Utonagan

The Utonagan is a breed of dog that strongly resembles a wolf. Until recently they were thought to contain a percentage of wolf (Canis Lupus) but, on investigation by DEFRA, have been found to contain only three breeds of domestic dog: Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, and Siberian Husky. The breed was first observed in the early 1980s and was named the Northern Inuit before being renamed to Utonagan.

Appearance

The Utonagan is a large, muscular dog but slender so as to resemble a wolf as closely as possible.

Adult males weigh around 70-110 lbs and stand 25"-33" to the shoulder. Females are approximately 20lb lighter at between 55-90 lbs and stand 24"-26" to the shoulder.

The breed has a thick double coat that appears quite different in winter and summer. The hair is straight and slightly coarse to the touch. The coat can be silver grey, cream, or brown with black overlay and a characteristic wolf mask. It also comes in all white and all black.

Temperament and housing

They are quite placid and respond fairly well to training, which should begin at an early age.

Utonagans should be kept in a large yard with plenty of cool, clean water. Like their Siberian Husky ancestors, Utonagans may try to escape if the oppourtunity presents itself. The surrounding fence should be at least 3 times the height of the dog and should curve inwards at the top. The fence should be buried at least a foot below the ground unless it has concrete foundations as Utonagans are good diggers. If the fence is weak it should be reinforced to prevent damage.

Health

Utonagans should be fed on a BARF Diet and have only necessary vaccinations. They do not eat as much as many other large breeds and are prone to obesity and bloating if overfed.

Utonagans need constant attention to remain in good health, so owners who will be unavailable for long periods of time should rethink this breed as an option. They have thick coats that keep them warm in cool conditions but they have great difficulty staying cool in summer. This becomes a problem when walking the dog during hot weather, so owners must be careful not to overexercise the dog and to keep available when playing.

Utonagans live between 12 and 15 years.

Wolf hybrids

DEFRA express their concern over people who believe they have a wolf hybrid. Dogs with wolf in them are illegal as pets in the UK and owners without a Dangerous Animals Licence leave themselves open to prosecution. Utonagans are not wolf hybrids; they are dogs that resemble wolves.