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Last Updated on 09/09/2024 by Aapt Dubey
There are currently over 400 approved dog breeds worldwide, including hunting, service, adorable, and many more. To the best of their abilities and skills, these dogs perform the duties of domestic dogs. But, none of them can match its wild wolf-blood ancestor in terms of resilience, power, vitality, or health.
Here’s a breakdown of fascinating wolf-dog breeds, along with key takeaways to consider before bringing one home.
What are Wolfdogs?
- Hybrids, Not Pure Wolves: Wolfdogs are dogs with recent wolf ancestry. It’s crucial to remember they are NOT domesticated wolves.
- Varying Wolf Content: The percentage of wolf DNA in a wolfdog can vary greatly, influencing their temperament and needs.
- Beautiful but Demanding: Their striking appearance is a draw, but they are often more challenging to own than standard dog breeds.
Wonderful Wolf-Like Dog Breeds
- Siberian Husky: Athletic, independent sled dogs with a thick coat, known for their howling and playful nature.
- Saarloos Wolfdog: Intense breed created from German Shepherds and Eurasian wolves. Demanding, but bond strongly with their owners.
- Northern Inuit Dog: Specifically bred for wolf-like looks, often used in film. Friendly, yet high-energy.
- Alaskan Malamute: Large, powerful sled dogs with a friendly disposition. Require significant exercise.
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog: Military-bred cross between German Shepherds and Carpathian wolves. Highly intelligent but needs intensive socialization.
- Italian Wolfdog: Resemble wolves but are more obedient, used for mountain rescue. Still rare and not officially recognized.
- Utonagan: Mix of Malamutes, German Shepherds, and Huskies, designed for looks, not wolf behavior. Friendly companions.
- Tamaskan: Finnish breed visually similar to wolves, known for intelligence and trainability.
- Kunming Wolfdog: Chinese breed resembling German Shepherds. Used for military and police work, rarely kept as pets.
- Canadian Eskimo Dog: Ancient Arctic breed with immense stamina. Independent and loyal, but demanding to care for.
Key Takeaways
- Not for Beginners: Most wolfdogs require experienced owners familiar with their wild instincts and high exercise needs.
- Research is Vital: Understand the breed’s specific traits, wolf content, and potential challenges before committing.
- Training is Key: Consistent training and socialization from a young age are essential.
- Not for Everyone: Wolfdogs aren’t suited for apartment living or inactive households. Be honest about whether you can meet their needs.
- Legal Considerations: Some areas restrict or ban wolfdog ownership – check your local laws.
Important Note: Wolfdogs can be complex and unpredictable pets. Their care demands a huge commitment. While their beauty is undeniable, it’s crucial to prioritize their well-being and ensure you can provide the ideal environment for them to thrive.
If you’re truly fascinated by wolfdogs, consider these alternatives:
- Volunteering at a Wolf Sanctuary: Helps wolves in need while gaining experience with their behavior.
- Supporting Wolf Conservation: Ensures a healthy future for wild wolves.
- Choosing a Spitz-Type Breed: Many Spitz breeds (Siberian Husky, Akita, etc.) offer a wolfish look without the extreme challenges of a true hybrid.
Contents
What Is Wolf Dog Breed?
Wolfdogs, as the name suggests, are the result of crossbreeding dogs (mostly once domesticated, but runaway and feral) and wolves. Experiments to obtain a wolf-dog hybrid with the appearance and character of a wild beast have been carried out by people since the early 1500s.
Now there are dozens of breeds of wolf-dog hybrids, some are officially recognized. Such a dog, alas, will never become a completely domestic dog, but if it recognizes the leader in the owner, it will be the most faithful and courageous defender of the house.
The wolf-dog breed received its exceptional health from its forest ancestors; they are free of congenital disorders, and also hip dysplasia, a condition that is so prevalent in breeds like German shepherds, escapes them.
Therefore, if you want your grey companion to be healthy and happy, choose a complete diet for him, and don’t forget about vaccinations. This diet should either be a balanced food for large dogs or natural food that also includes eggs, cottage cheese, and also vitamins along with boiled meat (anything other than pork). Moreover, spend more time walking and talking to your dog.
They do, however, have a weakness: a particular response to some medications. Hence, drug tolerance testing should be performed before initiating therapy if your dog becomes ill.
