The natural wolfdog was developed in Russia quite recently—about 15 years ago. Attempts to crossbreed dogs and wolves had been made before, but the resulting specimens had numerous defects. The current wolfdog is approximately 80% canine and only 20% wolf.
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Wolfdog: History, Description, and Photos
Having taken the best characteristics from the wolf, the animal still remained mostly a dog - this allows educate and train him, which is impossible to do with a wolf. Archaeological excavations have repeatedly confirmed the theory of possible mating between domesticated dogs and wild wolves. For example, the fossilized remains of the American wolfdog were discovered in burials dating back over 10,000 years.
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The remains of unusual dogs that lived near human settlements (but not with people, as the animals were not fully domesticated) in the 22nd to 24th centuries BC (!) have been found in Europe. So can these ancient finds be considered indisputable proof of the existence of wolfdogs? After all, natural hybridization It could have happened without the involvement of wolves, and the fact of deliberate selection is questionable. Today, no one can say for sure what "normal wolves" and "classic dogs" were like in ancient times.
Relatively recently (in 2010), a "fresh" find was discovered in the city of Teotihuacan, Mexico. The exact age of the city has not been determined, but it is known for certain that Teotihuacan was a regional center as early as the 2nd century CE. According to scientists, the discovered images of half-wolf, half-coyote, and half-dog hybrids date back at least 2,000 years. Again, it is impossible to determine with certainty whether the hybridization was artificial or natural.
In 1766, English experimenters again attempted to cross a male wolf and a domestic female shepherd. The result nine puppies were obtained, which became known as Pomeranian dogs. The semi-wild animals were bought by aristocrats or placed in special menageries.
And here a logical question arises: why didn't British breeders continue their experiments? In fact, they tried repeatedly, but each time they failed miserably. The English wolfdog became nothing more than a zoo attraction.
The desire to create a wolf-dog hybrid also affected German biologists. The largest breeding campaigns were conducted in Germany in the 14th century, resulting in the production of 200 wolfdogs. However, none of the hybrids were amenable to socialization and training, which led to to stop further experimentsThe animals were afraid of people (except those who fed them), did not obey, and panicked when they were trained. They were also very aggressive towards their fellow animals.
An interesting fact is that German biologists attempted to crossbreed a poodle and a wolf, but this did not produce any results.
In 1925, Dutch scientist Lander Sarloos bred a wolfdog officially recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). The hybrid was created by crossing a male German Shepherd and a female wolf named Fleura. Breeding work continued, and in 1962, the breed was reintroduced. "renewed" with fresh wolf blood, crossing the she-wolf Fleur (II) with a hybrid male.
After the death of the head of the Sarlos family, his family continued the breeding operation, but some time after the recognition (in 1981), the Sarlos wolfdogs were deemed untrainable and uncontrollable, which served as grounds for their blacklisting. The animals were mostly sent to zoos, and only a few wolfdogs that were successfully trained were sent to assist the security services.
Interestingly, these dogs contained only about 10% wolf blood. Despite all recommendations for animal socialization, established standards, and attempts to revive the breed, by 2004, Dutch wolfdogs were on the brink of extinction. To date, nothing is known about the fate of Fleur's descendants.
In fact, the first “successful” wolfdog is Czechoslovakian WolfdogIts "creator" was scientist Karel Hartl, who worked at a military kennel in Libějovice, Czech Republic. A male German Shepherd, the kennel's top breeder, was mated with a human-reared Carpathian wolf, Brita.
The puppies from the first litter were not viable, and the experiment had to be repeated with a different male. The resulting specimens proved robust, strong, and, importantly, receptive to human handling. The half-breeds were trainable and even participated in border guarding. The first step in the international recognition of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was Karel Hartl's success in obtaining permission to export wolfdogs abroad.
Today in the Czech Republic there is at least 4 nurseries, where you can buy wolfdog puppies. However, the purchasing conditions there are quite strict, and the price is not cheap.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog resembles a wolf only in appearance, but in character they are true German Shepherds.
In Russia, attempts to create a dog-wolf hybrid failed one after another until Mr. V.M. Kasimov intervened. As it happened, the first mating of a German Shepherd and a she-wolf occurred not in a laboratory, but "out of love." Tamed wolf Naida, bought from a hunter after a four-year unsuccessful search for a mate, independently chose a "German groom" for herself.
In 2003, they produced a litter of puppies whose puppies shared their father's disposition and mother's appearance. After successfully socializing, the puppies were named Russian Wolfdogs.
In relation to the Czech and Dutch breeds, the term "wolfdog" is used colloquially, but in the scientific world only Perm hybrids of dogs and wolves are called by this name.
The wolfdog breeding project is currently closed. However, the animals produced during the nearly 16 years of breeding continue to serve in the Russian Federation's security forces.
Characteristics of wolfdogs
Creating a wolf-dog hybrid was a risky experiment, but biologists decided to try it anyway. The wolfdog differs from the common dog in a number of ways:
- Life expectancyA purchased wolfdog can live for at least 25 years. Some wolves can live up to 40 years, while dogs approaching 20 years of age are considered long-lived.
- Strength and powerThe hybrid's teeth are much more powerful and stronger than those of a dog, as the breed was originally bred for killing. Properly trained, wolf-dogs become formidable weapons, capable of striking down an enemy with lightning speed.
- Keen sense of smellHybrids have the ability to detect week-old odors, can distinguish the blood of a cancer patient from that of a healthy person, and can also detect scent trails in a split second. Dogs, unfortunately, cannot boast such advantages.
- Lack of attachmentThese animals were originally bred for service and security purposes, where attachment to a single person could interfere with their work. Unlike their domesticated relatives, the wolfdog will not miss its owner, and all its senses, as well as its brain activity, will be focused on its duties.
Modern wolfdogs also have unique character traits, a relatively high level of intelligence, and a frightening yet beautiful appearance.
Character
A wolfdog's personality is determined by the amount of wolf DNA in the individual's blood, so there is no definitive breed standard. Even puppies from the same litter can vary significantly, so it is not yet possible to fully understand the behavior patterns of wolfdogs.
But already now you can notice some common character traits:
- High intelligence (above that of a dog) and understanding;
- activity;
- intelligence;
- ability to learn quickly;
- curiosity.
Wolfdogs are extremely cautious and distrustful of people. They can sometimes display aggressiveness and stubbornness. However, these qualities are also common in many large breed dogs. When training hybrids, it's crucial to avoid corporal punishment; otherwise, the animals will grow up to be vicious and unruly creatures.
Individuals whose behavior is completely consistent with that of a dog, all the same retain wolfish habitsThey enjoy hunting small animals, chewing on various objects, digging holes, jumping over fences, and, when confined, destroying everything around them. A cage is essential for keeping wolfdogs, and maintenance is kept to a minimum.
Perhaps, in the future, wolfdogs will gain popularity worldwide and become a highly sought-after breed, one that will live at home and happily greet you when you come home from work. However, modern wolfdogs are not yet capable of this.
