What Are The Most Common Medical Problems With Gsd
The two most common medical problems with any wolf-dog mix are complications from being overweight and hip dysplasia.
Being overweight can also contribute to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is very common in German shepherds and in most large dog breeds.
Hip dysplasia symptoms like limping start when the dog is young, and gets worse over time if left untreated. This is a very painful and chronic condition that may require surgery to treat.
Are Wolf German Shepherd Mix Health Issues Common
As we mentioned above the life expectancy of a German Shepherd Wolf Mix is up to 14 or even 15. However, the German Shepherd breed is vulnerable to serious genetic diseases that can get passed down to this particular Wolfdog hybrid.
- Hip Dysplasia: A painful hip joint deformity that causes loss of mobility and lameness.
- Elbow Dysplasia: A joint deformity that affects the elbows and can cause pain and loss of mobility.
- Bloat: A build-up of gas in the stomach that can cause it to twist and lead to shock or even death.
- Cancer: Abnormal cell growth that can spread throughout the body.
A Wolfy Word Of Warning
Firstly, with the increasingly popular desire of welcoming a wolf-like dog into our homes, brings the rise of dodgy breeders. Dodgy breeders will claim to have domesticated wolves, rare wolf hybrids, or high content wolf dogs for sale. When in reality, they are probably just one of the wolf-like dogs listed above. So, dont fall for their lies and pay above what you should.
Secondly, the famous Game of Thrones series has been blamed for popularizing the idea of a pet dire wolf, and people rushed out to get their hands on a wolf hybrid. The puppy stages seem ok, and then when they hit their adolescent stage, things changed. Families quickly realized they were nothing like domesticated dogs. Most families cannot cope with a wild animal, and they then surrender them to wolf hybrid sanctuaries.
If you are still convinced that you want a wolf hybrid rather than a wolf-like dog, please do some more research before you get one and add to the wolf hybrid sanctuary problem. They are not like domesticated dogs at all, and they are not suited to the vast majority of families. Dont expect fluffy cuddles, walkies, or anyone to look after them while you go on vacation.
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Dog Breeds That Look Like Wolves
Its common knowledge that all modern dogs including tiny ones like the Teacup Yorkie are descendants of wolves. Its hard to imagine that our cuddly, furry best friends were once wild animals but thats how evolution works. As studies show, wolves were domesticated around 130,000 years ago when they started following hunter-gatherers for scraps of food. The humans didnt mind feeding docile wolves and this two-way relationship eventually led to dogs as we know them today. Its safe to say that they mastered the puppy eyes to win our hearts!
While wed all love to have a dire wolf as a pet thanks to the Game of Thrones, the reality is that we have to settle for dogs that look like wolves instead. The good news is that these breeds are just as majestic as their wilder counterparts. Take a look.
Four: Differences In Hind Leg Shape
German shepherds got their name honestly, as being a sheepdog. In order to mimic a wolf creeping up on the flock, the hind legs permanently crouch.
According to AKC, This has been bred to extremes in America, as seen in the current breed standard at the American Kennel Clubs website.
Wolves do not need a permanent fake crouch because they stalk so well without any modifications from humans. Their hind legs are much straighter, and arguably much stronger than a modern GSDs.
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German Shepherd Vs Wolf
Even though German Shepherd looks like a wolf, they are still different. You might be asking the questions, how German Shepherd Dogs are related with wolves? or will it be possible that a German Shepherd and a wolf be cross bred? This article will give you clear understanding about German Shepherd vs. wolf.
Gsd Wolf Mixes Are Unpredictable
According to the International Wolf Center, its impossible to predict the behavior, trainability, and health problems in a dog-wolf mix. Even puppies in the same litter can act in vastly different ways.
Wolves rely on their instincts Its not instinctive for them to look for humans as pack-mates or pack leaders as dogs do.
Wolves tend to ignore people and do what they want. Any wolf-dog mix will be prone to unpredictable behavior at times, and will tend to act more like a wolf than a dog.
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Why Does Your German Shepherd Lick You
The most obvious reason your GSD will lick you is to show affection and joy. When youve been away and your German Shepherd has been all alone, your arrival is a cause for jubilation, and your dog will want to tell you how much they love you and show their immense joy at your homecoming.
Your German Shepherd will also lick you to investigate you and give information. Since your dog cannot ask you with words how you are or what youve had for lunch, they will lick your face to detect the smell of what youve eaten. They will also lick you after their lunch to tell you they are grateful, kind of, lunch was good Mom, thanks!
If your visual expression tells your dog that something is amiss, your German Shepherd will lick you to calm and soothe. They will come to the couch where you are lying down and lick you to say they are sad youre unwell and want you to be up again.;
But dogs will also lick you to seek attention. If you have ignored them or not given them a treat all morning because you are busy, your dog will lick your face to draw your attention.;
But your German Shepherd does not just lick you. They will also lick themselves.
