Top 8 Dogs That Look Like Wolves

Written by Heather Hall
Updated: June 25, 2023
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Key Points:
  • Northern Intuit dogs were bred as wolf-looking canines for both work and companionship. They have wolf-like characteristics such as massive heads, upright, pointy ears, long, bushy tails, strong legs, and yellow, almond-shaped eyes. These dogs were used to represent the dire wolves in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
  • Bred by the Chukchi people of northern Asia, the Siberian husky makes an excellent sledding dog. Others are built for guarding and companionship. 
  • The Saarloos Wolfdog is a breed created by Dutchman Leendert Saarloos, who wanted to revitalize canines’ primitive instincts in a German Shepherd-like dog. He mated a male German Shepherd and a female wolf, then paired their offspring with German Shepherds. 

At some point 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, dogs and wolves diverged. Since Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, in the evolutionary grand scheme of things, 40,000 is a drop in the bucket, and several dog breeds still resemble wolves. So which are the dogs that look like wolves, and which dog breeds are most closely related to wolves? See below for the eight dogs that look like wolves.

Infographic of 8 Dogs that Look Like Wolves
Dogs and wolves diverged at some point 20,000 to 40,000 years ago.

#1 American Alsatian

Bred as large companion dogs, American Alsatians are wrapped in varieties of brown, black, and white fur. Shaggy with piercing yellow eyes, American Alsatians bear a striking resemblance to wolves. In fact, when movies need dogs that look like wolves, they typically call on American Alsatians.

But acting is one of the few jobs they do well. Though their line traces back to Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, and English Mastiffs — a genetic soup that includes bona fide worker dogs — breeders amplified relaxed traits. As a result, today’s American Alsatians would much prefer to spend their days lounging and frolicking with their beloved humans than laboring. 

Because of their gentle natures, American Alsatians make great family and therapy dogs.

A close-up of an American Alsatian's face.

The

American Alsatian

is the breed of dog that most resembles a wolf.

©symona/Shutterstock.com

#2 Northern Inuit Dogs

Northern Inuit Dogs — also known as Kugsha — were explicitly bred as wolf-looking canines for both work and companionship. Like their wild brethren, Northern Inuit Dogs have massive heads and upright, pointy ears. Their long, bushy tails, strong legs, and yellow, almond-shaped eyes also scream WOLF!

Northern Inuit Dog’s exact lineage remains a bit of a mystery, though traces of Alaskan Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds, and Siberian Huskies course through their DNA. British Timbers, Tamaskans, and Utonagans are offshoot breeds, but no major kennel club officially recognizes them.

Northern Inuit Dogs enjoy a Hollywood claim to fame: they’re the dire wolves in the TV series Game of Thrones.

northern Inuit dogs are a breed of dogs that look like wolves

Northern Inuit Dogs were used as dire wolves in

Game of Thrones

.

©Aneta Jungerova/Shutterstock.com

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#3 Siberian Husky

When asked to list dogs that look like wolves, most people immediately shout, “Siberian Huskies!” The medium-sized canines — bred by the Chukchi people — originally hail from northern Asia. Some strains are geared towards sledding; others are built for guarding and companionship. They have erect, triangular ears and look a lot like their larger cousins, Alaskan Malamutes

Engineered to withstand frigid temperatures, Siberian Huskies have two fur layers and long bushy tails that curl around themselves when cold. Most members of the breed are black and white — but some rare beauties sport sable and brown coats.

If you’re in the mood for a based-on-a-true-story, heartstring-plucking flick about an incredible Siberian Husky, mush over to Togo. Good dog!

Read more about Siberian Huskies, and how much they shed here

A Siberian Husky sitting on a tree stump in a forest.

Some strains of Siberian Husky are geared towards sledding, while others are built for guarding and companionship.

©Kateryna Orlova/Shutterstock.com

#4 Saarloos Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfdog are dead-ringers for wolves — probably because they’re a quarter lupine! 

A mix between German Shepherds and Eurasian grey wolves, Saarloos Wolfdogs have large, upright, pointed ears and long thin legs.

Its original breeder, Dutchman Leendert Saarloos, wanted to revitalize canines’ primitive instincts in a German Shepherd-like dog. He believed working hounds had gotten too soft and wanted to reintroduce a bit of wolf. To that end, he mated a male German Shepherd and a female wolf. Then, Saarloos paired their offspring with German Shepherds.  

But the results betrayed the breeder’s vision. His brood turned out to be docile companion dogs. Today, the Dutch Kennel Club recognizes the breed, and they’re frequently touted as great for outdoorsy families. 

