Wepwawet was the canine god whose name means “Opener of the Ways,” a role that could include opening paths for the dead. He was related to Anubis in funerary symbolism but was not simply another name for him.
Wepwawet was often depicted as a wolf or jackal-like animal and was especially associated with the city of Lycopolis, in Upper Egypt. His name also gave him military and royal associations: opening the way could mean leading an army or clearing a path for the king.
Anubis focused more strongly on embalming, tomb protection, and the care of the dead. Egyptian deities could share animal forms and overlapping responsibilities, so identifying them requires attention to their names, titles, and local cults. Wepwawet’s distinctive title is the clearest clue separating him from Anubis.