I'm wanting to adopt a dog from a local animal shelter. I saw a four year old siberian husky mix that I decided i would adopt. The problem is that the shelter does not know what the husky is mixed with. I'm worried that it might be part wolf or wolf-dog.

When i saw the dog for the first time, she did not bark loudly or jump around like other dogs in shelters typically do. She also did not express any type of territorial behavior. She was laid back and gentle. I did pet her a couple of times through the fence but for the most part she just laid around. I saw her again to see if her behavior changed but it didn't. She was still laid back but she remembered me and was a little more open towards me. She was also alone in her area.

Based on characteristics and appearance, how do I know if the husky is part wolf or mixed with a malamute or another breed?

Thanks.

You would really appreciate if the dog is part Malamute, classy animals.

Now just my 2 cents on the claims of wolf dog mixes, 99% haven't a clue to what a real wolf dog is or is just a bull sh*tter. Seems any dog with solid build and pointy ears gets called a wolf dog but I'm sure people can blame Walt Disney movies for that.

I wouldn't worry about what she is mixed with. Just because she may have a mix of a certain breed doesnt mean she will automatically have the bad behaviors/health issues of that breed. Most of the time, when you rescue, you rescue with very little knowledge of the dog. All that matters is her connection with you. She sounds lovely fom what you are describing. Ask the shelter if you can take her for a walk and then spend some time with her in a separate room with her to see how she continues to react with you. Unfortunately, most dogs are not 100% themselves in a shelter since they have been taken away from everything they know. She may be scared or reserved but I think you still see what their true character is if you take the time and pay attention to them. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask the staff there. Good luck!

Here4thePics wrote:

You would really appreciate if the dog is part Malamute, classy animals.

Now just my 2 cents on the claims of wolf dog mixes, 99% haven't a clue to what a real wolf dog is or is just a bull sh*tter. Seems any dog with solid build and pointy ears gets called a wolf dog but I'm sure people can blame Walt Disney movies for that.

I agree with this. I also agree with the getting to know the dog before making a decision. The staff will help you out. Also they put husky mixes on dogs that are distinctively malamute. I don't think shelters will put a wolf hybrid to be adopted. The vet at the shelter gets to decide what breed they are. We have a beagle mix, totally can tell this, the shelter said it was a Cocker spaniel mix.




Btw malamutes aren't that bad.

A lot of shelters list the dogs as mix when they aren't. The dog may be all husky.

This struck a current nerve of mine. Trying to save this guy in a shelter here that was surrendered by his owner. The owner said he was a wolfdog (might as well gave him the needle himself) and now the only chance he has is for a rescue to pull him. Which from this shelter probably won't happen. I can only get one of 20+ rescues to even take full blood huskies and mals here.

The dog is even cat and kid friendly. Not any sign of wolf there to me at all. He is 24" or so at the withers, he has blue eyes, a mottled tongue and a curled tail. all these traits usually not found in high or even medium content wolfdogs.

totally no wolf in that dog! He is super cute though!

Wow is he beautiful! Wish I was closer to OK!

That pup looks almost like my girl but she is more tan and she is very low, low content wolf. The only way you can tell is she runs like one, no curled tail and has a longer noise. Her mother is papered husky and father is less than half wolf. She is the most submissive, mellow, smart dog I have ever met. If I could afford another I would take him. Even though they have a bad rap I would never take her back for the world.

Vanishingreality wrote:

she is very low, low content wolf. The only way you can tell is she runs like one,

taveraw wrote:

Wow is he beautiful! Wish I was closer to OK!

Ditto! I'd take him home in a heart beat, especially since he's good with cats and kids. Maybe he could teach Lucian that my cats aren't play things to try and chase!

Thanks everyone. Here is a picture of the husky from the shelter's website and one from my phone.






Apparently this dog isn't too friendly with cats since she was found killing one before they took her to the shelter. I am worried how she'll get along with other dogs. My friend has the cutest little chihuahua and i would hate for the husky to hurt him. They are going to do an evaluation on her before i can adopt, so I'll be able to know how she's really like and be able to be with her and see how she behaves with me. I'm still curious if she's even mixed at all since she was found as a stray.

Malamutes are great dogs so I wouldn't mind if she was mixed with one

Thanks again for all the help.

By the looks of the picture, she looks like just husky to me.

I'd say purebred Husky. She looks better bred than some Huskies I've seen

That's just huskies, if you want a dog that will be really amazing with little dogs, I'd suggest a little dog. Huskies are big, they could hurt a little dog if they played too rough, but this girl looks older so I doubt you'd have issues. Cats and little dogs are two completely different things. Unless she's been completely socialized she'd be fine.

SwitchGame, she looks absolutely pure Siberian husky to me.

Keyda81 wrote:

taveraw wrote:

Wow is he beautiful! Wish I was closer to OK!

Ditto! I'd take him home in a heart beat, especially since he's good with cats and kids. Maybe he could teach Lucian that my cats aren't play things to try and chase!

Exactly. The only way I could rescue is one that is good with cats & kids.

Looks 100% pure siberian husky to me too. Aside from the round eyes, looks like a pretty nice one!

You will definitely want to test it's prey drive around little dogs. Just because it killed a cat doesn't mean it will act the same way around small dogs, but there could be a chance. Siberians have a high prey drive as a breed.

She's beautiful! Hope it works out!