Saarloos Wolfdog

The Saarloos Wolfdog is a Dutch breed made by deliberately crossing a German Shepherd with a wolf, and it behaves accordingly.

History

Leendert Saarloos began the cross in 1935, breeding a German Shepherd to a female European wolf in the belief that the domestic dog had grown soft. The result was not the working dog he intended — the wolf reserve proved dominant and the dogs would not do guard or service work — and the Netherlands recognised the breed in 1975, after his death, as a companion rather than a utility dog.

Temperament

The breed is known for being reserved, cautious and strongly pack-oriented, bonded to its own household and inclined to retreat from anything unfamiliar rather than confront it. The flight response is the defining trait and it does not train away.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise, company of its own kind, very secure containment and an owner who understands that it is not a biddable dog. It is a poor fit for almost every ordinary household.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and a pituitary condition documented in the breed. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.