The minimum number of adult dogs in a pack which can successfully hunt and breed is 6 dogs. Painted dogs are intensely sociable animals living most of the time in close association with each other. This has obvious benefits but has drawbacks as well. All too often a member may contract a disease which can wipe out a whole population. 

Packs can be as small as a pair or number as many as 30 including adult and yearlings.

New packs are formed when same sex animals leave their natal packs and join up with sub groups of the opposite sex that have also left their natal group to form a new pack.

Any young born to the new pack may either stay or leave as young adults.

Sick or injured animals are usually looked after by the other pack members.