In Rudyard Kipling’s story “The Red Dog,” the wolves call the invading dholes “the red dogs.”
The red dogs are dholes, or Asiatic wild dogs, that threaten Mowgli’s wolf pack. Kipling describes them as dangerous pack hunters moving through the jungle in large numbers. Mowgli helps the wolves prepare for a desperate confrontation, and the story emphasizes cooperation, strategy, and the dangers of defending territory.
Dholes are real Asian canids, scientifically known as Cuon alpinus. Their coats can appear reddish, which explains the story’s common name for them. They are not domestic dogs, foxes, or wolves, although they are related members of the dog family. “The Red Dog” appears in The Second Jungle Book, Kipling’s 1895 follow-up collection.