Wolf, Wolfdog, Or Dog? Phenotyping Canines!

FLA Wolf Identification Pamphlet Www.floridalupine.org Wolf, Wolfdog, or Dog? Phenotyping Canines!

FLORIDA LUPINE ASSOC IATION, INC.

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F INTEREST: What is a Wolf ? And How Do You Know?  Dogs are domesticated By Kim Miles & Jody Haynes wolves.

 Well-bred wolfdogs can In his seminal work on animal a wolf?” Some- wolfdog from a dog ex- appear to look like pure wolfdogs, N.A. Iljin (1944) times, the answers are ob- cept through genetic test- wolves to the untrained eye because they are found that “in many cases vious; but quite often they ing, and such tests are often bred for their the wolf cannot be distin- are not. expensive and not readily “wolfy” looks. guished from the dog even FLA created this phe- available to the public.  Most wolfdogs are three at a short distance and vice notyping pamphlet in re- It is important to to five generations removed from pure wolf, versa.” He further contend- sponse to the need for a note, however, that tests making them F3 to F5. ed that even though a list clear and concise educa- focused solely on mito- (The F# is the filial number, indicating how of characteristics specific to tional resource that we chondrial DNA far removed from wolf a the wolf had been created hope proves beneficial in (mtDNA) are inherently canine is.) by both Brehm (1922) and addressing these ques- biased. Because mito-  Most wolfdogs are the Taenzer (1923), “there are tions. This pamphlet will chondria are inherited offspring of other wolf- none essentially differenti- not magically allow just maternally—with none of dogs, not the product of a pure captive wolf and ating the wolf from the anyone to correctly identi- the crossing over or inde- domestic dog or wolfdog. dog.” However, in the last fy all canines. Instead, it pendent assortment that  The most common dog 100 years or so, dog fanci- should be utilized as a occurs in nuclear DNA breeds in wolfdogs are ers have developed strict supplemental tool for (nDNA)—all animals in a Husky, Malamute, and German Shepherd. standards each breed must those who already have given matriarchal line adhere to, allowing one to some knowledge of wolf will have the same more easily distinguish be- morphology (i.e., looks) mtDNA. Thus, mtDNA INSIDE THIS tween traits or characteris- and behavior; taken as a tests can only show ISSUE: tics more consistent with whole, it should aid these whether an animal‟s ma- wolves and those more individuals in making a triarchal line is “wolf” or What is a Wolf? And How 1 Do You Know? commonly found in certain more educated determina- “dog”; they cannot deter- dog breeds (see table on pp. tion regarding the pres- mine if an animal is a Phenotyping Canines: 5 Physical Characteristics 6-7). ence of wolf within a ca- wolfdog with both “wolf” Wolfdog rescuers, var- nine. and “dog” genes. The Chart of Physical Traits: 6 ious animal control person- only sure way to accu- Dog vs. Wolf nel, and officers in the FL DNA TESTING rately determine if an ani- Fish & Wildlife Conserva- mal is a wolf, wolfdog, or Photos: Dog & Wolf 8 tion Commission have of- dog through genetic test- Even with knowledge of Guessing Game: Wolf, ten been called to a loca- ing is to examine both 10 morphology and behavior, Wolfdog or Dog? tion and been faced with mtDNA and nDNA there is still no positively Phenotyping: How Well the questions, “Is this ani- markers—and possibly 11 conclusive way to deter- Did You Do? mal part wolf?” or “Is this even Y chromosomal mine a living wolf from a P a g e 2 Wolf, Wolfdog, or Dog? markers in males, because the Y than most dogs‟ toes. between wolf and dog behavior chromosome is inherited paternally 4. MYTH: The wolf has a precaudal in absolutes because all dog and is consistent along the patriar- scent gland on the top of the tail behavior is derived from the chal line just as mtDNA is to the near the base, identified by a dark wolf. While all