Saarloos Wolfhound

by Kate Barrington

Published: June 27th, 2017

About Saarloos Wolfhound

Height

24-30 inches

Weight

70-90 lb

Lifespan

10-12 years

Group

not applicable

Best Suited For

active singles, active families, house with a yard, experience dog owners

Temperament

lively, independent, faithful, affectionate

Comparable Breeds

German Shepherd, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfhound Basics

When you look at the Saarloos Wolfhound, you might not suspect that it was bred from the German Shepherd. You won’t be surprised, however, to learn that this breed does have wild wolf blood in its heritage. There are several wolf-like breeds out there, but the Saarloos Wolfhound is unique in that it exhibits more natural wolf-like behaviors than other breeds.

The Saarloos Wolfhound is unique in that it exhibits more natural wolf-like behaviors, as it was developed from crossing a German Shepherd with a wolf.

Origin

The Saarloos Wolfhound was developed in 1935 by a Dutch breeder named Leendert Saarloos. Saarloos was particularly passionate about the German Shepherd breed but believed that most specimens of the breed were too domesticated – he wanted to breed some of the natural qualities back into the breed to improve its working ability. Thus, he crossed the German Shepherd with a female wolf that he got from the Rotterdam Zoo. The result was not quite what Saarloos was hoping for but subsequent crossings were more successful.

Unfortunately, Saarloos died in 1969 but others took up the task. In 1975 the Dutch Kennel Club recognized the breed and named it the Saarloos Wolfdog in honor of its creator.

Pedigree

The Saarloos Wolfhound was developed from a crossing of a German Shepherd with a wild wolf.

Food/Diet

As a large-breed dog, the Saarloos Wolfhound should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for large breeds. The Saarloos Wolfhound is also an active breed, so he may respond well to an active or working breed formula. You still need to be careful about overfeeding, however, to prevent obesity.

The Saarloos Wolfhound was developed from a crossing of a German Shepherd with a wild wolf.

Training

The Saarloos Wolfhound is a highly intelligent breed that generally responds well to training and they learn quickly. It is important, however, that you maintain a firm and consistent hand in leadership for your dog to establish firm boundaries. This breed is not aggressive by nature, but he can be somewhat dominant so you should be sure to nip problem behaviors in the bud, should they start to develop. Making sure that your dog gets plenty of mental and physical stimulation is the best way to prevent problem behaviors.

Weight

The Saarloos Wolfhound is a large dog, standing 24 to 30 inches tall and weighing anywhere from 70 to 90 pounds at maturity.

Temperament/Behavior

Although the Saarloos Wolfhound has a wild appearance, this breed is loyal and devoted to family. These dogs can be somewhat reserved at times, particularly around strangers, and they are not inclined toward confrontation or aggression. This breed is a high-maintenance breed because they are very powerful, both physically and in terms of their strong will, so they are not the best choice for inexperienced dog owners. These dogs do well when given firm boundaries – they like having a strong leader and they like knowing their place. This breed can be socialized to other dogs and pets, and early training is recommended to prevent the development of behavioral problems and dominant tendencies.

Common Health Problems

The Saarloos Wolfhound has a life expectancy between 10 and 12 years which is on par for dogs of this size. Though the Saarloos Wolfhound is generally healthy, there are some health problems to keep an eye out for. Some of these conditions include hip dysplasia, pituitary dwarfism, degenerative myelopathy, and various eye problems.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for the Saarloos Wolfhound is between 10 and 12 years.

Exercise Requirements

As a cross between the German Shepherd and a wild wolf, you can expect the Saarloos Wolfhound to have fairly high energy levels and high needs for exercise. This breed needs a long daily walk or a brisk jog and will also benefit from having a fenced yard in which to run. Without adequate exercise, both mental and physical, this breed is prone to developing behavioral problems.

The Saarloos Wolfhound is a highly intelligent breed that generally responds well to training.

AKC

The Saarloos Wolfhound is not currently recognized by the AKC. It is, however, recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club.

