Why Does My German Shepherd look Like A Wolf? Top Reasons!!

If you owing a German Shepherd, no doubt you love them very much but at the same time, you must be keen to know about the origin of this breed. Aren’t they very similar to wolves? If yes, Why do my German shepherds look like a wolf?

German Shepherds are similar to wolves because of their origin. They have very similar physical characteristics to wolves because they are the ancestors of German Shepherds. If we look at history, the German Shepherd was bred from wolves having physical features like erect ears, curled tails, and gray shaggy hair. That’s why they look very similar to wolves.

Though they are very similar to wolves if we see their physical characteristics but there are a lot of differences among them. You need to know in-depth about the origin of the German Shepherd if you are wanting to own a German Shepherd at your home.

Here in this post, you will be able to get all the information about its origin and history.

So Let’s dive into our topic and discuss it in detail:

Table of Contents

The Origin Of German Shepherd

German Shepherd breed originated in Germany in late 1800. Because of his loyalty, obedience, and intelligence, this breed became very popular and was known as a German Shepherd.

People use this breed in herding and protecting their livestock. At the time of world war1, the German Shepherd was found only in Germany but soon it was quickly spread all over the world.

This breed was very lovable among the people because of their courageous behavior. German Shepherds were strong, quick learners as people used this breed in doing various police activities and military exercises.

Now let’s discuss the German Shepherd from the historical perspective:

History of German Shepherds

Now you know all the physical characteristics of German Shepherds are very similar to wolves. At present-day also nothing has changed if we talk about their physical appearance.

It’s time for us to get the depth knowledge about their past.

German Shepherd dogs came into existence when Von Stephanitz developed this breed for the first time in 1899 as he was attending a dog show and saw a dog named Hektor Linksrhein at that time. Hektor was bred from selective breeding and he was fully satisfied seeing him as a working dog.

Von Stephanitz was pleased after seeing the strength, intelligence, and loyalty and he immediately purchased him. Later he renamed this German Shepherd Horand von Grafrath and was declared the first German Shepherd and was the first dog added to the society’s breed register.

Horand was then added to the breeding programs and was bred with different society members that displayed desirable traits.

However, this breed became popular among imperial and Nazi Germany because of its purity and militarism during the first half of the 20th century. German Shepherds were a very popular breed in the Nazi era.

When German Shepherds were introduced in the United States, they were the most popular breeds but on the other hand, they were also owned by gangsters and bootleggers which let an adverse impact on their image.

The reputation of this breed was so bad that they were even banned to import into Australia in 1929.

Things to Know About First German Shepherd:

People recognized the first German Shepherd as a breed that was at least one-quarter wolf. There is much research that shows that German Shepherds are the successor of wolves.

Von Stephanitz bred the first German Shepherds with other dogs and after that much inbreeding was practiced to fix the traits. It clarifies that all modern German Shepherds are the successor of wolves.

People used wolfdogs for breeding. In late 1800 when people were cross-breeding dogs with wolfdogs then, as a result, there were either wolfdogs or partly wolfdogs were born.

German Shepherds were considered the same species of gray wolves. They are genetically very close and share a vast range of millennia.

FCI also recognized wolfdog breeds such as Czechoslovakian Wolfdog and the Saarloos Wolfdog.

If we look at German Shepherd’s history they were specially bred for herding and protecting their livestock, if we consider their breeding process then wolfdogs will be recognized at least once and allow us to understand that German Shepherds are the descendants of wolves. That’s why German Shepherds look like wolves.

Do German Shepherds Have Wolf In Them?

Yes, German Shepherds have some wolves in them. Though the breed is no longer considered a “pure” ancestor of the wolf, it does have a history with grey wolves and other wild canines. Many believe that the modern-day German Shepherd was bred from several different kinds of wolves as well as other domesticated dogs.

This means that throughout its genetic lineage, there has been a mix of both canine and wolf genetics. Since then, generations of selective breeding have resulted in a breed that looks quite different than its ancestors while still retaining much of its original characteristics. This includes an active temperament, strong loyalty to family members, and community protective instincts.

In recent years, DNA testing has been able to confirm that German Shepherds still have a small number of wolves mixed in with their genes. An individual dog’s DNA will vary, but on average the breed contains approximately 8-11% wolf ancestry.

Though this is a relatively low percentage of wolf genetics, it helps explain why German Shepherds retain some of the traits commonly seen in wild canines. For example, they often display high levels of intelligence and agility as well as an instinctive drive to protect their family members and territory.

