The African hunting dog, also known as the African wild dog or painted dog, is a species found in sub-Saharan Africa. There are several synonyms for this distinctive-looking canine that reflect its physical appearance and hunting behavior. Some people refer to the animal as the painted hunting dog due to the vivid colors of its coat. Others call it the Cape hunting dog, denoting its range in South Africa's Cape Province. Another synonym is the spotted dog, which references the animal's mottled fur pattern. The Latin name Lycaon pictus, which means painted wolf, is also used to describe this intriguing and endangered species.