Or at least they were once. About , years ago, they roamed the Americas. Their fossils are scattered across North and South America, from the mountains of Virginia to the Las Vegas strip , through Mexico and as far south as Bolivia. Known scientifically as Canis dirus , dire wolves were actually not that much larger than modern gray wolves , but they boasted a larger skull and jaws, and a stronger bite.
They likely feasted on large mammals, like bison, and may have scavenged prey from contemporary predators like saber-toothed cats. On Game of Thrones , the extinct wolves are played by Northern Inuit dogs a crossbreed related to huskies and German shepherds that was selectively bred to resemble wolves and an arctic wolf. The animal actors are shot on green screens, doubled in size to replicate dire wolf stature, and composited into scenes from the show, where the dire wolf characters have served as fiercely loyal companions and protectors of the protagonist Stark family.
Enter Siberian huskies. Huskies are a particularly high-maintenance breed. They have an innate need to run—a lot. As a result, lots of huskies are ending up in shelters. Read about how domestic rabbits face a similar abandonment problem. Dawn Eisele, public education chair of husky breeding association the Siberian Husky Club of America , says SHCA-sanctioned breeders must sign a code of ethics , which includes a commitment to educate prospective buyers on the special needs of huskies.
The dogs are gregarious, loyal, inquisitive, and affectionate. They need to be crate-trained and can never be let off-leash and may fit right in with an attentive, highly active family that can give them the exercise and training they need to thrive. And what Schwarz's dogs lack in prehistoric dire wolf minutiae, they make up for with their pleasant temperament.
The cluster of characteristics she claimed to be able to breed for consistently — intelligent, alert pups who would seek human contact but sit calmly instead of chasing or barking — seemed unlikely, especially for a breed whose ancestors were primarily working dogs. Then, I met my first American Alsatian puppies. At four weeks, they crawled up wide-eyed and alert to investigate my shoes, as their mother Autumn sat patiently by. This species was definitely big enough to do the job, weighing between 50 and 80 kilos about to pounds , and standing as tall as the contemporary gray wolf.
Scientists who have worked with dire wolf skeletons have found that they were even stockier and heavier than the gray wolf. The dire wolf attacked the large prey that roamed America at the time and ate a diet of horse, bison, and giant sloth.
As the prey died off maybe because of humans wandering into North America and hunting the large animals , the species struggled to survive. Although it existed in America for about , years with the gray wolf, it eventually became extinct and is not genealogically related to our current dog breeds. Since the breed is still new, not all American Alsatians look like the one pictured. The dire wolf is extinct, of course, and it is unlikely that it would have made an acceptable pet.
Most wolves, even gray wolves that are among us today, have behavioral problems when living in a human household and are better with their normal pack.
The American Alsatian is one of the top-contending dog breeds that most closely resembles the wolf—let's find out why. The breed was first developed in but has only been available to the public since the year A lot of work has gone into the breed, but it will take more time and effort to achieve the exact characteristics that breeders are looking for. Interesting facts about the American Alsatian:. Since these dogs have not been around that long, there is still a lot to be learned about them, but this might be one of the best dogs to have in the future.
With the success of Game of Thrones , the Northern Inuit is increasing in popularity and is probably going to become overbred like so many other popular dog breeds in the past.
Many breeds that gain popularity from being featured in television shows and movies end up in shelters. There are a lot of alternative breeds out there, and many places where you can get a great dog that looks similar to a wolf. Unlike many other large wolf-like dogs, the Akita doesn't need a ton of exercise , which makes it a great option for someone who wants a pet but doesn't necessarily have a huge backyard.
According to the AKC, these pointy-eared dogs were originally bred as housedogs and guardians in Japan as well as hunters, meaning they adapt very well to life in the home. These adorable Pomeranian-Husky mixes can have a wolf-like face, but generally weigh less than 30 pounds , according to Pet Guide.
In addition to being super cute, Pet Guide notes that Pomskies tend to be highly intelligent, loving and playful. These dogs are loyal, gentle, and courageous, making them excellent family pets. Although most German Shepherds today don't really have any wolf genes in them, they do have dense coats and pointy ears, somewhat similar to some wolf breeds.
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