Seeing a wolf in the wild is rare. From a distance, foxes, coyotes, and even wild dogs running loose can be mistaken for wolves, which is a common error. So, what are some differences between them? Here are a few:
Foxes are much smaller than wolves. Adult red foxes are not much larger than a house cat, weighing between 10-14 pounds. Foxes do not hunt in packs while wolves do. Foxes don’t hunt prey that are much larger than themselves.
Adult Coyotes weigh between 28-35 pounds. They are larger than foxes but smaller than wolves. Coyotes are often the same color as wolves but not quite the same shape. Their legs are shorter, pointier muzzles, and have bigger ears. Coyotes do not usually hunt in packs. While Coyotes do howl, it sounds much different than wolves. Coyote howls are more high pitched and contain barking sounds.
Dogs that can be mistaken for wolves are Siberian Huskies, German Shepherd, and Malamutes. Generally, wolves have much wider heads, narrower chests, smaller more rounded ears, and do not have curly tails.
So the next time you see a dog-like animal in the distance, keep these facts in mind!
The Wolf Preservation Blog 
Generally wolves also have skinny close set front legs also.
You know, I wouldn’t go close enough to an animal to see if it was a coyote or wolf.