It can sometimes be difficult to comprehend that our lovable companion dogs are cousins of wolves and coyotes, especially when you look at the cute and cuddly Poodle or Pomeranian.
However, when we take a look at these dogs that look like coyotes, we can often see the resemblance between these canines and their ancestors.
The Coyote (Canis latrans) is also known as the Prairie Wolf and is found throughout North and Central America. Coyotes also occur as far north as Alaska and Canada. The name ‘Coyote’ is from the Mexican Spanish language and its scientific name means ‘barking dog’.
While these types of dogs are gaining popularity as pets thanks to their appearance in the media, these dogs certainly aren’t for inexperienced owners. Strong and powerful, these dogs have high exercise needs and require lots of care, so a family that matches their lifestyle is always best.
There are a few dog breeds that look remarkably like a coyote.
We will give you some pictures and a bit of information about these different dogs in case you should be interested in learning more.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
The first Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was bred from a German Shepherd and Carpathian Wolf. They were first bred in 1955 through a biological experiment in Czechoslovakia, with the aim of breeding a new working dog.
Czechoslovakia recognized the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as their national breed in 1982. While they are primarily a working dog, they are also becoming more and more popular as a companion dog thanks to their loyalty and ability to love!
A working dog, these pups have excellent stamina and want to be active all the time! Their size doesn’t necessarily make them the best family dog, but if you’re looking for a strong and hard-working companion then they might be the dog for you. Keep reading below to find out everything you need to about this interesting Wolf dog breed.
With lots of stamina, power and endurance, it is no wonder that the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog makes an excellent working dog.
In fact, these wolf hybrids were bred to be protective, intelligent and loyal with the purpose of being used as a military attack dog. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2011.
Saarloos Wolf Dog
The Saarloos Wolfdog is an interesting breed that was bred from crossing a German Shepherd with a Eurasian gray wolf. While these dogs have wolf in their heritage and certainly retain some of their physical traits and behaviors, the Saarloos is also becoming more popular as a companion dog and can make a great pet for individuals, families and experienced dog owners.
These pups are loving and affectionate, but they’re certainly not for first time dog owners. The Saarloos is a powerful and active breed with somewhat high care needs and requires someone who understands them.
The Saarloos Wolfdog was created by a Dutch breeder named Leendert Saarloos. Saarloos was passionate about the German Shepherd breed but believed that the dog had become too domesticated.
Therefore, he decided to breed the German Shepherd with the Eurasian gray wolf to breed a dog that had more “wolf-like” traits.
More: 15 Animals that Look Like Coyotes
Utonagan
The Utonagan is a beautiful, large dog with wolf-like features. The muscular, and graceful, Utonagan is a relatively new dog breed and as a hybrid dog, it is not yet recognized by the major Kennel Clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC).
A Utonagan dog is intelligent and strong-willed, but not aggressive, and it’s good with children; so when socialized it would make a great family pet for an active family, or an outdoor-loving experienced dog owner. The Utonagan is not a dog breed for first time dog owners!
It is believed that the Utonagan dog was originally a loyal companion dog for the Chinook Indian people, in America, and due to its resemblance to a Wolf, it was given the Chinook Indian name ‘Utonagan’ dog meaning ‘Spirit of the Wolf’.
In the 1980s, the first pair of Utonagan dogs arrived in the United Kingdom. These dogs looked like wolves and caught the eye of a lady called Edwina Harrison.
Edwina Harrison, continued to breed these ‘wolf hybrid’ dogs and wanted them to maintain their wolf-like features so she intentionally cross-bred them with Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and German Shepherd breed dogs.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a very popular dog that is widely known across the world. They are still used as sled pullers in Alaska, but have also become a fantastic companion and are known for being an excellent family dog and a great playmate for children. They are somewhat a mystery to scientists, as they can regulate their metabolisms so they never get
In 1930, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed. The Husky dog was also recognised by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1938.
The Husky Dog was first bred by the Chukchi people in Northern Asia and was trained to pull sleds in the harsh climates. They were first introduced to America when the Chukchi people brought the Husky to Alaska in the early 1900s so they could participate in Alaskan sled races.
Though popular in Alaska, the Siberian Husky is not to be confused with the Alaskan Husky or Malamute, which are different breeds.
Tamaskan
There are only three dogs involved in the breeding of the Tamaskan that everyone seems to agree on: the Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd.
Additional Siberian Husky crosses of Finnish origin were probably introduced to the breeding pool in the late 1980’s.
So, are they part wolf? It seems unlikely. None of the original dog breeds used in the creation of the Tamaskan, aside from, perhaps, the possibility of an Alaskan Malamute mix with residual Arctic Wolf blood, have anything more in common with a wolf than, say, a Poodle or a Corgi does. However, since the first sires and dams used to breed Tamaskans were not purebreds of any breed, we don’t know for sure what other breeds may or may not have been represented in their bloodlines.
Different countries of origin, including the United States, UK and Finland, are all reported, making it difficult to pin down exactly which breeds were involved when, and what dog breeders can take credit for the creation of the breed.
Other dogs that are sometimes referenced as part of the original breeding program, but which don’t seem to be fully documented, are the Utonagan, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog and the Saarloos Wolfdog.
However, it seems possible that the Tamaskan was an offshoot breed that developed when various breeders left other programs. Some of the original dogs used, and some of the ideas for the breed, may have come from programs for the Northern Inuit dog and the Utonagan.
The Tamaskan is considered to be a designer dog not a purebred. As such, it is not officially recognized by any kennel club. Breed clubs that do accept the Tamaskan, however, include the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) and the Tamaskan Dog Register(TDR.) Tamaskans are also sometimes called Tams and Tamaskan Huskies.
Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are a large breed of dog. Males usually stand up to 25 inches tall and weigh around 85 lbs. Females are normally slightly smaller and stand 23 inches tall and weigh around 75lbs. However, it is not uncommon for these dogs to weigh over 100 lbs!
These pups closely resemble a wolf, appearance wise. They have a strong, muscular body that is sturdy and built for stamina. Their head is broad and they have erect ears that stand alert. Their muzzle is not long yet it is bulky and their tail is long and feathered, curling over their back.