Dogs and wolves are two closely related species as they belong to the taxonomic family, Canidae. Both dogs and wolves share a common ancestor and diverged from each other around 15,000 to 40,000 years ago.
Genetically, dogs and wolves are remarkably similar, sharing approximately 99.9% of their DNA. A close genetic relationship allows for successful interbreeding, resulting in fertile offspring. This has, in turn, created several breeds of dogs that resemble a wild wolf.
1. Alaskan Malamute
Height: 23-25 inches (58-63 cm)
Weight: 75-100 pounds (34-45 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
The Alaskan Malamute is believed to be one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs. The breed has a rich history intertwined with the indigenous Inuit people, known as the Mahlemiut.
The Malamute's ancestry reportedly includes a mix of various Arctic dog breeds, including the Siberian Husky, the Samoyed, and other indigenous sled dogs from the region. These breeds contributed to the Malamute's physical characteristics, such as its dense double coat, sturdy build, and strong muscles.
2. Siberian Husky
Height: 20-23.5 inches (51-60 cm)
Weight: 35-60 pounds (16-27 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
The Siberian Husky shares a common ancestry with wolves. They both belong to the same broader species Canis lupus, which encompasses various subspecies of wolves and domestic dogs. They possess several traits similar to wolves, including body structure, erect ears, and almond-shaped eyes.
The long-haired dog breed has a double-layered coat consisting of a dense, insulating undercoat and a longer, protective topcoat. This coat is often seen in various color combinations, including gray, black, and white, which further enhances their resemblance to wolves.
3. Canadian Eskimo Dog
Height: 23-28 inches (58-71 cm)
Weight: 66-95 pounds (30-43 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
As the Canadian Eskimo Dog and wolves both evolved in harsh arctic environments, they share similar traits and appearance. A close cousin of the American Eskimos, the breed originated from the Inuit sled dog in the Arctic region of Canada. Over time, they have adapted to the extreme cold conditions, resulting in their wolf-like characteristics.
The breed's thick double coat is an adaptation to the cold climate, providing insulation and protection from the elements. Likewise, their erect ears and almond-shaped eyes are believed to aid in their survival by improving their hearing and vision.
4. Samoyed
Height: 19-23.5 inches (48-60 cm)
Weight: 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
The Samoyed dog is believed to have originated in Siberia, specifically among the Samoyedic people. These indigenous people bred the dog for various purposes, including herding reindeer, pulling sleds, and keeping their families warm during harsh winters.
These dogs were selectively bred for their hardiness, endurance, and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. They played a vital role in the survival of the Samoyedic people, helping them travel across vast icy terrains and providing companionship and protection.
5. Utonagan
Height: 24-28 inches (61-71 cm)
Weight: 55-90 pounds (25-41 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
The Utonagan is a relatively new breed, developed in the 1980s by crossing Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and German Shepherds. The breed's coat is one of its most distinguishable characteristics, adding to its wolf-like appearance.
The dog has a double coat, which consists of a dense undercoat and longer guard hairs on top. This double coat helps protect the dog from harsh weather conditions, making it well-suited for colder climates. The undercoat provides insulation by trapping air close to the body, while the guard hairs repel water and snow, keeping the dog dry and warm.
6. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Height: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)
Weight: 44-57 pounds (20-26 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12-16 years
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a relatively new breed created by breeding German Shepherds with Carpathian Wolves in the mid-20th century. The aim was to develop a breed that with the temperament of a German Shepherd and the wild instincts of a wolf.
The breeding program began in 1955 under Karel Hartl, a Czechoslovakian geneticist. The initial crosses were made between German Shepherds and Carpathian Wolves to produce a hybrid, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. The subsequent generations were carefully bred to stabilize the breed's characteristics while maintaining the wolf-like appearance.
7. Saarloos Wolfdog
Height: 24-30 inches (61-76 cm)
Weight: 79-88 pounds (36-40 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
The Saarloos Wolfdog is a unique breed with the loyalty of a dog and the untamed beauty of a wolf. Developed in the 20th century by a Dutch breeder named Leendert Saarloos, this breed was created by crossing German Shepherds with European wolves.
The wolfdog has a thick double coat that comes in various shades of gray, resembling the wild wolf. Their eyes are usually amber or yellow, which adds to their captivating allure. Also, these dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and independence. However, due to their wolf ancestry, they require experienced owners who can establish a firm leadership.
8. Tamaskan
Height: 24-28 inches (61-71 cm)
Weight: 55-99 pounds (25-45 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
The Tamaskan is a strikingly beautiful breed blessed with a muscular body and a strong frame. One of the most striking features of these dogs is their thick double coat, which helps them withstand harsh weather conditions. The outer coat is straight and dense, while the undercoat is soft and insulating.
