Few dog breeds resemble wolves as much as the German Shepherd, and the only other breed that comes to mind as being the closest to the wolf is the Czechoslovakian Vrczak.
Many sources claim that German Shepherds are 99% DNA match with wolves, but this is true but misleading. Domestic dogs generally share 98.8% of the same DNA as wolves, so a German Shepherd match is not as impressive as the statistic itself might first suggest. An even more interesting fact is that the Shih Tzu is the dog breed with the most DNA match to its wild wolf ancestors.
So why do German Shepherds look more like wolves than other dog breeds? After all, they are similar in shape, size, build, and even body language to other dog breeds. Probably because wolves were used in the creation of this breed.
History of the breed
Wolves are ancient animals that have been around for millions of years, with the first members of the group originating about 40 million years ago. Researchers say that the gray wolf, the ancestor of all domestic dogs, first appeared about 1 million years ago.
Wolves are still wild animals that live in packs, hunting and scavenging when necessary. They have adapted to a variety of environments and climates, from the cold Arctic to the hot, sunny desert. Wolves are also highly social creatures that communicate with each other using body language, vocalizations and scent marking.
According to researchers, gray wolves, the ancestors of all domestic dogs, first appeared about 1 million years ago.
Compared to wolves and other livestock breeds, the German Shepherd is a fairly new breed, developed in the late 19th century by a German captain named Max von Stephanitz. He wanted to create a multi-purpose working dog that could handle a variety of tasks such as herding and guarding, but also had the ability to work in the military and police. He cross-bred various local sheepdogs for desired characteristics and selected only the best individuals for his breeding program.
According to the book, “The German Schaferhund of Wolt and Bilt,According to Max von Stephanitz himself in his 1923 book The Breed of the Wolf, the first breeding involved a wolf and three wolfdogs.
The result, naturally, was the German Shepherd, a loyal, intelligent and obedient dog that quickly became popular around the world.
A modern German shepherd/wolf hybrid
Wolf hybrids, or wolfdogs, are more common than many people would think, with the more robust wolf-like breeds naturally being popular, including Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and of course German Shepherds.
An interesting example is the recently popular Blue Bay Shepherd, which was first created as a cross between a blue-coated European German Shepherd and an Eastern gray wolf. Another is the Lycan Shepherd, about which we await more information.
size
Wolves are generally larger and heavier than German Shepherds. The average male wolf weighs between 80 and 100 pounds, while some gray wolves can grow to 180 pounds. Meanwhile, male German Shepherds average about 66 pounds and rarely exceed 100 pounds. My dog is between 92 and 98 pounds, which is definitely on the larger side, but not as big as a large gray wolf.
Weight isn’t the only difference between the two breeds; they also differ in height and length. Wolves are, on average, only 2-6 inches taller than German Shepherds, but are significantly longer. Most German Shepherds don’t exceed 42.5 inches excluding their tails, while wolves are around 48 inches excluding their tails. Very large wolves can grow to a whopping 5 feet, 60 inches.
These values may vary between individuals and between wolf species, the values here are based on gray wolves.
personality
It is not surprising that there are clear personality differences between wolves and dogs, one wild and the other domesticated.
German Shepherds are well known for being friendly, loyal and affectionate with their owners and families. They are bred to be eager to please, vigilant and protective, making them excellent watchdogs and guardians. They also get along well with children and other pets if properly trained and socialized at an early age.
In contrast, wolves are shy, cautious and independent animals that do not trust humans or other animals easily. They do not make good pets and require a lot of space, exercise and stimulation. They are also territorial and dominant by nature, which makes them prone to aggression and conflict. Another side effect of not trusting humans is that they have difficulty learning, listening and following commands, making them very difficult to train.
temperament
Bred as herding/guardian dogs, German Shepherds are calm, confident and courageous in any situation. Although not aggressive by nature, they are quick to defend themselves, their owners and property without hesitation.
German Shepherds are also wary of new people, so if you bring a new pet or stranger into your home, it may take some time for them to warm up, so proper introductions are essential.