Coat

The Saarloos Wolfhound looks very similar to a wild wolf. He has a short, dense coat that comes in various shades of grey and brown, often with agouti coloring. This breed has dark eyes and a dark, solid color nose. Although this breed has a fairly short coat, it does require frequent brushing to control shedding. Bathing should be limited to avoid removing natural oils from the dog’s skin.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Saarloos Wolfhound breed is 4 to 6 puppies. Because the Saarloos Wolfhound is a fairly large breed, puppies may not reach their full size until after 12 months of age. This being the case, you should feed your puppy a large-breed puppy food until he reaches about 80% of his maximum size. At that point, switch your dog over to a large-breed adult formula or working breed formula. Feeding your puppy a large-breed formula is important to keep him from growing too quickly – excess growth can put strain on your puppy’s joints and increase his risk for musculoskeletal issues as an adult.

Photo credit: Zuzule/Bigstock; eriklam/Bigstock; Life on White/Bigstock

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Fleas and ticks aren’t the only parasites that dog owners have to fear in southern California this summer. Scientists from the University of California, Riverside, are warning dog owners to keep their pooches out of the water this summer after they have discovered a potentially deadly parasite.A deadly flatworm species that has previously only existed in Texas and other Golf Coast states, has made its way to the west coast and is now present in the portion of the Colorado River that runs through California. The worm, Heterobilharzia americana, is a flatworm commonly known as the liver fluke. The parasite can cause canine schistosomiasis, an illness that affects the liver and intestine of dogs. Although treatment options are available once the dog becomes infected, they aren’t always effective leaving vets no other option than to euthanize the dog. “Dogs can die from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that it’s there,” said Adler Dillman, a nematology professor at the University of California, Riverside. “If you’re swimming in the Colorado River with them, your pets are in peril.” After learning about several cases of infection in local dogs, professor Dillman and his research team headed to Blythe, a border town in Riverside County. All of the sick dogs have spent time there, swimming in the river.Since snails are responsible for transmitting the infection, researchers collected more than 2,000 along the banks of the Colorado River. The team used DNA testing to identify the snails and the flatworm.The team was astonished to find not one, but two species of snail that can carry the parasite!“We actually found two species of snail that can support H. americana in the river in Blythe and we found both snails actively shedding this worm,” said Dillman, according to UC Riverside News. “Not only was it a surprise to find H. americana, we also didn’t know that the snails were present here.”The flatworm first makes its way into the snail's body, traveling through its system. Once transformed, it moves out to find a mammal host to infect. Without a host, the parasite can’t survive more than 24 hours on its own. Dogs and raccoons are particularly susceptible to becoming infected after coming into contact with water, whether from drinking or swimming in it. The worm gets inside the veins of the intestinal lining, where it develops into an adult and mates. The presence of adults in the veins isn’t as problematic as the eggs that get into the lungs, spleen, liver, and heart. The dog’s immune system reacts by forming clusters of cells, called granulomas. In time, the organ tissues stop functioning.It may take several months for a dog to show any signs of the infection. Symptoms start slowly and include loss of appetite, and progress to vomiting, diarrhea, profound weight loss, and signs of liver disease. “If your dog has these symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River, it’s a good precaution to ask your veterinarian for a simple fecal test,” said Emily Beeler, a veterinarian with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Treatment typically involves use of multiple medications and close monitoring of the dog by a veterinarian.”Although potentially deadly for our canine companions, this parasite can’t cause the same issues in humans. “ It can cause swimmers itch, a red rash where it penetrates human skin. But it’s not able to cause an infection,” Dillman explained.Steer clear of bodies of water that could contain infected snails to prevent your pooch from catching flatworms. If your pooch can’t resist taking a dip, monitor them for symptoms of flatworm infection in the weeks afterward. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Xmas Miracle: Shelter Empty for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years

