[center:2it1pega]Shadow Dog
beast[/center:2it1pega]
1. Physical characteristics
They are very large, being bigger than your average wolf, and allways seem to look like they haven't had enough to eat, no matter how much they eat. They are very strong though, and could take down a large animal in a small pack easily. They can run for miles and miles and never tire. They have a long, bony tail that whips from side to side when they are angry. They short fur, and armor-like plates on the top of their tail, shoulders, hindquarters, legs, and the top of their muzzle. The plates are like scales, are rock hard, and extremely difficult to penetrate. Their eyes are red, yellow, or icy blue with a pupil that isn't visible. Their fur is always black. The markings on the fur vary. The fur on their underside and chest is red, white, yellow. Sometimes, strange swirl-like markings can be found on their back and legs. The plates are silver in color, and look like armor. The males have horns that are a few inches in length, and curve down slightly at the tips. They are twisted horns, and are silver or black. The males fight sometimes like goats with their horns. The horns sometimes grow much longer than the others, and that is the alpha-male's. They are known to charge people that come on their territory, like an angry bull. They are aggressive, but with care and handling from birth, they can be tamed and used for pulling things, or a pet. If someone does them a favor, such as giving them meat, they are known to repay the kindness by doing something for the person, like leaving a flower for them. If someone saves their life, they will be grateful to that person forever.
2. Region
They are not native to a certain region, but they like to live in dense forests and woodlands. The variety found in jungles is much more aggressive and more likely to seriously hurt a person.
3. Special abilities and distinguishing traits
They can breathe fire, and the fire has a black tint to it. They also are strong and if tamed, can be used for helpful things. They are hunted for their horns and armorlike-plates.
4. Life cycle
They live for a very long time compared to a dog, outliving humans. They live about 200 years. Why they live so long, nobody is sure. They mature at about 30 years, and their mating season is once every 5 years.
5. Social Structure
In their way of life, they feel they must help their family and pack. They live in packs of up to 15 members. The males are highly territorial, and they set specific boundaries in their forest area. They are friendly to others of their kind. Males help the young males learn to fight and survive, while the females teach young pups how to deal with other dogs and hunt. Both females and males hunt, fight, and help raise young. When the females give birth, the males help protect the young and get food. The alpha-male and alpha-female govern what happens in the pack, making sure everything is in order.
They are like dogs in communicating with humans, but are smarter.
