There has been growing interest in Wolf dogs, so in this article, I decided to talk about one of the most popular Wolf dog species – the German Shepherd Wolf mix. So, what exactly is the German Shepherd Wolf mix?
The German Shepherd Wolf mix is a crossbreed between a wolf and the popular German Shepherd. German Shepherd Wolf dogs are also referred to as Wolf Shepherds. While there are several types of Wolf Shepherds, the Saarloos Wolfhund is the most common German Shepherd Wolf mix.
In this article, we will go over all the important information you need to know before bringing the German Shepherd Wolf mix into your home, including how it will cost you to buy one, their temperament, their grooming routine, their lifespan, their common health problems and whether they are safe for families. Before we get into that, however, it’s good to understand how big these canines get.
How Big Do German Shepherd Wolf Mixes Get?
Size
This breed is a product of a German Shepherd mated with a Wolf, so you definitely want to know how big it gets before you bring it into your home.
The German Shepherd is not bigger than a Wolf, and therefore, you can expect the size of this dog breed to fall between the size of the Wolf and that of the German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd Wolf mix is a big dog that weighs anywhere between 65 to 100 lbs, with males typically weighing more than females. It is not surprising to see Wolf Shepherds that are heavier than 100 lbs. Their height will fall anywhere between 22 to 26 inches, with males being typically larger than females.
Appearance
Like its parents, the German Shepherd Wolf mix is characterized by a long, pointed face that resembles a Wolf. You will also quickly notice their brown, almond shaped eyes and long, pointed ears. This dog also has a large, athletic body.
The color of the German Shepherd Wolf mix will largely depend on the colors of their parents. According to the American Kennel Club, there are 11 official colors that are associated with German Shepherds, while Wolves also come in multiple colors. Therefore, Wolf Shepherd pups will also come in very diverse colors.
Coat
Both German Shepherds and Wolves have dense coats, so you can expect the German Shepherd Wolf mix to have a similar coat. They have a thick double coat, with a long outer coat and a short undercoat.
German Shepherd Wolf Mix Lifespan
Lifespan
The German Shepherd Wolf mix has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Despite being a relatively healthy doggie breed, they sometimes experience some health issues that might shorten their lifespan. Some of the common health issues include:
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
These are deformities that affect the joints of the hip and elbow. This condition is characterized by a lot of pain, which can make it difficult for your furry friend to move around.
These deformities can be attributed to the wolf shepherd’s huge body weight, which puts a lot of pressure on the hip and elbow joints.
Bloat
Also referred to as gastric torsion, this is a buildup of gas in the doggie’s stomach. This happens when the twisting of the dog’s stomach traps air within the stomach. Left untreated, this condition can quickly lead to shock and death.
The best way to keep this health condition at bay is to ensure that your canine buddy doesn’t eat too fast. You should also avoid taking your dear fido out immediately after meals.
Other Common Health Problems
Apart from the above health conditions, which are the most common among German Shepherd Wolf mixes, your furry buddy might also suffer from other conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, blindness, lupus, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, and various skin allergies.
Older German Shepherd Wolf mixes have also been seen to suffer from degenerative myelopathy. This is an incurable and potentially fatal condition that is passed down from the German Shepherd side of the Wolf Shepherd.
How Much Is A German Shepherd Wolf Mix?
Cost
The German Shepherd Wolf mix is a rare dog breed, and therefore, there are no standard prices. Breeders have the discretion to charge as much as they want for this canine breed. However, you can expect to pay about $800 to $1,000 for the German Shepherd Wolf mix, and sometimes even more.
Before selling a German Shepherd Wolf mix puppy to you, most breeders will want to ascertain that you’re aware and capable of providing these doggies with the level of attention and care that they require.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Part Wolf?
Since there is no official registry for Wolves, you cannot rely on a registration certificate to determine the genetic makeup of the German Shepherd Wolf mix.
Therefore, it is not inconceivable that some unscrupulous breeders might try to sell you a dog that doesn’t have Wolf genes.
So, how do you tell if your dog is part Wolf?
