Seven Canine Breeds with a Wolf-like Appearance
Quinn Murphy
Which Dog Breeds Have a Wolf-like Look?
These seven breeds share physical traits with wolves, yet they generally have temperaments that are predictable, like those of most domestic dogs. Although one could purchase a wolf or a wolf hybrid—certain hybrid breeds like the Lupo Italiano, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, and Kunming Wolf Dog have been crossed with wolves over many generations—this is not advisable.
Keeping wolves or wolf hybrids as household pets presents numerous issues. As they mature, some can become challenging to manage, certain ones may not be safe around children or small animals, and in some cities and regions, owning them is against the law.
From my perspective, if you want a dog that looks like a wolf, the ideal option is to choose a breed that resembles a wolf but is fully domesticated. Consider these seven excellent options before deciding.
An Alaskan Malamute/Siberian Husky cross looks like a wolf.
DrMark1961
Breeds Resembling Wolves
- Tamaskan
- Northern Inuit
- Alaskan Malamute
- Siberian Husky
- Canadian Eskimo Dog
- Utonagan
- Finnish Lapphund
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_The Tamaskan dog was developed to look like a wolf.
Allison Laing, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons_
_The Tamaskan
Allison Laing, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons_
1. Tamaskan
This uncommon breed from Finland was specifically bred to have a wolf-like appearance. The Tamaskan is smaller than a timber wolf, typically weighing between 30 and 40 kilograms (about 65 to 90 pounds). However, its grey coat, eyes that are not blue, and straight tail combine to give it a strong resemblance to a wolf.
Health Concerns and Lifespan
As with many rare breeds, information on common Tamaskan health issues remains limited. About one in ten males of this breed is likely to be cryptorchid (having an undescended testicle, which means the dog should be neutered). Also, like all large breeds, Tamaskans may be susceptible to hip dysplasia.
These dogs have only existed since around 2006, so their life expectancy is still unknown.
Personality and Conduct
They can be reserved, but many are intelligent, obedient, and nimble. Tamaskans are noted for their search-and-rescue skills and also perform well as sled dogs.
While some enthusiasts say Tamaskans are fine with small animals, these dogs can have a strong prey drive and should not be left unsupervised with other small pets. They are also known to dig and may develop behavioral issues if not given tasks to do.
There are only about 400 Tamaskan dogs worldwide, but their popularity is growing and they might be available where you live.
The Northern Inuit is breed of dog meant to look like a wolf.
2. Northern Inuit
Similar to the Tamaskan, the Northern Inuit dog is a relatively new breed created to resemble a wolf. It looks so much like a wolf that the North Carolina State Wolfpack uses one as its official live mascot. The breed was developed in the UK from Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, and some Inuit breeds.
Northern Inuits are medium-sized, weighing around 25 to 40 kilograms (about 55 to 85 pounds), with a double coat and a straight tail.
Health Concerns and Lifespan
Because the breed is relatively new, no reliable data on its life expectancy exists. They are probably prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and epilepsy, like many northern breeds, but there is still insufficient information to be certain.
Personality and Conduct
Northern Inuits, like Siberian Huskies, were bred to be friendly but can sometimes be stubborn. They are good with children but dislike being left alone. If they do not receive enough stimulation (a playmate often helps), they will likely dig holes in the yard and may even escape.
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A full-grown Alaskan malamute
_Some Alaskan malamutes have markings and colors similar to those of a wolf.
cc-by matthew hobbs 62406899_
_This is an adult Alaskan malamute, one of the dog breeds that looks like a wolf.
cc-by jsf539 4673031906_
3. Alaskan Malamute
This wonderful dog is similar to a timber wolf in both size and coloring. Most Alaskan Malamutes weigh about 35 to 40 kilograms (around 75 to 85 pounds), but some can reach 45 kilograms (about 100 pounds).
Alaskan Malamutes have a double coat, often part white and part sable or gray. Their eyes are brown, and their tails are fluffy and usually carried up.
Health Concerns and Lifespan
Like other sled dogs, these dogs have some eye problems such as retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. Like many other large dogs, they are prone to hip dysplasia. Alaskan Malamutes usually live about 11 years.
Personality and Conduct
They are well known for their resistance to training, so be sure to take him to obedience classes and socialize him from a young age. Like Siberians, Alaskan Malamutes have a lot of energy—more than most people can handle. While most people cannot run them on a sled, there are several alternative exercises available. They are strong, so they do well in bikejoring, skijoring, and weight-pulling.
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_The Siberian Husky is a popular dog breed with well-known markings.
cc-by flickr.com randihausken 476694698_
_Some Siberian Huskies look more like wolves than others.
cc-by globalcitizen01 5928650389_
4. Siberian Husky
This breed is now so popular that many people will recognize a Siberian Husky when they see one on the street. Some Siberian Huskies look more wolflike than others.
