Dogs That Look Like Wolves

Key Points:

Important Information: Northern Intuit dogs were developed as wolf-like canines for both work and companionship. They have large heads, upright, sharp ears, long, bushy tails, muscular legs, and yellow, almond-shaped eyes, just like wolves. These dogs portrayed the dire wolves in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
The Siberian husky, which was developed by the Chukchi people of northern Asia, is an exceptional sledding dog. Others are designed for protection and friendship.
The Saarloos Wolfdog was developed by Dutchman Leendert Saarloos, who aimed to revive canines’ primordial instincts in a German Shepherd-like dog. He mated a male German Shepherd with a female wolf, then coupled the wolves’ progeny with German Shepherds.

#1 American Alsatian

American Alsatians are huge companion dogs with fur in brown, black, and white colors. Shaggy and with piercing yellow eyes, American Alsatians resemble wolves. In reality, when films require wolves-like canines, American Alsatians are frequently used.

However, acting is one of the few jobs they excel in. Though their ancestors include Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, and English Mastiffs – a genetic soup that includes genuine working dogs – breeders emphasized relaxed characteristics. As a result, today’s American Alsatians would rather spend their days relaxing and frolicking with their humans than working.

#2 Northern Inuit Dogs

Northern Inuit Dogs, also known as Kugsha, were purposefully bred to look like wolves for both labor and companionship. Northern Inuit Dogs, like their wild relatives, have huge heads and tall, sharp ears. Their long, bushy tails, powerful legs, and golden, almond-shaped eyes all shout WOLF!

The actual genealogy of the Northern Inuit Dog is unknown, but traces of Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds, and Siberian Huskies can be found in their DNA. Offshoot breeds include British Timbers, Tamaskans, and Utonagans, however no major kennel club officially recognizes them.

Northern Inuit Dogs are well-known in Hollywood as the dire wolves in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

#3 Siberian Husky

When asked to name canines that resemble wolves, the majority of people quickly exclaim, “Siberian Huskies!” The Chukchi people bred the medium-sized canines, which originated in northern Asia. Some strains are bred for sledding, while others are bred for guarding and companionship. They have high, triangular ears and resemble their larger relatives, Alaskan Malamutes.

Siberian Huskies have two fur coats and big bushy tails that curl around themselves when cold, allowing them to tolerate freezing conditions. The majority of the breed’s members are black and white, although few rare beauties have sable and brown coats.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming film based on a true story about a magnificent Siberian Husky, head over to Togo. Excellent puppy!

#4 Saarloos Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfdogs look exactly like wolves – perhaps because they’re a quarter lupine!

Saarloos Wolfdogs are a cross between German Shepherds and Eurasian grey wolves, with huge, erect, pointed ears and long, thin legs.

The dog’s original breeder, Dutchman Leendert Saarloos, intended to revive canines’ primal impulses in a German Shepherd-like dog. He considered the working hounds had become too soft and wished to reintroduce some wolf. In order to accomplish this, he mated a male German Shepherd and a female wolf. Saarloos then crossed their progeny with German Shepherds.

The outcomes, however, betrayed the breeder’s vision. His offspring turned out to be gentle companion dogs. The Dutch Kennel Club now recognizes the breed, and they’re commonly cited as ideal for active families.

#5 Canadian Eskimo Dog / Canadian Inuit Dog

Canadian Eskimo Dogs were bred for work and were known as “qimmit” by some Inuit peoples and the Canadian Inuit Dog by the Nunavut administration. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are medium-sized dogs with enormous, triangular ears and black, amygdaliform eyes. They emanate an undeniable wolf-like aura.

Unfortunately, they are also on the verge of extinction. Only roughly 300 purebreds exist, according to the most recent viable census.

What caused the decrease of the Canadian Eskimo Dog? Cynophilists attribute the breed’s demise to a multi-decade culling campaign carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canadian law enforcement officials repeatedly murdered Canadian Eskimo Dogs between 1950 and 1970. According to some estimates, 20,000 canines died during this time period.

First Nations peoples recall the campaign as a power play designed to harm indigenous communities. The RCMP maintains that the executions were a regrettable but necessary measure motivated by public health concerns.

#6 Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are categorized as “dogs that look like wolves.” They’re similar to Siberian Huskies, but larger and fluffier.

Alaskan Malamutes are cold-weather dogs that were bred to pull snow sleds. But buyer beware: all that warm fur that gives them a wolf-like appearance falls out! Alaskan Malamutes shed, shed, and shed some more.

If you’re looking for a loving, loyal, huge dog and don’t mind carpets of dropping fur, Alaskan Malamutes are a breed to consider. But if you can, get more than one! Alaskan Malamutes, like wolves, prefer to travel in packs.

#7 German Shepherd

German Shepherds are one of the most prevalent wolf-type dogs and the second most popular dog breed in the United States. They appear in a variety of colors and, like their lupine forefathers, have double fur coats. The large, perky ears of German shepherds also pay homage to their wild origins.

People frequently accuse German Shepherds of being aggressive, yet most are simply aloof with newcomers – not hostile. Individuals who join households as puppies are typically affectionate and cuddly creatures. They are also quick and intelligent learners.

German Shepherds, on the other hand, can be destructive when they don’t feel noticed and cherished. So, if you’re thinking of bringing one into your life, make sure you’ll be able to lavish them with love and care.

#8 Swedish Vallhund

The Swedish Vallhund is our final choice for wolf-like dogs. Swedish Vallhunds are the pipsqueaks of the wolf-type dog pack, weighing around 25 pounds and standing 12 inches tall. Despite their diminutive size, their unique ears, thick coats, and powerful bodies are testaments to their ancestors.

Swedish Vallhunds are a 1000-year-old spitz breed that Vikings adopted as their herding dog of choice. The stocky breed would also join them on longship excursions on a regular basis. This breed is closely linked to the Pembroke Corgi, and historians say that Vikings transported a Pembroke Corgi back to their native lands from Wales and established the Swedish Vallhund breed, or that the Swedish Vallhund was brought to the beaches of Wales and mated with the corgi there.

People with allergies, on the other hand, should exercise caution around Vallhunds. These active dogs shed their hearts out twice a year – and for their size, they shed a lot of fur.