Updated at: 15-09-2023 - By: petstutorial

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, but some breeds still resemble their wolf ancestors. These breeds have been bred to look like wolves, but they are domesticated dogs and make great pets. In this article, we will list the top 8 dogs that look like wolves according to the search results.

These breeds include the American Alsatian, Northern Inuit Dogs, Siberian Husky, Saarloos Wolfdog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Finnish Lapphund, and German Shepherd. While there are other breeds that resemble wolves, these are the most commonly cited.

It’s important to remember that while these breeds may look like wolves, they are domesticated dogs and have been bred for centuries to be companion animals.


Top 8 Dogs That Look Like Wolves

American Alsatian

The American Alsatian is a large-breed companion dog that was developed in California in the 1980s to resemble the now-extinct Dire Wolf. They are bred to have a low prey drive and activity level, and they do not have a tendency to bark, whine, dig or run the fence.

The American Alsatian has a medium-length coat that can be either gold, silver, black sable or cream, with silver sable coloring being the most desirable. They have almond-shaped eyes with a wolfish stare, and their ears stand erect while their black-tipped tail hangs down touching the pasterns.

The American Alsatian is commonly mistaken for a German Shepherd, Shiloh Shepherd, or even a King Shepherd, but size and coat make up most of the major differences between each of their appearances.

The American Alsatian is a purebred dog himself, but he is not yet recognized by any major kennel club. If you’re interested in getting an American Alsatian puppy, you can find a reputable breeder through the National American Alsatian Breeders Association.

Northern Inuit Dogs

The Northern Inuit Dog is a medium to large breed of dog that was developed in the United Kingdom in the 1980s with the objective of producing a dog breed that resembled a wolf but had a friendly and calm nature.

The breed was created by crossing dogs of unknown breed ancestry imported from North America with Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, and possibly Samoyeds.

The Northern Inuit Dog breeding project subsequently split into a number of breed lines, including the Tamaskan dog, the British Timber dog, and the Utonagan.

Northern Inuit Dogs come in a variety of colors, including white, black, grey, sable, and apricot, and they can be a mix of these colors. They have an eye-catching wolf-like appearance with an athletic build, a long muzzle, erect ears, and a straight furry tail.

Northern Inuit Dogs are intelligent, loyal, and friendly, but also strong-willed. They make great family pets, but they can be a challenge to train for first-time owners, so this breed will do best with an experienced owner.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working sled dog breed that belongs to the Spitz genetic family.

Here are some characteristics of the Siberian Husky based on the search results:

Appearance:
– They have a thickly furred double coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, often with white paws and legs, facial markings, and tail tip.
– Example coat colors are black and white, copper-red and white, grey and white, pure white, and the rare “agouti” coat, though many individuals have blondish or piebald spotting.
– Some individuals also have the “saddle back” pattern, in which black-tipped guard hairs are restricted to the saddle area while the head, haunches, and shoulders are either light red or white.
– They have erect triangular ears and distinctive markings, and are smaller than the Alaskan Malamute.

Temperament:
– Siberian Huskies are intelligent, alert, friendly, protective, and gentle.
– They are independent thinkers, which can easily lead to behavior problems such as barking and chewing up furniture if not corrected early as a puppy.
– They are high-energy and sometimes intense dogs, but can be affectionate and gentle when given proper care.
– They love company from both humans and animals alike and would do well in a family setting.

Health and Care:
– Siberian Huskies are born and bred for the snow and do best with active and experienced pet parents.
– They need firm, gentle training and lots of mental stimulation and activity to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors, like escape attempts.
– They need a yard with a high fence that goes all the way into the ground to prevent escapes.
– They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

History:
– Siberian Huskies made their U.S. debut in 1908 when they were brought to Nome, Alaska, by Russian fur trader William Goosak.
– Modern Siberian Huskies registered in the US are almost entirely the descendants of the 1930 Siberia imports and of Leonhard Seppala’s dogs, particularly Togo.
– The limited number of registered foundational dogs has led to some discussion about their vulnerability to the founder effect.

Saarloos Wolfdog

The Saarloos Wolfdog is a breed of dog that was created in the Netherlands in the 1930s by Leendert Saarloos.

