Mid Content Wolfdogs
Mid-Contents: 50%–80%
Mid-contents are known for having the widest range when phenotyping and trying to determine content. Due to this, sometimes mid-contents are broken down into "solid mid-contents" and "upper mid-contents."
Left to right:
- Mid content F3 (approx. 60% with partial lineage) with German shepherd and Alaskan malamute
- Mid content F2 (approx. 67-70% with partial lineage) with Alaskan malamute and Siberian husky
- Upper mid content 87% F2 with Alaskan malamute
- Upper mid content 80% F3 with Siberian husky and Alaskan malamute
Solid Mid-Contents: between 50%–75% depending on breeding and F-Gen
Example of a solid mid F3 (due to partial unverified lineage, approx 60%) with malamute influence
Solid mid-content animals are best described as displaying a fairly equal number of wolf and dog traits. With these animals being somewhat “stuck in the middle,” there are many traits that could go either way. For example, some may cycle and mature like regular dogs while others will only cycle and be fertile once a year. Uncommonly, puppies may be born with some dog-like markings like white markings or masks, while others are wolf-colored at birth. They may be a bit more difficult to train and housebreak than a regular dog or low content. Some breeders of mid-contents with lower f-gens will pull and bottle feed to ensure proper bonding and socialization, though it is not always necessary. Some mid-contents can retain a more dog-like personality and live quite comfortably in the house! Outside containment may not be needed but should always be available.
Upper Mid-Contents: between 75%–85% depending on breeding and F-Gen
Example of an upper mid 80% F3
Upper mid or “high mid” content animals are much more wolf-like in appearance and temperament. Typically, they closely resemble a high content but have a few, more obvious traits (vs subtle) that set them apart from true high content wolfdogs. Upper mids should retain the breeding cycle of a pure wolf; however some, while still cycling only one time a year, will come into heat and birth puppies slightly earlier. In rare cases upper mids may have a more dog-like cycle. Litters are often very wolfy and retain more consistency/uniformity than solid mid and low content litters. In rare cases, mostly due to poor breeding, doggy pups may pop up, or pups may be born light-colored or with markings. Upper mid animals tend to be moderately to very wolf-like in their behaviors with many upper mid litters needing to be pulled and bottle fed to ensure proper bonding and socialization. Most do not do well living in a house environment and should always have a large and secure enclosure available to them.
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.