Low Content Wolfdogs
(Up to 50%)
While low contents should express some wolf-like characteristics, there are some which, due to poor breeding practices and bad luck in the genetic lottery, express few to no wolf characteristics. Most will cycle and breed like a dog, though a few may retain a wolf-like breeding pattern. Puppies can be born any color, with some having a wolf-type coat. Most will closely resemble the dog breed(s) in their background with a few noticeable wolf traits scattered throughout their phenotype. Most lower contents are as relatively social and easily handled as a northern breed dog. Most adapt to living in the house; however, there are some low contents that require secure containment and/or a more experienced owner.
Due to breeders’ mislabeling of animals and owners’ lack of knowledge and experience with identification, low contents and northern breed dogs are often mistaken for or misrepresented as high content.
Though some may argue, a well-bred low content should not just look like a dog. That being said, many of the wolfdogs being bred today (most of which end up in rescue) are not well bred. Due to increasing filial numbers/F-Generation (how many generations removed from a PURE wolf) and substandard breeding practices, there is much more variety and/or lowering of content overall, especially in the mid-content and low-content range, in more recent litters.
Low content wolfdog with malamute and GSD compared to an AKC malamute
Siblings showing the more dog-like variation in a low content (approx. 30-40%) F4 litter when breeding two low contents of higher f-gen together.
The father is also known for throwing very strong dog traits (malamute).