Are German Shepherds Part Wolf
When out walking my German Shepherd, I sometimes get asked whether they are part wolf due to the visual similarities.
German Shepherds are not part wolf but descended from the gray wolf. Despite sharing 99.9% of their DNA with wolves and being genetically very close, they are not wolves. All domesticated dogs are members of the Canidae family 34 species, including wolves, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, and foxes.
Ive always found it fascinating how wolves evolved into dogs and how they diversified into so many different visual breeds, from pugs to poodles.
Many people believe that German Shepherds are even more closely related to the wolf due to the understanding that his direct ancestor Horand von Grafrath was at least one-quarter wolf.
There is still some ongoing debate about how much wolf is actually in the German Shepherd breed despite it being thought that Horand was part wolf and that von Stephanitz used wolfdogs in the subsequent crossbreeding.;
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Wolfdog Hybrids Laws: Can You Keep One
Even though some of these breeds have a little to no percentage of wolf in their genes, many states in America have outlawed wolfdogs.
Any wolfdogs found in those states will be immediately put down. So, please check your state laws before bringing one home.
There are laws in place to govern wolf hybrids because they dont make good pets. Most are shy, pack animals that have high energy needs as well as high prey drive.
They need strong leadership and rarely thrive in households.
All You Need To Know About The Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf
You may be surprised to learn that humans have raised wolves as pets for about 15,000 years. But will Wolfdog or the Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf serve as fantastic pets as Dogs do?
Wolf-Shepherds are not a new discovery, and even today there are many people who successfully raise them. There are few requirements in raising a German Shepherd-Wolf Mix, including proper training, practice sessions, and socialization.
If youre interested in learning more about this awesome Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf Breed, weve rounded up some of the questions you might think of when it comes to raising a Wolfdog. Hope you will be able to decide whether or not this dog is perfect for you.
german shepherd wolf mix for sale
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A Few Words Of Caution
While there arent many laws preventing people from owning huskies or malamutes, some of the other breeds on this list are the target of bans and special regulations. This is especially true of those breeds and hybrids that directly descend from wolves.
Different jurisdictions enforce these rules and regulations in different ways, but hard-ass municipalities may not only fine you for owning a wolf-hybrid, they may confiscate and euthanize your pet as well. Accordingly, youll always want to check out the local legal environment before adding a wolf-like dog to your family.
It is also important to understand that many of these wolf-like breeds are very challenging to manage. For one, these dogs are on the big size, youll need to pony up cash for larger-than-average dog crates and beds to match.
Wolf Compared To German Shepherd
- Vital Statistics
An adult male wolfs height ranges from 66-81 cm. taller than a fully grown male German Shepherd which is 60-65 cm. tall. The average weight of an adult male wolf is 30-80 kg.,while a typical male German Shepherd weighs 22-40 kg. Compared to a German Shepherd Dog which has 238 psi bite force, a wolf has a bite force of approximately ;up to 400 pounds of pressure. A German Shepherd has the speed of 63 kph and a wolf can can run 75 kph.
- Birth and Maturity
Wolves have breeding season of only once a year while domesticated dogs like German Shepherd can breed up to twice a year. Additionally, wolves are faster to mature than German Shepherd Dogs. The reason is that wolves need to be make themselves ready to be independent in order to survive the wild life while domestic dogs are more dependent with their human companions.
- Looks
The eyes of a wolf are yellowish or amber in color. However, Most of the German Shepherd Dogs have brown eyes. Coats of German Shepherd Dogs can have different colors and combinations of those but wolves only have camouflage colors to protect themselves in wildlife. Tails of wolves are straighter and their paws are bigger than of the German Shepherd Dogs.
- Behavioral Aspects
German Shepherd Dogs are very dependent with human care and long for affection and attention but wolves are so independent and do not need to relate with humans. ;
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What Colors Does A Gsd Wolf Mix Come In
GSD wolf mixes come in a wide variety of colors, but most have two or even three tones to their coats.;
Rarely are solo coats produced, but when this does occur theyre often all black, all dark brown , all red , or all white.
Canines in two or more colors blend into the background better and so are more common, even if the GSD wolf mix never has to hunt for his supper.;
Common two-toned colors include black and tan, grey and white, silver and white, brown and grey, and tan and grey.
Wolf Content Can Vary
A common misconception is believing certain breeds always carry a certain level of wolf-content. While Huskies and Malamutes are always zero content, the same cannot be said for other breeds.;
Some areas of the world have allowed mid content wolfdogs to be added for outcrossing purposes. However, Mid and High level content puppies will be a nightmare for the average owner.;
When adopting always ask about their pedigree and get a full history of your breeder.
