Worlds first ever dog-fox crossbreed 'Dogxim' died after being hit by car

 Posted on June 6, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  446 words  |  Martina Birk

The world’s first dog-fox crossbreed has been found in Brazil.

After the bizarre creature was hit by a car and taken to vets in 2021, staff were unable to work out if she was a dog or a fox.

Genetic tests by boffins have now classed the animal – which died earlier this year of unknown causes – as a new species.

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The weird-looking beast shared characteristics of both breeds like being the same size as medium-sized dog and having large pointy ears, thick wiry fur and a long pointy snout.

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Flávia Ferrari, a conservationist that worked with the animal named “Dogxim” by her carers, said: “She was an amazing animal, really a hybrid between a pampas fox and a dog.

“It was not as docile as a dog, but it also lacked the aggressiveness of a wild canid when handled.

“She had a shy and cautious personality, generally preferring to stay away from people.

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“Over the time she was hospitalised for treatment, I believe she started to feel safer.”

Tests determined the animal had 76 chromosomes – which were a mixture of those found in foxes and dogs.

The animal was initially apprehensive of humans just like foxes, but warmed to her handlers eventually and allowed herself to be petted.

She had a dog’s bark and sometimes played with toys, but moved like a fox.

The animal refused to eat food given to her apart from live rodents.

Researchers reckon the animal’s mum was a pampas fox and her dad is a domestic dog – but they are not sure what breed he was.

The animal was neutered as part of her treatment – but scientists believe she may have been able to reproduce and there are more dog-fox crossbreeds in the wild.

Bruna Elenara Szynwelski of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, which did tests on the animal, said: “In our study we recorded the first case of hybridisation between one species of wild canid and the domestic dog.”

Pooches are related to coyotes, wolves and dingos and are known to have bred with them previously.

Research on the fox was published in the journal Animals.

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