-like contact call that can be heard over long distances. Elaborate greeting rituals are accompanied by twittering and whining like with the domestic dogs. The entire pack is deeply involved in the welfare of the puppies, which are born in a thick bush or in a den.
After successful hunting, the hunting members of the pack return to the den where they regurgitate meat for the nursing mothers and puppies. Although the litters are very large, very few puppies survive. This is caused by either; the flooding of the dens or the exposure of the puppies to severe weather or disease. When pack numbers are reduced for any reason, hunting is not as efficient and there may be no sufficient food for the puppies. The entire pack is actively involved in the welfare of the pups; both males and females baby sit the young and provide food for them.
Hunting/Diet
Wild dogs prey on gazelles and other antelopes, warthogs, wildebeest calves, rats and birds. They recite a peculiar, playful ceremony that initiates each hunt: which involves running in circles amongst themselves, vocalizing and touching until they get excited. When they have targeted prey, some of the dogs in the hunting pack run close to the animal, while others follow behind, swapping roles when the leaders tire. They can run for very long distances at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. Of all the large carnivores, wild dogs are probably the most efficient hunters because they subdue their target with sheer numbers—targeted prey rarely has a chance to escape.
Threats to Wild Dogs
Throughout Africa, wild dogs have been targeted; shot at and poisoned by farmers, hunters and, at one time, by rangers. Even though protected in parks and reserves, wild dog populations are dangerously low.
Thought you Should Know

• The marks and patterns on the fur of wild dogs are different between individuals. Therefore no two wild dogs have similar marks, This makes it easy to identify different individuals. Why such a pattern should develop, and how it serves the hunting dog, has long intrigued scientists.

• Wild dogs are usually not territorial animals and are on the move most of the time over a very large area, covering for example, some 900 square miles in the Serengeti. After a fresh litter is born, however, they will limit their movement and hunting to areas closer to the den.