On a daily basis I get e-mails from people around the world wanting to ask about the dogs they share their lives with and if they are wolfdogs, wolfcrosses and wolf hybrids. I have had numerous people email me with photos convinced their siberian husky is a wolf hybrid. Most people including those who one would *think* would know what a wolf or wolfdog is, do not. (I am speaking about even some biologists and fish and wildlife officials) In Europe I find the people a lot less prone to fear and apprehensiveness when it comes to the word wolf mentioned, in fact two official recognized BREEDS of dogs were created by using more recent wolf in the lines and they are readily accepted as family companions. So this page will be for others to take a look into the world of the canine. Have fun and enjoy your visit. Please visit the following links to some great informative articles. For an even more indepth look into northern breed dogs please go here
AKC German Shepherds are wolf "hybrids" /wolfdogs
For the entire article please go to http://www.idir.net/~wolf2dog/gsd1.htm (All dogs are "wolfdogs". The only difference between them (besides appearance and temperament) is the number of generations away from a "pure" wolf the individual canine is. The original German Shepherd studbook, Zuchtbuch fur Deutche Schaferhunde (SZ), shows several pure wolves were used to "create" the breed and this was only 90 years ago! Similar events can be uncovered for Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Belgian Shepherd types, and many rarer-breed "dogs". German Shepherds were recently the MOST POPULAR AKC breed. Imagine that -- a 'wolfdog' is the most popular working/companion dog! )
The Marriage of Wolves and Dogs
(please note that the proper designation for dog is canis lupus (var domestic) not familiaris as is suggested in this older article, please read my home page for more info.)
snippet of article please go here for the full article http://www.idir.net/~wolf2dog/annd2.htm After having slept together for 14,000 years, wolves and dogs are now joined together in scientific matrimony. Quietly, without fanfare in September 1993, wolves and dogs were recognized as the same species. Per the American Society of Mammalogists' Mammal Species of the World, adhering to the Code of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, Canis lupus is the official species of both dogs and wolves. If you have a 'dog', your dog's classification is Canis lupus familiaris, where familiaris is the subspecies of wolf. If you have a 'wolf', your wolf's classification is Canis lupus X, where X is the subspecies of wolf. If you have a 'wolfdog', your wolfdog's classification is Canis lupus familiaris, according to United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, R.L. Rissler, February 21, 1986.
An amazing letter on wolfdogs written by a well known and respected Biologist
For entire article please click on the following! http://www.idir.net/~wolf2dog/arkns1.htm (To begin with a common charge that is directed at wolf hybrids, these animals are not vicious. Their initial response is invariably to retreat from an unfamiliar human. Hybrids are far less likely to attack than many breeds of domestic dog, which have been bred, and socialized by Homo sapiens to not fear humans. Accordingly, domestic dogs threat humans as social equals and approach aggressively and attack under a variety of situations. This is borne out in statistics on fatalities resulting from dog attacks, where pit bulls, Alsatians (German shepherd), huskies, malamutes, and Rottweilers are responsible for the vast majority of fatalities (Sacks et al. 1989. Journal of the American Medical Association 262 (11):1489-1492).
Wherever there has been hunting, or malefactors to be kept at bay, there has been the dog, and men, who have tended continuously to the improvement of the species, creating new breeds, seeing to their training, and providing them with the proper foods.
Even before the Classical Period, the Greeks had wolf dogs as well as Egyptian hounds and the Persian Molossus. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher and zoologist, listed the various breeds of dog, giving them the names of the countries from which they came. Thus, we know that In 300 b.c. there existed dogs from Cyrenaica, India, Egypt, and Epirus. But since the author gave no clear descriptions, we cannot put faces or bodies together with these names.
In Rome, too, hunting dogs were held in high esteem. The Latin poet Ovid gave precise instructions on how to insure that the dam would produce good pups. And the writer M. T. Varro offered the first advice on acquiring a dog. He counseled in particular that one not trust a dog fed on scraps. These dogs, he felt, accustomed to licking blood, would end up by attacking live animals. The Greek Oppian, author of Cynegetica, in his turn was personally involved in breeding dogs of small size, which he considered to be most adapted to hunting in the woods.
One can therefore assert that two thousand years ago there was already an interest in, perhaps even a love of, dogs. The plaques on the houses in Pompeii saying "Cave Canem" (" Beware of Dog") show explicitly that dogs were also used as protection.
In truth, the dog never suffered the troubled existence of the cat, which medieval superstition accused of witchcraft and personification of the devil; but during this period, its presence was just as poorly tolerated. Perhaps it was at this time that such negative expressions as "dog's world," "dog-tired," "dog's life," "son of a bitch," and "die like a dog" originated.
However, the dog's existence during the medieval period was saved once again by hunting. During periods of severe famine, in order to put something in the pot besides roots from the garden, there was no alternative but to go hunting. Everyone, rich and poor, began to hunt, armed, as war had taught them, with bows, crossbows, lances, and blades of every description, but also with snares and nets. In pursuit of this bloody enterprise, man turned once again to the indispensable aid of the dog, which could manage in the great forests and marshes of the time. In England, a good hunting dog was worth as much as a slave.
wonderful letter!
snippet from the following site please click on link to read in entirty.