wolf behaviors matriarchal line. patch of fur. The dog has no such may not be found in any given gland. FACT: Both wolves AND type of dog, all dogs can dis- MYTH VS. FACT dogs have a precaudal scent gland play various aspects of all wolf (or residual mark) with coarser behaviors to some degree. The In an effort to be as factual and com- hair marking the spot a few inches degree will vary depending up- prehensive as possible, FLA consult- from the base of the tail. Michael on the breed and the individual ed the following wildlife biologists Fox (1971) claims that it is animal. In general, dogs have and organizations to dispel some “demarked by [a] dark patch of “watered down” wolf behav- common myths about wolves and hairs.” An article ap- iors. Dogs are not only wolfdogs: Nick Federoff and Ron pearing in Dog World either friendly or aggres- Nowak, authors of numerous peer- magazine had this to sive; poorly socialized, reviewed wolf articles and creators say: “There will be a abused, and neglected of the current wolf taxonomic sys- precaudal gland, dogs can also be shy tem in use today; Monty Sloan of marked by a black and/or fearful. Accord- spot of fur, on the top ing to an article in Dog Wolf Park; and David Mech, Senior Because dogs are Research Biologist for the Depart- of the tail [in wolves], World magazine, Akita ment of the Interior and board mem- several inches from domesticated Rescue Society of Ameri- ber of the International Wolf Cen- the body, but this is wolves, their ca evaluated 64 Akitas in ter. The following are some of the also present in dogs. rescue and found that all common myths about wolves and Many people errone- behavior is of “[t]he young dogs that their factual corrections: ously identify this “watered down” were born and raised at scent gland as a ma- [a] puppy mill were ex- 1. MYTH: If the animal barks, it is jor difference be- wolf behavior. tremely fearful, shy and not a wolf. FACT: Wolves can tween wolves and needed a great deal of emit a variety of sounds. Alt- dogs” (Marar, 1993). work” (Bouyet, 1992). In addi- hough wolves can learn to bark 5. MYTH: If the ears are rounded and tion, wolves are extremely curi- (Iljin, 1944), it is uncommon; furred, it’s a wolf. FACT: Wolves‟ ous animals (Mech, 1971; Fox, wolves will never emit the ears are rounded and furred, but 1971) and may show no fear of “incessant barking” of a dog; ra- they are not more rounded and/ man through a deliberate so- ther they typically produce a huff- or more furred than all dogs‟ ears. cialization process, through a ing sound. The ears of a Malamute or a process called habituation, or 2. MYTH: Wolves can have curly Chow, for example, are more through selective breeding for tails. FACT: Wolves‟ tails can rounded than those of a wolf. friendliness toward people be held at almost any angle or 6. MYTH: Wolves have a shallow (Ness, 2002). In other words, position, but their tails will nev- chest in relation to a dog of the same “the basics of behavior are the er be curled over their backs like size. FACT: Wolves have deep, same for both animals” (Mech, a Malamute or Chow Chow car- narrow, “keel-shaped” chests— 1991). ries its tail. not shallow chests—which allow 8. MYTH: Wolves howl at the full 3. MYTH: Wolves have retractable them to more easily „plow‟ moon. FACT: Wolves use vocal toes. FACT: Wolves‟ toes are through snow (Mech, 1971). sounds to communicate, and not retractable. However, 7. MYTH: While dogs are either ag- the moon has nothing to do wolves typically have larger gressive or friendly toward human with these vocalizations. Emer- paws and toes than dogs for strangers, wolves, by contrast, are gency sirens, on the other more ease in navigating snow. either very shy or afraid when ap- hand, can trigger howl ses- In addition, wolves‟ toes are proached by strangers. FACT: sions—in wolves, wolfdogs, much more pronounced (raised) There is no way to differentiate and dogs. FLA Wolf Identification Pamphlet P a g e 3

