The Borophagine dogs are sometimes called “hyena dogs.” That name gets confusing, for the German name for the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is Hyaenenhund (Hyänenhund), which does mean “hyena dog.” They were actually thought to be hybrids between dogs and hyenas, which is impossible. Hyenas are Feliform Carnivorans that are derived from civet-like ancestors, which are related to cats. Dogs are Caniform Carnivorans, and they are more closely related to bears.
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