German Shepherd Wolf Mix – 6 Comprehensive Body Characteristics, Behaviour And Health

German shepherd wolf mix
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A German Shepherd Wolf Mix, also known as Wolf-Shepherd or Wolf-dog, is a hybrid between a German Shepherd and a Wolf. Leendert Saarloos created the first hybrid of a Wolf and German Shepherd in 1932, and certain investigations show that they existed in Teotihuacan many years before. The German shepherd wolf cross combines the best qualities of both the German shepherd and the wolf.

This hybrid has significant wolf-like characteristics and is frequently mistaken for a wild wolf. Leendert Saarloos crossed a German shepherd and a wild Eurasian wolf in 1935. The breed was given the name Saarloos wolfdog by Leendert.

He bred this wolfdog with the intention of keeping the wolf’s natural features and appearance while domesticating it. He succeeded in creating the world’s first German shepherd wolf mix, which he described as protective, loyal, and hardworking. Many additional wolf-dog mixes have been created since Leendert’s breeding effort, including the Czechoslovak wolfdog, Tamaskan dog, and Northern Inuit wolf dog.

Wolf hybrids are prohibited in several states, despite their appeal. Due to their unpredictable nature, the American Kennel Club does not recognize them as an official dog breed. Nobody has ever been able to completely domesticate a wild wolf. This species is constantly unpredictable, and socializing them in a man-made habitat is quite difficult.

German shepherd wolf mix in the bush
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The AKC and other licensing organizations do not accept wolf mixes, and there is no registry for them at all. That means there’s no way to know for sure if your German Shepherd Wolf Mix contains any wolf DNA. In reality, the definition of a wolf mix is up for debate. A wolf mix, according to most experts, is one that has a purebred wolf in its ancestry within four or five generations. Others, on the other hand, deny that claim and have their own criteria for classifying anything as a “wolf mix.

Body Description German Shepherd Wolf Mix

The Wolfshepherd’s coat can be gray, sable, white, black, or any combination of these colors.

  • It will most likely inherit both parents’ thick fur and a reputation for shedding extensively.
  • The average German Shepherd Wolf mix weighs 120 pounds (54 kilograms) and is 24 inches tall (60 cm). Because of the size differences in both parent breeds and the wolf family’s height range, they have a wide weight range.
  • Your dog will not be taller than 24 inches at the withers.
  • Females are often smaller and lighter than males.
  • They have a thick, slightly coarse double coat that resembles that of wolves.
  • Their coat protects them from the elements. Like its Wolf forebears, the German shepherd wolf mix is mainly sable to white or even black in color.

Behavior of German Shepherd Wolf Mix

Shy and timid characteristics characterize the German Shepherd Wolf mix’s demeanor. A German Shepherd Wolf Dog Mix’s disposition is mostly determined by which parent’s genes win out. German Shepherd Wolf Mix dogs are passionately loyal to their family and protective of them, but they are apprehensive of strangers.

German shepherd wolf mix on the ice field
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When difficulty strikes, they prefer to flee and hide. They may be prone to separation anxiety, and they thrive in families with plenty of people. Because of its unpredictable nature, it is not recommended that this crossbreed be left alone with other pets, particularly children.

Training for the German Shepherd Wolf Mix

The mixed breed is also a smart one. This does not, however, imply that training will be simple. Only one of the characteristics that make a dog trainable is intelligence. Temperament and a desire to please are also essential training characteristics.

Because this breed is independent, unpredictable, and stubborn, it requires regular training. Training requires patience and perseverance. Because your German shepherd wolf mix is half-wild and half-tamed, socialization is crucial and an important element of training.

They also have strong predatory and protective tendencies, which will require early socialization from you. This headstrong hybrid requires mental stimulation. They will get bored and destructive if they do not receive regular mental stimulation.

German shepherd wolf mix sitting in the backyard
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German Shepherd Wolf Mix – Caring

This is a breed that requires a lot of exercises. It is not an option to leave them to exercise alone in the backyard. To burn off all of their energy, they need well-structured workout routines. This combination necessitates leash training. When strolling in public, you’ll need a lot of control over your dog because they’ll be a handful if you don’t use a leash. You’ll probably need to give them 1-2 hours of exercise per day.

The German shepherd wolf mix requires regular brushing. You’ll also need to brush them on a regular basis to keep their coat from matting and tangling. You should only bathe them if they appear to be dirty, but you should brush their teeth and trim their claws on a regular basis.

German Shepherd Wolf Mix – Health

The German Shepherd Wolf mix is susceptible to significant hereditary illnesses.

  • Hip Dysplasia: A severe malformation of the hip joint that causes lameness and loss of motion.
  • Elbow Dysplasia: A malformation of the elbow joint that can cause pain and loss of motion.
  • Bloat: An accumulation of gas in the stomach that can twist it and cause shock or even death.
  • Cancer: Unusual cell development that has the potential to spread throughout the body.

German Shepherd Wolf Mix dogs can live for 14 to 15 years.

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Kehinde Ezekiel is a freelance writer who has covered many topics, including home improvement, gardening, pets, tech, and parenting.