Everyone knows that dogs are descended from wolves. But looking at many modern breeds you will never say that! What is left of wolves in toy terriers, spaniels, or pugs? But still, there are some dogs that preserved many appearance peculiarities of their wild ancestors. So, meet 7 dog breeds that look like wolves.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
These brave and beautiful dogs have inherited the character of German Shepherds and the appearance and strength of the Carpathian wolves. Due to the fact that they were bred with an admixture of wild wolves, in some countries, it is considered dangerous for keeping them at home as pets. However, with a good upbringing and high-quality training, such dogs will become excellent and loyal friends. They are very social and love to communicate with people. However, they tend to be dominant, so they are not suitable for novice dog owners.
Tamaskan Dog
This extravagant breed was bred in Finland in the 2000s. The goal of the breeders was to develop a dog that looks maximally like a wolf, but at the same time has higher intelligence and sociability. The breed is rare and very new. Its blood contains genes of husky, Alaskan malamute, and shepherd dogs.
Gray skin, yellowish eyes, and straight tail make these animals look very similar to forest predators. But by character, they are typical dogs. These pets are fond of people and love to communicate with them. Also, they are quite docile, sociable, and have high intelligence, making it easy to train them. Dogs of this breed show very good results in various types of canine sports, such as agility, obedience, etc.
Greenland Dog
This is one of the oldest sled dog breeds. Besides, dogs of this breed were used to hunt seals, bears, and reindeers. The main features of this breed are strength, stamina, and endurance. Flair and the ability to orientate are also developed rather well. Despite a naturally sharp temperament, Greenland dogs are always friendly towards humans. Talking about other pets, the dogs of this breed always tend to dominate above them.
Interesting fact: Greenland dogs helped Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian polar explorer, to come first in the race to the South Pole.
Alaskan Malamute
This large dog is similar to a wolf in color and size. Most individuals weigh about 35-40 kg (77-88 lbs), but some can reach 45 kg (99 lbs). The coat of these dogs consists of two layers: the first one is white and the second one is gray.
These dogs are very energetic. They are active so much that most people can’t handle them. These are sled dogs, therefore, high physical activity is very important for them. They are made for it. If it is not possible to use them as sled dogs, they need to come up with some other intense exercise.
Also, they are well known for their stubbornness and unwillingness to train, so it is very important to start taking such a dog to obedience courses from an early age.
Laika
This is a relatively modern hunting dog breed. It looks very similar to a wolf due to its physique, muzzle shape, and thick coat. But there is also a very strong distinctive feature: a curled-up tail. Thanks to it, you can immediately recognize the dog in this animal.
Talking about the character, this dog is very active, curious, and playful. But at the same time, it is devoted, friendly, and very good at being trained.
Siberian Husky
The dogs of this breed are extremely popular nowadays due to their lovely appearance and playful character. They are quite similar in appearance to wolves: they have the same thick undercoat, bushy tail, and straight ears. However, they are distinguished from their wild ancestors by blue eyes and smaller size.
Huskies were bred by the Chukchi tribes in Siberia and are designed to pull sleds over long distances. Therefore, they need very high physical activity. But many owners don’t take this into account. And then huskies begin to have behavioral problems. The dogs dig holes in the yard, break the fences, and run away at the first opportunity. In general, they do everything to get the missing physical activity.
Samoyed Dog
Externally, you can find similarities of this breed with the white polar wolf. But at heart, these dogs are completely good-natured. This can even be understood by the expression of their muzzles. These dogs have kind eyes, and they seem to be constantly smiling.
Representatives of this breed are very loyal and friendly. They love to play and have an active time. These pets are great for large families with children as they can’t stand loneliness and boredom.