Both animals have got thick coats and German Shepherds also show wolf-like behaviors more often. For example, a German Shepherd howl just like wolves when they want to communicate or see any unusual thing.

How Can You Tell If Your German Shepherd Is A Wolf?

German Shepherd dog has been considered the decedents of wolves and they also have wolf-like appearance so it’s easy to determine.

However, there are a few physical characteristics that can help you determine if your German Shepherd is part wolf:

Wolves tend to have larger and longer snouts than German Shepherds.
They also tend to have thicker coats, with more fur around the neck, shoulders, and tail.
Wolves often have more pointed ears than German Shepherds.
Wolves are naturally less socialized than a domesticated dogs.
They may display signs of aggression when approached by unfamiliar people or animals.
They may also demonstrate an increased level of energy and enthusiasm in comparison to other breeds of dogs.
They will usually lack the desire to please their owners which is common among domesticated dogs.

To definitively identify if your German Shepherd is part wolf, you should have a DNA test performed by a reputable laboratory or veterinarian. This will provide the most accurate results and allow you to determine with certainty whether your German Shepherd dog is part wolf.

Is My German Shepherd Part Wolf?

The physical appearance of German Shepherds is very similar to wolves but some of you may have been confused are German Shepherds are part wolves.

The answer is “NO”, German Shepherds are not part wolf. They are the decedent of the gray wolves. However, they are genetically very similar to wolves and match 99 % of their DNA with wolves but they are not wolves.

German Shepherds are a member of the Canidae family, however, some species also fall in this family like wolves, foxes, dingoes, and jackals.

However German Shepherd dog has a wolf-like appearance and Horand von Grafrath also considered this breed as at least one-quarter wolf in history.

Are German Shepherds wolf mix?

German Shepherds are famous breeds for their loyalty and companionship but when it comes to their physical appearance their looks are much more similar to a wolf. Many of you may have also noticed their physical characteristics but the main query is are German Shepherds mixed with wolves?

German Shepherds and wolves share similar physical characteristics such as large size, long muzzle, pointed ears, and a thick double coat. When German Shepherds are mixed with wolves known as wolf shepherds and are a mixture of genetic traits of both parents.

Though they are not purebred dogs and are banned in some states because they are considered wild animals and are not suitable for pets.

If you are trying to own a wolf mix German Shepherd then you will have to consider all the adverse effects they can cause to you.

Are German Shepherds wolf mix Dangerous?

There has been a lot of controversy between wolf shepherds and wolf dogs. As there are many states where this breed has been banned because of its wild nature.

German Shepherd’s wolf mixes have been considered dangerous pets by many organizations like IUCN, RSPCA, Humane Society of the US. Because of their wild nature, they may attack their owner so it’s highly dangerous to adopt this breed as your pet.

The nature of this breed is also unpredictable and unsafe for the normal owner. They may attack any person or animal entering their territory.

Because of their unpredictable natures, they are hard to deal with for a normal owner. So you should consider it once before adopting this breed as your pet.

What Shepherd looks like a wolf?

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, also known as the Czech Wolfdog in its native language, is a breed of dog which looks very similar to a wolf. It is a relatively new breed, only receiving official recognition from the FCI in 1982.

This breed was created by combining German Shepherds and Carpathian wolves back in 1955,to create an intelligent and loyal animal with strong working abilities.

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog has a strong and muscular body, with gray fur that can range from light gray to dark gray, sometimes even including brown tones.

Its face also resembles that of a wolf, with almond-shaped eyes and erect ears. It typically stands between 24-26 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 88 pounds.

These dogs are incredibly agile and fast runners because of their long legs and their athleticism is comparable to that of a wolf. They are also incredibly intelligent animals, making them easy to train for tasks such as search and rescue, tracking, or guiding people out of dangerous areas.

Final Thoughts

In this post, we learned that German Shepherds are the descendants of wolves and because of their physical characteristics they are much similar to wolves.

Here is a quick summary of this article:

German Shepherds look like wolves sharing some physical characteristics like large size, long muzzle, pointed ears, and a thick double coat.
When the first German Shepherds were bred they were called quarter wolves.
German Shepherd’s wolf mix is dangerous to make the pet.
Their nature is unpredictable and you should think twice before adopting this breed.

What is the lifespan of a German Shepherd Wolf Mix?

The life span depends on the health condition of this breed. The average life span of a healthy German Shepherd Wolf mix is around 14 years.