The 5 smallest canids in the world: the size of a chihuahua

The list was compiled taking into account the maximum and minimum estimated body weights of the animals, but it was not an easy task. On the one hand, there are a lot of very similar-sized species among the dog species, and on the other hand, there are often quite large differences in size between the various sources. Nevertheless, we have tried to be as accurate as possible.

If you look at the list of the smallest canids, you’ll see that each species has the word fox in its name. But don’t let that fool you! The subfamily of true canines (Caninae) includes the fox genus (Vulpini), so foxes are also canines. Let’s see which are the smallest canines in the world!

The 5 smallest canids

1.) Fennec fox

Weight: 0,7-1,6 kg

Their most distinctive feature is their large ears, which are used both to dissipate heat and to listen for the movement of prey underground. In addition to their ears, their fur and kidney functions are adapted to the desert environment, where temperatures are high and water scarce. Accordingly, it is active almost only at night in cooler weather, avoiding losing water by panting while awake. They have a thick layer of fur on their feet to protect them from being burnt by the hot sand and to muffle the noise of their footsteps. It even prevents them from sinking into the soft ground while running.

They are highly social animals, with each group consisting of about 10 individuals, led by an alpha pair. They stay together for life and only they can reproduce, other generations do not get the chance. Despite this, however, they hunt alone, as foxes usually do..

It is likely that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The Little Prince was inspired not by the red fox but by the fennec fox. Unfortunately, they are increasingly being bred, as there is a great demand for them as exotic pets. Moreover, in North Africa, they are trapped to be sold or shown to tourists, who can pay to have their pictures taken with these animals or to pet them.

2.) Blanford’s Fox

Weight: 1,5-3 kg

The Blanford’s Fox is native to western Asia, central Asia and parts of southern Asia. They are truly curious little creatures – although this is true of all the species on this list – with a huge, lumpy tail and a slightly cat-like movement and appearance. Their ears are large like those of foxes in desert areas, allowing them to cool their body effectively; their paw pads, however, are not furry. What may surprise you, however, is that, unlike the straight, non-retractable claws of a canid, the Blanford’s Fox claws are curved and semi-retractable. (As well as, incidentally the cheetah which is often described as the most dog-like of all felines.) These claws make them excellent rock climbers, even vertically, and their jumping ability is second to none.

Unlike the vast majority of fox species, they are omnivorous, eating mainly insects and fruit. They are largely fruit eaters in Pakistan, with olives, melons and grapes being their favourite foods. (Interestingly, grapes are highly toxic to both dogs and cats.) Perhaps due to the type of food they eat, they are not known to store their food, unlike other fox species.

3.) Corsac Fox

Weight: 1,6-3 kg

The Corsac Fox The steppes and semi-desert areas of Central Asia and Mongolia can be called their home. They have been present on Earth since the middle of the Pleistocene epoch. And, shockingly, have been hunted for their fur since the Bronze Age. A threat that continues to make life difficult for these animals today. Fortunately, however, the population is stable for the time being. Even for a fox, and even for one of their diminutive size, they have very small teeth but a broader skull. And some sources claim that the species is good at climbing trees and mountains, but not very good at running. It is said that attempts were once made to tame them.

They have no territory of their own to defend, and in a manner so uncharacteristic of foxes, they sometimes forage in packs. In winter, however, they cannot hunt because of the heavy snow, so they usually retreat to their burrows during these periods. These burrows have several entrances and the passages are distributed between groups. These interconnected passages and burrows are thought by experts to resemble cities.

The name for the Corsac Fox comes from the Russian name for the animal, корса́к, whose root is the Turkish qarssaq. In Hungary, the Kuns were a tribal group of Turkic-speaking peoples – Kipchaks, Yellow Uyghurs, Asian Kuns – for whom qarssaq functioned as a personal name, and from which the name of the town of Karcag also derives. The name of the settlement was coined in 1922 by Gyula Németh, a turkologist-linguist of Karcag origin.

The other name for the Pusztai fox is korzak, which comes from the Russian name for the animal, korsák (корса́к), whose root is the Turkish qarssaq . In Hungary, the Kuns were a tribal group of Turkic-speaking peoples – Kipchaks, Yellow Uyghurs, Asian Kuns – for whom qarssaq functioned as a personal name, and from which the name of the town of Karcag also derives. The name of the settlement was coined in 1922 by Gyula Németh, a turkologist-linguist of Karcag origin.

4.) Röppell’s Fox

Weight: 1.7 kg on average

The Röppell’s Fox lives in the desert and semi-desert areas from North Africa to Iran. Meaning they share their home with the top of the list, the fennec fox. But their closest relative is the red fox(Our cunning friend weighs between 3 and 14 kg.) This species also forms monogamous pairs and is highly regular, with two types of burrows. One in which the pups are born and raised, and one which is used for naps.

Unlike their red cousin, they never mark their territory with faeces, but they shed their stink glands and urine all the more vigorously. This is because, like skunks, they can even spray their attackers with it as a defence. Like the desert fox. The Röppell’s Fox has large ears that make the desert climate more tolerable. Their paw pads are also furry, which presumably protects them from the hot sand and distributes their weight better, helping them to move more easily on soft ground.

5.) Island Fox

Weight: 1-2,8 kg

The Urocyon genus includes two species that are still living, the Grey Fox and the Island Fox. The species is found exclusively on the 6 islands of the Channel Islands of California (USA). Also, it has a Critically Endangered status. Populations began to decline sharply when mining and cattle ranching began in their habitat. They are referred to as a highly clever species and are typically unafraid of humans, a trait that at one point led to attempts at domestication. Interestingly, because the species lives in an isolated environment, they are not immune to diseases and parasites introduced from the mainland, which would not be harmful to the average dog.

The indigenous people of the Channel Islands kept Island Foxes as pets. They used their fur for various purposes, including ceremonial headdresses. Archaeological research has found remains (often juveniles) of Island Foxes that were deliberately and consciously buried, sometimes with human remains. It is thought that these foxes may have been sacrificed ritually.

They choose a mate for life, create their living space together and live together. When the pups are born, they raise them together. But like most foxes, they hunt solitarily.

(The opening photo shows a fennec fox cub.)