Wolfdog Breeds
1) The American Tundra Shepherd Dog (ATSD) is NOT a breed for everyone like all dogs the require their own unique handling and care instructions. The breed itself is only 30 years old and was originally funded by the Gov't . The experiment titled *Superdog* involved crossing Alaskan Tundra wolf and the German Shepherd dog to create a superior line of dogs. This breed are called just that a breed regardless of wolf being in the heritage. For pictures and tons more info. Please visit American Tundra Shepherd
2) Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs This breed of dog is also the result of using wolf in the lineage to create a breed . They used a Carpathian wolf and German Shepherd dog This breed got started in the 1950's More info breed history and photos here. Czech Wolfdogs
The following page takes you to a breeder in the U.K of Czech wolfdogs world of wolfdogs
Wolflike Breeds
There are a variety of breeds that can be quite wolf like some even rumored to have wolf as well in the mix The original German Shepherd dog breed itself is a wolfdog and some other breeds have since stemmed off from that breed like the Shiloh Shepherd, many rumors abound of how recent wolf may have been re-introduced. This section deals with and addresses a few different wolf like *breeds* of dog.
1) Shiloh Shepherd: This beautiful dog can be quite wolf like, it is not a beginner breed for people but in the right homes they are enthusiastically cherished. What is a Shiloh Shepherd
2) Greenland Dog: This is a gorgeous wolf like breed and is reminiscent of the CDN Eskimo dog (Inuit dog) in features and temperament Not for first time dog owners unless the person does their homework and research on what it takes to keep one content. GreenLand Dog
4) CDN Eskimo Dog (CDN Inuit Dog): This dog is rumored to have direct ties to wolf in it's lineage, it was not and still would not be uncommon for such breeds living close to wild wolves to mate with them. The breed itself was brought back from the brink of extinction and there are only a few hundred officially registered. They are a breed recognized by the CKC and even have their own stamp. They are a working breed and not for first time dog owners unless well prepared ahead of time for this beautiful breeds needs. CDN ESKIMO DOG
5) Northern Inuit Dog: This unrecognized breed type should not be confused with the highly recognized CDN Eskimo Dog. This breed type is more reminiscent of gsd mal crosses in physical appearance with it leaning more towards GSD ish looking, and not a true northern breeds appearance with their smaller and more rounder, well furred ears and longer thicker coats, and thicker frames. Some of the stock look similar to some of the other breed types out there, and it does have a recent controversial history as well..BUT hey check them out they just may be the right breed type for you! 0) NORTHERN INUIT DOG
6) Laika: This breed was created in Russia and used as a hunting dog. This is a primitive breed and retains traits of their wild ancestor the wolf. They are an affectionate and devoted dog to their owners. LAIKA BREEDS
7) Canaan: A rare breed not for everyone they require early socialization and lots of exercise. Canaan Dog
8) Norwegian Elkhound: This breed was bred to be a hunter/tracker; an active breed, the require daily exercise to keep them content and non destructive. An old breed it was known as the dog of the Vikings. This is a beautiful wolfie looking breed and in the right environment will thrive. Norwegian ElkHound
9) Alaskan Husky: this is an unregistered type/breed of dog that mushers use typically found in Alaska/Canada They come in a variety of looks from quite wolf like (depending on more recent wolf added into the mix or not to more mutt in appearance.) To avid enthusiasts of Alaskan Huskys they are a breed, to others they simply are mutts bred for what the musher needs and requires. However please be aware Alaskan Huskys do have a past of having wolf in the lineage, and some mushers still to this day call their wolfdogs alaskan huskys, and wolf is more recent in some lines out there. If someone is breeding Alaskan dogs that appear very wolfie looking and tell owners they require less work/maintenance than wolfcrosses be forwarned they require all the same needs as any wolfdog. Check them out here History & Origins and Lots of Photos of the Breed
10) Alaskan Malamute: A well known and beloved breed, in the wrong environment can become highly destructive. This is a stubborn dog that sometimes seems to have selective hearing. Malamutes are a more primitive nordic working breed type and are not for first time dog owners without proper research.Tons more info here AlaskanMalamute
11) Siberian Husky: The Siberian huskys wolf like appearance often has even those who think they know what a wolf is doing a double take. This is a very friendly breed, but like any type of canine great care should be taken to research this breeds needs and care requirements. They come in a variety of different colorations with different eye colors and sizes even. This is an old working breed, and are escape artists so if you dont build just right for them..you may lose them!.the word fort knox comes to mind with this delightful breed. You'll love this site! Siberian Husky Things you should know before buying a Sibe! What you should know before
12) Samoyeds: This amazingly loving and devoted breed ,are an ancient working dog, they are a powerful medium sized breed that require lots of exercise and non kenneled environments. They can be prone to be highly destructive, avid escape artists, and noisy barkers in kenneled homes. They are a very gentle breed with children and other people however and truloy live up to their happy apple pie smiles if bred well much more info here Samoyed Club Of America
13) White German Shepherds: So many white german shepherds and crosses of such are sold as being arctic wolf crosses, just because a dog is white does NOT mean it has any arctic wolf heritage at all and if it was born white that is a dead giveaway right off the bat it most likely does not have any. Any dog born white, is due dog genes not arctic wolf genes. Arctic wolves are not born white. Check out the following photos of white german shepherds and study them carefully. White GSD's
14) The Utonagan: This breed type is a split from the Northern Inuit Dog, and share the same history in it's creation. Please see more about them here UTONAGAN
15) The Kugsha Dog: Originally stated as being a primitive, undomesticated working class dog. Breeders wish the public to understand the meaning of undomesticated when used in front of �working class�, and that it does not mean �wolf�. They are used for heavy weight pulling; and are a very intelligent, independent, working dog. More here KUGSHA
16) The Alaskan Noble Companion Dog: From the breed founder Ann Dresselhaus, "The Alaskan Noble Companion Dog's development began in the early 1990's (est.1991) The goal for this breed in progress is to produce a dog that will exceed the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, and Belgian Shepherd dog breeds in 'wolfy looks" yet will be tractable, biddable, a house companion, and capable of many kids of work.