All about wolf dogs of Sarlos

Throughout the history of mankind, attempts to create a hybrid of a wolf and a dog have occurred repeatedly. It would seem that these animals have a lot in common, and the result should be crowned with success. In fact, to obtain offspring, corresponding to the expectations of breeders, was not easy. Scientists recognized only two breeds obtained from the crossing of these two animals, and one of them was named Sarlos wolf dog. About her and will be discussed in this article.

In 1925, the Dutch scientist L. Sarlos was able to get good offspring from a female wolf and dog. The father of the babies was a representative of the breed German shepherd. Despite the fact that their mother grew all her life among people, the puppy genes took their toll: they were aggressive and non-contact, they could not adapt to life in captivity.

The breeder did not give up and continued to conduct experiments, each time selecting the strongest and most viable puppies from the litters. After the death of Sarlos, his family continued breeding work, which resulted in the breed of dogs, which was officially recognized by experts. In 1962 she entered the register of the International Cynological Association. Today, the population of the Sarlos wolf dog has increased, but the breed is still considered rare.

At the end of the last century, the standard dog breed Sarlos was adopted. Its height is quite large, at the withers it reaches 70 centimeters in males, and 65 cm in females, but exceeding the standard values ​​are possible. The weight of animals varies around 40 kg (in females - 32-36, in males - 36-48). Muzzle elongated. The dog carries the tail straight or slightly curved, in the shape of a saber.

Representatives of this unusual breed are somewhat different from their fellows. The Sarlos are very attentive, and literally scan the views of strangers who fall into their field of vision. Sometimes, being among other dogs, they want to join their pack. Freedom-loving, proud and stubborn, they are not very willing to execute commands, but in general, the breed is trainable.

The muzzle of the dog resembles a wolf due to the specific shape and position of the eyes, which are yellow and almond-shaped. Its main feature is the band, which stretches towards the cheekbones. The case looks somewhat elongated, from the bottom it is lean. A strong neck gently goes into the back, on its back side it is fashionable to notice the semblance of a collar, which is particularly pronounced in the cold season.

All four limbs have developed muscles, which allows the dog to move easily and swiftly even through the snow - this is what compares its gait to a wolf. She can long and tirelessly trot, overcoming long distances without stopping to rest.

In summer, the fur of the dog of Sarlos has a different structure. So, in the warm season, it is dominated by the guard hair, and in the cold season it is complemented by a warm undercoat. In general, the color of dogs of this breed is almost the same, like a wolf. However, it has shades from light to dark, sometimes the color range includes brown and cream. Accordingly, the color will vary in the eye contour - from black to brown.

This rare semi-wild breed has received wide distribution only in its homeland, in the Netherlands.Why are there so few people in our country who decide to start a wolf dog at home? Perhaps the reason lies in the banal fear - suddenly the ancestors' instincts will wake up from the animal, and it will wipe out something not harmless.

At home, Sarlos wolf dog is popular and love. She gained authority both as a guide and as a lifeguard. Her sensitivity and ability to feel the human condition make her a reliable four-legged friend. She is not afraid to be on an unfamiliar street, because thanks to her excellent orientation on the ground, she will lead her master from anywhere and help him get home.

Protection is the purpose of many dogs, and the Sarlos wolf is no exception. She is well guarding the territory assigned to her, and is also capable of protecting her owner from encroachments. But no matter how this dog is intelligent and versatile, her wolf instincts prevent her from performing certain types of work, therefore a Sarlosian cannot be called a universal service dog.

The beauty of the representatives of this breed has conquered many people. A wolf's become, independent character, piercing attentive look of a forest beast - all this together makes a powerful impression. Also fascinating gait of this dog, because she also moves like a wolf. Many people want to get such a dog because of its unusual and brutality, because such a purchase can effectively complement the image of a solid person.

However, with all the advantages of dog handlers insist that this animal is not for everyone. Before looking for a suitable nursery specializing in this breed, you need to really carefully study all the features of the Sarlos wolf dog and understand its essence. You can raise it only if you have experience in dog breeding - This dog is not recommended for beginners.

Due to the natural independence, these dogs are able to make independent and correct decisions, without waiting for the team of its owner. In unfamiliar surroundings, the Sarlos people easily find a safe road. They are able to help in a difficult situation, therefore they make good lifeguards, as well as guides for people with disabilities.

With all their boundless devotion to the owner, they are in no hurry to show their emotions, so it is not necessary to expect a puppy delight from them at the sight of the owner. Usually they do not squeal and do not jump, even having met their owner after a long separation., but many are quite satisfied with this behavior, since it is quite appropriate to behave with dignity to this breed.