WOLF IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA

The easiest way to organize criteria for identifying wolves is to isolate those characteristics specific to wolves from those that never occur in wolves. Because there are so many similarities between wolves and dogs, an evaluator attempting to identify a wolf must apply the identification criteria collectively; in other words, for an animal to be “identified” as a wolf using the following criteria, the animal must exhibit each and every trait in the Always category and it must not exhibit any of the traits in the Never category. (Disclaimer: Although the criteria provided below are as comprehensive as possible, an animal that is NOT a pure wolf might also exhibit every trait listed in the Always category and might not exhibit any of the traits listed in the Never category. FLA assumes no liability for animals misidentified as wolves by anyone adopting the criteria set forth in this document.)

ALWAYS 7. TOES: Wolves have five toes on the its “hindlegs between its forelegs front legs (one toe being the dew and leave[s] an undulating sinus- oid-like trail” (Iljin, 1944; Mech 1. HEAD: Wolves have large, wedge claw further up the inside of the 1971); however, Iljin (1944) clar- -shaped heads, averaging 9”-11” foreleg) and four toes on the rear ifies that he has “observed some long and 5”-6” wide (Mech, 1971) (no dew claws are present on the working dogs … with an almost with no pronounced stop (the fore- rear legs—a trait found in some dog typical wolf-gait as a conse- head area that slopes down to the breeds). Wolves‟ toes are bigger and quence of a wrong development nose) as in many dog breeds. more pronounced than most dogs‟. With the exception of Arctic of the leg set” (i.e., cow hock) 2. EYES: Wolves‟ eyes are green, wolves, which can have opaque (Fig. 2). yellow or any shade of brown nails, all wolves have black toe 9. TAIL: All wolves have a pre- (though not dark brown ). nails. (Contrary to many claims, caudal scent gland, identified by 3. EARS: Wolves‟ ears are well- Arctics are uncommon in captivity.) very coarse (darker or lighter) furred, nicely rounded and are set 8. GAIT: When trotting or walking, hairs; this is NOT something high atop the head. Note: see com- wolves usually place each hind print found only in wolves, however. ments in the myth section (p. 2). in their front prints, leaving a set of All dogs have a precaudal scent 4. CHEST: Wolves have a very deep prints that are linear, while the dog, gland or mark. Wolves‟ tails are and narrow, keel-shaped chest like on the other hand, generally places set low on the rump. Note: see the deep but narrow hull of a sail- comments in the myth section (p. 2). boat (Mech, 1971). This is part of 10. COAT: Wolves‟ coats are the reason their legs are so close 4 ½” - 5” coarse and fairly long, being

together when looking at them 5”

- thinner in the summer and thick- from the front. The purpose of er in the winter because of the such a chest is ease in maneuver- 4½” dense undercoat and longer ing/pushing through snow. guard hairs. 5. LEGS: Wolves‟ legs are longer in 11. AT BIRTH: ALL wolves are relation to their bodies than those born dark, even the Arctic of a dog. In addition, the “fore- wolves. They lighten gradually limbs seem pressed into the chest, and show no distinguishing col- with elbows turned inward and oration for a couple of weeks. paws turned outward,” allowing 12. BREEDING SEASON: Wolves both the “fore and hind legs on the enter breeding season between same side to swing in the same January and April, giving birth line” (Iljin, 1944; Mech 1971). between late March and June, 6. FEET: Wolves‟ feet are generally “depending upon the latitude, larger than dogs‟ and are shaped with the animals in the highest like a pentagon, leaving a pentago- FIGUREFIGURE 1:1: SizeSize ofof typicala typical pentagonal pentagonal wolf wolf latitudes generally having the nal print averaging 4½-5” in print (to scale but smallerprint. than actual size.) latest season” (Mech, 1971). length and width (Fig. 1).

P a g e 4 Wolf, Wolfdog, or Dog?

NEVER ing can be done quickly in the field and can yield fairly accurate results 1. Wolves will NEVER have a pro- when performed by an experienced nounced stop or a blocky (or squared) and knowledgeable individual. head. 2. Wolves will NEVER have large, Ger- FOOTNOTES man-Shepherd-type or unfurred ears. 3. Wolves will NEVER be barrel- 1 Because of the problems inherent in ascer- chested. taining the correct percentage of “wolf 4. Wolves will NEVER have short limbs genes” in wolfdogs, many wolfdog owners in relation to their bodies or elbows have begun to refer to their animals in that angle out, away from the chest. general terms as being low content (5%- 5. Wolves will NEVER have small or 39%), mid content (40%-79%) or high pointed feet. content (80%-99%). These content ranges 6. Wolves will NEVER have rear dew allow for more leeway in determining the claws or white, pink or opaque “wolfiness” or “dogginess” of an animal. 2 The filial number refers to the number of (except for Arctics) nails. generations a wolfdog is removed from a 7. Wolves will NEVER produce the pure wolf. For example, an F1 wolfdog has same sort of tracks as a dog while trot- one parent who is a pure wolf, while an F2 ting or walking. (NOTE: The tracks refers to an animal that has at least one produced while running are similar in FIGURE 2: Typical wolf gait (left) & grandparent who is a pure wolf. both animals.) dog gait (right) while walking and/or 8. Wolves will NEVER have a tail that trotting. Figure is adapted from Iljin REFERENCES touches the ground or one that curls (1944) and Taenzer (1923).

