Looks hyena-ish in some ways, interesting

Interesting - how so? I sort of tried to base him on a wolf.

could be just perspective, but his forelimbs/shoulders look muscular and hunched slightly, and his neck looks very beefy and muscular, looks notably thicker than the base of the skull throughout. He looks very "front heavy" with musculature focused more on the front half, like a hyena. The legs and tail appear more canine/wolf-like, though the tufts on his flanks and the effect of perspective give a slight "hyena"-ish look with his legs. Looks like a powerful predator more given to tackling and mauling. My personal "mind's eye" interpretation of Manectric in a more "realistic" form factor always leaned more towards the "graceful slender Ibizan Hound/Jackal" look with the distinctive golden mane and tufts, more of a "finesse" look.

Again, this is personal opinion and it IS a superbly-drawn creature. Very menacing and powerful, and I do like the mane/crest look (which I also feel gives a hyena-ish vibe, actually)

http://www.predatorconservation.com.....ipedhyena1.jpg
http://www.hyaenidae.org/uploads/im.....ped_hyaena.jpg

This is what I am thinking of when I say "hyena" - the striped sort.

Ohh, I like the mane on the second one! That was sort of what I was trying to do with Manectrics but ended up turning into a fin sorta. And I figured it might've been the torso shape because of the perspective that gave him the hyena-look. At the side, the body would have been longer and more squarish-looking without a sloped arch on his back.

But you also have a point that his form would prolly be more lithe and skinnier, given that Manectric excel more at speed than attack power. Appreciate your comments. :3