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Dogs That Look Like Wolves (With Pictures)

Majestically huge, bushy-tailed, pointed muzzles and thick fur are the characteristics of a wolf.

We wish we could pet and keep these beautiful pets in our homes, but that would be dangerous.

Luckily there are many dog breeds that look like wolves, but just like many pet dogs, they are friendly and loving.

Most of these dog breeds are energetic and are good to have as family pets.

Their close resemblance is attributed to the fact that dogs are, in fact, wolves’ descendants.

Genetic divergence of the present-day grey wolf resulted in the dog’s ancestors, which is now an extinct species.

11 Dog Breeds That Look Like a Wolf

Thanks to their close genetic similarity, these two creatures share many physical features.

Apart from the popular Siberian husky, there are other breeds of dogs that look like wolves.

In this post, we highlight some of these dogs and what makes them look like wolves.

Utonagan

Utonagan dog breed
image: Reddit

With the direct intention of producing a dog that looks like a wolf, the result was the Utonagan dog with a mix of three dog breeds; the German Shepherd, the Siberian Husky, and the Alaskan Malamute.

The Utonagan was bred in England but not for any particular task.

It is a highly energetic dog, easily trainable, and very friendly to people, including children.

Due to their highly energetic trait, Utonagan dogs need a lot of exercise – at least a daily jog, walk or run.

If they lack this, they can be pretty destructive. With that said, you should avoid exercising with the Utonagan under the scorching sun; they only do well in cold weather.

Utonagans are also recommended for homes with a fenced yard and not for apartment living.

Siberian Husky

siberian husky puppy

Anyone thinking about a dog that looks like a wolf pictures the Siberian husky.

They are famous for their thick coat, unique color markings, and triangular-shaped ears.

They are average-sized dogs, with most of them weighing about 287kg (61.7294 lbs).

However, they are athletic and very energetic and would love to have a task at paw to accomplish.

Their superb distinctive looks remind us of their ancestral wolf background.

However, do not be intimidated by the wolf-like appearance; they are loyal, friendly, and intelligent.

They are funny and love to cuddle with their owners.

Their temperamental social behavior makes them the best family pets.

Huskies also have a lot of energy, so you need to have an active life or an active family to help the huskie burn their excessive energy.

If they are not active, they can be destructive.

This trait is what makes them highly suitable for households with a fenced yard.

Also, the American Kennel Club (AKC) advises owners to build higher walls where the husky cannot jump and escape due to their high energy levels.

Surprisingly, huskies tend to howl rather than bark, and they also have a strong urge to belong to a pack.

Their intense need to be in a park makes them want to be around other dogs and people.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan malamute (or the mal as it is sometimes called) is a powerful dog; after all, dog breeders bred this dog to pull heavy loads over long distances.

So be sure to put this in mind when you walk them on a leash; they might pull you instead of you pulling them.

They are big, sturdy, energetic, and just as handsome as the husky.

Apart from the strong character, the mal is relatively calm but playful, making them suitable for a family pet.

They are also very snuggly, and they will jump at any chance of snuggling with their owners.

Their dense fur coat, powerful shoulders, and conspicuous muscles all make the mal resemble a wolf.

The Alaskan Malamute, just like wolves, are pack animals which makes them want to belong to a pack.

In this case, your mal must identify you as the alpha, thus making the mal very loyal.

Contrary to that, your mal may have an urge to own you.

Therefore, firm but compassionate training from puppyhood is advised so that they grow knowing that you are the alpha in the pack.

German Shepherd

german shepherd in water

Famous for their many talents, the German Shepherd dogs look like wolves too.

However, despite his ravenous, strong, and powerful looks, German Shepherds remain among the most loyal and friendly dogs in the world.

These dogs, like their ancestors, are very energetic.

Thus, they require active families.

They are also very child-friendly, but they are especially good with older kids.

There must be action around German Shepherds; these wolf-looking dogs will quickly turn to mischief if there isn’t.

So as an owner, you must provide them with different tasks to accomplish and games you two can play.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Margo Peron http://www.zperonowki.com/, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This breed of dog was a crossbreed of both the German Shepherd dog and the Carpathian wolves.

