Is There A Wolf Dog?

It is already known that wolves  are the direct ancestors of dogs. But even today, many myths circulate about the permanence of hybrid species, such as the wolf dog. There are still  many doubts about how the genetic transformation of wolf into dog  and the subsequent dissemination of hundreds of breeds with different characteristics developed historically.

First data on the wolf dog

The first “wolf dog” is not known where or when it appeared. But he was famous for following men from a very long past, taking care of them as part of his pack. The evolution of man and dog was parallel and much of the success of this coexistence is due to this.

The most widely accepted hypothesis today is that a more tame wolf approached a group of humans, to gain shelter and heat from the fire. The man used the company to optimize his hunting strategy and protect his family. Thus began the most private relationship in the animal kingdom.

The gradual genetic transformation from wolf to dog was joined by external environmental factors and cultural changes. And this allowed the emergence of different breeds of dogs, each with its own personality.

However, the wolf dog myth still remains in modern society, especially in the countryside.  But, is there or not a dog with characteristics of this wild animal?

The result of crossing dogs and wolves

The wolf dog, also called “hybrid dog”, would be a mixture, a hybrid between two species: the wolf and the dog.

And why is there any doubt about the real existence of the wolf dog? Basically because  the evolution of scientific and veterinary studies has shown the difficulty of gathering and reproducing animals of different species.

Allowing  crossbreeding between different species, the result would be the wolf dog. Furthermore, this hybrid is not a different or new animal, but a subspecies of the wolf.

Currently, official animal rescue foundations consider that a wolf dog is completely dog, but that it has wolf genes within its last five direct generations. Either by natural crossing or by controlled breeding.

Is there a race of wolf dogs?

There is certainly no such thing as a wolf-dog breed, because this is a subspecies of the wolf. But yes,  there are some dog breeds that have a notorious influence of the wolf-dog hybrid in their evolution and even in their appearance.

Enumeration of races

The 5 main breeds with genetic inheritance of the wolf-dog hybrid are:

• Wolfdog. Many breeders around the world already cross these hybrids. It is about adapting the genetic percentage of each species to generate domesticated dogs, capable of developing different functions. The behavior is more like that of the wolf than that of the dog. They hardly bark, are less sociable and tend to growl. It’s a very controversial case of genetic manipulation. In many countries it is prohibited to have one of these animals.  In the United States, there are reports of the existence of at least 400 thousand copies of Wolfdog.

• Tamaska. Many people already domestically create Tamaska, investing in its early socialization (since its birth). It originated in Finland, from the cross between the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. It was classically used for pulling sleds. Its appearance is that of a wolf and it has an imposing bearing.

• Alaskan Malamute. Originally from Alaska (United States),  this wolf-like dog is robust. Used for a long time also to pull sleds. He has great strength and has a very balanced behavior. Your fur requires very special care.
• Siberian Husky. The Husky  became famous after its success in theaters. It is also a wolf-like dog with a strong group personality. It is a breed originating in Siberia, where it was also used to pull sleds. It was widely domesticated and widespread throughout the world.

• Czechoslovakian wolf dog. It is the result of an experiment carried out in the former Czechoslovakia during the 50’s.  A German Shepherd was crossed  with different female Carpathian wolves, until a layer of fertile hybrids was obtained. This breed has become a national symbol of their country. They are not easy to domesticate but, if socialized from birth, they can make good guard dogs and for field work.

Is it possible to have a wolf dog as a pet?

Experts claim that wolves are impossible to be domesticated. What is achieved is the reduction of their instincts with early interaction with humans.