Canine means relating to dogs, or belonging to the biological family that includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and coyotes. When a veterinarian specializes in canine health, she treats dogs and studies their specific medical needs. Scientists studying canine behavior might observe how wolves hunt in packs or how dogs have learned to understand human gestures.

You'll also hear it in other contexts: your canine teeth are the pointed teeth in the corners of your mouth, named because they resemble a dog's fangs. These teeth are designed for tearing food.

In everyday conversation, people usually say “dog” rather than “canine,” but you'll encounter canine frequently in scientific writing, veterinary medicine, and formal contexts. A police department's canine unit uses specially trained dogs to help officers. A researcher might publish a paper on canine intelligence, exploring how dogs solve problems and learn commands.

The canine family includes about 35 species, from tiny fennec foxes to massive gray wolves. Despite their differences in size and habitat, all canines share certain traits: they're meat-eaters with keen senses of smell, they're built for running, and many species are social animals that live and hunt in groups.