Saarloos wolfdog

== History ==

== History ==

Leendert Saarloos (1884–1969) was a Dutch [[Zoology|zoologist]] and dog breeder who believed that the [[German Shepherd]] had become too domesticated and wanted to breed back the more natural properties in order to derive a better working dog. In 1935, he bred a male German Shepherd ({{langx|de|Deutscher Schäferhund}}, {{langx|nl|Duitse herdershond}}) to a female [[Eurasian grey wolf]] (''Canis lupus lupus'') from [[Siberia]]. He then bred the offspring back with German Shepherds to derive a dog with one quarter wolf blood. The result was a dog that was not useful as a working dog but as a companion that is close to nature. The [[Dutch Kennel Club]] recognized the breed in 1975 as "Saarlooswolfdog", after its creator. In 1981, the breed was recognized by the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]] (FCI).{{r|FCI}} In April 2026, the Sarloos wolfdog was added to the American Kennel Club FSS.

Leendert Saarloos (1884–1969) was a Dutch [[Zoology|zoologist]] and dog breeder who believed that the [[German Shepherd]] had become too domesticated and wanted to breed back the more natural properties in order to derive a better working dog. In 1935, he bred a male German Shepherd ({{langx|de|Deutscher Schäferhund}}, {{langx|nl|Duitse herdershond}}) to a female [[Eurasian grey wolf]] (''Canis lupus lupus'') from [[Siberia]]. He then bred the offspring back with German Shepherds to derive a dog with one quarter wolf blood. The result was a dog that was not useful as a working dog but as a companion that is close to nature. The [[Dutch Kennel Club]] recognized the breed in 1975 as "Saarlooswolfdog", after its creator. In 1981, the breed was recognized by the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]] (FCI).{{r|FCI}} In April 2026, the Sarloos wolfdog was added to the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service (FSS).

=== Genetic evidence ===

=== Genetic evidence ===