Dogs that look like wolves: a description of the breeds

Nowadays, some dog breeders who understand various breeds and have close contact with them sometimes have a desire to tame a real wolf. However, this is not an easy and sometimes dangerous occupation. But there is a way out - these are dogs that look like wolves, appeared from crossing, or simply resemble their wild counterparts in appearance. Let's talk about these animals in our article.

Dogs, which are very similar to wolves, have similarities with these animals. First of all, we are talking about appearance. However, other features may also appear. If we are talking about hybrids, it must be borne in mind that they need the earliest possible socialization and education.

Such dogs, like their wild relatives, are prone to barking and howling. They do not tolerate loneliness. At home, these animals, longing for their owner, can cause significant damage to property, ruin furniture, clothes and shoes.

Both species of these animals are subject to molt 2 times a year. If you keep your dog at home, this factor can be very unpleasant. To minimize the consequences, the dog needs to be combed out regularly, and the rooms need to be cleaned. but the best option would be keeping on the street, where the dog will feel especially comfortable.

As for the dog and wolf hybrids, one cannot fail to note their good health. Genetic diseases are not peculiar to them. Genes are responsible for this, the highest quality of which are favorably combined in bred individuals.

However, genes have an impact on more than just health. Since they are still heterogeneous, a cross between dogs and wolves is characterized by unpredictable behavior. Both quiet and shy and aggressive individuals can appear. It is impossible to predict how the mestizos will behave in a certain situation.

With regard to aggression, it must be borne in mind that wolves themselves are often afraid of people. The problem with hybrids is that the psyche may be unbalanced, and this threatens that, under certain conditions, an animal can attack a person.

It is very important training started on time... The sooner this happens, the more serious results will be achieved. In general, these dogs are fairly well trained. The level of wolf genes also determines the level of caution of the animal in relation to an outsider.

There are quite a large number of breeds of dogs that look like wolves today. Individuals differ in appearance and characteristic qualities. Their coat can be not only gray, but also white, black, red, have various color variations. However, it is quite difficult to work with hybrids, so experts recommend choosing dog breeds as pets.

As for the individuals obtained as a result of crossing, it will be necessary to socialize them throughout life. If we talk about them, then you should pay attention to the most popular breeds.

• Saarloos Wolfdog is called so after the founder of the breed, who first crossed the German shepherd and the wolf of the Canadian forests. There were quite large individuals weighing up to 45 kilograms and growing up to 75 centimeters. These dogs are distinguished by gregarious instincts and recognize the owner as a full-fledged leader. They feature wolf howling instead of the usual barking. Most often they are turned on for official use, since they have pronounced hunting habits, are not inclined to display aggression, however, they are subject to rapid mood swings.

• Czech wolf is a cross between a continental wolf and a European shepherd. Possesses a very noble appearance. Such dogs are very hardy and not at all cowardly. Among the canine qualities are loyalty to the owner and obedience.

• In the XX century, such a breed as the Kunming wolf dog was developed in China.... Its progenitors were German shepherds and local wolves. Representatives of the breed are excellent at any service, they can be used to look for drugs. The size of the animals is up to 75 centimeters, the weight is about 40-42 kilograms.

• The Italian Lupo is considered a fairly new breed. It was obtained as a result of crossing a shepherd dog and island wolves. The government of the country gives her its patronage. Such dogs are very hardy, they can spend a long time without food, do not require comfortable living conditions, they listen well to the owner.

• Volamut dogs were bred for design projects. However, their appearance depends on the litter. The ancestors of the dogs were the forest wolf and the malamute. These animals are distinguished by their increased activity. It is recommended to keep Volamuts in a large aviary, and the fence should be high enough.

In addition to hybrids, there are dog breeds that resemble wolves exclusively in appearance. It also has its own brightest representatives.

• Tamaskan breed cannot be ignored... The genes of wild ancestors are absent in it, but outwardly there is a fairly strong similarity. Dogs appeared as a result of crossing several dozen breeds, the main goal of the experiment was to get an individual that was as similar in appearance as possible, but without the use of wolf genes.

• Northern Inuit were bred by mixing "Germans", Alaska Malamutes and mestizos of other breeds. It is recommended to have such dogs only for experienced people, as they are distinguished by their tough disposition and willful enough.