The coat comes in various colors, including gray, red-gray, black-gray, and wolf-gray. Some dogs may have white markings on their chest, paws, and face. Meanwhile, their other physical traits include a wedge-shaped head, almond-shaped eyes, and erect ears.
9. Northern Inuit Dog
Height: 23-32 inches (58-81 cm)
Weight: 55-110 pounds (25-50 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
The Northern Inuit Dog originated in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. It was created by crossing several breeds, including the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and German Shepherd. The breed's origin can be traced back to a film called "Wolfen," in which a wolf-like dog was needed.
Tired of using wolf hybrids, a breeder named Edwina Harrison decided to create a dog breed specifically for the movie. She started with a male Siberian Husky named Kavik and a female Alaskan Malamute named Kimmi, both of which were owned by her partner, Joe Inglis. These two dogs became the foundation of the Northern Inuit Dog breed.
10. Alaskan Noble Companion Dog
Height: 23-27 inches (58-69 cm)
Weight: 55-85 pounds (25-39 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
The Alaskan Noble Companion Dog is a relatively new breed from Alaska. This breed was specifically created to be an ideal companion dog, combining the best traits of various working breeds. The ANCD is a medium to large-sized dog, well-built and sturdy, with a strong and athletic physique.
The ANCD has a double coat that is dense and weather-resistant, perfectly suited for the Alaskan climate. Their coat comes in various colors, including shades of gray, black, and white. Besides their fur, the breed also has large, erect ears that are set high on their head, giving them an alert and attentive expression.
11. Kunming Wolfdog
Height: 22-26 inches (56-66 cm)
Weight: 42-66 pounds (19-30 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
The Kunming Wolfdog, also known as the Kunming Dog, is a Chinese dog breed. It was developed in the 1950s through a crossbreeding program conducted by the Kunming Military Region in Yunnan Province. The breed was created by mating German Shepherds with local wolves.
The Wolfdog was primarily bred for military and police work. It was used for tasks such as search and rescue, tracking, and guarding. The breed's strong work ethic, intelligence, and agility made it well-suited for these roles.
12. German Shepherd
Height: 22-26 inches (56-66 cm)
Weight: 50-90 pounds (23-41 kg)
Life Expectancy: 9-13 years
German Shepherds have a close genetic relationship to wolves. They are descendants of German dog breeds that were selectively bred in Germany during the late 19th century. The man responsible for their development was a German cavalry officer named Captain Max von Stephanitz.
To achieve the desired breed, the Captain carefully selected dogs that exhibited wolf-like traits and started a breeding program. One of the dogs that caught his attention was a wolf-like dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor became the foundation of the German Shepherd breed. In conclusion, GSDs are technically a domesticated form of the gray wolf.
13. Belgian Shepherd
Height: 22-26 inches (56-66 cm)
Weight: 45-75 pounds (20-34 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
The Belgian Shepherd has a unique coat as one of its most striking features. It is a dense, double coat that is well-suited for protection against cold. The outer coat is long, straight, and abundant, while the undercoat is thick and woolly. This combination provides excellent insulation.
The breed has four different coat varieties: the Groenendael, the Tervuren, the Malinois, and the Laekenois. The Groenendael has a solid black coat, while the Tervuren can have a range of colors including fawn, mahogany, and gray.
14. Shikoku
Height: 17-21 inches (43-53 cm)
Weight: 35-55 pounds (16-25 kg)
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
The Shikoku dog, also known as the Kochi-ken or Shikoku Inu, is a Japanese breed native to the mountainous regions of Shikoku Island. The breed is believed to have been developed in ancient times, with its exact origins dating back centuries.
The dog was initially bred for hunting purposes, particularly to track and hunt large game, such as boar and deer. It descended from medium-sized Japanese dogs that were brought to Shikoku Island by early settlers. These dogs were bred with larger breeds brought by traders from other parts of Asia.
15. Swedish Vallhund
Height: 11.5-13.5 inches (29-34 cm)
Weight: 20-35 pounds (9-16 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
The Vallhund has a wolf-like appearance, consisting of a wedge-shaped head, pricked ears, and a curled tail. It is a small to medium-sized dog with a muscular body, enabling the breed to excel in herding and agility activities.
Further, the breed is often referred to as the "Viking dog" due to its historical association with the Vikings. The Viking connection was further solidified by archaeological findings, which included Viking ship burial sites where Vallhund's remains had been discovered.
Petjurni Team
