Sandra Curry (Breeder of Wolf Lookalike dogs)
Wolf look-a-likes are 'manmade' dogs created to have the appearance of a wolf. They have been bred by mixing northern breeds, such as Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute etc. with GSDs and other breeds over a period of time, to give a wolfish look but with a biddable temperament able to fit in as a domestic family dog. There is very little, if any, real wolf blood in them.
In my experience the Northern Inuit or Utonagan dogs are probably the best suited to normal family life, but their OTT boisterousness, 'in your face' attention seeking and need for constant companionship are very often too much for inexperienced owners. Potential owners are best advised to meet as many of these dogs as possible before deciding on the breed. The health issues and inbreeding are also a major concern but the Utonagan breeders seem to be making progress in correcting this.
Of the two main wolfdog breeds - The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is my dog of choice, being much more outgoing and confident than the Saarloos Wolfdog. They are very intelligent and need confident handling and training. These are two very special breeds in their own right. I believe that since the CSW is on the verge of being recognised it is sacrilage to cross these with NI, although doing so can only be advantageous to the NI gene pool and health. However, when crossing NI with the Saarloos I wouldn't advise more than 50% crosses for normal family owners. The Saarloos is naturally more wolflike in its nature than the CSW and tends to avoid people. This shyness and lack of trust can be a problem. I have had 50% cross and in its own comfort zone is not a problem, but out of its own territory tends to revert to being extremely nervous and looking for a bolt hole. Some 75% crosses are even unhandleable by their owners. 25% Saarloos x 75% NI is a good mix - tending to tone down the NI's natural exhuberance and making a calmer dog, but some of these are a little bit shy of strangers. "These crosses are often referred to as "wolfdog hybrids", being a hybrid or cross of these breeds, but they are NOT wolf hybrids by any means." My advice for anyone is to get hands on experience of the different combinations and see what would best fit your own individual situation
Wolfdogs (or wolfhunds) such as Saarloos and CSW were deliberately bred by crossing GSD with wolf. Originally these would have been wolfhybrids, but they have been bred for such a long time with no additional wolf blood being added that they are now classed as dog breeds in their own right. The wolfdog/wolfhund tag simply being a reference to their origins and to distinguish them from other dog breed classifications.
Wolf hybrids are a direct cross between a domestic dog and a wolf. The first cross being an F1. F1 crossed with a domestic dog being F2 etc. F3 onwards are low content and can legally be kept without a DWA licence. F1 and F2 have a higher wolf content and can be unpredictable. It is NOT the wolf in the dog that can make these dangerous, as wolves are naturally reserved and shy and would avoid trouble, its the dog part that makes them bold. It's impossible to know which characteristics from which parent a puppy is likely to inherit - the most wolfy looking may not be the most wolflike by nature.
http://www.sansorrella.com/index.htm
Wolf look-a-likes are 'manmade' dogs created to have the appearance of a wolf. They have been bred by mixing northern breeds, such as Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute etc. with GSDs and other breeds over a period of time, to give a wolfish look but with a biddable temperament able to fit in as a domestic family dog. There is very little, if any, real wolf blood in them.
In my experience the Northern Inuit or Utonagan dogs are probably the best suited to normal family life, but their OTT boisterousness, 'in your face' attention seeking and need for constant companionship are very often too much for inexperienced owners. Potential owners are best advised to meet as many of these dogs as possible before deciding on the breed. The health issues and inbreeding are also a major concern but the Utonagan breeders seem to be making progress in correcting this.
Of the two main wolfdog breeds - The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is my dog of choice, being much more outgoing and confident than the Saarloos Wolfdog. They are very intelligent and need confident handling and training. These are two very special breeds in their own right. I believe that since the CSW is on the verge of being recognised it is sacrilage to cross these with NI, although doing so can only be advantageous to the NI gene pool and health. However, when crossing NI with the Saarloos I wouldn't advise more than 50% crosses for normal family owners. The Saarloos is naturally more wolflike in its nature than the CSW and tends to avoid people. This shyness and lack of trust can be a problem. I have had 50% cross and in its own comfort zone is not a problem, but out of its own territory tends to revert to being extremely nervous and looking for a bolt hole. Some 75% crosses are even unhandleable by their owners. 25% Saarloos x 75% NI is a good mix - tending to tone down the NI's natural exhuberance and making a calmer dog, but some of these are a little bit shy of strangers. "These crosses are often referred to as "wolfdog hybrids", being a hybrid or cross of these breeds, but they are NOT wolf hybrids by any means." My advice for anyone is to get hands on experience of the different combinations and see what would best fit your own individual situation
Wolfdogs (or wolfhunds) such as Saarloos and CSW were deliberately bred by crossing GSD with wolf. Originally these would have been wolfhybrids, but they have been bred for such a long time with no additional wolf blood being added that they are now classed as dog breeds in their own right. The wolfdog/wolfhund tag simply being a reference to their origins and to distinguish them from other dog breed classifications.
Wolf hybrids are a direct cross between a domestic dog and a wolf. The first cross being an F1. F1 crossed with a domestic dog being F2 etc. F3 onwards are low content and can legally be kept without a DWA licence. F1 and F2 have a higher wolf content and can be unpredictable. It is NOT the wolf in the dog that can make these dangerous, as wolves are naturally reserved and shy and would avoid trouble, its the dog part that makes them bold. It's impossible to know which characteristics from which parent a puppy is likely to inherit - the most wolfy looking may not be the most wolflike by nature.
http://www.sansorrella.com/index.htm