The short fur of African painted dogs is a patchwork of dark brown, yellow, black, and white. Although the color pattern is different for each individual, they all have darker colors on their muzzle and a white tip on the end of their tail. Their ears are large and rounded and they have a strong musky odor. Unlike other canids, all of their teeth are sharp and shearing rather than a combination of sharp and flattened teeth. Their premolars are enlarged, allowing them to crush and consume large quantities of bone. Their slender bodies have a deep chest and long legs with front feet that have 4 toes but no dewclaw--they are the only canids without them.

Listed as "endangered" on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).

• CZS Conservation- Species Survival Plan
• The Chicago Zoological Society administers the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Endangered Species Fund, which supports conservation-oriented research. The grant program attracts dozens of innovative research projects each quarter, which have included African painted dog conservation.
• African Wildlife Conservation Fund
• African Wild Dog Conservancy
• African Wild Dog Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan
• Painted Dog Conservation