The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes Procyonoides) is a wild animal belonging to the Canidae family. The raccoon dog is therefore a dog, rather than a raccoon. Despite their outward resemblance to raccoons, these animals are genetically related to domestic dogs, foxes and wolves, and are considered a species of wild dog. This animal is a basal or ancestral species, which means they have remained relatively unchanged since they first diverged form other canid species. They are the only extant species of the Nyctereutes genus, and there are six recognized subspecies of raccoon dog across Asia and Europe.
Raccoon dogs are native to Japan, which is why they are often called Japanese raccoon dogs, or referred to by their name in Japanese, ‘tanuki’. Raccoon dogs became popular animals in Japan around the 18th century. This was when the tanuki became an icon of the country, and began to be considered a symbol of good fortune.
Tanuki are an important part of Japanese folklore, and there are several legends and stories around the Japanese raccoon dog.
