Top 10 Adorable Dog Breeds Like Wolves: Looking Wolf-like Dog !

Wolf-Like Dogs You Can Live With I think you clicked on this blog article because you want a dog that looks like a wolf. You are not interested in biology lessons about dog evolution and classification. But, it is important to note that dogs and wolves are closely related species, sharing a common ancestor.

Dogs (C. anis familiaris) are descendants of wolves and are classified as subspecies of the gray wolf (C. anis lupus). Recent genetic studies have shown that dogs descend from an extinct genus that diverged from modern-day gray wolves about 40,000 years ago.

Wolf-like dog breed

German shepherds are sometimes dressed in very wolf-like colors, including lots of grey, white and black, which helps to reinforce the similarity further. Both German and (less commonly) wild wolves sometimes display jet-black coats, which are also very neat.

Like many other breeds on this list, German shepherds are shedding machines, but they are also loving, loyal, bright, and protective, so it is easy to understand their popularity.

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What is a Wolf-Like Dog?

wolf dog and wolf material

Wolf dogs are any dog breed with “wolf material” in their genetic makeup. Any cross breed with a dog and a wolf is considered a wolf dog.

Wolf dogs can be described as mid, high, or low wolf content, depending on how many wolves they are given.

Some breeds on this list have the blue stuff off the wolf (such as the Husky or Malamute) but share similar markings.

However, this type of dog (low or high content) presents many challenges that even an expert dog owner would find difficult to overcome.

kugsha wolf-like dog

They are stronger, larger, and taller than the Siberian Husky but not like the Alaskan Malamute. He is a born traveler. Their long legs and strong bodies make them suitable for carrying heavy loads.

The Kugasha is a purebred dog with characteristics that give it a wolf-like dog vibe. It is a large dog with pointed ears, a long, broad face, and a long bushy tail. Its shaggy coat sheds big time and requires daily brushing to keep loose fur to a minimum.

With the intelligence to lead a group, the drive to take on any task, and tough loyalty, you can count on the Kugasha to be a dependable companion and family dog.

2 Siberian Husky Dogs That Look Like Wolves

The Siberian Husky is a familiar and endearing breed, well suited to homes ready to accommodate a heavy shedding, high-energy dog ​​who loves to play, roam and explore.

Accordingly, they’re great for active families, runners, and bikers (Lance-Armstrong-style bikers, not Jacques-Taylor-style bikers).

This working dog is also accustomed to pulling a sled in the snow, so he is used to taking orders and getting things done.

Intelligent and ready to obey, this breed is a breeze to train and is on your side no matter what. She is also not shy like wolves. The Husky is a canine socialite who loves to be around children, adults, and other pets.

Alaskan Malamute

Origin: Alaska

Price: $1,200-$1,700 (USD)

Annual Cost: $500-$750 (USD)

Lifespan: 10-12 years

The Alaskan Malamute is another familiar dog but ancient dog breed that you may encounter from time to time. Beautiful, fluffy, and larger than the husky, the Malamute was also developed as a sled-pulling breed (for hunting polar bears).

The Malamute dog may not be suitable for families with other pets, especially smaller ones, because the breed has a fairly developed prey drive.

Physically, the dog has a two-inch long, thick double coat and wolf-like dog facial markings. This breed comes in different colors like gray and white, sable and white, and black and red.

Malamutes are beautiful, lovable, and very trainable compared to some other dogs on this list. Like huskies, they have high energy levels and can coat their entire home in a single layer of their fur.

Because this breed clings to family members like glue, separation anxiety can become an issue if left alone for more than 4 hours. This can lead to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing.

German shepherd

Origin: Germany

Price: $325-$500 (USD)

Annual Cost: $4000-$900 (USD)

Lifespan: 9-13 years

German Shepherd puppies are one of the most recognized and popular breeds globally. They are also known as Alsatians in Great Britain. They are the 2nd most popular breed in the United States and the fourth most popular breed in the UK.