Do not be afraid of its "wild" origin - in the literature there are no reported cases of unreasonable attacks of the Sarlos wolf on people. That is, she never shows aggression towards a person just because she didn’t like him or scared her with her unbalanced behavior. If someone doesn’t like this dog, he will simply try to stay away from him and be alert.

It is curious that the first hybrids had less developed intelligence than the next ones. This is explained by the fact that during the breeding more shepherd genes were mixed into the breed, and the dogs themselves, selected for breeding, were the best.

Sarlos wolf dog, like no other breed, needs good loads. To live in an apartment she will be very uncomfortable, as this greatly limits her space.The optimal conditions of detention for a dog will be a house or an aviary in a large area near the house. Sometimes it is not forbidden to run a four-legged friend into the house, but he should know that the main place of residence is outside of it. Sitting on a chain for the dog of Sarlos is a difficult test, which is not surprising, given its wild origin.

No matter how large your aviary is for your tailed friend, it still needs frequent walks. Dogs live very well in the company of their own kind of individuals - this allows them to constantly communicate with other members of the "pack", develop and socialize more harmoniously. Since childhood, they should be taken to places where life is in full swing, so that those as soon as possible acquire the skills of life in society.

In the absence of interaction with the outside world, they can begin to run wild. Usually in transport, these dogs do not like to drive, and they feel extremely uncomfortable in it, sometimes for transportation they have to be immersed in light anesthesia.

The mating season of this breed also has its own characteristics. Thus, the female Sarlos wolf is able to mate only once a year, and the males during the riot of hormones can not sit on the site and are torn to the will in all possible ways: dig the ground under the fence, jump over the high fence. Their freedom-loving disposition is manifested in full, therefore, it is simply impossible to prevent a dog intending to find a female.

As for taste preferences, this dog is not very picky. The pet eats any dog ​​food, and the owner's task is only to ensure that there is enough protein in the diet of his pet. Meat can be varied and not the most dietary. Please note that for puppies it is necessary to boil it a bit - only with age they have enough opportunities to digest the raw product.. Porridge in the form of buckwheat, oatmeal or rice will not only reduce the cost of the diet, but also give the dog the necessary supply of proteins.

Like most dogs, it is very useful for Sarlos people to eat vegetables and dairy products, but it takes only a small part of the daily menu, and they love it less. Periodic consumption of fish is not excluded. Do not forget to promptly add fresh water to your pet's bowl, especially in the summer season.

Twice a year, dogs of this breed molt. To facilitate this process for your pet and protect the house from wool pollution, daily brush your dog. Such periods do not last long, and after their completion you can again perform this procedure once a week or less. Shedding is a natural process for most animals, including a wolf dog.

The rest of the rules of hygiene are similar to those that apply to the content of other dogs. You can even say that they are more modest than for many other breeds. It is necessary to clean the eyes and ears only if there is dirt. In winter, the dog should not be washed at all, because its warm fluff will dry out slowly, which means that it risks catching a cold, and a special substance forms on the surface of the skin, allowing the dog to tolerate low temperatures more easily.

The peculiarity of this breed is that it is better to educate it collectively with other individuals, that is, “in a pack”. However, the dog must accept the fact that sometimes it will remain alone. During the training, the animal will most likely show character, but it is impossible to break its will with physical punishments. It is better not to play with the instincts of the dog, and fear is far from the best means of training. It is necessary to act according to the instructions of specialists, showing their credibility without battering.

Ideally, training should be interesting for an empty repetition of commands will quickly bother your dog and he will lose attention. As in any training, the tasks should be regular, and let their results not be immediately visible, systematic and properly organized work will certainly lead you to the goal.

Thanks to the wolf's immunity and health, representatives of this rare breed rarely suffer from ailments, and their life expectancy is quite long, ranging from 15 to 20 years. There are no specific diseases in the genotype of these dogs. In case of ailments, be careful with antibiotics that are sometimes given to dogs. The use of drugs without medical supervision can harm the animal, the same applies to other medicines. Vaccinations for the Sarlos wolf are just as important as for other dogs, so Do not neglect vaccination.

If the above nuances of the nature and content of this dog do not bother you, and you have enough experience with dogs, preferably service breeds, then this dog will be a valuable acquisition. As a rule, half-wolf puppies cost between 700 and 1,500 euros. Appeal to serious breeders who will not deceive you and will not sell a dog, just like a Sarlosian. As we have already noted, in Russia it is not so easy to find these animals.

A sarlos wolf dog is not suitable for everyone, if only because its maintenance requires special conditions. This breed should be chosen only by those who can offer her accommodation in a spacious aviary in a private house, as well as those who have experience in maintaining a service dog and will bring it up with all patience. The loyalty of these animals makes them best friends who are modest in expressing emotions, but always ready to help their owner.

About the features of the breed, see below.