The 7 Dogs That Look Like Coyotes
The Czech Wolfdog is short for a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. This dog breed was created in the 1950s, and if you walk past one of these beautiful dogs on the street, you may find yourself questioning if it is a dog or a coyote. The Czech Wolfdog has short hair and looks at times a bit like a German Shepard as well. These are larger dogs that grow to be about 55 pounds or so. They stand tall and are usually rather thin. The Czech Wolfdog is a very active dog that will need lots of time outside and a large area to run and play. These dogs are brave and fast, so you will want to spend quite a bit of time on training early in the dog’s life.
Temperament: Active, Fearless, Quick, Sociable
Next on the list is the Kugsha. The Kugsha is not a well-known breed, and it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club either. Some people refer to the Kugsha as a Malamute. Although the Kugsha looks quite a bit like a coyote, it could also pass for a wolf at times. The Kugsha has a large head, and just by glancing at them, you can tell this is a strong dog. The Kugsha was bred to be a working dog or a guard dog. They have an intimidating look to them, and they are brilliant. You can train your Kugsha from an early age, and they will become very attached to you’re family. The Kugsha needs lots of exercises and you would need a large yard to care for and adequately accommodate a dog like this.
Temperament: Intelligent, Strong, Loyal, Difficult to train
The Saarloos Wolfdog was originally a crossbreed between a German Shepard and a Eurasian Grey Wolf. After they crossed those two animals, they crossbred again with a German Shepard, and that is what resulted in the Saarloos Wolfdog. They are now a recognized breed of dog. The Saarloos Wolfdog has a great resemblance to the coyote as they have a very similar build. The Saarloos Wolfdog has many of the same characteristics and personality traits as the German Shepard. These are high energy dogs that are also entirely independent and reliable. The Saarloos Wolfdog gets to be about 80 pounds and stands close to 30 inches high. This is a high energy dog that will need plenty of room to run and play.
Temperament: Energetic, Lively, Independent
The Shikoku is a Japanese dog that has colorings and a body type that could resemble a coyote. The Shikoku was not always a recognized breed with the American Kennel Club, but it is now accepted. The Shikoku Ken is a brilliant and agile dog. Their tail is a bit different than that of a coyote, and that will be one of the main distinguishing factors. The Shikoku gets to be about twenty inches tall and weighs right around 50 pounds. These are not the most social dogs, and many would describe them as being a bit shyer than anything else.
Temperament: Cautions, Smart, Loyal
A Siberian Husky will probably look a bit more like a wolf than a Coyote, but these dogs are still worth mentioning as it’s possible to mistaken one for something it is not. The Husky has a very thick, furred double coat and will thrive in the colder climates. The Siberian Husky is an incredible family dog. A Husky has plenty of energy and will need to burn it off, but they are very gentle in their demeanor. Huskies do well with children, and they grow to be around 50 pounds, sometimes a bit more. Siberian Huskies have a long lifespan for a larger breed dog. They are expected to live anywhere from 12-15 years.
Temperament: Alert, Outgoing, Gentle, Friendly
The Tamaskan was bred to resemble a wolfdog, and it worked! This dog could pass for either a wolf or a coyote. The Tamaskan is a rarer breed and can be challenging to find. Tamaskans are smart and want to listen when it comes to training. They will do very well socially, and they want to please their owner. The Tamaskan can get quite large depending on whether you have a male or a female. Some of the males can get to be close to 100 pounds. The Tamaskan is an agile and strong animal that looks as though it just came from a good hunt in the woods.
Temperament: Tolerant, Intelligent, Agile
Our last dog that looks like a coyote is the Utonagan. The Utonagan comes in a variety of colors and shades, but sometimes it can look like a coyote. Depending on the fur pattern of the actual dog, the Utonagan has very similar sizing and facial structure to the coyote. These dogs are brilliant, very easy going, and they make excellent companion dogs. As much as they look like a coyote, they do not act like them at all. The Utonagan is a dog that will do well with families as long as they get plenty of exercise and time to run.
Temperament: Smart, Friendly, Companions
Though popular in Alaska, the Siberian Husky is not to be confused with the Alaskan Husky or Malamute, which are different breeds.
With lots of stamina, power and endurance, it is no wonder that the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog makes an excellent working dog.
The Husky Dog was first bred by the Chukchi people in Northern Asia and was trained to pull sleds in the harsh climates. They were first introduced to America when the Chukchi people brought the Husky to Alaska in the early 1900s so they could participate in Alaskan sled races.
Different countries of origin, including the United States, UK and Finland, are all reported, making it difficult to pin down exactly which breeds were involved when, and what dog breeders can take credit for the creation of the breed.
The Saarloos Wolfdog is an interesting breed that was bred from crossing a German Shepherd with a Eurasian gray wolf. While these dogs have wolf in their heritage and certainly retain some of their physical traits and behaviors, the Saarloos is also becoming more popular as a companion dog and can make a great pet for individuals, families and experienced dog owners.
When Did Coydogs First Occur?
Evidence shows that coyote-dog hybrids have been occurring since long before Europeans colonized North America. In Mexico, human populations such as the one in Teotihuacan intentionally created Coydogs. These people revered the coyote, and so bred them with domestic dogs in order to produce guardian animals that were fierce and loyal but also temperamental.
Likewise, the people in northern Canada also bred Coydogs. They wanted hardier canines to pull their sleds. This practice continued well into the 20th century.
10 Dogs Breeds That Look Like Wolves
Here are some facts you should know about Coydogs. So, what is this breed? A Coydog is the product of a coyote and a domestic dog. Since these two canids are different species (Canis latrans and Canis lupis familiaris), the Coydog can be considered a canid hybrid.
Coydogs exhibit a mixture of characteristics from each parent, but crossbreeding has been occurring for so long that the exact percentages of the wild hybrids are unknown.
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