Wolves are the exact opposite: they are nervous, fearful and unpredictable animals who do not adapt well to changing environments and often suffer from stress and anxiety, which results in sudden, unexpected and violent reactions and attacks on anything they perceive as a threat or prey.
diet
At a basic level, wolves and German shepherds have the same diet: they are both facultative carnivores, meaning that they both eat primarily meat but have the ability to ingest plant matter for nutrition.
After taking down a large prey, a wolf can eat up to 20 pounds of meat in one go.
The difference lies in how they are fed. Most often, German Shepherds are fed commercial dog food by their owners. Dog food usually contains one or two types of meat (protein) along with other vitamins, minerals and plant substances to provide a complete balanced diet.
Wolves are not allowed such luxuries, and even if they were allowed them, they would not accept them willingly. Wolves hunt in packs, share prey among themselves, and consume a high-protein, high-fat diet to maintain strength, endurance, and energy. They will eat some vegetable matter, such as berries and grass, when needed, but research has shown that this is relatively rare and does not make up a large portion of a wolf’s diet.
Wolves are also adapted to eating as much as possible at one time: after taking down a large prey animal, a wolf can eat up to 20 pounds of meat in one go, although they may go without food for days or weeks after an unsuccessful hunt.
*Whether dog food is a luxury item is up for debate. Personally, if I was fed dog food, I’d be dreaming about a perfectly cooked ribeye every night.
breeding
Wolves have the same gestation period as domestic dogs, lasting an average of 63 days before pups are born.
However, wolves have smaller litters on average than German shepherds, usually no more than 4-6 puppies, whereas German shepherds can have as many as 9 puppies in one litter.
German shepherds also breed twice a year, usually in the spring and fall, whereas wolves only have one breeding season each month. For wolves, breeding usually occurs in mid-to-late winter, so they give birth in the spring when the snow melts. This allows the young wolf pups as much time as possible to grow and learn before the snows return the following winter, increasing their chances of survival.
Wolves tend to be very protective of their young and actively raise and educate them.
Who will fight?
German shepherds and wolves are both strong, fearsome animals that could easily handle a fight, but if they were to ever face off against each other (which we hope never happens), the wolf would almost certainly win.
Wolves have a much stronger bite force, with their bite force estimated to be between 400 and 1200 psi. German shepherds have an average bite force of around 238 psi.
In terms of size and weight, the wolf is undoubtedly the larger of the two, and in that respect it has the advantage.
Wolves have a much stronger bite force, with bite forces estimated at between 400 and 1200 psi. German Shepherds average a bite force of about 238 psi – significantly weaker than wolves, but still very strong. Some military-trained German Shepherds have bite forces in the 750 psi range, so while it’s possible for an individual dog to have an advantage here, it’s unlikely.
Finally, the most important is experience. Wolves are bred to protect, hunt, and kill from the time they are weaned at 6-8 weeks of age. German Shepherds are not like that. Simply not. Your average German Shepherd has probably never been in a day of real combat in their life, while wolves have likely been in hundreds of actual combats. It would be like me jumping into the NFL and going one-on-one with an experienced athlete. I’d love to do it, but I think it’s unlikely.
Of course, there are certain circumstances that can tip the balance of the fight and result in the German Shepherd winning, such as if the wolf is old or sick, or if the Shepherd is highly trained, or even the motivation behind the fight. Often wolves are more inclined to flee than fight unless they feel they have no other choice.
FAQ
Do German Shepherds have wolf blood?
German Shepherds are originally a breed derived from wolves and wolf hybrids, but are not considered wolf hybrids per se. They have been selectively bred as domestic dogs to reduce undesirable wild characteristics.
Can German Shepherds and Wolves mate?
Yes you can. The offspring of a German Shepherd and a wolf are known as wolfdogs, wolf hybrids, or wolfhounds.
Can German Shepherds and Wolves Communicate?
Yes and no. We will be able to understand each other to some extent, but due to the vast differences in culture and social structures, misunderstandings and conflicts may arise.
Can wolves and German shepherds live together?
This is possible if they are raised together and properly trained from a young age, but as they are both territorial and dominant animals, there is always the possibility of conflict over who will take the lead.
