Saarloos Wolfhond
Summary
The Saarloos Wolfdog is a breed deliberately created by the Dutchman Leendert Saarloos in the 1930s, by crossing a German Shepherd with a Siberian grey wolf. The goal was to create a more resilient and "natural" working dog, but the result was an animal that retained much of the wolf's behavior — distrustful, reserved and poorly suited for the functions Saarloos had imagined. The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1981, after the death of its creator.
Physical Characteristics
- Size
- Large
- Height (male)
- 65–75 cm
- Height (female)
- 60–70 cm
- Weight (male)
- 36–45 kg
- Weight (female)
- 30–38 kg
- Life Expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Coat
- Short to medium, dense, with thick undercoat in winter; "wolf coat" texture
- Common Colors
- Wolf grey (most common), forest brown, white
Temperament & Personality
The Saarloos Wolfdog has a markedly different behavior from most domestic breeds — it is cautious, distrustful of strangers, and reacts to stress with flight rather than confrontation (typical wolf behavior). With its chosen family it is extremely loyal and can be affectionate, but it is never submissive in the way expected of a typical domestic dog. It is not recommended for families with small children or for owners without experience with primitive behavior breeds.
Activity & Exercise
- Energy Level
- High
- Recommended Daily Exercise
- 120 minutes
Grooming & Care
- Grooming Needs
- Moderate
- Shedding
- Heavy
- Bathing Frequency
- Every 6–8 weeks
Health
- Common Health Issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Pigmentary degeneration (hereditary progressive blindness)
- Pituitary problems (breed-specific)
- Recommended Health Tests
- Eye examination
- OFA orthopedic evaluation
Compatibility
- With Children
- Not recommended
- For First-Time Owners
- Not recommended