Here, you’ll mostly have to rely on appearance. The closer the dog resembles a Wolf, the more likely it is to be part Wolf. You can also ask the breeder to show you the pup’s parents, or check whether the age of the pup is aligned with Wolves’ natural breeding season.
Legality
It’s also good to note that not all states allow people to own wolf dogs. Some of the states which allow people to keep Wolf dogs include Wisconsin, Nebraska, Vermont, Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Oregon, Arizona, Minnesota, Iowa, Washington, and Oklahoma.
Are Wolf Dogs Aggressive? Temperaments Of German Shepherd Wolf Mixes
Temperament
Since German Shepherd Wolf mixes get part of their DNA from a wild animal, their temperament and personality is quite hard to predict. However, you can expect the German Shepherd Wolf mix to be highly intelligent.
Unlike what you might expect, the German Shepherd Wolf mix is quite a shy dog and does not make a very good guard dog. Instead of barking to deter strangers, it might instead go into hiding.
This behavior comes from its Wolf side of the family. These dogs also like howling a lot, especially when they are left alone for extended periods of time.
Are Wolf Dogs Loyal?
One of the things that is common to both Wolves and German Shepherds is their loyalty. Wolves are pack animals that are very loyal to their pack, while German Shepherds are also loyal to their owners. As such, you can expect the German Shepherd Wolf mix to be a very loyal dog.
Are Wolf Dogs Safe?
Wolves are highly predatory animals, and very often, the German Shepherd Wolf mix adopts these predatory instincts from its Wolf side of the family. These predatory instincts and its dominant nature can make the German Shepherd Wolf mix very aggressive.
Because of that, the Wolf Shepherd is not a very safe dog for households with small animals, such as cats or rabbits, as well as small children. To avoid these displays of aggression, you should make sure that your furry friend is properly socialized from a very young age.
Do German Shepherd Wolf Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For German Shepherd Wolf Mixes
Shedding
The German Shepherd Wolf mix is a heavy shedder, and therefore, if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog, this might not be the dog for you. The German Shepherd Wolf mix has two shedding seasons in a year, when their shedding frequency increases significantly.
If you own a German Shepherd Wolf mix, I recommend buying the iRobot Roomba i3+. With its automated cleaning and unique dual multi-surface rubber brushes that effectively collect pet hairs and filter traps that filter 99% of allergens, it will definitely make it a lot easier for you to keep your home clean, despite your doggie’s heavy shedding.
Brushing
To avoid getting its coat tangled and matted, you should brush your German Shepherd Wolf mix’s coat regularly, say 2 to 3 times a week, and even more often during shedding season.
For brushing, I recommend using the Furminator undercoat tool. This deshedding tool is purposely built for large dogs with long hair, such as your German Shepherd Wolf mix.
You will love that it has a very comfortable handle, a FURejector button that makes it very easy to release hair, and a money-back guarantee.
Bathing
It is not very advisable to bathe your German Shepherd Wolf mix very often since this can dry up the natural oils that help maintain its coat’s health.
When bathing your dear pooch, I recommend that you use Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. This shampoo conditions and moisturizes your doggie’s coat and helps preserve the essential natural oils in your doggie’s coat.
Related Questions
Can A Dog Join A Wolf Pack? No. While it is possible for dogs to breed with Wolves, Wolves in a pack are usually related by blood. If a dog tried to join an existing Wolf pack, it would be seen as an interloper and would most likely end up being killed by the pack.
What Breed Of Dog Is Half Wolf? Any dog breed that is created by mating a domestic dog and a Wolf is considered to be half Wolf. The German Shepherd Wolf mix is the prime example. There are other dog breeds that are considered to be half Wolf, such as the Husky Wolf mix and the Lycan Shepherd, though they are not as common.
Can You Own A Wolf In The US? Owning a wolf is illegal in the US without the requisite wildlife permits. In certain states, it is legal to own a Wolf dog, while it is prohibited in other states, such as New York. Before acquiring a Wolf dog, do your research to determine whether it is legal within your state.
