The International Wolfalike Companion Registry – Est. 2017

For years, people have been trying to create a Wolfalike dog to this specification. More familiar Wolfalike breeds might be the Northern Inuit Dog, The Utonagan and the Tamaskan - all of these were originally bred using the same founding dogs.

 

The most popular breeds used in the foundation of the Wolfalike breed are the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd; traces of other breeds such as the theSamoyed Norwegian Elkhound and Collie have also been found in the genetic makeup of some Wolfalike dogs.

 

You will find that some Wolfalike dogs have a minimal amount of Grey wolf content, but this is negligible. ( please ask your future breeder if you are concerned about this, and they should be truthful and tell you how much to expect from your future pup) Some breeders have used The Saarloos wolfdog or the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog in their breeding programs.

 

Because of people’s differences in opinions on how wolfalike breeds should move forward, many breeders have opted to move away from the closed gene pool clubs and become independent breeders to develop the breed better and widen the gene pool by introducing other wolfalike dogs. 

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Specifications/Standards

A Wolfalike can be large and athletic - or Giant and robust; some are similar in height and weight to the German Shepherd, and others tower above the German Shepherd and take on the Timberwolf stance. He or she should have a wolf-like appearance with a dense winter coat and a sleeker summer coat. The head should bear medium-sized ears and a characteristic “wolfish” mask. The tail should be straight and bushy. Everyone’s perspective of a wolf is different, but the more similarities the individual has to a “standard” wolf in looks and movement, the better.

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Behaviour

Wolfalikes are intelligent dogs but, on occasion, might like to come across as less clever than they are- they love to learn and are willing to please you. Still, they lose interest and get bored easily; at this point, they will likely feign stupidity and forgetfulness! They are loyal and lovable companions with a wonderful temperaments and make fantastic family pets. They get along well in a home environment with children and other animals, but it's always best to introduce them when your dog is a puppy so they will grow up together.

 

Wolfalikes are, as a rule, pack animals and are, therefore, at their best kept together in a group. They can, however, be only dog if you have the huge amount of time required to commit to their not inconsiderable needs. In an only-dog situation, you will become your dog’s pack, and he or she will want to do everything they can with you. You will need to entertain him/her; otherwise, he/she will become bored and potentially extremely destructive. Prey drive (which may include small pets such as cats or rabbits…) varies from dog to dog, depending on which breeds have been added to their makeup. If you find you have a puppy with a higher prey drive, then we suggest plenty of training on a long line lead and that you do not let your dog off lead if it is anywhere near animals unless you have full control with recall.

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Care

As with many double-coated breeds, Wolfalikes moult twice a year, usually in Spring and Autumn. During their moults, their soft undercoat will fall out gently and painlessly in tufts for weeks. This process is known as "blowing their coat”. At this time, they will need brushing a few times a day. Your house will resemble a snowstorm, and you will have fur tumbleweeds rolling around, so investing in a good vacuum cleaner is necessary. Sometimes, you will wonder where all the fur has come from – it seems impossible that one dog can hide so much. Occasionally, they will also lose their guard hairs (top coat), and when they do, they tend to look untidy and unkempt until their full coat grows back. When they have finished moulting, daily grooming of Wolfalikes is good practice as it keeps them clean and knot-free. It also allows you to check for lumps, bumps and any injuries or ticks they may have picked up on a walk.

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Training

As puppies, Wolfalikes are very quick to learn and willing to please. It is recommended that as soon as they are allowed out in public, you should take them to an approved training school where they can learn basic manners and how to mix with other breeds. Some puppies can be very outgoing and bold, whilst others are more reserved and need extra coaxing to join in. As they grow, wolfalike dogs need plenty of early socialisation and positive training experiences. They can be very stubborn as they age, so extra encouragement and patience are needed. They go through different life stages, just like human beings, and if they are left untrained, habits formed at these times can cause issues as the dogs grow into adulthood. If you start from an early age, most Wolfalike dogs can be successfully let off lead and, with plenty of training, will return to their owner on command. Training is a lifetime commitment with a Wolfalike dog.

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Exercise

As with any large breed dog, care should be taken with the amount of on-lead exercise you give a puppy. A good rule of thumb is a ratio of five minutes of exercise per month of age (up to twice a day) until the puppy is fully grown, i.e. 15 minutes (up to twice a day). When three months old, 20 minutes when four months old etc. Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer. As Wolfalikes are a large or Giant breed you really need to be cautious with what you allow them to do at a young age, absolutely no agility, mushing or continuous running until they are past 18 months old, and then it will depend on how the growth of each individual dog is going.

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Housing

Wolfalike Dogs love to be part of the family and cuddle up on the sofa with you. Just remember, when allowing that cute 10kg puppy up on the sofa or your bed for cuddles, that 55kg Adult will still think it ok to come up for cuddles. Set boundaries from the start. A safe area for when you are out is great, as they can get up to mischief as soon as they know you are not around. Crate Training is a sensible thing to do with these dogs if done correctly, as it keeps them safe and out of harm’s way.

 

Some Wolfalikes prefer to be cooler and may want the door open to the outside all day. A nice outdoor area is always a good idea, where they can be dry but still lay out in the fresh air. A fair size garden is ideal for these dogs, remember to check that you have no plants that are poisonous to dogs, as Wolfalikes do like to help with gardening. A secure Garden with a 6-foot fence is a must with these dogs, as some can be climbers or jumpers.