Dogs are the descendants of wolves and have inherited some of their traits. The term “wolf-dog hybrid” refers to a breed or a hybrid animal resulting from a cross between a wolf and a domestic dog.
Some people believe that wolfdog breeds and wolfdogs are the same, but there is a difference between these two. All wolf-dogs are not hybrids.
In fact, they are the domesticated dogs having wolves as their recent ancestors. But, crossing with a wolf does not mean that they have inherited all of the wolf’s wildness.
These dogs are friendly, loyal, and playful. Owning a wolf-dog can be a bit challenging, as they can turn wild if not looked after correctly. However, with proper training and socialization, these wolf-dog hybrids make excellent companions.
Have a look at these 7 wolf-dog breeds that make good pets.
Hybrid Wolf Dog Breeds
1. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: 44 to 97 pounds
Prey Drive: Strong
Energy Levels: High
Exercise Needs: 60 minutes daily
Czechoslovakian wolfdog is a hybrid resulting from the mating between German Shepherds and wild Carpathian wolves in 1950s. The American Kennel Club reports that these guard dogs were originally bred by the Czechoslovakian military to protect the borders during cold war.
Today, this German Shepherd wolf mix is used as a working dog for jobs like herding, search and rescue operations, and dog sports. It is a beautiful and loyal pup that makes a wonderful pet. Due to its historical lineage, it is courageous, fearless, dominant, and independent.
Czechoslovakian wolfdogs are high-energy dogs that require 2 hours of vigorous exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. If you love hiking or running, Czechoslovakian wolfdogs might be the right dog breed for you!
2. Saarloos Wolfdog
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: up to 100 pounds
Prey Drive: Strong
Energy Levels: Medium to high
Exercise Needs: 60-90 minutes of intense exercise every day
According to the United Kennel Club, the Saarloos wolfdog was obtained through the selective breeding of a German Shepherd with a European Grey wolf. It has been named after its breeder, Leendert Saarloos. Having a Dutch origin, the Saarloos wolfdog is strong and sturdy, weighing up to 100 pounds.
Saarloos wolfdog has a wolf-like appearance, and it inherits its powerful hind limbs from its German Shepherd parent. It has a thick double coat with colors varying from light to dark shades of black, brown, and cream.
As pets, they are loving, kind, and affectionate dogs, but are shy of strangers. They have a skittish nature which can be overcome with early socialization. Due to their wolf heritage, they have a strong prey drive. Although they do not attack, they have a natural hunting instinct.
3. Lupo Italiano
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 23 to 28 inches
Weight: 55 to 77 pounds
Prey Drive: Strong
Energy Levels: High
Exercise Needs: 30 to 60 minutes every day
Lupo Italiano, also known as the Italian wolf-dog, is another German Shepherd wolf mix. One of the last wolves from the Apines of high Lazio were used for this purpose. Many agencies train this wolf dog hybrid for public utility purposes such as rescue operations and tracing the missing persons.
Lupo Italiano is a rare breed known for its hardworking nature. These are the lively and independent dogs that form close bonds with their humans. However, they are often suspicious of strangers. Their courage and strength make them suitable for doing many jobs, including herding.
Their wolf like features include pointed muzzles, sturdy chests, and powerful legs. Lupo Italiano has a medium length wavy coat. Coat color can be all black or grey with fawn, black, or beige markings. They have high energy levels and a lot of stamina. Vigorous play sessions and walks keep them fit.
4. British Timber Dog
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 26 to 28 inches
Weight: 80 to 110 pounds
Prey Drive: Moderate to high
Energy Levels: Very high
Exercise Needs: 60 to 120 minutes
British Timber dogs have a wolf like appearance. They are genetically associated with German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, and Siberian huskies. The purpose of breeding them was to create dog that looked like a wolf and made an excellent pet.
British Timber dogs are loving and affectionate towards their families. They are extremely intelligent dogs, easy to train, and learn very quickly. They can usually control their temper, but due to their genetic connection to wild wolves, they can be a bit aggressive at times.
These dogs are highly energetic but vulnerable to many health problems, such as fleas and ticks, hip dysplasia, and respiratory issues. So, you might have to spend a lot of time and money to keep your British Timber pup healthy.
5. Northern Inuit Dog
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 23 to 30 inches
Weight: 55 to 110 pounds
Prey Drive: Fairly high
Energy Levels: Medium
Exercise Needs: 45 to 60 minutes
Northern Inuits is a medium to large wolf like dogs. They were produced by crossbreeding wolves and dogs in 1980s. Inheriting their rugged looks from wolves and friendly temperament from dogs, Northern Inuits make good pets.
Slightly domed skulls, strong muzzles, and triangular ears are the prominent features of this breed. They have bushy and straight tails. They have a thick, dense, and slightly coarse double coat. Colors can vary from silver to red, grey, black, and white.
Northern Inuits are very intelligent dogs that form close bonds with their owners. These good-natured pups rarely show aggression and are friendly with kids. Northern Inuits are the quiet dogs. But due to their stubbornness, they can be difficult to train. Therefore, they are not well-suited for first time pet parents.
6. Tamaskan Dog
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: 55 to 88 pounds
Prey Drive: Strong
Energy Levels: High energy
Exercise Needs: 70 minutes per day
Tamaskan dog is a rare breed that was developed to look like a wolf. The breeders intercrossed various breeds like German Sheoherds, Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and even wolf like breeds to obtain Tamaskan dogs.
The domestic dogs resulting from these crosses had a wolf like appearance but gentle demeanor. They are quick learners which makes them trainable. That is why they are suitable to be kept as pets. They are loyal, social, and not aggressive at all.
Hailing from Finland, these are the athletic canines that thrive on human companionship. They are obedient and agile dogs that need regular exercise to stay fit. They have a medium and thick double coat that comes in wolf grey, black grey, and red grey colors.
7. Utonagan
Physical and Behavioral Traits
Height: 22 to 28 inches
Weight: 60 to 90 pounds
Prey Drive: Strong
Energy Levels: High
Exercise Needs: 60 minutes
Utonagan is a relatively new wolf hybrid developed in the 1980s by combining German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and Siberian Husky DNA along with that of other unidentified breeds. Yet another rare breed, Utonagan is friendly and intelligent.
Utonogan is a powerful dog that loves its human’s company and behaves well around kids. With proper socialization, they can also learn how to behave around strangers and other animals. They have a high pack mentality and need a firm leader to follow.
These are the gentle and even-tempered dogs. They are sociable and do not show aggression. But, it is not advisable to leave your Utonagan alone as they can exhibit destructive behavior or try to escape when you are not around.
Conclusion
Breeders created several wolf-dog hybrids by cross breeding wolves and domestic dogs. The dog genes imparted loyalty and affection whereas wolf ancestry contributed to their strong and powerful build. Hybrid wolfdogs are not wild animals. In fact, they make wonderful house pets.
The only pro tip to adopt a wolf-dog is to make sure that they are properly trained and socialized!
