Hardly known as Indian wild dog because its spread is Pan Asiatic right up to Russia. In the food chain I would place it among the tertiary carnivores along with the leopard and the tiger in the tropical jungles. 

After much work the Animal was finally placed among the canids in genus cuon and species alpinus. Dhole does have affinity with African wild dog but the latter is placed in a different genus due to some morphological differences.

The Pack hunter is lightly built (ave 15 kg) and compact adapted through evolution for speed and rapacity that describes its phenomenal abilities as a carnivore. The black bushy tail, golden red fur and pointed dog like head are the distinct features of this hunting animal. Another unusual characteristic feature is that it does not bark unlike our domestic breeds but rather whistles.  They usually live in a pack of around fifteen animals but large packs have been observed. The leaders are alfa male and female but several breeding females may be found in the pack. 

The mode of hunting is by chase and not ambush like a tiger. A long chase leads to an ungulate being consumed midway this is gory but that is nature at work. In Indian tiger reserves the main prey is the spotted deer or chital. Usually the pack goes for mid sized animals. Interesting tales have been told about conflicts with the tiger.....   

At Kanha I have seen pack size of fifteen animals in the earlier times but it is difficult to gauge their present status for since some time the pack size has not been observed. The population at Kanha seems to have slimmed down but research will extract the truth. The animal is subject to hunting usually considered as vermin it is killed by locals due to livestock predation and threat perception associated with carnivores. Disease carried by pariah dogs may be another factor that could locally endanger the predator. Another aspect of this dog is that it is a wanderer and local migration is regular activity. These animals at Kanha have been seen in the and around human settlements but conflict with humans has not be noted.   

Wild Dog in Pictures