Husky is one of the best you can get when you want a dog with wolf-like features.
Is Husky a wolf offspring? Or Is Husky related to Wolves? Yes, Huskies like all other dogs are genetically related to Wolves. They both are part of the Canine group of animals.
DNA analysis has proved that the wolf is the ancestor of the dog. In fact both dogs and Wolves are part of the Canis genus.
Studies have shown that dogs separated from wolves. And with years of domestication by humans, they have evolved to how they are nowadays in temperament and appearance.
So is Husky with its wolf-like features more related to Wolves than other dogs?
No, they are not related to wolves any more than other dogs. They may look similar to wolves but in reality they are only as much related to them as other dogs like Pitbull or Great Dane or Bullmastiff.
Let us look at a comparison of Siberian Huskies and wolves so you can have an idea as to how they compare with each other.
| Husky | Wolf | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Height | 20 – 23 inches | 26 – 32 inches |
| Average Weight | 35 – 60 pounds | 70 – 110 pounds |
| Bite Force | 320 PSI | 400 PSI |
| Top Speed | 30 mph | 40 mph |
| Average Age | 12 – 15 years | 6 – 8 years (wild) |
It is a common myth that Huskies and Alaskan malamutes are half-wolves or more closely related to wolves than other dogs.
Similarity between Husky and Wolves
Appearance
Husky and Wolf have a lot of similarities in their appearance. They both have a thick double coat which insulates them from extreme cold. They both shed profusely.
They have a similar head shape, upright ears, and almond-shaped eyes.
Temperament
Husky and Wolf are both very active and energetic. Like Wolves, Huskies also howl and this is where the similarities end between the two.
Difference between Husky and Wolves
Appearance
Wolves are larger than Huskies with a narrower head and chest.
Huskies often have blue eyes whereas wolves have yellow eyes which are more oblique set.
Temperament
Huskies are domesticated dogs who would love to play with you and with training obey your commands.
Wolves are wild animals with a high prey drive. They are independent animals having natural instincts for hunting in the wild in a pack to keep them alive.
Wolves are more independent than Husky as Huskies beings dogs are more dependent on humans to survive.
Wolf dogs – Some dogs that are closely related to wolves
Let us look at a few other wolf-like dogs or hybrid who are more closely related to Wolves or have a striking resemblance to Wolves.
Saarloos Wolfdog
The Saarloos Wolfdog originated in the Netherlands where a man named Leendert Saarloos thought that German Shepherds have been domesticated a bit more and he wanted to make a better dog with more natural instincts.
Saarloos Wolfdogs were bred by crossing German Shepherd dogs with female wolves. They have 3/4 parts of the dogs and 1/4 parts of the wolves. They were not found suitable as working dogs and were then bred as companion dogs.
They are large dogs with wolf-like looks and an athletic body.
Czechoslovakian Vlcak
A Czechoslovakian wolfdog is a relatively recent large dog breed intended to make a better military dog with the temperament and trainability of German Shepherd and stamina & strength of Carpathian wolf.
The experiments for the same were conducted in 1955 in Czechoslovakia and the breed got recognized as the national dog of Czechoslovakia in 1982. They are very social dogs.
Tamaskan
Tamaskan dogs are Finnish dogs. They were bred by mixing Huskies, Mamalutes, and German Shepherds and not the wolf. The aim was to create a dog that looked more wolf-like than other dogs.
They excel as good working dogs with their agility and intelligence. They are also good family dogs being gentle and tolerating of children. They suffer from separation anxiety and cannot be left alone for long periods.
If you are an experienced dog owner who can be the pack leader, he might be the most wolf-like dog that you can pet that is not a part wolf.
There are also some other similar dogs that are bred like Utonagan and Northern Inuit Dog and there is a lot of debate on how they differ from each other.
Kugsha
These are large dogs who look strikingly similar to wolves. Earlier name given to them was American Husky or Amerindian Malamute but it did not generate much interest. So the name was changed to Kugsha.
The exact origins of this breed are not known. It is not recognized by any reputable kennel club. The recorded history of them traces to Pennsylvania’s Wolfen Kennel in the US.
They are wolf-hybrid dogs which means at some point in recent history, they were crossbred with wolves.
They are large strong dogs having striking resemblances to wolves in terms of look. They are highly intelligent dogs having a high prey drive and hence training and socialization should start for them since puppy age.
Alaskan Malamute
Like Husky, these are large north Asian dogs who look quite similar to Wolf and yet are only so much related to wolves as any other dog.
They are social, intelligent and stubborn dogs who would challenge you for the leader of the pack position and need a dominating leader who can show them their place.
Unlike a wolf, an Alaskan malamute has a broad chest and thicker legs. They are domesticated dogs who can be trained, unlike a wolf who would be difficult to train to be reliable.
German Shepherds
GSDs are medium to large dogs who were bred in Germany in the early 1900s aiming for a superior working dog. They are highly intelligent and trainable and love to be in the company of humans.
They are usually reserved but not aggressive. They do well as guard dogs and are popular as police or military dogs.
They are smart and energetic dogs who need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. If they do not get the same, they may pick their own activities which could be destructive for humans.
Can Wolves be domesticated?
People pet dogs for different reasons. Some pet dogs for companionship and some other for guard or watchdogs. Some look for the strength, looks, and natural instincts of a wolf.
But can wolves themselves be domesticated as a pet? Yes, they can be domesticated and are being used as exotic pets.
Domesticated wolves are usually shy and do not obey commands of any except the owner. They are one-man pets. They are shy to strangers and will not make eye contact and typically leave the place if they see a human.
Wolves are much more independent than dogs and very hard to train to make them reliable. So for a lot of us humans, the word is “avoid” when it comes to domesticating a wolf.
Final Thoughts
Dogs and wolves are close and part of the canine group of animals. They can crossbreed and produce wolf-dog hybrids.
So instead of wolves, it might be best to look at wolf-dog hybrids if you are not happy with a purebred dog breed like Husky or Alaskan Malamute.
Be cautious and aware of the local laws that may prohibit domesticating a wolf or a part wolf. If found, authorities can confiscate or even euthanize your pet.
We hope now you know the answer to your query “Is Husky a wolf” and have a good knowledge of Wolf hybrid dogs.
Do let us know which one was more interesting to you in the comments section below.