Saarlooswolfhond

People usually end up searching for the Saarlooswolfhond when they’re weighing up a striking, wolf-like dog against the practical realities: temperament, space, training demands, and whether this breed fits everyday life in Australia.

The Saarlooswolfhond can be a steady companion in the right home, but it isn’t a “German Shepherd with a wild look”. Its hallmark is a natural reserve and a tendency to withdraw from unfamiliar situations, which changes how you approach socialisation, visitors, and busy public spaces.¹

At a glance

• Height: males 65–75 cm; females 60–70 cm at the withers¹
• Build: strongly built, balanced, with movement and outline reminiscent of a wolf¹
• Coat: double coat with seasonal shedding; colour includes wolf-grey and brown (“bos”-brown) with lighter underside¹
• Temperament shorthand: lively, energetic, independent; devoted to its person, reserved and somewhat suspicious with strangers; may try to flee when unsure¹
• Typical lifespan: often around 10–12 years (individuals vary; ask breeders for longevity in their lines)

History and origin

The Saarlooswolfhond (also called the Saarloos Wolfdog) was developed in the Netherlands by Leendert Saarloos. In the 1930s he crossed a German Shepherd Dog with a wolf, then bred the offspring back into German Shepherd lines as part of an effort to produce dogs with more “natural” characteristics.^{1, 2}

The modern breed is recognised internationally, with an FCI breed standard describing it as a companion and house dog rather than a working dog breed with formal trial requirements.¹

Physical characteristics and appearance

The breed standard describes a strongly built dog with a balanced frame and long limbs, giving a wolf-like impression in outline and movement rather than a heavy, blocky build.¹

Coat is double-layered, with seasonal changes. Colours commonly described in the standard include wolf-grey and brown (“bos”-brown), with lighter shading on the underside and inner limbs; many dogs show a facial “mask”.¹

Height ranges are clearly set in the FCI standard: 65–75 cm for males and 60–70 cm for females at the withers.¹

Temperament: what “wolf-like” really means day to day

The Saarlooswolfhond is typically lively and energetic, but notably independent. The breed standard is unusually blunt about this: the dog may not behave in a reliably biddable, eager-to-please way, and it can be reserved and somewhat suspicious with strangers.¹

One trait that matters in a suburban Australian setting is the breed’s “wish to flee” in unknown situations. That doesn’t mean aggression; it more often looks like avoidance, backing away, slipping a collar, refusing to approach, or shutting down under pressure.¹

What this can look like in a family home

• Visitors may be watched from a distance rather than greeted.
• Busy footpaths, cafés, and off-lead dog areas can be overwhelming without careful, gradual exposure.
• Containment matters: good fencing, double-gate habits, and secure walking gear aren’t optional.

Training and exercise requirements

This is an active, athletic breed that needs daily movement and enough space to stretch out. Just as important is calm, steady mental work: pattern games, scent work, and short, repeatable training sessions that build confidence without flooding the dog with too much novelty at once.¹

Because the breed can default to avoidance when unsure, training tends to go best when it’s consistent, low-drama, and reward-based. Harsh corrections may suppress behaviour in the moment, but they can also deepen wariness and make handling harder in the long run.

Socialisation: aim for “safe and neutral”, not “everyone says hello”

For many Saarlooswolfhonden, good socialisation is less about meeting lots of strangers and more about learning that new things can be observed at a distance without anything bad happening. The goal is a dog that can move through the world without panic or escape attempts, even if it remains naturally reserved.¹

Health considerations

No breed is “generally healthy” by default; health depends on genetics, breeding choices, and lifelong management. If you’re looking at a puppy, ask for evidence of health testing and for frank discussion of issues seen in the breeder’s lines.

Orthopaedic and neurological issues

Hip dysplasia is a recognised problem across many medium-to-large breeds, and it’s sensible to prioritise screened parents and transparent results. Epilepsy is also reported in some lines; a responsible breeder should be able to talk clearly about any history of seizures in their dogs and close relatives.

Bloat (GDV): know the risk in deep-chested, large breeds

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), often called “bloat”, is a life-threatening emergency seen more commonly in large, deep-chested dogs. Risk factors include eating quickly, large meals, exercising soon after eating, increasing age, and family history.^{3, 4}

Practical steps many vets recommend include feeding multiple smaller meals, slowing down fast eaters, and avoiding hard exercise around mealtimes.^{3, 4}

Grooming and day-to-day care

The coat is a true double coat and tends to shed seasonally. Weekly brushing suits many dogs most of the year, with more frequent brushing during heavy sheds to prevent compacted undercoat and to keep the dog comfortable.¹

Dental care

Home dental care is often overlooked in large breeds because they may not show obvious discomfort early on. Veterinary dental organisations recommend daily tooth brushing where possible, and “something regularly” if daily isn’t realistic.⁵

Saarlooswolfhond as a family pet: a realistic fit check

In the right setting, a Saarlooswolfhond can be a calm presence at the edge of family life—close to its people, but not constantly seeking attention. In the wrong setting, the same traits can become exhausting: avoidance, escape behaviour, and a dog that finds ordinary suburban traffic and visitors too much.

Often a good match for

• Experienced owners who enjoy steady, patient training and don’t need a highly biddable dog.
• Homes with secure fencing and predictable routines.
• People who prefer quiet companionship over a dog that wants to greet everyone.

Often a poor match for

• Busy households with constant visitors and lots of novelty, with little ability to give the dog space.
• Owners wanting a “natural guard dog”. Reserved and suspicious does not equal stable protection work, and fear-driven behaviour can become a welfare problem.
• Anyone without robust containment (including secure gates and walking gear).

Finding a breeder or rescue: what to look for in Australia

Start with breed clubs and established kennel bodies, then evaluate individual breeders on what they do, not what they claim. Ask to meet adult dogs, because adult temperament tells you more than puppy cuteness ever will.

• Temperament transparency: breeders should describe reserve and flight tendency clearly, not gloss it as “aloof”.¹
• Health testing evidence: ask what screening is done, and request documentation you can verify.
• Puppy raising: look for structured, low-pressure exposure to everyday life (sounds, surfaces, gentle handling), with a strong emphasis on choice and recovery time.
• Support: a good breeder stays involved, helps with early training plans, and will take a dog back if circumstances change.

Final thoughts

The Saarlooswolfhond is distinctive not just in looks, but in how it meets the world: with energy, independence, and a guarded distance from strangers that is considered typical for the breed.¹

If you’re choosing one in Australia, base the decision on temperament and management—secure containment, thoughtful socialisation, and patient training—rather than the romance of a wolf-like outline. When those pieces are in place, the breed can settle into family life with a quiet steadiness that feels earned.

References

1. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Standard No. 311: Saarlooswolfdog (Saarlooswolfhond) (English)
2. United Kennel Club (UKC): Saarloosewolfdog breed standard (history and characteristics)
3. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) / bloat
4. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): Understanding canine bloat (GDV) — a medical emergency
5. Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC): Brushing (daily brushing recommendation and technique notes)