Feral dog/Fox?

[samuelsmiles]

Hello, today I saw a wild dog type of animal at Rickmansworth Aquadrome. I watched it through binoculars so had a good view for a few seconds as it passed swiftly across some land into heavy undergrowth.

At first, from a distance, I thought it was a mangy fox with red and grey colourings but it definately wasn't a fox. It had a really long tail and appeared more dog like than a fox but really wild dog like.

Don't mock but it looked like a dingo type creature but with a really long thin tail. It definately wasn't a domestic dog, it looked just too wild and different.

I would love to hear any comments or sites that i could look at some pictures to try to identify. Regards.

[tameblackbirds]

it was probably a fox and mange had affected its tail so that the usual bush associated with a fox had fallen out leving a straight dog looking tail

[Words]

That would be my thought as well, a fox with mange. Here's a picture of one I took a few years back and you can see the state of the (non)-brush

[tameblackbirds]

Originally Posted by Words

That would be my thought as well, a fox with mange. Here's a picture of one I took a few years back and you can see the state of the (non)-brush

That's exactly how the fox I saw in my garden last, about 3 weeks or so ago looked. I had to take a second look as I thought at first it was a dog in the garden.

[ellen h]

Have to agree that its probably a fox with a mangy tail.
Have seen one locally too.....
ellen

[samuelsmiles]

Thanks very much for your replies. When I was watching the 'dog thing of Rickmansworth' through my binoculars I quickly dismissed fox because of the tail I suppose. It looked a healthy beast and more dog like than a fox.

I saw a woman who was nearby stop in her tracks as she saw it pass by in front of her and when I asked what she thought she had seen she mentioned....don't laugh....stoat. I don't think she new much about wildlife but it had completely thrown her judgment.

I'm sure you are both right, but for now, I will cling to the belief that the 'dog thing of Rickmansworth' is a new and unidentified dog species that will eventually be named after me.....I may even stake out for a few nights to get the evidence I need.

Thanks again.

[tameblackbirds]

lol good luck will be watching news when the 'doggythingy' comes on and be totally embarrassed

[samuelsmiles]

Tameblackbirds, please don't be embarrassed. Words and Ellen have also made the mistake of dismissing my observations of a new dog species. Me and the woman who also saw the creature could well have spotted the first stoat/dingo crossbreed.

[Words]

Don't worry about me. I once spent about an hour convinced I'd spotted E.T. up a tree. Turned out to be a squirrel, upside down, peering out of a hole at the top of the trunk. Had me completely baffled.