Discover Everything About Saarloos Wolfdog
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Saarloos Wolfdog overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Saarloos Wolfhond has an above-average genetic burden, requiring seven mandatory health tests. Of particular concern are the incurable Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which leads to paralysis, and hip dysplasia (HD), a typical issue in large breeds. Eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) must also be actively managed through consistent breeding tests.
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Height
60–75 cm
Weight
30–41 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,000 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Thick and straight, medium length, with an undercoat
- Origin: Netherlands
Typical coat colors
- Wolf gray
- forest gray
- cream white
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Saarloos Wolfdog, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Saarloos Wolfdog right for you?
The Saarloos Wolfhond is a highly sensitive, shy wolfdog—bred from the German Shepherd and the European wolf with the goal of creating a working dog, but which instead inherited the cautious, flight-oriented nature of its wild ancestors.
Perfect for you if:
- You possess absolute composure and infinite patience for a dog whose instincts are often stronger than any learned obedience.
- You have an absolutely escape-proof garden—its flight instinct when overwhelmed is pure hardware, and it will climb over standard fences in a panic.
- You ideally already have a confident second dog that this extreme pack animal can look to for guidance in our loud human world.
- You are looking for a companion you want to observe and understand, rather than one that performs commands on a training field.
Less ideal if:
- You live in the middle of the city—tram noise, crowds, and tight encounters mean pure stress for its vigilant, shy wolf heritage.
- You have to leave it alone regularly—separation anxiety is deeply genetically anchored in this breed and is extremely difficult to train away.
- You expect a brave protector—in the face of danger, a Saarloos almost always chooses to retreat rather than attack.
The real vibes check
A Saarloos Wolfhond looks like a predator from the wild, but will hide behind your legs at the sound of a backfiring exhaust. You aren't getting a fearless protector, but a highly sensitive being that often doesn't understand our modern world. If you offer it a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle, it will gift you a quiet, deep bond that you have to earn anew every single day.
Breed Profile
The Saarloos Wolfhond is a fascinating breed of dog that cannot deny its wolf-like appearance. With its strong build, piercing eyes and thick, straight fur covering the entire surface of its body, this dog is strongly reminiscent of its distant ancestor, the wolf. Despite its impressive size and powerful appearance, the Saarloos Wolfhond exudes a kind of quiet dignity and reserved elegance. According to the FCI classification, the Saarloos Wolfhond belongs to Group 1, the herding and driving dogs (excluding Swiss Mountain Dogs), and there to Section 1, the Shepherd dogs. It has the standard number 311. Something special about this breed is that there is no strict distinction between performance and show lines. Instead, the Saarloos Wolfhound is valued primarily for its natural abilities and unique nature.
| Height | 60 - 70 cm (Female), 65 - 75 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 30 - 35 kg (Female), 36 - 41 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 12 years |
| Character | Independent, reserved, loyal |
| Coat | Thick and straight, medium length, with an undercoat |
| Coat Color | Wolf gray, forest gray, cream white |
| Price | 1000 - 2500 € |
History
The Saarloos Wolfhond owes its name to its breeder, Leendert Saarloos, a Dutch breeder who in the 1920s aimed to breed a robust and healthy working dog that combined the best of domestic dogs and wild wolves. Saarloos crossed a Siberian wolf with a female German Shepherd and dedicated his life to breeding and caring for the resulting dogs, now known as the Saarloos Wolfhond. Unfortunately, Saarloos died in 1969 before he could see his dogs recognized as an official breed. It was not until 1975, six years after his death, that the Saarloos Wolfhond was recognized as an independent breed by the FCI. The breed is relatively rare and not well known to the public, but is enjoying growing popularity in the Netherlands and some other European countries.
The Saarloos Wolfhond was created by crossing German Shepherds and wolves to create a robust working dog.
