The low percentage of Neanderthal genes in the modern population likely reflects the very low Neanderthal population relative to that of the newcomers. Interbreeding indicates same species. The whole range of Chihuahuas to Wolves represents one species. The “coyotes” I see where I work range from little fellows of maybe 25 pounds to a critter that is easily 80 pounds or more. In the East at least, there seems to be no fine between wolves and coyotes and coyotes have been making puppies with domestic dogs for a long time.
The coyotes in the East are part red wolf. That’s why they are so large. I have seen 50-70 pound coyotes in my neighborhood.