over the back like a Malamute or Bouyet, B. (1992) New beginnings for Chow Chow. characteristics as wolves, especially Akitas. Dog World. July issue. 9. Wolves will NEVER have a single higher content wolfdogs1 and those Brehm (1922). Tierleben. (i.e., no underfur), short, spotted, or with recent wolf inheritance (as des- Federoff, N. (2002) Personal commu- long and silky coat. ignated by the filial or “F” num- nication. 10. Wolves will NEVER be born light or ber2). Fox, M. (1971) Behaviour of wolves, with distinct, marked coloration/ As mentioned previously, the dogs and related canids. Krieger patterns. ONLY conclusive way to distin- 11. Wolves will NEVER show sharp de- Publishing: Malabar, FL. lineation in color or pattern at any guish a living wolf from a dog is Iljin, N. A. (1944) Wolf-dog genetics. time in their lives (i.e., the colors through genetic testing of the ani- Journal of Genetics. 42: 359-414. BLEND into each other). mal‟s mtDNA and nDNA (because Marar, E. (1993) The call of the wild. 12. Wolves will NEVER come into sea- of the reasons discussed on p. 1). Dog World. September & October issues. son or be born in the summer or the Skull morphometric analysis— Mech, L.D. (1971) The wolf: The ecolo- fall. taking measurements of the skull of 13. Wolves will NEVER have a pink or gy and behavior of an endangered the animal to distinguish the orbital species. University of Minnesota liver-colored nose. angle, the size and shape of the tym- 14. Wolves will NEVER have blue or Press: Minneapolis. panic bullae, the size and length of black eyes. Mech, L. D. (1991) The way of the the skull, the volume of the cranial wolf. Voyageur Press: Stillwater, capsule, and the border line of the MN. Again, while the above items may palate (Iljin, 1944; Mech, 1971; Ness, R. (2002) Personal communica- help in identifying pure wolves, they Federoff, 2002)—can also be done tion. MUST be applied collectively and the but it requires the death of the ani- Taenzer, E. (1923) Der Unterschied evaluator MUST take into considera- mal. Both of these methods also von Hund und Wolf. Jb Jagdk. 7: tion that some dogs and wolfdogs may require time and money. Phenotyp- 213-26. exhibit some of the same physical FLA Wolf Identification Pamphlet P a g e 5 Phenotyping: Physical Characteristics of Wolves & Dogs By Kim Miles

As mentioned earlier, phenotyping canines is the inate dog breeds found in wolfdogs along with a cou- science (or art) of determining the breed or type of ca- ple photos of black Belgian Tervurens—a breed not nine based on both its behavior and its looks. Because commonly found in wolfdogs, but one that is often phenotyping is not an exact science, it can sometimes confused with wolfdogs. An additional page of photos be difficult to perform with accuracy. However, if you shows the most common wolf colors: black phase read through this pamphlet, paying particular attention and agouti. An interesting note about black phase to both wolf morphology (looks) and behavior, you will wolves (and some wolfdogs) is that they do not stay hopefully become more knowledgeable of wolves (as black. Instead, they typically phase out to a mottled opposed to dogs) and their physical attributes. gray and then white with age. Canines that remain On the following two pages is a table identifying the black as they age are not pure wolves. morphological traits or characteristics of wolves, Mala- mutes, German Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies—the Note: We recommend that you study the chart on pp. 6-7 three most common dog breeds in wolfdogs. Figure 1 and the photos on pp. 8-10 and then test your skills by guess- below identifies important parts of a canine that should ing the contents of the animals in the “Guessing Game.” The prove helpful when reviewing the table. answers and a clarification of a few dog or wolf phenotypic traits of each animal are provided on p. 11. Following the table are photos of the three predom-

stop Figure 1: The Canine’s Body occiput

ear

withers nose tail insertion

muzzle

precaudal cheek gland

chest

brisket hock

dew claw

toes hind foot forefoot claws P a g e 6 Wolf, Wolfdog, or Dog?

TRAITS WOLF WOLFDOG ALASKAN MALAMUTE SIBERIAN HUSKY GERMAN SHEPHERD

Males 95-100#, rarely exceeding 120#. Females 80- Males 80-120#. Females 60-100#. As little as 50# and much WEIGHT 85#, rarely exceeding 100#. Largest male on record as 150# possible, depending mostly on dog type & some on Males 85-125#. Females 75-115#. Males 45-60#. Females 35-50#. Males 80-95#. Females 75-90#. was 175# from southeastern Alaska. wolf type: smaller Eastern Timber or larger Tundra wolves.

HEIGHT Average 26” - 32” at the shoulder. Between 24” - 34”, with most averaging 27” - 31”. Males 25-28”. Females 23-26”. Males 21-23.5”. Females 20-22”. Males 24-26”. Females 22-24”.

LENGTH From nose to tip of tail: male 5’-6.5’; female 4.5’-6’. Usually the same as the wolf. Similar to wolves. Shorter than the wolf. Longer tail length than wolves.