The German Shepherd (GSD) is quite a superstar. It is one of the most popular family dogs due to its remarkable qualities, but it also shares a close resemblance to the purebred wolf.

Large in size with a long body, pointed ears, and eyes that never turn green, the GSD is often used as a parent dog for hybrids that look like wolves.

It is one of the intelligent dog breeds, capable of learning quickly and excelling in competitions. It is common to see GSDs used for service, police, and military work.

Saarloos wolfdog Wolf-like dog breed

Dutch breeder Leendert Saarloos began crossbreeding a German Shepherd Dog male with a female European Wolf to get better working dogs. The Saarlouis Wolfhound is strong and energetic and has a broad head, a powerful neck, and long legs. The Dutch Kennel Club recognized the saarloos breed in 1975.

One of the most distantly related breeds from other domestic dogs, and possibly the most wolf-like dog breed in the world, the Saarloos Wolfdog not only has a wolf-like build, their facial expressions closely mimic those of wolves. . is called.

These dogs are said to be smart but, like most other wolf-hybrids, are not particularly interested in pleasing their non-fur parents.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Origin: Czechoslovakia

Price: $800-$1,500 (USD)

Annual Cost: $500-$1,000 (USD)

Lifespan: 13-16 years

Another wolf hybrid that is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the Czechoslovakian wolf dogs, was initially developed for the Czech army. However, they have been used for search and rescue, tracking, and herding work in later years.

Czechoslovakians are very social and develop strong bonds with their families. While good with other pets, you have to be careful when encountering strange animals. As such, it is really important to socialize a dog.

The Czechoslovakian Wolf dog is a relatively new breed, a hybrid between Carpathian Wolves and German Shepherds. The goal was to create a dog breed with the temperament and intelligence of a German Shepherd with the strength and stamina of a wolf.

Samoyed wolf-like dog

Origin: Russia

Price: $5,000 – $8,000 (USD)

Annual Cost: $600-$1,000 (USD)

Lifespan: 12-13 Years

Height: 19 to 23.5 inches

Weight: 35 to 65 pounds

Hailing from Siberia, the Samoyed is a working dog with a special affinity for humans. They were originally bred by the Samoyed people, who used these dogs for warmth at night for tracking, packing, hunting, and sleeping on top of them.

This breed is highly intelligent and ambitious. Get him involved in challenges and exercise, or else you can expect destructive behavior. The Samoyed is also a great talker and will not fail to express his feelings with howls, barks, and bellows.

This pure breed looks like a majestic white wolf, but when you see the famous “Sammy smile,” you will know it is a big ol’ cute hunter and not a wild animal.

Families love Samoyeds. It loves children and is especially known to pay attention to one family member.

Samoyeds are a Russian breed of dog whose name is derived from the Samoyed people of Siberia. They are strong, well-built, and broad-headed. They are very lively and good companions. One of their distinguishing features is the “Sammy smile,” which is very noticeable due to the contrast between its white coat and black lips.

They are great family pups, great with children, and very playful.

Tamaskan Wolf-like dog breed

Origin: Finland

Price: $600-$800 (USD)

Annual Cost: $600-$1,000 (USD)

Lifespan: 14-15 years

Height: 33 inches

Weight: 100 pounds

Tamaskan is intelligent, agile, and strong. She is well versed in physical challenges and loves to do the job. A major characteristic of this breed is that it is calmer and will not try to dominate like other working breeds.

Tall and slender with long legs and a signature wolf-shaped head, the Tamaskan is a beautiful dog with stunning yellow eyes. This dog breed is wonderful with children and other pets. She’ll be by your side, ready to kiss and nap on demand.

The Tamaskan is a new breed, having only been recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013. They were bred to look like wolves, with a thick coat of reddish-brown, wolf-brown, and black-brown. Because they are so new, they are quite rare. 

Tamaskans are good family dogs and are especially good with children. They are very smart, easily trainable, and highly social, so they should not be left alone for long periods. They also need a lot of exercise and can become destructive if they don’t get enough physical stimulation.

