Currently, some dog breeders who are versed in 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, activity. But there is a way out - these are dogs that look like wolves that appeared from crossing or simply resembling their wild brothers in appearance. Let's talk about these animals in our article.
Common features of animals
Dogs that are very similar to wolves have similarities with these animals. First of all, it is about the 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 upbringing.
With their help, you can stop the possible manifestations of aggression and the destruction of behavior.
Such dogs, like their wild relatives, are prone to barking and howling. They do not tolerate loneliness. At home, these animals, yearning for the owner, can cause significant damage to property, spoil furniture, clothes and shoes.
The problem can be prevented by paying attention to the pet and giving constant loads to the body and brain.
Both species of these animals are exposed to molt 2 times a year. If you keep the dog at home, this factor can be very unpleasant. To minimize the consequences, the dog needs to be combed out regularly and the rooms should be cleaned. but the best option would be to keep it on the street, where the dog will feel especially comfortable.
Advantages and disadvantages
As for the hybrids of the dog and the wolf, one can not fail to note their good health. Genetic diseases are not peculiar to them.Genes are responsible for this, the highest quality of which are advantageously combined in the bred individuals.
Such dogs can live up to 12 years at home. The lifespan of wild wolves is from 7 to 8 years.
However, genes do not only affect health. Since they are still heterogeneous, the cross between dogs and wolves is notable for unpredictable behavior. Both quiet and shy, and aggressive individuals can appear. It is impossible to predict how exactly the mestizos will behave in a particular situation.
As for aggression, it must be borne in mind that wolves themselves are often afraid of people. The problem of hybrids is that the psyche can be unbalanced, and this threatens that under certain conditions the animal can attack a person.
Very important is started training on time. The sooner this happens, the more serious results will be achieved. In general, these dogs are quite well trained. The level of wolf genes also determines the level of caution of an animal in relation to an outsider.
Some individuals can repeat the habits of wolves, among which one can note the storage device, overcoming fences, walks on the roofs of houses. Each subsequent brood is less susceptible to such instincts.
Popular breeds
Breeds of dogs similar to wolves, today there are quite a large number. Individuals differ in appearance and characteristic qualities. Their wool can be not only gray, but also white, black, red, have different 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 crossbreeding, it will be necessary to socialize them throughout life. If we talk about them, then you should pay attention to the most popular breeds.
- Sarlos Wolf Dog called 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 to 75 centimeters. These dogs are distinguished by flocking instincts and recognize the owner as a full leader. They differ in wolf howls instead of the usual barking. Most often, they are wound up for official use, as they have pronounced hunting habits, are not prone to manifestation of aggression, however, they are subject to a rapid change in mood.
- Czech wolf is a cross between a continental wolf and a European shepherd. It has a very noble appearance. Such dogs are very hardy and not at all cowardly. Among the dog qualities can be noted devotion to the owner and obedience.
- In the 20th century, a breed such as the Kunming Wolf Dog was bred in China.. Her ancestors were German shepherds and local wolves. Representatives of the breed are excellent at any service, can be used to search for drugs. The size of the animals is up to 75 centimeters, the weight is about 40-42 kilograms.
- A rather new breed is considered Italian loupe. She was obtained as a result of crossing a shepherd and island wolves. The government of the country renders its protection. Such dogs are very hardy, can spend a long time without food, do not require comfortable living conditions, are well obeyed by the owner.
In addition, they have excellent scents and can detect drugs and explosives.
- Volamut dogs were bred for design projects. However, their appearance depends on the litter. The progenitors of dogs were the forest wolf and malamute. These animals are distinguished by their increased activity. Volamutov is recommended to be kept 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 most striking representatives.
- Tamascan breed cannot be ignored. The genes of wild ancestors are absent in it, however, a fairly strong similarity is noted externally. Dogs appeared as a result of crossing several tens of breeds, the main purpose of the experiment was to obtain an individual that looks as similar as possible, but without the use of wolf genes.
- Northern Inuit were bred as a result of a mixture of "Germans", Alaskan Malamutes and other breed mestizos. Such dogs are recommended to be brought only by experienced people, as they are distinguished by a steep disposition and quite arbitrary.
- 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 disadvantage is that different litter offers dogs with different looks from each other.
- The ancestors of the Finnish Spitz are peat dogs. 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 devotion, they are excellent watchmen, as well as good hunters when it comes to small prey.
- One of the most popular breeds are considered Siberian husky. They do not show aggression towards a person, they are very friendly and sociable. Husky is 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 agile dog, due to which it is often used for running in a harness. Dogs are hardy and can travel long distances. They are happy to go for a run with the owner.
Alaskan Malamute can dig large holes, as it has the instinct of extracting food from the ground.
- Samoyed dogs are perfect for keeping in a family. They are very sociable and have a good-natured disposition. They are one of the varieties of hunting huskies.
Dogs are great for domestic work, can graze animals or used for hunting.
- A Greenland dog is characterized by thick fur, due to which it can withstand quite severe climatic conditions. In addition, on her body is a layer of water-repellent fluff. In general, these are kind and intelligent animals, which are often leaders among brothers. Such dogs can not only whine and bark, but also grumble, squeak and express their emotions with other sounds.
- Belgian Shepherd Dog also looks like a wolf. It has amazing security and guard abilities, can graze animals. The dog is very smart, obeys the owner and is always ready to defend him.
Quickly responds to commands and clearly executes them.
Content Features
As we have already found out, dog breeds that look like wolves are more than enough. Some of them are great for living at home. However, maintaining a city apartment can be problematic; a private house with its own territory is much more suitable. The 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 to these dogs that space is most needed. 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 completely restricting movements is also a rather risky undertaking. Therefore, you should take care of the presence of a high fence and the lack of the ability to make undermining.
Future owners should also take into account that wolf habits tend to manifest themselves, for example, an animal can howl at night.
In addition, one cannot but take into account that a cross between a dog and a wolf is not the best option for keeping with other pets. This can trigger aggression and attack. In addition, such individuals are not always friendly, and in most cases they are wary of strangers, which also needs to be taken into account if guests are often in the house.
Food also has its own nuances. Dry feeds, even of good quality, are highly undesirable. Feeding should be done once a day using natural products. Food should be high protein. Be sure to eat meat, cereals, vegetables, fish and liver.
Breeding Nuances
Crossbreeding of a dog and a wolf in the wild is rare enough, and this fact could not but arouse interest among scientists. Most often this happens in an area 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 way. As for crossbreeding, certain difficulties may arise here. Due to gene displacement, it is not uncommon for only 1-2 puppies from a litter to be recognized as successful crossbreeds. Congenital anomalies of physical development occur, for example, in the case when the skeleton and the ligament system are inherited from different parents.
This can not only threaten with ugliness, but also affects the motor functions of the animal.
Another problem of such crossbreeds 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 normal limits, and the nature and instincts do not inspire researchers with fears, the animal is provided with the necessary conditions.
One cannot ignore the problem that arises when breeding a cross between a dog and a wolf, such as the imbalance of the psyche. A flocking 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 tough, 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 kids of the company puppies of ordinary dog breeds. Socialization is a long process and must be maintained throughout the life of the animal. However, wolf genes still will not allow mestizo to be absolutely soft and good-natured.
About the features of the breed, see the next video.