Saarloos Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfdog (Saarlooswolfhond) ORIGIN : The Netherlands. UTILIZATION : The Saarlooswolfdog was not bred with any aim for a particular utilization. He possesses qualities which enable him to be a faithful and reliable companion and house dog. BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : Leendert Saarloos (1884-1969) loved nature and also loved dogs. However, he found that dogs had become too humanized and intended, as a lover of the German Shepherd Dog, to breed the natural qualities back into this breed in order to produce a better working dog. For this reason he crossed the German Shepherd Dog male, Gerard van der Fransenum, a dog of classical Prussian type, with Fleuri, a female wolf which originated from the Siberian branch of the European type (1932). Breeding back to the father gave him a basic population of animals with one quarter wolf’s blood. During the course of the following experimental phase with strict selection, a new breed, the « European Wolfsdog » evolved. As selected animals of this new breed gave good service as guide dogs for the blind, they were at first regarded as suitable for this work. Due to the increase in the proportion of wolf blood, however the useful ability, inherited from the original ancestor, Gerard, became gradually lost and it became obvious that the breed was neither well suited to being a working nor a guide dog. The legacy of Leendert Saarloos, not a working dog, but a dog with attributes close to nature, was recognized as a breed in 1975. At that time, the breed was named « Saarlooswolfhond » in honour of its founder. Honour to him to whom honour is due. Since then the « Nederlandse Vereniging van Saarlooswolfhonden » (Netherlands Society for the Saarloos Wolfdog), has represented the breed’s interests, including the following new breed standard. GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Saarlooswolfdog is a strongly built dog whose outer appearance (body build, movement and coat) are reminiscent of a wolf. His construction is balanced and he has quite long limbs without giving the appearance of being long-legged. The different secondary sexual characteristics are pronounced in dogs and bitches. IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The Saarlooswolfdog is longer than its height. The upper jaw and skull have a relation in length of 1 to 1 to each other. BEHAVIOUR /TEMPERAMENT : A lively dog, bursting with energy, with evidence of a proud independent character. He obeys only of his own free will; he is not submissive. Towards his master he is devoted and reliable to a high degree. Towards strangers he is reserved and somewhat suspicious. His reserve and wolf-like wish to flee in unknown situations, are typical for the Saarloos Wolfdog and should be retained as typical qualities of the breed. When strangers approach the Saarlooswolfdog, they should have some understanding for the behaviour of this dog, for his reserve and wish to flee, qualities which he carries as his inheritance. A forced, undesired approach by a stranger can lead to an overwhelming desire to flee. The suppression of this inclination, for instance through lack of freedom in a dog kept on a lead, can make his behaviour appear nervous.