The mammalian family that includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and jackals is Canidae.
Members of Canidae are called canids, or more informally dog-like carnivorans. The family includes domestic dogs, gray wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, dingoes, raccoon dogs, and several other living species. Canids belong to the order Carnivora and the dog-like branch, Caniformia.
A common mix-up is treating every carnivorous mammal as a canid. Cats belong to Felidae, bears to Ursidae, and weasels, otters, badgers, and ferrets to Mustelidae. Canids typically have long muzzles, well-developed canine teeth, bushy tails, and strong legs suited to traveling or pursuing prey, although foxes and bush dogs show that the family has considerable variety.
Canids communicate through scent marking, body language, and vocalizations such as barks, howls, and growls. Most are social to some degree, and many cooperate in pairs or groups. The domestic dog is the family’s closest everyday companion to humans and is widely regarded as the first animal domesticated by people.