Canadian Eskimo dog

CED was bred by the Thule people in the Arctic about 4,000 years ago and was used for sledding and hunting. As a pet, it was considered an important tool for working strictly.

These dogs are smart, strong, energetic, tough, and loyal. However, they are not well suited to families with other small dogs, as they have fairly high prey drives. They also do best in cold weather and are prone to heat stroke.

In modern times, the breed has declined in numbers but now exists as a family dog. It is loyal and affectionate to the family but must be supervised around children and other pets because of its predatory instincts.

Northern Inuit wolf dog

Origin: United Kingdom

Price: $800-$1,000 (USD)

Annual Cost: $600-$1,000 (USD)

Lifespan: 12-14 Years

Height: 23 to 28 inches

Weight: 70 to 90 pounds

This dog is reliable and relatively calm, making it a friendly family dog. It requires training to help shape the model behavior. If left alone for long periods, it can become worrying and destructive.

The Northern Inuit puppy is an unrecognized crossbred pup, developed in the UK to create a domesticated working dog that looks like a wolf. This dog is descended from a cross between German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, and Inuit dogs. This dog is of medium size, and its size and color are very similar to that of a wolf.

The Northern Inuit pup is not for an inexperienced owner. They are very smart but at the same time stubborn and difficult to train. They are also prone to separation anxiety, but training at an early age can address this.

Swedish Vallhund looking wolf

Origin: Sweden

Price: $1500-$2,500 (USD)

Lifespan: 12-14 Years

Height: 11.5 to 13.75 inches

Weight: 20 to 35 pounds

If you’re the active type, this could be the wolf-like dog companion for you. The Swedish Vallhund may be medium-sized but has a huge personality and full energy.

These little dogs with wolf faces are full of energy and enthusiasm. While many of the other breeds on this list are built for athleticism, the Swedish Vallhund will feel most at home comfortably on the couch with you.

Bred to shepherd, this dog loves to play and does not like to sit idle. Couch Potato Beware! She is known to make games to entertain herself when she is bored and entertain her human being.

The Swedish Vallhund is also an avid baker who will yawn on the fly while discussing lamps, mail carriers, and squirrels in oak trees. Of course, this can be controlled with training.

Wolf vs. Dog

Wolves and dogs are both members of the Canis genus, but distinct differences exist. The wolf relies on itself to find food and shelter. The dog, which was domesticated approximately 15,000 to 20,000 years ago, relies primarily on humans to meet its basic needs, including companionship and grooming.

Researchers from the NHG Research Institute analyzed the DNA of 161 dog breeds to get a clearer picture of how dogs and wolves relate to each other. While puppies that look like wolves certainly share DNA with their wild cousins, smaller dog breeds that look like wolves do not.

The biggest difference between wolves and dogs that look like wolves is temperament.

Dogs like wolves come from completely different backgrounds. The only thing they share with wolves is appearance. Personality is more widely understood, and characteristics are stable. These breeds are domestic dogs.

Wolves are prolific hunters who survive in harsh environments and move around in packs. A wolfdog mix can be destructive in the yard, digging holes for “dens” in the garden or urinating on inanimate objects frequently to mark territory.

They display violent behavior and should never be left alone around small animals or children.

Wolfdogs are also shy, especially around strangers. Feeling threatened, they can attack to defend themselves.

A few words of caution: wolf-like dog

 Still, harsher municipalities can not only fine you for owning a wolf-hybrid, but they can also confiscate and euthanize your pet. Accordingly, you will always want to check the local legal environment before adding a wolf-like dog to your family.

While there aren’t many laws that prevent people from owning huskies or maltreatment, some of the other breeds on this list are the target of bans and special regulations. This is especially true for breeds and hybrids directly descended from wolves.

It is also important to understand that many breeds like these wolves are very challenging to manage. For one, these dogs are sizable enough; you’ll need cash for matching larger-than-average dog boxes and beds.