Here are some characteristics of the Saarloos Wolfdog based on the search results:

Appearance:
– The Saarloos Wolfdog is a wolf-dog breed that was created by crossing a German Shepherd with a Siberian grey wolf.
– They have a strong and balanced appearance, with well-pronounced differences between males and females.
– They have a thick, double coat with harsh, straight hairs and a soft undercoat, and they come in a variety of colors, including wolf grey, white, and brown.
– They have long front legs and powerful hind legs, upright or “prick” ears, yellow almond-shaped eyes, and full, bushy tails that hang low.

Temperament:
– The Saarloos Wolfdog is a proud, lively breed with an independent nature.
– They are affectionate with their people and make good watchdogs, but they can be reserved with strangers.
– They are high maintenance and powerful dogs that need to be handled by someone who has experience with a dog of this size and strength.
– They are often shy and require a patient owner who is compassionate and willing to work long hours with them to build their confidence and provide them with the stability that they crave.

Health and Care:
– The Saarloos Wolfdog is a large breed of dog that has a life expectancy of 10-12 years.
– They are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems.
– They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors, like escape attempts.
– They need a yard with a high fence that goes all the way into the ground to prevent escapes.

History:
– The Saarloos Wolfdog was created by Leendert Saarloos, who was passionate about the German Shepherd breed but believed that the dog had become too domesticated.
– The Dutch Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1975 and named it the “Saarloos Wolfdog” to honor its creator.
– In 1981, the breed was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Canadian Eskimo Dog

The Canadian Eskimo Dog, also known as the Canadian Inuit Dog or qimmiq, is a breed of working dog from the Arctic.

Here are some characteristics of the Canadian Eskimo Dog based on the search results:

Appearance:
– The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a powerful and imposing breed that is built for hard work.
– They have a thick, double coat that comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, gray, and brown.
– They have erect, triangular ears, and a heavily feathered tail that is carried over its back.
– Males should be distinctly more masculine than females, who are finer boned, smaller, and often have a slightly shorter coat.
– They have unique face masks and a wolf-like appearance, with males having longer hair around their neck and shoulders.

Temperament:
– The Canadian Eskimo Dog is loyal, tough, brave, intelligent, and alert.
– They are affectionate and gentle pets that have long been associated with humans.
– They are friendly to people but can be aggressive and challenging, especially towards other dogs.
– They have a pack behavior and do not interact well with other dogs.

Health and Care:
– The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a hardy breed that is well-adapted to the cold and harsh climate of the Arctic.
– They have great endurance for sled racing and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors.
– They are intelligent and trainable, but they have a strong will and need a firm and consistent owner who can provide them with proper training and socialization.
– They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.

History:
– The Canadian Eskimo Dog is one of the oldest and rarest breeds of dog in North America.
– They were originally bred by the Inuit people of Canada for hunting, pulling sleds, and as a source of warmth during the cold winter months.
– The breed almost became extinct in the 1970s due to the introduction of snowmobiles and other modern technologies, but conservation efforts have helped to preserve the breed.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a breed of dog that was created in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in the 1950s by crossing a German Shepherd with a Carpathian wolf.

Here are some characteristics of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog based on the search results:

Appearance:
– The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a large, athletic breed that resembles a wolf in appearance.
– They have a thick, double coat that comes in a variety of colors, including yellow-gray to silver-gray, with a light mask.
– They have amber eyes set obliquely, short, upright ears of a triangle shape, and a strong set of teeth.
– The lowest dewlap height is 26 inches (65 cm) for a male and 24 inches (60 cm) for a female, and there is no upper limit.

Temperament:
– The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is highly intelligent, powerful, active, loyal, and devoted to their owner.
– They are lively, very active, capable of endurance, docile with quick reactions, and fearless.
– They are courageous, suspicious, yet do not attack without cause, and show tremendous loyalty towards their master.
– They are resistant to weather conditions and can endure strenuous exercise.

Health and Care:
– The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a hardy breed that has a life expectancy of 12-16 years.
– They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors, like escape attempts.
– They need a firm and consistent owner who can provide them with proper training and socialization.
– They require somewhat basic grooming, and their coat sheds heavily twice a year.