It was a very merry Christmas for a Pennsylvania shelter whose kennels were empty for the first time in nearly 50 years. Just two weeks ago, the shelter was packed with cats and dogs. However, the staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to make sure the animals in their care got adopted into loving homes. The Adams County SPCA is overjoyed that the shelter is empty, especially during the holidays.“This is the first time in 47 years that the Adams County SPCA is empty let alone on Christmas time, it is a true miracle!” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked very hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted into the right home.”The organization had a busy year, taking care of 598 animals before adopting them into furever homes. The hardworking staff and volunteers also reunited 125 stay animals with their owners this year alone.Adams County SPCA kennel technician Tanya Hays said that in the last two weeks, the shelter found homes for 20 animals, either as adoptions or strays returned to their owners.“We had to get them all spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworms and thick-born illnesses while also processing a lot of (adoption) applications, so the staff worked really hard,” said Hays to TODAY.“It was pretty cool. It was quite a feat,” she added.The organization took to Facebook to thank their community. “Our community stepped up once again! We thank everyone for their continued support and look forward to new adventures in 2024!”Although it may seem like people are more motivated to adopt animals during the holidays, the shelter actually discourages people from giving pets as gifts because these animals are more likely to be returned to the shelter weeks later. While the staff and volunteers celebrated everything they achieved this year, they are already ready to get back to work. “We will be pulling animals from other shelters in Pennsylvania next week in hopes of relieving some of their stress,” the shelter shared. “Right now we are going to enjoy this accomplishment!”In a follow-up post, the organization shared that it has “received an overwhelming response” from different shelters across the country and also from Canada and Mexico. Members of the public have also reached out asking them to take in abandoned animals. “Even though our hearts break for them and the situation they are in we need to help the members of our community first,” the organization said. The Adams County SPCA is only taking animals from overwhelmed shelters in Pennsylvania and animals surrendered by residents within the county as well as those living in surrounding counties. “We are going to do the best we can to help as many animals and people we can.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Should I Bathe My Dog During Winter?

Should your pet forego bubbly baths when the temperatures drop or should you bathe your pooch regularly all year long? There’s no universal answer to this question as situations can be wildly different from one pet or the other – how harsh is the climate you live in, would you bathe your pooch in a well-heated bathroom or not, how thick is their coat, and so on. All of these factors will influence the answer you’re given! To find out what’s the verdict for your own pooch when it comes to winter bathing, read on.Should I Bathe My Dog During Winter?The fact that it’s cold outside doesn’t have to mean your four-legged bestie has to smell funky for weeks on end – at least not in most cases. You can bathe your dog in the winter as long as you follow some ground rules that are meant to ensure your dog's well-being. Here’s what you need to know:#1 Don’t Do It Too OftenDogs don't need bathing as frequently as we do (duh), so if your dog isn't visibly dirty or smelly, you should be able to extend the time between baths to a couple of weeks. Overbathing can strip essential oils from your dog's skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation, so too much bathing isn’t good either. You can probably get through the winter with just one or two baths.#2 Keep The Water ToastyEnsure that the water you use for the bath is warm, not hot. Hot water can dry out your dog’s skin, so don’t be tempted to overly increase the water temperature just because the weather is cold outside. Of course, you should also make sure the bathing area is warm, and have towels ready to dry your dog quickly.#3 Fast Drying Is Key 

Check Out Giant Dogs On the Free 2024 Calendar of the Portland USACE

Who knew that calendars featuring gigantic cats could be such a hit! Last year, the Pacific Northwest-based U.S. military personnel issued their own calendars which featured enormous kitties that oversaw construction projects making a seemingly ordinary calendar - a ton of fun. Needless to say, their hilarious (and completely free) calendar went viral, so they wanted to repeat last year’s success. This year, however, the Portland branch of the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is based in Oregon, decided to “branch out”, and their new yearly 2024 calendar will feature gigantic doggos as well. This was a logical follow-up to their viral social media campaign of the previous year, when kittens stole the show. The personnel of this military branch handles tough civil works in the whole of Oregon and southwestern Washington, so a bit of lighthearted humor really goes a long way for them. Their staff got the idea of superimposing photos of cats and dogs into quality landscape photos of the most important public infrastructure projects that the teams were involved with. The idea was an instant hit. And now, their 2024 calendars in both cat and dog editions can be freely downloaded in a PDF format, allowing quick and easy printing. You can find the dog calendar here and the cat calendar here.“This product was created to tell the story of our district and what we do in a way that’s actually enjoyable for the average member of the public,” Portland district spokesman Chris Gaylord said. Mr. Gaylord further said that the whole project was their effort to portray an otherwise rough and industrial work in a more entertaining light. And it is also a way for the workers to get some steam off as well. After all, they are busy throughout the year, operating more than 700 dams and 12,000 miles of inland waterways. “It was really so inspiring to see how much joy this little product brought to people all over the world,” Gaylord said, after their first calendar “won over the internet”, getting an incredible 530,000 downloads on their website. To make matters even more memorable, the photos of the pets are from the employees themselves! Gaylord received almost 750 photos from 150 workers. Choosing just a few to include in the calendar was no easy task. But to make everyone satisfied, a page at the end of the calendar includes a grid with most of the pets that did not make it onto the big pages. What do you think – which pooch of the month is your fave?

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