Paw Print ID - What do you think it is?

[pitdog]

That's a trait of a feline print though.

I was thinking that was a track from it's left foot ? If so then for a feline it would be the 3rd pad from the left up front ! I shoulda read the whole thing before posting !!!!

 

[pitdog]

 

[pitdog]

Maybe one of these guys...

 

[raylaconico]

The only reason I guessed cougar is because of the size. However, after seeing those huge dog pictueres, I guess it could have been a canine. I would be real scary though to see a dog that size running around wild in the woods

 

[XMP]

Wow, Pitdog, what is that top dog? Is it an Akita on steroids or what?

BTW that print in post 42 is the quintessential canine print -- visible nail marks and even middle toes.

 

[bikermikearchery]

Looks like a domestic or not quite feral dog, right front paw at a slow walk. It would be great to see the rest of the prints including stride/gate patterns. You can get a better overalll impression. Thanks for the size reference, though... that helped.

Rick

I concur.
The lack of a clear claw imprint is of little consequence when evaluating the overall track. Loose soil often hides claw imprints.
Many breeds of dogs have the genetic characteristics to have smaller than average claws.

 

[USMCSNIPER34]

Can you explain how you came to such a positive conclusion?

no claw marks on the toes, also it looks like to me that the track is splayed out like a cat where as a k9 print is more narrow, and i refered to a tracking book i have and i looks just like the picture for a mt lion print but, i guess it could also be a bob cat print i went back and looked at the book again and it also kind of looks like that one to

 

[smersh]

no claw marks on the toes, also it looks like to me that the track is splayed out like a cat where as a k9 print is more narrow, and i refered to a tracking book i have and i looks just like the picture for a mt lion print but, i guess it could also be a bob cat print i went back and looked at the book again and it also kind of looks like that one to

I guess we see different things -- I would characterize it as an elongated print, with light claw marks that are consistent with the loose, gravelly soil.

Tough to judge from a picture, in any case.

 

[SHEBOP]

Looks like a Mastiff to me...

 

[Watchful]

...and i refered to a tracking book i have...

Ouch. Photos never do tracks justice.

That's a trait of a feline print though.

Only in cougars, and not in all. All other cats have fairly symmetrical tracks.

It is, as Magnussen concludes, a dog print.

X-shaped pattern between the pads. NO cat has those, all dogs, wolves, and coyotes do. Based on size, we can rule coyotes out. Wolves aren't too common in the area.

Heart-shaped heel pad. Although the print is rough in the loose soil, it is quite evident. Cats have an M-shaped heel.

In future, please supply more pics, ideally showing them in series. Distance between tracks as well as overall gait pattern is quite revealing in these instances. Also, taking pics of a different print from a different angle often reveals many more details. Kudos on putting an object of known size in there: that makes it a lot easier to gauge.

 

[Watchful]

Many breeds of dogs have the genetic characteristics to have smaller than average claws.

Also, most domesticated dogs have nails filed down by sidewalks or trimmed by clippers. The use of nail marks in determining a print is iffy at best; like Magnussen, I use the geometry of the print first, the heel pad second, and then other evidence. Claw marks are intriguing, but their absence means very little.

By the way, your observation is often a good way to distinguish between wolves and dogs!

 

[Clydetz]

One thing is for sure... we can eliminate a human track.:thumbup: