The wolf dog is the dream of many animal lovers. But how adapted are such hybrids to life next to a person? For the first time, a cross between a dog and a wolf was recorded in Great Britain in 1766. A Spitz was tied to a wild animal. The resulting offspring had the appearance of a wolf, but had a milder character.
Not all dog breeds are suitable for crossbreeding. Today, several officially recognized hybrids of dogs and wolves have been developed; they are more correctly called wolfhounds or wolves. In addition, there are dogs that look like wolves only externally.
Czechoslovakian wolf
Breeding of this breed began in 1955 in the nursery of the city of Libeiovitsa. The ancestor of the breed was the she-wolf of Brita, the father was a male German shepherd. A cross between a wolf and a dog today has 30% of wolf blood.
Wolves were bred with the aim of obtaining an animal with stamina, strength and a sense of wolf in combination with the working qualities and controllability of the dog. The first experiments were successful - the resulting hybrid of a wolf and a dog successfully served in the border troops. In the 1970s, representatives of the breed were exported to the UK.
The wolf is active, intelligent, well amenable to training. The upbringing and socialization of the young animal must be given maximum attention. Possible aggression to small animals.
Sarlos Wolf Dog
This cross between a wolf and a dog was bred in Holland in 1925 by dog ​​handler Lendert Sarlos. The ancestors of the breed were Fleur she-wolf and a German shepherd dog. The best puppies were selected for further breeding. The breed was recognized and registered in 1981.
The wolf dog is quite large - up to 76 cm at the withers and up to 42 kg in weight. They are independent, live by the law of the pack, but are attached to the owner and recognize him as a leader. Sarlos’s wolf dogs are cautious and prefer to avoid danger. But this natural timidity does not cause aggression. An interesting feature - hybrids do not bark, but use the sounds characteristic of wolves - whining, howling, growling.
A dog crossed with a wolf is used as a lifeguard and guide. They have developed a hunting instinct, which allows the use of representatives of the breed as hunting dogs.
This hybrid of a wolf and a dog is quite rare, and the price for puppies is high - about $ 2000.
Volkosob
Is there a domestic wolf dog? The breed of wolfhounds was bred in the Perm Territory, at the Institute of Internal Troops. For breeding were used the wolf Nayda and German shepherds. For successful breeding of wolflings it is necessary that the she-wolf should not be afraid of humans. Such a predisposition should be congenital. Naida was raised by a hunter from the age of two weeks and spent 3 years among people before entering the institute. From it 3 generations of hybrids of a dog and a wolf were obtained, capable of living next to a person and obeying him.
Wolfhounds serve on the border. Their flair and endurance are several times superior to dog. If an ordinary dog ​​is able to take a trace of 12 hours ago, then the wolf dog smells even after three days! And powerful jaws can bite through a protective suit.
Despite their large size and formidable appearance, wolf breeds respond well to training and are not aggressive towards humans. But their upbringing needs a firm hand, the owner must have unquestioned authority.
There are no Perm breeding Wolfhounds in the free sale, all of them are intended for service in law enforcement agencies. Due to their resemblance to wild wolves, they are often attracted to shoot in feature films.
Kunming Wolf Dog
A dog crossed with a wolf was also created in China in the early 1950s. Army cynologists worked on the breed. The breed was named after the city of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, where it was bred. We often call her the Chinese wolf dog. The wolf dog Kunming received official recognition in 1988. This wolf-dog turned out to be quite large. Photos show that she has a formidable look. Height at the withers can reach 70 cm, and weight - 40 kg.
The ancestors of these dogs became an undefined pair, as in many other cases. The selection was conducted solely on the basis of working qualities and training results. In addition to 10 German shepherd dogs mixed with wolf blood, 90 local dogs of an unknown breed and purebred German shepherds participated in breeding.
Kunming dog serves in the army and police. She can search for mines, drugs, performs rescue work and copes with the security function. The wolf dog is becoming for many a pet. By nature, they are close to German shepherds, are easily trained, active, intelligent, curious, but can exhibit dominant qualities and therefore require a firm hand.
Italian loupe
A wolf and a dog were crossed in Italy in 1966. Work on the breed was performed by Dr. Mario Messi. He crossed a she-wolf, one of the last representatives of the local mountain species, with a German shepherd. The Italian magnifier is perfectly adapted for life in the mountains, tolerates the local climate and can do without food and water for a long time. In addition, the wolf dog has a great sense of smell and is used to search for drugs and explosives.
The Italian magnifier is smart, devoted to the owner and becomes his shadow. Dogs of this breed served during the Olympic Games in Turin. A special decree of the President of Italy prohibits the unsupervised reproduction and sale of dogs of this breed.
Volamut
A dog crossed with a wolf, a volamut, is a designer breed that became popular in 2000. The ancestors of the breed were Alaskan Malamute and forest wolf. The appearance of the dog is changeable, a single standard does not exist. Sizes can also vary - height from 60 to 75 cm, weight from 25 to 55 kg.