White, through cream-colored, buff, tawny, reddish, Same as the wolf—from white to black. However, most are White always on underbody, parts of legs, feet White, white with saddle, silver and white, Solid black or gray, tan/gold with black sad- brownish, and gray to black. No sharp contrasts. The usually a grizzled sable or gray, called agouti, which can be and masked markings. Pronounced widow’s sable, agouti (banded coat), gray, wolf gray, dle, sable are most common. Blues, livers, COAT COLOR agouti grays tend to dominate, with other colors tend- softly blended (wolfier) or starkly contrasting, with markings peak. Light gray through intermediate shadings, black, mostly black, light red, and copper. albinos and whites are uncommon or usually ing to increase the higher the latitude. Wolves are nev- similar to Sibes, Mals or GSDs, depending upon which and to black; gold through shades of red to liver. Commonly has variety of masks. considered disqualifications. er born white and tend to lighten with age. how much dog is in the mix. Coat usually lightens with age. COAT LENGTH Fine yet dense, light undercoat in winter; guard hair is Double coat. Fine yet dense, light undercoat in winter; guard Short to medium length. Thick, coarse guard Medium length. Outer coat straight and smooth Medium length; longer & denser on neck.

& TEXTURE stiff and coarse. Little to no undercoat in summer. hair is usually stiff and coarse. Silky fur is uncommon. coat; dense, oily, & wooly undercoat. against body. Undercoat soft and dense. Straight and hard with dense, thick undercoat. Annually (late spring) or biannually (late spring and late sum- SHEDDING (MOLT) Annually (late spring). New coat is usually lighter. Annually (summer). Annually (summer). No shedding season. mer/early fall). New coat may be lighter.

Markings on head/face are common: widow’s Blended; neither sharply contrasted nor white. Never a Blended (wolf) or sharply contrasting mask (dog) or, less Slight furrow between the eyes. Distinct wid- Muzzle and ears tend to be darker than the FACE/MASK peaks to a variety of masks. Some masks are widow’s peak. common, no mask; the widow’s peak is a dog trait. ow’s peak. Large, bulky muzzle. face, but no obvious mask. very striking and not found in any other breed.

Pupils distinguished from iris. Eyes are almond shaped, Pupils distinguished from iris. Eyes usually almond-shaped Eyes are obliquely set and are yellow to brown, ringed in black and obliquely set, with the corner lines and obliquely set, with the corner lines intersecting toward ringed in black in all but the reds. Reds tend to Almond shaped. Brown, blue, bi-eyed or parti- Almond shaped. Somewhat obliquely set. Eyes EYES intersecting toward the nose. . They are any shade of the nose. Round, droopy, black or dark brown eyes are un- have brown pigmentation around the eyes No colored. are as dark as possible. brown (not dark brown/black), amber, yellow, or common and indicate dog. Amber/yellow indicate of wolf or blue eyes. green. Never blue. Mal; blue indicate Husky. Small to medium. Moderately set. Pricked, slightly Small to medium usually. Pricked (rounded like a wolf or Small to medium. Triangular, slightly rounded Medium. Triangular and pointed. High set (i.e., Medium to large. Moderately pointed to EARS rounded & heavily furred inside. Tips are not pointed. pointed like a dog) & slightly to heavily furred inside. tips. Offset (i.e., they’re far apart on the head). close together on the head). rounded tips. Not furred. Offset. Wedge-shaped. (1) Orbital angle—angle between a line drawn through the upper and lower edges of eye socket and the line drawn across top of skull. Wolves have more acute orbital angle: 40-45 degrees. Dogs have wider angle: 53-60 degrees. (2) In wolves, the tym- SKULL panic bullae—two domelike protrusions on base of skull just behind sockets of lower jaw—are large, convex & spherical; in dogs, smaller, more compressed and slightly crumpled. (Malamute—broad skull; round to flat cheeks. Husky—slightly rounded. German Shep- herd—wedge shaped. Wolves have a MUCH larger, literally pie-shaped or wedge-shaped head than dogs, reaching 10.5” in length on average.)

STOP Not pronounced, in part because of acute orbital angle. Usually not pronounced because of orbital angle. Slightly to moderately pronounced stop. Well defined stop. Slightly to moderately pronounced; not abrupt.