History:
– The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was created by Karel Hartl, who sought to breed wolves and German Shepherd dogs for the border guard.
– The breed was recognized by the Czechoslovakian government in 1982 and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1989.
– The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a rare breed that is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Finnish Lapphund

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized breed of Spitz type that has traditionally been used for herding reindeer in its native country, Finland.

Here are some characteristics of the Finnish Lapphund based on the search results:

Appearance:
– The Finnish Lapphund is a hardy, medium-sized breed with a profuse coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black and cream, black and tan, white and grey, brown and white, brown and cream, as well as pure black, white, and gray.
– They have pricked, highly mobile ears, distinctive markings, and an elegant nose.
– The breed standard is 46 to 52 centimeters (18 to 20 inches) at the withers for a male, and a slightly smaller 41 to 47 centimeters (16 to 19 inches) for a female.

Temperament:
– The Finnish Lapphund is a friendly, sociable, and intelligent breed that loves their family and can even be good around kids.
– They are highly trainable and excel in training.
– They have a strong herding instinct and are known for their agility and alertness.

Health and Care:
– The Finnish Lapphund is a hardy breed that has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
– They need plenty of exercise, playtime, walks, and dog sports to keep them happy and entertained.
– They have a thick, medium-length coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

History:
– The Finnish Lapphund is one of the most popular dog breeds in its native country, Finland, but it is not very numerous outside of the Nordic countries.
– The original Finnish Lapphunds were the helper dogs of a tribe of semi-nomadic people, the Sami, in Lapland (the northern region of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and in part, Russia).
– Archeological digs in Lapland have unearthed remains of Lapponian dogs estimated as old as 7000 BC.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence.

Here are some characteristics of the German Shepherd based on the search results:

Appearance:
– The German Shepherd is a large breed of dog that has a double coat of fur that comes in a variety of colors, including black, black and tan, black and cream, sable, and solid white.
– They have a broad head that tapers to a sharp muzzle, erect ears that are rather large, and a bushy tail.
– They have dark, almond-shaped eyes that convey intelligence and alertness.

Temperament:
– The German Shepherd is a confident, courageous, intelligent, and gentle breed of dog.
– They are reserved dogs that don’t make friends immediately, but once they do, they are extremely loyal.
– They are easy-going with their family and are good with children.
– They are energetic, confident, and highly intelligent dogs that are considered one of the most versatile and trainable breeds.

Health and Care:
– The German Shepherd is a hardy breed that has a life expectancy of 9-14 years.
– They need plenty of exercise, playtime, walks, and dog sports to keep them happy and entertained.
– They have a thick, double coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
– They are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other health issues.

History:
– The German Shepherd was originally bred in Germany in the late 19th century as a herding dog.
– They have since become a versatile working dog, often used in the military, police, and other emergency services, as well as guide and assistance dogs.
– German Shepherds are one of America’s most popular dog breeds.

FAQS

1. What are the top dogs that look like wolves?

The top 8 dogs that look like wolves according to the search results are the American Alsatian, Northern Inuit Dogs, Siberian Husky, Saarloos Wolfdog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Finnish Lapphund, and German Shepherd.

2. Are dogs that look like wolves good pets?

Yes, dogs that look like wolves can make great pets. However, it’s important to remember that these breeds have been domesticated for centuries and are not wild animals. They require proper training, socialization, and care to thrive in a home environment.

3. Do dogs that look like wolves shed a lot?

Some dogs that look like wolves, such as the Finnish Lapphund and the Siberian Husky, have thick, double coats that shed heavily twice a year. Other breeds, such as the Saarloos Wolfdog and the American Alsatian, have medium-length coats that require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

4. Are dogs that look like wolves good with children?

Yes, many dogs that look like wolves, such as the German Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund, are good with children. However, it’s important to supervise interactions between children and dogs to prevent accidents.

5. Are dogs that look like wolves aggressive?

No, dogs that look like wolves are not inherently aggressive. However, like all dogs, they can become aggressive if they are not properly trained, socialized, and cared for. It’s important to work with a reputable breeder and a professional dog trainer to ensure that your dog is well-behaved and well-adjusted.

 

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