Saarloos Wolfhound
Saarloos Wolfdog, Saarlooswolfhond
The Saarloos Wolfdog was originally developed as a working breed; however it has never achieved this status. Instead they are primarily kept as companions and rarely seen outside of Europe.
Saarloos Wolfhound Standards
- 20-30"
- 79-90 lbs
- large, wolf-like dog
- medium-sized, triangular, upright ears
- tail reaches at least the hock
- double coat is thicker in the winter
- brown
- cream
- greys
- white
History of the Saarloos Wolfhound
A more recent breed, the history of the Saarloos Wolfdog begins in 1921. Their creator, Leendert Saarloos felt as if modern dogs had been degenerated by poor breeding and had lost their true canine nature. In an attempt to restore them to what he believed was their natural state and create a better working dog he started his program by crossing a German Shepherd Dog with a gray wolf. This offspring (originally called the European Wolfdog) he later crossed back to German Shepherds, but the result were not the dogs that he had hoped for. He attempted to train them as working dogs, but they were too shy and reserved. Still he persevered, never achieving his working dog goal. At his death their numbers declined and breeding became haphazard until Dutch canine authorities set up a breeding program and refined the type to the companion dog we know today.
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