Volamutes are active and require daily exercise. They feel good over a large area, but it must be limited to a high fence, excluding the escape. It is worth warning and the possibility of undermining.
Features of the Wolfs
What is the difference between a wolf and a dog and what are the features of the content of wolves? Often individuals obtained from crossing a wolf with a dog retain wolf instincts. Their behavior can be destructive, they are often aggressive towards small animals and even children. At the same time, wolfhounds lose fear of humans and can compete with the owner for leadership. This feature makes them even more dangerous than wild wolves. Animals are very strong, and such conflicts can have serious consequences.
It should be understood that the wolfhounds can be socialized, but this does not mean that he is domesticated. It does not differ in better health or longer life. The nature of the wolf species can vary greatly even within the framework of one litter, the inheritance of the signs of a wild animal does not directly depend on the percentage of wolf blood.
It should be understood that wolf species are not animals for beginners, you need to know their features well, have a lot of experience in keeping dogs and know wolf habits.
There are dog breeds that resemble a wolf in appearance, but do not carry wolf blood. It’s no harder to keep such dogs than representatives of other breeds.
Tamaskan dog
A striking example of such breeds is the Tamaskan dog. If the crossing of a wolf and a dog took place, then quite a long time ago. In the next generations, wild blood did not flow. Outwardly, the Tamaskan is a mixture of a dog and a wolf. The breed was bred in Finland in the 1980s. The aim of the breeders was to breed an animal that looks like a wolf, but retains all the positive qualities of a dog. For breeding we used Siberian husky, northern intuit, utonagans, Alaskan malamutes, Finnish hounds husky, Czech and Sarlos wolf dogs and German shepherds. After 20 years of work, the first litter of the new breed was received. To date, the breed is recognized only by the American Association of Rare Breeds.
Northern Inuit
In the late 1980s, breeding work was carried out in the UK. The goal is the same - breeding the complaisant "wolf". The origin of the breed is not reliably known. Most likely, mixed breed dogs of rescue breeds, Siberian husky, German shepherd dogs and Alaskan malamutes stood at the origins of the breed.
Like all such breeds, Inuit are quite stubborn and independent, therefore they are recommended to experienced owners.
The breed is not recognized by dog ​​organizations. It is the northern Inuit that can be seen in the popular TV series “Game of Thrones” in the role of the direwolves. The Sansa wolf was played by a dog named Zunni.
Utonagan
In Britain, another wolf dog has been bred. Photos show some similarities with northern Inuit, and for good reason. Initially, work on the breed was carried out in one club, but over time it was divided into 2. The formation of the breed is still ongoing, and there is no single standard. For breeding, German shepherds, Siberian husky and Alaskan malamutes were used.
Siberian Husky
What is the most popular wolf dog today? The Siberian Husky breed is now widespread. These dogs are not aggressive towards humans and cannot be used as guards. They do not quarrel with other dogs of large breeds, but in relation to small animals - cats, rabbits, small dogs - a hunting instinct can work. Husky is active and friendly, but independent, which makes them unsuitable for service. Sled dogs can be trained to obedience, but don't expect the same success as German shepherds.
Husky is suitable for keeping in an apartment subject to constant physical and mental stress. It is difficult to keep them in a fenced area, because dogs tend to run away, and the hunter's instinct makes them dangerous for neighboring animals. They jump over fences and make digs.
Husky has a developed instinct of the pack, so it is advisable to keep them in a group. These dogs do not bark, but whine and howl like wolves. Color can be very different, individuals with eyes of different colors are often found.
Alaskan Malamute
As the name implies, this breed of dog is bred in Alaska. Animals are designed to work in a team, hardy, strong, smart and good-natured. Despite the impressive appearance, aggression towards people is uncharacteristic for the breed, but the dog must be raised seriously and consistently. He does not fight for leadership with a person and is friendly about new family members, including children.
Malamute strives for leadership and quickly becomes the head of a group of dogs. But small animals, including cats, are friendly.
Like any working dog, Malamute needs daily physical activity. If the dog is kept on the street, it is worth considering that the Malamutes are big fans of digging holes. They rarely bark, often make grumbling sounds.
Greenland dog
The Greenland dog is one of the oldest sled dogs. She is hardy, strong, perfectly oriented in space. These dogs were used when hunting large animals - bears, deer, seals. Despite their independence and bright temperament, Greenland dogs do not show aggression towards people and cannot be used as watchdogs. Other animals tend to dominate.
Dogs are large - from 60 cm tall and from 30 kg in weight. The fur is thick, with a dense undercoat that protects the animal from frostbite. Color can be anything but white.
When the dog and the wolf are crossed, the offspring become stronger, more resilient, and the sense of smell is aggravated. But due to unpredictable changes in the psyche, breeding and maintenance of wolf-breeds is best left to professionals. And lovers will do dogs that look like wolves only outwardly.