A pack of Saarloos Wolfdogs, a wolf-like dog breed, in the snow

The Saarloos Wolfdog is a mix between a German shepherd and a Eurasian grey wolf.

©gloverk/Shutterstock.com

#5 Canadian Eskimo Dog / Canadian Inuit Dog

Called “qimmit” by some Inuit peoples and the Canadian Inuit Dog by the Nunavut government, Canadian Eskimo Dogs were bred for work. Medium-sized with large, triangular ears and dark, amygdaliform eyes, Canadian Eskimo Dogs exude an undeniable wolf-like aura.

Unfortunately, they’re also facing extinction. According to the last viable count, only about 300 purebreds remain.  

What led to the Canadian Eskimo Dog decline? Cynophilists link the breed’s misfortune to a multi-decade culling initiative executed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Between 1950 and 1970, Canadian law enforcement officers routinely killed Canadian Eskimo Dogs. According to some estimates, 20,000 dogs lost their lives during the period.

First Nations peoples remember the campaign as a power play to hurt native communities. The RCMP insists the executions were an unfortunate but necessary measure fueled by public health concerns. 

To learn more about Eskimo Dogs, known as “Eskies,” go here.

A Canadian Eskimo Dog hangs out with polar bear

Between 1950-1970, Canadian law enforcement would routinely kill Canadian Eskimo dogs; only about 300 purebreds remain.

©critterbiz/Shutterstock.com

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#6 Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes fall squarely into the “dogs that look like wolves” category. They’re near-identical to Siberian Huskies — except bigger and fluffier. 

A cold-weather canine bred to haul snow sleds, Alaskan Malamutes can bear Arctic temperatures. But caveat emptor: all that toasty fur — which gives them a wolf-like appearance — falls out! Alaskan Malamutes shed, shed, and then shed some more.

If, however, you’re in the market for a loving, loyal, large pup — and carpets of falling fur don’t bother you — Alaskan Malamutes are a breed to explore. Get more than one if you can, though! Like wolves, Alaskan Malamutes prefer to hang in packs.

Learn more about Alaskan Malamutes, who are both highly affectionate and a bit stubborn, here.

Gray Dog Breeds

Alaskan Malamutes are nearly identical to the Siberian Husky, except they are larger with more fur.

©Aneta Jungerova/Shutterstock.com

#7 German Shepherd

The second most popular dog breed in the United States, German Shepherds are one of the most common wolf-type dogs. They come in various colors and, like their lupine ancestors, sport double fur coats. German shepherds’ big, perky ears also pay homage to their feral roots. 

People are quick to accuse German Shepherds of hyper aggression, but in reality, most are simply aloof with strangers — not hostile. Individuals who join families as pups are usually loving, cuddly beings. They’re also intelligent, quick learners.

However, if they don’t feel seen and loved, German Shepherds can destructively express their frustration. So if you’re considering welcoming one into your life, make sure you can shower them with love and attention.

To learn more about German Shepherds, which shed excessively, read here.

German shepherds in the snow

German shepherds come in various colors and, like their lupine ancestors, sport double fur coats.

©Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com

#8 Swedish Vallhund

Our last pick for dogs that look like wolves is the Swedish Vallhund. Averaging about 25 pounds and 12 inches high, Swedish Vallhunds are the pipsqueaks of the wolf-type dog pack. Though small, their distinctive ears, thick coat, and sturdy builds serve as testaments to their roots.  

Swedish Vallhunds are a 1000-year-old spitz breed and were adopted by Vikings as their dog of choice for herding cattle. The stocky breed would also regularly join them on longship voyages. This breed is closely related to the Pembroke Corgi, and historians believe that Vikings may have taken a Pembroke Corgi with them back to their native lands from Wales and created the Swedish Vallhund breed, or brought the Swedish Vallhund to the shores of Wales and mated it with the corgi there.

But people with allergies should be careful around Vallhunds. These energetic dogs shed their hearts out twice a year — and for their size, they offload a large amount of fur. 

Swedish Vallhund frolicking in the grass

Swedish Vallhunds were a favorite dog breed among Vikings, and the stocky breed would regularly join them on longship voyages. 

©GoDog Photo/Shutterstock.com

Summary of Top 8 Dogs That Look Like Wolves

Let’s recap the dogs that could pose as wolves in appearance:

RankDog
1American Alsatian
2Northern Inuit Dog
3Siberian Husky
4Saarloos Wolfdog
5Canadian Eskimo Dog / Canadian Inuit Dog
6Alaskan Malamute
7German Shepherd
8Swedish Vallhund

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yair Leibovich/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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