The Utonagan is a dog breed-under-development that strongly resembles a wolf. Until recently they were thought to contain a percentage of wolf (Canis Lupus) but, on investigation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK), have been found to contain only three breeds of domestic dog: Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, and Siberian Husky

Appearance

The Utonagan is large and well-muscled but with a slender build so as to resemble a wolf as closely as possible.

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

The breed has a thick double coat that appears quite different in winter and summer. The guard hair is straight and slightly coarse to the touch. The pelage 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

His most wonderful characteristic is his temperament which should be completely sound, even when challenged. He is keenly intelligent, and although occasionally strong willed is very biddable.

The Utonagan makes a wonderful loyal companion, but is not a dog that likes to be left alone. Problems have been encountered when this has been attempted, such as destructive behavior and escaping. It is important therefore that prospective owners do consider keeping them with another dog, or give them their full time attention.

For those of you who do choose this lovely breed, you will be well rewarded.

Health

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

Utonagan 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. Some 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 water available when playing.

Utonagan can live between 12 and 15 years.

History

Utonagan have been bred to resemble the Wolf as closely as possible, and our breed standard is taken from an experts description of the Timber Wolf.

Whilst Utonagan and Northern Inuits have some common ancestors, the two societies initially both using the same breed name, and both sharing a love of wolves and wolf look-a-likes, *The Utonagan society (http://www.utonagan.com) developed our lines by returning to stock from the conceptual breeder.

Utonagan and Northern Inuits are therefore now two separate breeds and enjoy mutual respect of each others dogs.

The name Utonagan was taken from a Chinook tale and interpreted as "Spirit of the Wolf".

Miscellaneous

Breed status and development

The Utonagan is a man made dog ( as with many dogs today ) that has been selectively bred from the Malamute, Husky and German Shepherd. The aim being to create a dog that resembles the Wolf as closely as possible. Although the Malamute, Husky and not forgetting the German Shepherd have all played a vital part in the development of this new wonderful breed, the stage was reached long ago where they were no longer required. Today however, it would be to the detriment of the Utonagan if any of these breeds were to be re-introduced having now established consistency in type. ie eye colour,tail carriage, head shape etc

These dogs have been bred in Britain for approximately fifteen years, but only recently has the breed been known as the Utonagan. Although initially record keeping was poor (the breed being at an experimental stage) This has now been rectified with official records being kept by the *Society (http://www.utonagan.com) of all pedigrees and registrations over the last eight years or so.

The development of the Utonagan is well under way in Britain with registration and records being held by one central registry *The Utonagan Society (http://www.utonagan.com)

• The Utonagan Society (http://www.utonagan.com) state that all breeding stock must be KC/BVA eye tested and Hip Scored

Containment

Utonagan should be kept in a house that has a large yard with plenty of cool, clean water. Like their Siberian Husky ancestors, Utonagan 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 Utonagan are good diggers. If the fence is weak it should be reinforced to prevent damage.

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. (See also novelty pet.)

The term "hybrid", when used in referring to a wolf hybrid, is used in the sense of different subspecies or varieties of the same species (for example, Poodle hybrids). Genetically, it might currently be difficult to distinguish wolves from the domestic dog; however, great differences are seen in the inherited behaviors of wolves and dogs. The term wolf dog is sometimes used as an alternative for wolf hybrid.