The most likely threat to Speothos venaticus is habitat encroachment.
The bush dog is found in Central America (Panama) south through Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas, Brazil, Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, eastern Bolivia, and eastern Peru, in forest and wet savanna areas.
Other language names: Spanish: Zorro/Perro vinagre, perro de agua, perro de monte (Venezuela).
Little is known, but the bush dog is rare throughout its range. The bush dog is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 1".