Black nose in grays, tans, & blacks. Liver nose NOSE Black, with longer & wider snout than most dogs. Usually black. Pink usually indicates Husky or white GSD. Black in all but the reds, which can be brown. Predominately black. in copper dogs to pink in white dogs. Scissor bite; 42 teeth. Larger canines than dogs, reach- Scissor bite; 42 teeth (same as a wolf and a dog). Tooth size Scissor bite; 42 teeth. Broad upper and lower Scissor bite; 42 teeth. Moderate sized teeth Scissor bite; 42 teeth. Large teeth for a dog TEETH ing 2 1/4” (including the portion embedded in the jaw). can be as large as a wolf or smaller, like a dog. jaws with large teeth for a dog. (smaller than a Malamute or Shepherd). (but nowhere near as large as a wolf).

Hangs straight; never curls over back. Used extensively Hangs straight; never curls over and onto the back. Used Well furred and plume shaped. Is NOT fox Well furred and fox-brush shape. Set somewhat Bushy and long. Set somewhat low. Slight TAIL in various positions to communicate. Low set off rump. extensively in varying positions to communicate. Low set. brush. Moderately high set. Carried over back. low and carried over back in a sickle curve. saber curve. Never plumed or curled forward.

Located about 3” below the start of the tail and surrounded by stiff, coarse hairs that are usually tipped with black in Somewhat noticeable, with coarse hairs tipped Somewhat noticeable, with coarse hairs tipped Somewhat noticeable, with coarse hairs usual- PRECAUDAL GLAND the wolf and with either white or black in the wolfdog. Noticeable in both wolves and wolfdogs. in black or white. in black or white. ly tipped in black. Front paws angle out and are 4”x4” to 5”x5”. Four Five toes on the front (one being a dew claw). Should have Oval in shape; medium & compact in size. Well very pronounced toes in back and five in front (one, a Like snowshoes; large and compact. Well Short & compact. Rear dew claws possible but PAWS/FOOT four toes on back, with no rear dew claws, but much depends furred between toes. Paws not long, splayed, or dew claw). No rear dew claws. Well furred between furred between toes. No rear dew claws. uncommon. on the dog breed in the wolfdog. Well furred between toes. large; not turned in or out. No rear dew claws. toes.

NAILS Non-retracting (not cat-like) and black. Non-retracting; medium to long; black or opaque usually. Short; black, white or opaque. Short; black, white or opaque. Short and black.

Very deep, very narrow, and keel-shaped. Extends Usually deep, moderate to narrow, and keel-shaped. May or Broad, deep and keel-shaped. Extends well Deep, moderately narrow and keel-shaped. Deep, moderately wide, and keel-shaped. Ex- CHEST (Brisket) slightly forward of the shoulder. may not extend forward. Broader with age and weight gain. forward of the shoulder, bulging. Does not extend forward of shoulder. tends forward of the shoulder. Shoulders close together. Elbows angled into chest, Shoulders set tight to body; not straight or Shoulder blades set moderately tight to body Shoulders close together. Elbows usually pressed into the Shoulders moderately sloping, heavily boned, with paws turned out, allowing both fore and hind legs loose. Elbows not out. Paws neither in nor out. & obliquely angled. Forelegs straight. Broad SHOULDERS, LEGS, chest, with paws turned out. From front, legs closely to mod- and not straight. Front legs widely spaced apart. on the same side to swing in the same line (i.e., the rear Front legs slightly to moderately spaced. Rear thigh. Front legs moderately spaced. Very ELBOWS & GAIT erately spaced; not widely spaced. Rear legs can be cow Rear legs track movement of front legs and paw is placed in track of front paw). Front legs closely dew claws possible but uncommon. Moderate pronounced bend at hock. Rear dew claws hocked; usually slight bend at hock. have dew claws. Moderate bend in hock. set. Rear usually cow hocked; slight bend at hock. bend in hock. possible but uncommon.

ESTRUS Annually in the spring; begins at around 2-3 years old. Usually annual (spring or fall); biannual if low wolf content. Estrus occurs within the first year, with two estrus periods occurring annually. FLA Wolf Identification Pamphlet P a g e 7

TRAITS WOLF WOLFDOG ALASKAN MALAMUTE SIBERIAN HUSKY GERMAN SHEPHERD

LENGTH From nose to tip of tail: male 5’-6.5’; female 4.5’-6’. Usually the same as the wolf. Similar to wolves. Shorter than the wolf. Longer tail length than wolves.

NAILS Non-retracting (not cat-like) and black. Non-retracting; medium to long; black or opaque usually. Short; black, white or opaque. Short; black, white or opaque. Short and black.