• Utonagan - an interesting breed that appeared as a result of crossing the Siberian Husky, Malamute and German Shepherd. Breeding work is still underway, but the first results have already appeared. The downside is that different litters suggest dogs with different appearances.

• Peat dogs are considered the ancestors of the Finnish Spitz. The breed has a specific appearance. The muzzles are quite sharp, the ears are on the head, and the tail is wrapped in a ring. Such dogs are distinguished by loyalty, are excellent watchmen, and also good hunters when it comes to small prey.

• One of the most popular breeds is the Siberian Husky. They do not show aggression towards a person, they are very friendly and sociable. Huskies are often used to breed a new breed of dog. They have an unusual appearance, due to which they are appreciated all over the world.

• Alaskan Malamute - a very mobile dog, due to which it is often used for running in a team. Dogs are hardy and can travel long distances. They are happy to go jogging with the owner.

• For keeping in a family, dogs of the Samoyed breed are perfect. They are very sociable and have a good-natured disposition. They are one of the varieties of the hunting husky.

• The Greenland dog is distinguished by its thick fur, due to which it can withstand rather harsh climatic conditions. In addition, there is a layer of water-repellent down on her body. In general, these are kind and intelligent animals, which are often leaders among fellows. Such dogs can not only whine and bark, but also grumble, squeak and express their emotions in other sounds.

• The Belgian Shepherd also looks like a wolf. Has tremendous guarding and sentry abilities, can graze animals. The dog is very smart, obeys the owner and is always ready to defend him.

As we have already found out, there are more than enough breeds of dogs that outwardly resemble wolves. Some of them are great for living at home. However, keeping in a city apartment can be problematic; a private house with its own territory is much more suitable. Hybrids of these animals feel great when living outdoors, as have good health and tolerate cold well. However, an aviary with a warm booth will not be superfluous.

It is these dogs that most of all need space. Experts categorically do not recommend keeping them on a chain, this may not have the most favorable effect on the psyche of animals. However, keeping them without limiting movement at all is also a rather risky undertaking. Therefore, you should take care of the presence of a high fence and the absence of the possibility of digging.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that a cross between a dog and a wolf is not at all the best option for keeping with other pets. This can provoke aggression and attack. In addition, such individuals are not always friendly, and in most cases they are wary of strangers, which must also be taken into account if there are often guests in the house.

Nutrition also has its own nuances. Dry food, even of good quality, is highly undesirable. Feeding should be done once a day using natural products. The food should be high in protein. Meat, cereals, vegetables, fish and liver are obligatory for consumption.

Crossbreeding of a dog and a wolf in the wild is quite rare, and this fact could not but arouse the interest of scientists. This most often happens in areas where the number of wolves is small, and also if the she-wolves are left without a pair. In other cases, wild animals are dangerous even for large dogs.

If we are talking about breeds that simply look like wolves, their breeding does not differ in any peculiarities. With regard to crossing, certain difficulties can arise here. Due to gene bias, it is not uncommon for only 1-2 puppies from a litter to be recognized as a successful cross. Congenital malformations of physical development occur, for example, in the case when the skeleton and the ligament system are inherited from different parents.

Another problem with these hybrids is the bite.... Her fault, as in the previous case, is the difference between the types of parents. Pathologies can be incompatible with life, then the puppies are simply euthanized. In cases where the indicators are within the normal range, and the nature and instincts do not inspire fears in researchers, the animal is provided with the necessary conditions of detention.

It is impossible to ignore such a problem that arises when breeding a cross between a dog and a wolf, as an imbalance of the psyche. The gregarious instinct is very pronounced, as a result of which the animal will fight for its place more actively than an ordinary dog ​​and can use various, sometimes even harsh methods for this.

When puppies appear that meet the requirements of breeders, you need to remember about their mandatory, as early as possible socialization. Literally in the first minutes of life, they should get to know a person. Also, experts recommend not to deprive the kids of the society of puppies of ordinary dog ​​breeds. Socialization is a long-term process and it must be maintained throughout the life of the animal. However, wolf genes still do not allow to make a mestizo absolutely gentle and good-natured.

For the characteristics of the breed, see the following video.