I could get along with a Saarloos but they're still not big here in the states. I wonder what happens when all the places that have banned wolf mixes start getting Saarloos introduced.
"The historical aspect This breed is called after its creator Leendert Saarloos and was recognized as a new canine breed by the «Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied» in the Netherlands in 1975 and by the F.C.I. in 1981. Leendert Saarloos had great interest in genetics but above all he was a man of practical experience. He crossed the female European wolf «Fleur» from the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam with the German Sheperd – male Gerhard van de Fransenum.
Over the years, he selected for health and character from the wolf / dog progeny, breeding the get back to the German Sheperds. Despite setbacks, he persisted, seeking the advice of a Dutch geneticist, professor L. Hagendoorn. Saarloos got some successes in using these «European Wolfdogs» as dog guides for the blinds, having the cautiousness ad the fast reaction of the wolf, and the devotion and fidelity of the dog. About 300 blinds have had a Sarloos Wolfhond as a guide. He also tried to encourage their use as police and rescue dogs. Some specimens showed a talent, but most of them missed the ferocity for attaching.
He fought a continual battle against the wild wolf characteristics of caution, reserve and flight in his breeding program. He had full controll over the breeding program and the wolfdogs until he died in 1969. He died before his dream of a recognized breed was realized. Other owners of the wolfdogs manage finally to atain recognition from the Dutch Kennel Club for these dogs in 1975. They honored the father of the breed by changing the name to Saarloos Wolfhond.
The Saarloos Wolfhond - today The assosiation is very strict in its requirements against hip dysplasia, spondylosis of the spine and other healt and temperament problems. Causual breeding is discourage. The breeder often keep an grip on the puppies after giving them new homes in coowning them . Saarloos wolfhonds are very strongwilled and do not take easy to obedience or schutzhund work. They are pack oriented and need a strong alpha leader and a sosial atmosphere. Owners must establish the dominant alpha positions, be calm and willing to spend time, effort and patient training. It is inportent to use a high degree of positiv reinforcement.
They do usually well with other dogs and in packs, with a leader emerging and keeping order. It is an advantage to have other dogs when getting a Saarloos puppy. The breed is quiet, seldom barking, alerting homeowners in other ways. They dislike to be left alone and have to be trained from the start to accept it, otherwise they might make big efforts to get out of the house or cage. They are suited as family dog for experienced people because of their reliable and devoted character. They are not the right choice if you are eager to have for excample an obidience or agility star. But they can very well do this thing properly, when they are on known ground. Its harder to get them to do it in an competition with strange people and surroundings. You can also train them to be Show dogs, the Saarloos male who won Group 1 at the Word Dogshow in Finland in 1998 gives us a good example of this. Most dogs gain selfconfidence true life, thats why young dogs are much more shy than old ones. Old dogs can actually bee not reserved at all. Usually young females are more reserved than young males. Their apperance and very typical gait like that of a wolf, make them impressive."
saarloos
Standard stuff for anyone who has had a wolfdog before. It does scare me a wolfdog becoming readily available to the public. You do have to understand body language and be firm but not overbearing with them. They tend to have a lot of stamina too which means you have to have containment that is very secure....they can be taught recall but they still do it when they want (usually after an hour of running at full speed). By secure containment we're talking lean-ins on top of the fence and dig wire at the bottom. They cannot be contained in to small of a space either.
They tend to get wolfdog owners for failure to vaccinate if a wolfdog is involved in even scratching someone because the avma refuses to put them on the rabies label despite the fact it works. They didn't want the general public thinking the same thing works in a wolf vs. a dog. This is the big area I'm wondering where the saarloos will fall. They are a dog breed but still wolf x...