German Shepherd

Alaskan Malamute

Belgian Tervuren (Black)

Siberian Husky

All photos have been contributed to FLA with the permission and courtesy of their owners. FLA Wolf Identification Pamphlet P a g e 9

Gray Wolves (Black Phase) B C

Notice (A) wedge-shaped head approx. 11” long & blowing coat; (B) large E feet, pronounced toes & F cow-hock rear; (C) lack of stop, oblique angle of eyes (D) tracking pattern of wolf (see p. 4, Fig. 2); (E- G) older black phase wolves phasing out (i.e., turning white); & (F) D black claws & furred ears. G Gray Wolves (Agouti)

All photos contributed to FLA with permission and courtesy of their owners. Many of the wolf photos are courtesy of Monty Sloan from Wolf Park (www.wolfpark.org). P a g e 10 Wolf, Wolfdog, or Dog?

Guessing Game A collage of photos of various types of canines are provided below. Armed with the information provided in this phenotyping pamphlet, try to guess whether the animal is a dog, wolfdog or wolf. If you think the animal is a wolfdog, try to determine the content (filial number, percentage, breed, etc.). (Answers are on p. 11.)

1 2 3 5

7 8 9

10 11 12

14 15

All photos contributed to FLA with permission and courtesy of their owners. More photos from Monty Sloan can be found at Wolf Park: www.wolfpark.org. FLA Wolf Identification Pamphlet P a g e 11

Phenotyping: How Well Did You Do? By Kim Miles

Earlier pages of this pamphlet established which traits/characteristics are more common to wolves, and which are more consistent with Malamutes, German Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies. In addition, photos were provided to better identify the characteristics in the chart on pp. 6-7. The previous page, in particular, should have tested your skills in phenotyping or distinguishing between all four types of canines based upon nothing more than their physical characteristics. Below are the answers to the “Guessing Game” featured on the previous page. Actual percentages are included only for legitimately registered animals (i.e., registered with one of the three reputable wolfdog registries: Iowolfer; United States of America Wolfdog Association (USAWA); or Lupine AWAREness. Only the latter registry—Lupine AWARE- ness—is still operational, but older animals may also have registry papers from Iowolfer or USAWA. With all of the dogs that are passed off as “wolf hybrids,” many people unaccustomed to dealing with wolfdogs on a regular basis may erroneously determine that an animal is a wolfdog simply because it may look “wolfy” in their rather limited experience or contact with actual wolves and wolfdogs. Many of these people forget or do not know that agouti Huskies, Inuit dogs, and a host of other dogs breeds (especially northern-breed dogs) and mixes that can often yield a (Continued on page12 )

Answers to “Guessing Game”

1. Mid-content wolfdog—line bred 47% F6 with Ger- and the smooth blending of colors. The ears are large, some- man Shepherd as predominant dog breed. Notice the what offset, and unfurred (dog). close-set front legs because elbows are tucked in (wolf), but 8. Mid-content wolfdog—F3 with Malamute & Siberian the small head and unfurred, large ears (dog). Husky predominately (daughter to #3 & 14). Notice 2. Mid-content wolfdog—62% F2 with German Shep- sharper delineation of coat color than wolf, smaller head, herd as predominant dog breed. Notice the coloring unfurred ears, shorter and smaller bone structure (dog). (German Shepherd) and curled tail (Malamute), but the 9. Pure wolf, from Monty Sloan at Wolf Park. Notice the light eyes (wolf) minus the oblique angle (dog). wedge-shaped head, the oblique eye angle, the yellow eyes, 3. Mid-content wolfdog—F2 with Siberian Husky as no stop, and moderately set, slightly rounded, but heavily predominant dog breed. Notice the slightly oblique an- furred ears. Smooth blending of colors. gle to the eyes (wolf) but the unfurred, high set, prick ears 10. Mid-content wolfdog—true F1 50% wolf/50% Mal- (Husky) and wider front leg set (dog). amute (son to #15). Notice the smooth blending of col- 4. High-content wolfdog—Great Pyrenees is the dog ors, the lack of a stop, and the somewhat oblique angle of breed. Notice the wolf conformation—tight set front legs the eye (wolf) but offset ears and gray/white coat (dog). with elbows tucked and cow-hocked rear legs—along with 11. Pure wolf. Notice black is phasing out to white (not a dog obliquely set, light eyes (wolf). Dog traits are found in the trait), moderately set, rounded ears, oblique angle of the coloration of this young animal (solid white in a young light-colored eyes, and close-set front legs. animal is a dog trait), the offset, unfurred, prick ears and 12. AKC-registered Malamute Notice sharp delineation of rear dew claws (though you may see them in the photo). coat color, pronounced mask, round eyes, and offset ears. 5. AKC-registered Siberian Husky (agouti type). Notice 13. AKC-registered (black) German Shepherd. Notice the high set prick ears, the short/blunt nose, the lack of an large, unfurred ears, slope of the back, blocky head/snout. oblique angle to the eyes, the sharp delineation of color, 14. Mid-content wolfdog—72% F3 with Siberian Husky, and the pronounced stop. Malamute, and German Shepherd (son to #2). Notice 6. AKC-registered Siberian Husky. Notice the high set the lightly furred prick ears and curl of tail (dog) but wedge prick ears, the sharp delineation of color (no smooth blend- -shaped head and oblique angle of light-colored eyes (wolf). ing of colors from one to another), and pronounced mask. 15. Pure wolf (Arctic) Notice the more heavily furred body 7. High-content wolfdog—92% F1. Notice the wolfy con- but skinny, unfurred legs, lack of stop, and furred ears. formation—tight set front legs, cow hocked rear legs, wedge 16. AKC registered Siberian Husky. Notice sharp delinea- -shaped head—along with the light, obliquely angled eyes tion of color, defined facial mask, and unfurred, prick ears. WE’RE ON THE WEB! WWW.FLORIDALUPINE.ORG