List Of Top Wolf Dogs Breed
Many people like big dogs that look like wolves (known as wolf dog breeds): they look like real forest predators and their noble appearance is reminiscent of the harsh life in the wild. Why not get your domestic wolf-dog hybrid then?
Dogs that look like wolves are distinguished by particularly good health, physical strength, and a love of active movement in the fresh air. What breeds are they?
Let’s have a look at the wolf-like dog breeds listed below to which wolf-dog hybrids are the best for your family. These dogs mainly came from their wolf ancestors making German Shepherd Husky Mix with Wolf Hybrid. So, here is a list of Wolf dog breeds to key as your domestic dogs.
Siberian Husky
The Chukchi people of Siberia and Russia, developed Siberian Huskies to pull sleds and carry cargo over great distances through the arid Arctic landscape.
Siberian Huskies even made headlines in 1908 when they participated in the inaugural All-Alaska Sweepstakes race. The Siberian Husky dogs proved to be the ideal breed for the challenging 408-mile race through the frigid wilderness of Alaska. They could travel great distances without becoming tired since they were swift, powerful, and endowed with natural endurance.
The Siberian Huskies are becoming a well-liked breed all around the world. They are renowned for their charm, wit, and amiable nature.
They are popular in sled dog racing as well as other outdoor activities, and they also make wonderful home pets.
Siberian Huskies are sociable and affectionate, but because they were bred to pull sleds, they have a high prey drive. They are noted for having a lot of energy as well as an urge to flee, which, if not properly educated and exercised, can occasionally cause them to run away or escape.
If you choose to keep a Siberian husky as a pet, make sure to provide it with lots of exercise, entertainment, and also mental stimulation to keep it happy and well-behaved. This is because Siberian huskies are a clever breed that is constantly seeking new challenges.
Saarloos Wolfdog
The Saarloos Wolfdog breed is a cross between a male German Shepherd dog and a Eurasian Grey Wolf. It is a hybrid created by the Dutch biologist Leindert Saarlos. The biologist believed that modern dog breeds were beginning to lose touch with their nature, so he worked to create more wild representatives.
The scientist in his experiment tried to cross a German shepherd with a wild she-wolf from Siberia. The resulting puppies had a strong and hardy bodies, but at the same time, they responded well to training, which made it possible to keep such hybrids at home as loyal companion dogs.
It is worth noting that the character of the wolfdogs of the Saarlos breed is wayward and with pronounced leadership qualities. To properly educate and train such a wolf-like appearance dog, you need to be patient and undergo special training.
Initially, the biologist wanted to get hybrids, later used as guide dogs. But the pronounced leadership qualities of the resulting hybrid do not make it possible to educate them in this way.
The appearance of Saarlos dogs resembles wolves with fluffy fur. The height at the shoulder in males reaches 74 cm, in females, it is slightly less – up to 70 cm. Weight varies from 30 to 42 kg. Energetic, and independent by nature, these wolf dogs are strongly attached to their owner, showing alertness to strangers.
Having a particle of wolf blood, dogs of this breed obey pack instincts and the law of self-preservation, so they are not suitable as guard animals.
Northern Inuit Wolf Dogs
This Northern Inuit dog breed was developed artificially to protect humans from hazardous weather. Huskies, German shepherds, malamutes, and dogs belonging to the Arctic Inuit people were used to make it.
The resultant breed stands out for its intelligence, obstinacy, cold resistance, and physical strength. Due to the Northern Inuit dog breed’s resemblance to wolves and other grey predators, northern Inuit is frequently shown in movies as such. For instance, in the popular television series Game of Thrones, Northern Inuit dogs played dire wolf puppies.
Alaskan Malamute Wolf Dogs
Like Huskies, Malamutes are a historic variety of sled dogs. They certainly have a close link with wolves, as evidenced by their enormous physique and gray-white coloring. Malamutes are balanced, and calm, and do not display hostility towards people while at the same time loving children.
Malamutes are highly stubborn and independent, therefore their owners must give training and socializing extra care. Malamutes require plenty of outdoor exercises as well, therefore it’s best if they stay in the country their entire lives.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes these magnificent canines as being amiable, devoted, and playful. This breed’s waterproof, thick double coat protected them well in the Northern where these dogs originated, however, they need a lot of maintenance to prevent tangles, so prepare to spend a lot of time cuddling and combing them.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Another successful hybrid was bred in 1955 on the territory of the former Czechoslovak Republic. This FSS (Foundation Stock Service) wild dog breed was originally bred by crossing a German Shepherd and a Carpathian Wolf in the 1950s. The dog gained worldwide recognition due to the inheritance of expected genetic features.
