Dog Breeds That Look Like Wolves and Facts About Them

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Dogs and wolves come from the same family, thus they tend to have similar physical traits except for the fact that wolves are understandably stronger and difficult—if not impossible—to train. Wolves are not to be domesticated in any way and people are discouraged from keeping them as household pets. But, how about wolf like dogs? What do we know about them?

Well, on the other hand, wolf hybrids or wolf dogs are quite easy to get nowadays. There is the Lupo Italiano, Kunming wolf dog and others that have cross-bred with wolves over the years. These animals are not for the average dog owner either mainly because of their wild genes, which can pose as a threat toward other animals or small children.

So in case you really are fascinated by wolves, you can settle with something that looks just like it but are in no way directly related to wolves at all.

Here are wolf like dogs that you would love to own:

See video at the end

11. Alaskan Malamute

wolf like dogs

Alaskan Malamutes were bred to be sled dogs because of their power and size. They have incredibly high endurance and strength levels. But despite all this, they make excellent pets and are a popular breed among pet owners. But do know that Malamutes may not sit well with families who have smaller pets, as their prey drive can sometimes get the best of them.

Malamutes come in a variety of colors including gray and white, sable and white, black and white, seal and white, red and white, or solid white. They also have facial markings that resemble that of an actual wolf.

Overall, they should be raised in places with cold temperature as their thick double coat makes them susceptible to overheating.

10. Siberian Husky

wolf like dogs

According to the American Kennel Club, the Siberian Husky is a loyal, playful, and athletic breed that dates back to the ancient times wherein they were used as working dogs. With that, they require constant outdoor exercise especially during the cold weather. Lack of exercise may result in destructive behavior, so it is recommended that owners fence their lawn.

Their similarities with wolves transcend more than just their physical appearances, as their characteristics include the need to be with a pack and their tendency to howl more than bark. They are generally a medium-sized breed too, weighing up to 27–28 kg in average.

Like many dogs on this list, they must be introduced to smaller dogs or other animals at a young age because of their high prey drive. Despite that, they remain to be one of the ideal breeds for families and are especially good with children.

9. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

wolf like dogs

This relatively wolf like dogs has not many owners around the world. But its close resemblance to real wolves is enough to draw attention. The Czechoslovakian wolf dog is distinguished mainly by its iconic amber eyes and triangle-shaped ears that are erect like that of a wolf.

They were reportedly first bred in Austria, Slovenia, and Hungary and then were imported to other countries not long after. They are actually a bred from German shepherds and Carpathian wolves with the goal to create a breed mixed with the strength of a wolf and the temperament of a German shepherd. While they may not be easily available, they are actually great house dogs and are fiercely loyal to their families. However, smaller animals should be introduced at a young age and socialization with other dogs should start early as well.

8. Kugsha

wolf like dogs

Kugsha or known by the other name Amerindian Malamutes are wolf hybrids that are larger than the Siberian husky but smaller than a Malamute. The Kugsha has high energy and therefore needs a lot of exercise, an example of which is long daily walks. They need to keep busy or the tendency is they will get destructive.

A Kugsha should not be kept indoors for so long, they can be trained to do some work like assisting with carrying heavy loads. Training and socialization with other animals and children should begin at a young age because of their predatory nature.

7. Samoyed

wolf like dogs

Originally, Samoyed dogs were bred to herd reindeer and haul sledges. They got their name from the Samoyede people that resided in Siberia that regarded them as loyal companion who would keep them warm with their thick coat of fur. Modern Samoyed dogs are often kept as house pets because of their warm temperament and friendly personality. Owners should be aware of their health problems, which include kidney disease, hip dysplasia (a common ailment for large dogs), and diabetes. Other than that, they are excellent with children but will need training at an early age.

The Samoyed is not related to the wolf or fox at all, instead their roots can be traced back to the primitive dog. A distinctive feature is their “Sammy Smile,” which is described by their signature black lips pointing upward.

6. Tamaskan

wolf like dogs

Another relatively wolf like dogs on this list is the Tamaskans. In fact, there are only 600 of these dogs around the world, but expect the numbers to grow over the years because of their popularity. They were fully recognized by the American Kennel Club last 2013 and were bred to look like wolves.

The Tamaskan is known for its large, athletic body that is slightly bigger than that of a German shepherd. They have a variety of coat colors, ranging from red-gray to black-gray. These dogs are incredibly social and need constant exercise.

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