Raccoon dogs, also known as Nyctereutes procyonoides, are a species of small to medium-sized canids native to East Asia. Despite their name, raccoon dogs are not actually raccoons but rather belong to the canid family, which includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. They are the only currently existing or living species within the genus Nyctereutes. Raccoon dogs have a distinctive appearance that somewhat resembles both raccoons and dogs.