Breeding a new breed of dog was necessary for special operations of military importance. Over time, the Czechoslovak Wolfdog dogs gave been recognized as universal dogs and also military dogs. The suit of the breed resembles gray wolves, not only in texture but also in color. Representatives of the Czechoslovak Wolfdog have a large physique and slanting eyes with an amber tint. The height at the shoulder is from 60 to 65 cm, weight is up to 30 kg.
Energetic, hardy dogs, have a quick reaction and a sharp sense of smell. They are very attached to the owner, they treat the household well. To properly raise an animal, you need to be patient. So, they make wonderful pets. If you are an experienced dog owner then you can have this dog as a wonderful family pet.
Italian Wolf Dogs (Lupo Italiano)
A young breed that dates back to the 1960s. Its creator, the Italian scientist Mario Messi, crossed a German shepherd with a she-wolf named Lazio, caught in the Apennine mountains. Italian wolves make good mountain rescuers.
They perfectly adapt to various weather conditions, difficult work in the highlands, hunger, and thirst. This is a smart, loyal dog, but not yet officially recognized. Even in their homeland, in Italy, the breeding and use of Italian wolves for commercial purposes are prohibited by presidential decree.
Utonagan Wolf Dog Breeds
British breeders developed Utonagans based on Malamutes, Huskies, and German Shepherds. Despite their resemblance to wolves, these dogs lack the size and strength of their wild counterparts. The Utonagan is well-liked throughout the world due to its wolf-like look and outgoing personality, but the breed is not yet recognized by cynological federations. The members of this breed are excellent security dogs or friends, but they require a lot of physical activity to burn off their excess energy.
Tamaskan Wolf Dog Breeds
This breed of dog closely resembles wolves, although they lack wolf DNA. Many different breeds have been used by Finnish breeders to create Tamaskans. The result is a wolf-dog breed that most closely resembles a wolf morphologically. Tamaskan dogs are also gregarious, athletic, and submissive. Although formal cynological organizations have not yet acknowledged this breed, it has already sparked attention in Europe, North America, and Australia.
Kunming Wolf Dog Breeds
Kunming dogs are similar in appearance to German Shepherds but differ from them in a higher sloping back and short hair. The breed was bred in the Chinese province of Yunnan in the early 1950s to meet the needs of the army for service dogs.
In total, about 50 puppies completed the military training program, of which 10 best wolfdogs were selected. In 1988, the Kunming dog was officially recognized as a breed in China, although it still has not received the FCI standard. Currently, Kunming dogs are widely used by the Chinese army and police. They are rarely kept as pets.
Canadian Eskimo Wolf Dog Breeds
Indigenous people in North America have long utilized the Canadian Eskimo Dog, a distinctively North American canine breed.
This powerful and hardy dog, also called the Qimmiq or a Canadian Inuit Dog breed, is recognized for its high stamina, making it the perfect choice for laboring in arduous Arctic conditions.
This strong breed is not only physically impressive but also clever and fiercely devoted to its owner
These wolf-dog hybrids are capable of making fantastic lifelong companions with the right care and training. This Canadian Inuit Dog breed, with its commanding presence and unyielding determination, is likely to catch your interest whether you’re searching for a family companion or a working dog.
FINAL WORDS
In contrast to other wolf-dog hybrids, such as the Czechoslovakian wolfdog breed, the Sarlos wolfdog breed has equally integrated the outward characteristics of the wolf and German Shepherd. This pet is quite heavy for its size. The dog’s body is average in length, slightly heavier than a wolf’s, and has medium-sized, upright ears.
Like in German shepherds, the tail is quite long, saber-shaped, and typically carried horizontally or with a slight inclination to the back.
The coat is very thick, with a warm undercoat. The color is a gray wolf, but somewhat more contrasting than that of purebred wolves. However, if you are not an experienced dog owner then don’t buy wild dog breeds like Siberian Huskies because they are very active dogs.
Since these Wild animals have wolf genes, they have wolf-like traits. You can see a wolf-dog breed as a herding dog, sled dog, working dog, herd reindeer dog, etc. And only experienced owners are advised to keep these wild dog breeds and not first-time dog owners.
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