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German Shepherd Vs Coyote
Do you know that German Shepherds have their look-alike? What dog breed do you think is closest to a German Shepherd Dog? It is none other than coyote. This article will give you information about German Shepherds and coyotes.
It will also particularly discuss the characteristics of Coyote German Shepherd Mix as well as some fun facts about German Shepherd Dog and coyote fight encounters.
It Is In Their Wolf Ancestry
In the wolf world where dogs have their ancestry, staring is rude and threatening. So, when your dog stares at you continuously, he might be manifesting an evolutionary holdover from his ancestral roots and communicating some displeasure. And if the uninterrupted hard stare is directed to a stranger, they should back away and not stare back!;
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Can You Train A Wolf Shepherd
Training is 100% essential if you decide to own a German Shepherd Wolf hybrid. This is the only way to lessen the inclination towards aloofness, fear, and an unpredictable temperament.
Training needs to start at the puppy stage to be effective. Be prepared, because Wolfdogs are not easy to train and require time, patience, and consistency.
Dominance is one of the main German Shepherd Wolf mix characteristics that you will have to focus on. As the owner, you must be confident and assert that you are the leader of the pack.
If attention wanes during a game or your Wolfdog decides to ignore commands, stay positive yet firm and above all do not let them dominate you.
Socialization is key to helping a Wolfdog accept other pets in the household. Walks around the park can help, but always keep your pup on a leash. Supervise them when other dogs are present.
What Is The Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf
As their name suggests, this mix is made up of an Oroginal German Shepherd and a Wolf, this Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf are often called Wolfdogs or Wolf-Shepherds.
Whilst there are many types of Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf, the Saarloos Wolfdog is the most notable.
They were created by Leendert Saarloos back in 1935 when he cross-bred a German Shepherd with a Eurasian wolf. The aim of this cross-breeding was to bring back the natural traits the GSD had lost when domesticated.
This Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf is recognized by the UK Kennel Club, but not the American Kennel Club.
Other common types include the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, the Kunming Wolfdog and the Lupo Italinao .
You should also keep in mind that they are illegal in several areas across the US to own a Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf Mix, so do your research before keeping one.
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Why Do German Shepherds Lick Other Dogs
The affection and communication reasons discussed earlier why your German Shepherd Dog licks you also apply to his licking other dogs and pets. Below is a photo of my female German Shepherd Willow licking the face of her Boxer dog friend. Looks like he was more interested in the forthcoming treat!
But did you know that in the doggie world licking behavior also has a dominance element?
People who have lived in a multi-dog household know that one dog may lord it over the other and will access things first, , always win fights, go for attention first from the owner, and receive more licks from their subordinates.
In a study on dog dominance, licking their subordinates less was one of the indicators of dominance in 83% of dogs rated as dominant by their owners.
What To Do If You Encounter A Wolf
Before entering the backcountry, take precautions like researching wolf activity in the region and packing a whistle in case of an encounter.;
If you encounter a wolf, the first rule is to keep as calm on the inside as possible.
This will not only give you the ability to think clearly, which is a absolutely necessary in this situation, but it will keep your dog calm as well.
Keep direct eye contact with the wolf and back away slowly, waving your arms and doing what you can to make yourself appear larger.
Throw objects at the wolf and make loud noises in order to scare it away, and blow through your safety whistle so that it produces loud, sharp, and inconsistent tones.
Following these guidelines will greatly increase the chances of successfully diffusing a dangerous wolf encounter.
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Caring For A Hybrid German Shepherd Wolf
Owning a German Shepherd Wolf Mix is not something you should take lightly, there are specific laws on owning Wolfdogs, so you should check your state regulations.
This crossbreed of wolf and german shepherd needs an owner who is experienced in training difficult dogs that need lots of attention and care and lets not forget the money.
You will also need a large backyard that has very secure fencing. You should not own a Wolfdog in heavily populated areas, as they have a habit of howling a lot.
There are many other responsibilities that you will have when owning this hybrid so keep reading to learn more
This is a very energetic dog, as wolves can travel up to 30 miles a day.
They will need around 1-2 hours of exercise each day to keep fit and healthy. Not getting their exercise will result in them destroying your furniture and anything else they can bite.
It is also recommended to let them roam around in a fenced backyard, so they can play, dig and explore.
You should not take your Wolfdog to dog parks and make sure to keep them on a leash and harness.
Grooming and SheddingThe German Shepherd Wolf Mix will have two shedding seasons a year.
They will need regular brushing to avoid matting and tangles, and more when shedding season comes along.
Do not bathe this dog too much as it can strip away the natural oils that make the coat healthy and shiny.
Wolfdog diet
Avoid buying traditional store-bought dog food as these are rich in carbohydrates and artificial ingredients.