Netherlands
1930
Character & Temperament
The Saarloos Wolfhond is an incredibly fascinating dog with a unique character. His character is strongly influenced by his special genetic origins - a mix of the hard-working German Shepherd and the independent, wild wolf. This breed is known for its independence and independent character. Although the Saarloos Wolfhond needs contact with his family, he also values his personal freedom and can spend hours exploring his surroundings or simply listening to the sounds of nature. In general, the Saarloos Wolfhond is not an exuberant or extremely playful dog. Instead, he shows a rather calm and reserved nature. He is not the type of dog that always needs to be the center of attention or is constantly looking for attention. He can initially be reserved and cautious towards strangers. But despite his independence and reserve, deep down the Saarloos Wolfhond is a loyal and devoted companion. Once he has formed a bond, he is loyal to his person and has a strong bond with his family. He is certainly capable of building deep and meaningful relationships with his people, but this takes time and patience. In terms of its working ability, the Saarloos Wolfhond is more of an endurance athlete than a high-performance sprinter. His enduring temperament and natural curiosity make him a great companion for long hikes or nature trips. Although the Saarloos Wolfhond has a strong hunting instinct, its caution and reticence towards new things can often outweigh this. That's why he's not necessarily inclined to run out impulsively and chase game. Nevertheless, you should always keep an eye on him when he is running free. Another interesting aspect of the Saarloos Wolfhound is its natural alertness. Although he is not a typical guard dog and is reserved and non-aggressive towards strangers, he has a strong awareness of his surroundings and is always attentive to what is happening around him. He probably won't bark or actively drive away an intruder, but he will certainly pay attention and alert his human to any unusual activity. When it comes to staying alone, with some training the Saarloos Wolfhond can learn to stay alone for short periods of time. However, it should be remembered that he is a sociable dog that prefers the company of his family and does not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Too much time alone can lead to stress and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on his well-being. Overall, the Saarloos Wolfhond is a fascinating and unique dog that combines both the independence and alertness of the wolf and the loyalty and hard work of the German Shepherd. His character requires a certain amount of patience and understanding, but if you are willing to invest the time and effort, you will gain a loyal, fascinating and independent companion who will enrich your life in a very special way.
| Trainability Bred to make decisions without human direction. | Very independent |
| Watchfulness A natural watchdog with real protective instinct. | High |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Saarloos Wolfhond was named after its breeder, Leendert Saarloos? He crossed a European wolf with a German Shepherd to create a breed of dog that combines the strength and appearance of a wolf with the trainability and loyalty of a dog.
What Awaits You
The Saarloos Wolfdog is a strong and independent dog with a pronounced protective instinct. It requires consistent training and plenty of exercise, as it is very active and alert. Due to its strong territorial behavior, it is especially suitable for experienced owners who can provide clear leadership. The Saarloos Wolfdog is not a typical family dog but shows a close bond with its caregivers.
Housing & Care
The Saarloos Wolfhond is an independent dog that needs a lot of space and activity. Therefore, it is not necessarily suitable as a city dog, but can be kept well in a house with a garden or in the country. He needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and balanced. He is friendly with children, but due to his size and strength, careful supervision is required around young children. He can also get along well with other dogs and pets as long as he has been properly socialized.
| Family Friendly Gets on well with different people and varying routines. | Family-friendly |
| Child Friendly Gets on well with children — with adult supervision. | With supervision |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Saarloos Wolfhond is an intelligent animal that requires careful and consistent training. He responds best to positive reinforcement and needs an owner who is calm, patient and assertive. It's important to give him social interaction from an early age so he learns how to behave in different situations. The Saarloos Wolfhond is by nature an active and persistent dog that loves to run and play. He would be well suited to dog sports such as canicross, mantrailing or agility. It is important to ensure that the dog does not become overly busy and has enough time to rest. The Saarloos Wolfhound can definitely become a ball junkie, so you shouldn't overuse playing with the ball and instead offer him a variety of activities. Since the Saarloos Wolfhond has a strong hunting instinct, it is important to teach him to control this impulse and develop frustration tolerance. This can be achieved through targeted training and mental stimulation.
Nutrition & Care
The Saarloos Wolfhond's diet should be balanced and varied. As with any dog, it is important to ensure an adequate supply of high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. There are many different types of dog food on the market, and it is important to find a food that meets your dog's specific needs. It may be helpful to seek advice from a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. The Saarloos Wolfhond has a thick coat with a dense undercoat that protects it from cold and wet conditions. The coat needs to be brushed regularly to avoid mats and skin problems. You should plan more time for fur care, especially during the coat change periods in spring and autumn. The Saarloos Wolfhond copes well with the German climate and can live well in both the heat and the cold.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Bred to make decisions without human direction. | Very independent |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
The Saarloos Wolfhond has an above-average genetic burden, requiring seven mandatory health tests. Of particular concern are the incurable Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which leads to paralysis, and hip dysplasia (HD), a typical issue in large breeds. Eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) must also be actively managed through consistent breeding tests.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
Through joint-friendly rearing, adapted exercise, and regular health and eye check-ups, you can best support your dog's well-being in everyday life.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, and eyes checked and use genetic testing for neurological diseases and growth disorders to reduce risks in the lineage.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Saarloos Wolfdog
Is a Saarloos Wolfdog the right dog for me?
The Saarloos Wolfdog is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Saarloos Wolfdog live?
The average life expectancy of a Saarloos Wolfdog is 10-12 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Saarloos Wolfdog need?
Saarloos Wolfdog grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Saarloos Wolfdog good for families with children?
The Saarloos Wolfdog can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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