The main aim of breeders was to produce a breed with the strength and stamina of a real wolf and the intelligence and temperament of the German Shepherd.

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog has a body built and thick fur that closely resembles that of a Wolfdog.

The only way to distinguish them from wolves is their Amber eyes and very erect triangular-shaped ears.

Their beautiful fur color ranges from yellow to silver grey.

They are also very loyal and will develop a strong bond with their owners and their families.

They are good with other pets at home like cats or rabbits, but a dog owner should be extra vigilant when facing other strange dogs.

This does not mean that you should always keep the dog away from other dogs; instead, you should always let them socialize.

Kugsha

Kugsha dog breed Amerindian Malamute or American Husky
Kobidog, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Like their counterparts, kugshas are strong, larger, and longer like the Siberian husky but not like the Alaskan Malamute in size.

The Amerindian Malamute or Kugsha is a wolf hybrid such that they have a predatory nature.

They are large dogs like the Siberian husky but not as large as the Alaskan Malamute.

They are also bred for traveling, hauling heavy loads for a long distance.

They were only recently domesticated, making them unfit for homes with smaller children because of their risky predatory nature.

Moreover, courtesy of their recent domestication, they are very self-reliant.

With that said, Kugshas are very loyal dogs, and with time they develop a very strong relationship with their owners.

Just like wolves, Kugshas are very energetic and strong-willed – All the reasons why they need regular exercise.

If they do not get these regular exercises, they can become very destructive.

Samoyed

samoyed dog breed

Samoyeds are just a bunch of furry happiness.

From their distinctive ‘smiley look’ to their gorgeous fur, they are one of the cutest dogs on our list.

Samoyed’s beautiful smiley look can be attributed to their black lips surrounded by white fur.

The Samoyed dog is an extremely loving dog such that they will love everyone from their owners to strangers.

This excessive loving character disqualifies them from being guard dogs, but their looks, apart from the Sammy smile, qualify them among dogs that look like wolves.

Tamaskan

Tamaskan dog breed

With only 600 certified Tamaskan dog breeds, this dog breed resembles a wolf in most aspects.

However, they are also brilliant, energetic, and versatile, thus requiring lots of exercise from their owners.

Dog owners originally bred Tamaskans to look precisely like wolves.

Their fur coat is in red grey, wolf grey, and black, thus completing the wolf look.

They are a very friendly breed of dog and especially good with children.

Northern Inuit Dogs

northern Inuit dog breed

They are an unknown crossbreed, with their origin being from the Siberian husky, the German Shepherd, and the Inuit Dogs.

Breeders developed this crossbreed to make a working dog with the appearance of a wolfdog.

It has a medium body, but its shape and coat resemble that of wolves.

They are also very stubborn, making it difficult to train them.

However, the Northern Inuit dog is excellent for families with other dogs.

Saarloos Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfdog

Named after their breeder Leendert Saarloos, this dog breed is the perfect definition of dogs that look like wolves.

Their breeder bred a female wolfdog to a German, thus producing a dog that looks like a wolf.

The Saarlouis Wolfdog is strong and energetic, with a powerful body structure like a wolf.

Unfortunately, this dog cannot thrive in an apartment life because of its highly energetic character.

Canadian Eskimo Dog

Canadian Eskimo Dog
Winterwindmals, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Also known as the Canadian Husky, the Canadian Eskimo is a working dog used for hunting and pulling sleds.

It is a large dog weighing about 66 and 95 pounds.

They are strong, very smart, energetic, and very loyal.

However, the Canadian Husky is not fit for families with smaller dogs or other small pets due to their high hunting urges.

Unfortunately, the Canadian Eskimo Dog is highly endangered, having only 300 registered purebred dogs.

Talk about different strokes. While some people prefer a doll dog that they can carry in their bags, others prefer strong, powerful dogs that resemble wolves.

So, if you love wolves, and you always wish you could tame, pet, and keep them, you could start with a dog that looks like one!

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National Canine Research Association of America