Huskies were bred by the Chukchi tribes in Siberia to pull their sleds over long distances. They have been domesticated for thousands of years but have not changed much from their wolf ancestors and still have a thick double coat, a heavily furred tail, and erect ears. Siberian Huskies are smaller than most wolves, usually only about 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and sometimes even a lot less.
Health Concerns and Lifespan
This breed does not typically have too many health problems, though some Huskies have sled-dog problems like retinal atrophy (PRA) and epilepsy. Hip dysplasia is almost never found in Siberians, and the normal life expectancy is usually 12 years or more.
Personality and Conduct
If a Siberian Husky is the wolflike dog you want, be careful to avoid some of the common behavioral problems. They are not big dogs, but they require a lot of exercise, and families that do not provide enough could end up with a dog that digs holes, tears up fences, or runs off when given the chance.
They look like wolves, and sometimes they act like it!
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_The Canadian Eskimo dog
cc-by losee 8202230230_
_The Canadian Eskimo dog is another sled dog that looks like a wolf.
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5. Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is another tribal sled dog that has probably been bred with wolves. The dogs weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms (roughly between 65 and 90 pounds) and have a thick coat like that of the Siberian Husky. They have the powerful, athletic build of the Alaskan Malamute and are very similar to wolves.
The breed is very rare, even in Canada, and if not for a breeding program that has been in place since 1972, the dogs would probably be extinct. Part of the reason for the breed’s decline is the fact that snowmobiles replaced the need for sled dogs. Over the years, they have been crossed with Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and maybe other breeds. Some of these dogs were used in the development of the Northern Inuit Dog.
Health Concerns and Lifespan
With their thick coats, Canadian Eskimo Dogs are prone to heatstroke. They usually live for about 12 years.
Personality and Conduct
Like a Siberian, they can be pets, but they need a lot of exercise. Walking just won’t do it—they are used to pulling sleds, pulling carts, and skijoring. In Canada, they were originally used as sled dogs and for hunting polar bears. Like many sled dogs, they have a strong prey drive and are not a suitable dog to get if you have small animals.
A Utonagan dog looks similar to a wolf.
6. Utonagan
This is another dog breed that was developed in Great Britain just to look like a wolf. Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and German Shepherds were used to develop the Utonagan. The name is Native American, a Chinook phrase that means “Spirit of the Wolf.”
Health Concerns and Lifespan
These dogs are said to live for up to 15 years and have few health problems.
Personality and Conduct
Enthusiasts claim that the dogs are good-tempered even with cats, but there are still so few of them around that most of these claims cannot be verified statistically.
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_The Finnish Lapphund is one of the dog breeds that looks similar to a wolf.
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_Some Finnish Lapphunds have markings similar to those of a wolf.
cc-by rixatrix 5544365356_
7. Finnish Lapphund
This wolflike dog is actually a shepherd used for herding reindeer by the Sami, a people of Finland. They are a spitz, popular in Finland but not seen in many other countries outside of Scandinavia. Finnish Lapphunds are one of the few breeds of dog allowed to legally live outside in Finland. They are now registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the US.
A Finnish Lapphund only weighs about 17 to 18 kilograms (about 35 to 40 pounds) and has a long thick coat and a wolflike face. Some of them are black or brown, but some others have a sable coat. The tail is often carried over the back but may hang down when the dog is standing.
Health Concerns and Lifespan
Finnish Lapphunds are not associated with too many health problems, but some are prone to retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. Very few have hip dysplasia. An average lifespan is about 13 years.
Personality and Conduct
If you are looking for an active dog that never minds the cold, this is a great choice.
Honorable Mentions
- Some solid-black German Shepherd dogs are also wolflike in appearance.
- American Alsatians also look like wolves, but they have been bred to look like the Dire Wolf, an extinct species.
Where to Look if You’re Interested in a Particular Breed
If you are looking for some breeds listed in this article (like the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute), you might be able to find a dog at your local animal shelter. If you are in a tropical area, your chances are slim, since most of the wolflike breeds are from the Arctic. You can also try Petfinder.com to see if any of these dogs are available in nearby cities.
If you want to look for a breeder, try visiting a dog show and looking at some of the dogs you are interested in. Whatever you do, do not buy your dog from a pet shop or an Internet puppy wholesaler, since you will be supporting a puppy mill and will end up with a dog that’s difficult to house train.
More About Dogs
- How Are Dogs Any Different Than Wolves? Too often we are told, “a dog is just like a wolf.” But are they? What makes your dog so different?
- What You Need to Know to Keep Your Dog Outside If your dog is going to be outside, do you know what you need to provide? Some dogs can do great outside, but you need to choose the right breed. Find out what you should consider before leaving your dog outdoors.
© 2013 Mark dos Anjos, DVM
Sources
- Seven Canine Breeds with a Wolf-like Appearance — pethelpful
