Anyone know how to tell a wolf hybrid from a dog that just looks wolfish?

United States
September 10, 2008 5:59pm CST
I have a dog that I have had a few months now. The ex-owners said he was german shepherd and malamute, now I can see some of the German Shepherd a little with the coloring, but I don't see any malamute at all. He has some interesting behavior characteristics that make me think he might have some wolf in him.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Sep 08
I remember reading that their behavior is different, somewhat split personality, I don't exactly remember the details. You can read up on it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfdog
• United States
11 Sep 08
Thank you for that link, I just read over it and there was a statement that pure wolves only have 4 hind toes, I called my dog over and yep 4 hind toes. Funny I might have wound up with a wolf dog and not even have known it.
11 Jul 10
thats not true i have a pitlab mix that has for hind toes all k9s have 4 hind toes unless there mutaded or have had a toe removed...
• United States
21 Oct 11
I know this is four years old, but I thought I'd address it any way. First, wolf dogs vary from low to high content. Low content show more doggy looks and behaviors with very little wolf attributes. Mid contents, which can range from mid-low, mid content, to mid-high will display more characteristics of both, sometimes learning more toward wolf than a low content does. A high content will look and act just like a wolf, except for subtle differences in their ears and snout. Wolf dogs tend to single track, (something not seen in normal dogs), have large curve fangs, and a slightly different skeletal frame. Keep in mind though that some dogs can have this too and still not be wolf. A dog with wolf in it though will have these plus more, such as constant walking with head lowered, but not sniffing around. Just everyday normal walking. Also the term wolf-hybrid is wrong. Because of the reclassification, wolves and dogs are closely related, and therefore the correct term would be wolf dog, not wolf hybrid. I looked at your dog's photograph, and I honestly do not see wolf in him. The stop on his forehead is very prominent, and is indication of dog. However, it is hard to tell from a photograph where he is not active. Now I am not saying he doesn't have wolf in him. If he does indeed, it would be very low to no content. There are wolfdog experts on the Web, including a forum for wolfdog owners. It's called Wolfdog.forum. They can answer your questions and provide you better knowledge than I can.