Florida Lupine Association, Inc. (FLA), was Florida Lupine Association created in 1999 as a result of the rising in- A Federal Non-Profit Organization flux of wolfdogs into rescue. A few Florida EIN: 59-3586075 residents specializing in wolf/wolfdog rescue realized that most of these owners were re- linquishing their animals because they were Florida Lupine Association, Inc. not properly educated about them or their P.O. Box 142 needs. Therefore, we created FLA to educate Crescent City, FL 32112-0142 owners in the hopes that they could success- fully home the animals in their care. In addi- E-Mails: tion to working with current wolfdog owners, General Information: [email protected] we try educating those interested in purchas- President (Mayo Wetterberg): [email protected] ing wolfdogs and networking with various VP & Editor (Kim Miles): [email protected] animal agencies. Some of the FLA directors have been working with wolves and wolfdogs Florida’s Responsible Voice for the Wolfdog of various backgrounds for over 15 years.

pseudo-wolfy-looking animal and, yet, to reimburse the owner's expenses. vices Officer Stuart Polege explained still be nothing more than a 100% bo- In August of 2002, Dwayne in a statement to the press that Kiley nafide dog. The problem of inaccurately Gauthier lost his pet Siberian Husky was mistakenly released into the wild identifying dogs as wolves and wolfdogs due to a similar erroneous determina- approximately 15 miles from Edson, is not isolated to any group or locale. It tion. Three weeks after his dog, Kiley, Alberta, Canada. Gauthier was still is a problem encompassing all of North had escaped from his yard, Gauthier looking for Kiley a month later. America. In 2001, animal control offic- received word that someone had Fewer mistakes might be made ers in Texas confiscated and destroyed a found her a week earlier and had pertaining to the misidentification of man‟s champion Malamute because a turned her over to the town‟s animal wolves and wolfdogs if those who neighbor had complained about the control. When Gauthier tried claim- specialize in these animals— “wolf” next door (wolfdogs were illegal ing his dog, he learned that animal experienced wolfdog owners, fish and to own in his county). The case was set- control had declared it a wolf and had wildlife personnel, wolf sanctuary tled out of court. contacted Alberta owners, and staff of wolf and Approximately one year after the Environment officers. wolfdog organizations—are “Wolf-dog Cross Act” banning wolfdogs After searching Kiley contacted to determine if, in was enacted in Michigan in 2000, an for a tag or tattoo and their expert opinion, they think overzealous animal control officer in finding none, the en- that an animal is or is not a Oakland County confiscated an owner‟s vironment officers wolf or wolfdog. mixed breed dog. The case went to court concurred with ani- Wildlife officers (NOTE: Not all sanctuary and was thrown out. The dog was even- mal control and de- “returned” Kiley to owners have the ability to pheno- tually returned to its owner. The misi- cided that, as a wolf, the wild, thinking type accurately, so it is important dentification cost Oakland County an she should be to be selective, choosing someone that she was a extensive amount of money because, in „released‟ back into who has vast experience with both addition to being responsible for its own the wild. Alberta Nat- wolf; she was a pet wolves and wolfdogs consisting of a court fees, the judge ordered the county ural Resource Ser- Siberian Husky. variety of various dog breeds.)