Canis

American  

[ka-nis] / ˈkæ nɪs /

noun

1. a genus of the subfamily Caninae, which includes dogs, wolves, jackals, and coyotes.

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Example Sentences

While foxes belong to the same biological family as wolves and dogs—Canidae—they don’t belong to the same smaller group, the genus Canis.

From National Geographic • Sep. 27, 2023

One of the big complaints around here is that the wolves will gobble up all the game, especially white-tailed deer, the main food source of Canis rufus.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2023

But Harris, 28, worries over the outcome of what is shaping up to be a contest for dominance between two top predators, Canis lupus and Homo sapiens.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2023

Canis Major and Canis Minor are the constellations named for Orion's two hunting dogs.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2022

“Look, J.B., there’s Canis Major and Canis Minor. That means the big dog and the little dog.”

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly