British Timber

Canis lupus

Last updated: April 21, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© iStock.com/Ilona Didkovska

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British Timber Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

British Timber Conservation Status

British Timber Locations

British Timber Locations

British Timber Facts

Temperament
Active, energetic, loyal, affectionate, and loving
Diet
Carnivore
Common Name
British Timber

British Timber Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
10 to 14 years

British Timber as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Low
Preferred Temperature
Cold climate
Exercise Needs
Moderate
Friendly With Other Dogs
Poor
Pure bred cost to own
$1,000-$1,300
Dog group
Working
Male weight
80-110 lbs
Female weight
55-88 lbs

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Bred as a way to combine certain dog breeds with wolves, the British Timber breed is based on the Northern Inuit dog as a type of sub-breed.

The British Timber dog is also called a Tamaskan dog or a Northern Inuit, which are both considered to be wolf look-alikes or wolf types. Their genetic line also includes the Alaskan Malamute, the German Shepherd, and the Siberian husky.

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Originally, the purpose of a Timber dog was to establish genetic diversity, combining the DNA of the Utonagan and the Northern Inuit. In fact, the British Timbers were only officially bred as recently as 2012, and their purpose was to create a dog that worked well within the family with the appearance of a wolf.

The breed can sometimes be aggressive, though they are loving and affectionate towards their human family. They can also often become over-protective of the owners.

Three Pros and Cons of Ownership

ProsCons
Extremely intelligent
The breed is very intelligent, making them easy to train and easy to take care of. They learn quickly and thrive with a strong alpha owner.
High maintenance
The pups are pretty high-maintenance and could sometimes be very difficult to handle for first-time owners.
Loyal
British Timbers, much like other wolf dog breeds, are very loyal towards their owners. Since they were bred to be good pets, they are quite connected to the families they live with.
Overly protective
Though they can hold their temper, their genetic connection to wolves will lead them to protect their owners with vigor. Owners that frequently visit with strangers or are around new people may find that they have to spend time calming this pet.
Energetic and Active
They are very active and are comfortable being involved in a lot of physical activities.
Prone to health issues
This breed is prone to an increased number of health issues that could require a great amount of care and cost on the part of the owner. Admittedly, with the newness of the breed, this health issue is to be expected, but continued breeding efforts are being made to reduce the health issues.

Size and Weight

British Timber females are, on a minimum, 26 inches long while the males are about 28 inches long. British Timber females weigh around 55 pounds to 84 pounds while the males weigh around 80 pounds to 110 pounds. The substantial range is likely due to the newness of this species, which has a lot of influence from the Northern Inuit dog as well.

As breeders continue to try different genetic features, this size and weight can change as time goes on.

MaleFemale
Height28 inches minimum Tall26 inches minimum Tall
Weight80-110 lbs., fully grown55-84 lbs., fully grown

Common Health Issues

British Timbers tend to suffer from some health concerns, which is both a product of the Northern Inuit influence and the fact that breeders created this breed so recently. The most common health issues that they face can be traced back to the parents of the breed, like hip dysplasia. Lung issues also can impact them, which is fairly common in large breeds.

Health and Entertainment for your British Timber

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Like other wolf dogs, there’s a significant risk of fleas, ticks, and other parasites, but these risks will largely depend on the area where the pet lives. Since the British Timber breed is rather new, seek veterinary care for any health issue that may arise and to keep up to date on immunizations.


The British Timber shares the same health risks as the breed’s original parents, suggesting that it is also at risk for Addison’s disease. It is unclear if this condition (which comes from the Northern Inuit parent) has been bred out.

The most common health issues include:

  • Fleas and ticks
  • Parvovirus
  • Respiratory issues
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Various kinds of injuries

Temperament

Even though the British Timber (and their Northern Inuit parents) make great family pets, they can often become a task for the owner to handle. The animal’s lineage traces it back to the wolfdog family, suggesting that it is in their nature to become aggressive. However, many efforts have been made to breed this aggression out of the breed to improve their overall temperament.

The pack mentality of wolf hybrids (including the British Timber) can lead them to be overly protective of their owners. For that reason, many areas in the United States will not allow them to be imported from overseas to adopt them, as wolf content is banned in some states.

The energetic nature may suggest that the British Timber should be kept away from children, but this is not altogether true. Although they may need training and guidance around children that are smaller than them, they make a great addition to active families.

Care

As a breed, the British Timber is still less than a decade old. To make sure that owners take proper care, here are some considerations that you should take into account before deciding on the adoption of a British Timber dog.

Best Dog Food

Much like other wolf hybrids, British Timbers thrive best on raw meat. Due to the nutritional content that raw meat provides, it can be purchased fresh or it can be thawed after being frozen. To prevent the dog from eating too quickly, the meat should be cut into chunks that are more suited to their palate.

Even though some breeds thrive on mixing meat with their dry food, this is not the case with the British Timber wolf. While one meal of the day can be made of raw food, dry food should be served in a clean bowl during a separate meal.

If the meat is cooked, the British Timber may appreciate a meal with turkey and chicken. Like all other breeds, the British Timber should never be served pork as it can harm the digestive system.

Since the Northern Inuit dog can eat up to six cups of dry food in a single day, you may want to track how much they eat when not consuming raw meat.

As part of a breed-appropriate diet, the best dog food for British Timbers is Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Solutions Dog Food Toppers, in our opinion at A-Z Animals.

British Timber owners can add a healthy dose of raw to their dog’s routine while supplementing for joint mobility with glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken cartilage. Also, essential nutrients like calcium, taurine, and antioxidants nourish the heart, bones, eyes, digestion, and immune system.

Click below to get Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Toppers on Chewy or Amazon.

Best Food Topper
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Stella's Solutions Dog Food Dinner Morsels
  • Cage-free freeze-dried chicken meal topper
  • Contains New Zealand green mussels and sunflower oil for hip & joint health
  • Grain-free, pea-free, lentil-free and potato-free
  • Other ingredients promote energy and reduce swelling
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

British Timber dogs need regular grooming and maintenance since they have thick fur. Their undercoat and fur need to be brushed at least twice a week. They can have a full shed a few times a year so that could be a problem for the owners.

Training

These animals are super intelligent and are often easy to train since they can very easily pick up commands and start following them. However, they can often get impatient and bored when they are not challenged or do not have a job to do.

Regular exercise and playtime will make the British Timber much more open to proper training.

Exercise

Just like the Northern Inuit and the Utonagan before it, these pets need significant exercise. They have higher energy needs than other large dogs, even the German Shepherd. Since the parent breed doesn’t require much sleep, the same may be true of the British Timber.

Make sure to give this breed constant outlets for exercise, including walks.

Puppies

Even though the British Timber puppies are to be cared for in a very similar manner to the adult ones, the puppies usually have to be fed smaller amounts of food. You can feed the little pups with soft bones that they can easily break down. It is better to start training puppies from a very young age so that they can quickly start picking up commands as they enter adulthood.

Since the first litter of these puppies was born only in the last decade, additional research may still be necessary to ensure that these wolf lookalike puppies are cared for properly.

Children

Even though they are affectionate and loyal towards the owner’s family, the British Timbers still have a chance of becoming aggressive. However, timber dogs have generally been monitored as they are genetically bred to have a more even temperament, pushing them away from the constant aggression that wolf dogs are known for. They are bred to be a pet, though it is best to keep them away from infants while training them.

Never leave any wolf hybrid unsupervised with young children that have not learned proper behavior with pets yet.

Similar Dogs

If a British Timber puppy is difficult to find, never fear! Here are a few other options that are rather similar to this breed and the Northern Inuit influence it has.

  • Saarloos Wolfdog: Much like the British Timber, these dogs have extremely high energy. However, they are not good with kids or other pets.
  • Alaskan Malamute: Covered in fur, these dogs were bred to survive the Arctic temperatures while pulling sleds. They shed A LOT, but they are just as protective and loving of their family.
  • Siberian Husky: These pets have thick fur, just like the British Timber dogs, and are often used to help with the owner’s work. They are characterized by erect triangular ears

Famous

Even though the breed itself is fairly new, they have most recently been featured with other wolf-dogs in the HBO series Game of Thrones as the companions of the Stark family. Most other films and television shows have used closely related breeds instead, since they have a long history of training.

Here are some popular names for the British Timber dogs:

  • Luna
  • Lobo
  • Mishka
  • Kiowa
  • Okwaho

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

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If you have kids or existing dogs select:

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How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
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How much chewing will allow?

British Timber FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a timber dog?

Timber dogs are one of the wolf hybrid breeds. They are covered in fur and are affectionate and loving towards the family they live with.

How big do British Timber dogs get?

The British Timber males are a minimum of 28 inches while the female ones are a minimum of 26 inches.

How long do British Timber dogs live?

They have a usual lifespan of 10 to 14 years, based on the breeding of the Northern Inuit dogs in their family.

Are British Timber dogs aggressive?

They can sometimes be aggressive. However, efforts are being made to breed out this aspect of their temperament.

Are British Timber dogs good family dogs?

Yes, they are great additions to the family, as they are affectionate and loving towards their owners.

How much do British Timber dogs cost to own?

They can cost anywhere between $1000 to $3000 with an additional grooming cost of $1000 annually.

Is a British Timber dog good with kids?

While these pets are great with the families they live with, they should often be kept away from children, especially infants as their high energy levels and frequent aggression could prove to be harmful to the kids.

Are British Timbers herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

British Timbers are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

What Kingdom do British Timbers belong to?

British Timbers belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What is the scientific name for the British Timber?

The scientific name for the British Timber is Canis lupus.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Inuit_Dog
  2. Yummy Pets, Available here: https://www.yummypets.com/mag/2017/05/18/98145/wolf-dog-breeds-advantages-and-disadvantages
  3. Petguide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/northern-inuit-dog/
  4. Shima Onida, Available here: https://shimaonidawolfdogs.co.uk/history-of-the-timber-dog
  5. Arizona Hybrid Association, Available here: https://m.arizonahybridassociation.com/GROOMING-THE-WOLFDOG.html?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=396abf91fc2febf3db36087d32fa46cecd9e1cd7-1606481351-0-AfCWS_du21Lva24heBDsNHJFFzEdT_40uUlImEnNUgVczzDmaSqXm_N8QdG8MDsirp61uthTZZWD7VP6_zLbPselAAHZYSaMmwsEw1mNptH9OsjxXVwRBZaoW1r8zU77Hhc2EHQbQ1LsdhOKkVWTNo5PjOzvqRPGTOmhPW0CFtzyrqF1LHRtudbzGKeSBsWELJO1LWZ0xsG3CMjZv2wN62Vg7XmSVice5H-Z4axFyR0VHSEYNXRGNFXfhaA4-SFIyWKzU9RUYEmLlf-IQ2hoL_n3nOr-8tJaKJUcLdKZ43niAAUN5YvOqHFLKKapqZV3_w8Frdg1zf_49WSTT_a3UZU
  6. Northern Inuit Society, Available here: http://nisociety.com/about-the-breed/training/
  7. Woof Bark Growl, Available here: https://woofbarkgrowl.co.uk/northern-inuit-dog/
  8. Miller's Wolf Haven, Available here: https://www.millerswolfhaven.net/wolf-dog-diet/

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