Discover how closely your dog breed resembles its wild ancestor, the wolf. Select a breed to see its wolf similarity percentage and learn interesting facts about the connection.
The wolf-like percentages provided by this tool are subjective estimations derived from a blend of historical research, breed characteristics, and interpretations of available scientific studies on canine genetics and behavior. These ratings are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not represent definitive or comprehensive scientific measurements. The methodology used reflects:
Please note that all percentages have been rounded to simplify the presentation. While every effort has been made to ensure the ratings align with current understanding, individual breed histories and genetic research are complex and continually evolving. For rigorous analysis or professional applications, please consult primary research publications and genetic experts.
Curious how “wolf-ish” your dog is? This calculator turns that curiosity into a simple score you can make sense of. It blends three lenses—genetics, looks, and behavior—to produce an easy-to-read percentage. Below you’ll find what that number really means, how we build it, which breeds often land high or low, and the big caveats (including laws about wolf-dog hybrids).
It’s a comparative index, not a lab test. The number shows how closely a breed or dog matches a wolf-like profile across three domains. It is not the percent of “wolf DNA” in your pet.
Dogs and gray wolves are extremely close genetically. Their genomes are very high in similarity (often reported around ~99.9%), yet small genetic differences plus selective breeding create big gaps in looks and behavior. That’s how a Chihuahua and an Alaskan Malamute can both be dogs—and both differ from wild wolves in important ways.
Domestication was a process, not a day. Evidence points to tens of thousands of years of divergence with episodes of admixture (gene flow). Origins are complex, not one-and-done.
Genetically, dogs and gray wolves are very closely related; dogs are often treated as a gray wolf subspecies (Canis lupus familiaris). Early domestication emphasized behavioral change (friendliness, tolerance of humans) and dietary adaptation (starch digestion), while leaving much of the genome broadly similar to wolves. Later breed formation exaggerated traits we notice today (muzzle length, ear set, coat, size, biddability).
Ancient-DNA work has shown that northern sled dogs (e.g., Siberian Huskies, Greenland Dogs) carry a small share of ancestry from an ancient Arctic (Taimyr) wolf, and broader research suggests dogs draw from more than one ancient wolf population. Bottom line: your dog can be very “wolf-like” in one domain (say, looks) and very “dog-like” in another (say, sociability with humans).
What we look at: whether a breed clusters closer to “ancient/basal” lineages, carries northern/Arctic ancestry, or shows signals of early divergence from modern European breed clades.
Why it matters: some northern and East Asian spitz-type breeds (e.g., Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Akita) often appear more “ancestral” in genetic trees than many modern European breeds. Past studies also detect ancient Arctic wolf input in certain sled dogs.
Reality check: “ancient” doesn’t mean identical to wolves; it means the lineage shows older splits or distinct ancestry relative to recent European breed formation.
Signals that push the score up: prick ears, almond eyes, longer muzzle, double coat, athletic build, bushy tail—features that mirror the wolf outline and are common across spitz-type or northern working breeds. The AKC has editorial lists of “wolf-like” breeds by appearance; this is not an official AKC grouping.
What nudges the score higher: howling, strong prey drive, endurance, pack-oriented problem-solving—behaviors that echo wolf ancestry (though shaped by human partnership). Howling, for example, reflects canid communication roots.
Important nuance: household behavior is heavily shaped by training, socialization, and environment. A high “instinct” score doesn’t predict danger; it predicts tendencies you may notice in play, work, or vocalization.
Each column is scored 1–10 (based on published genetics, typical breed morphology, and documented behavioral tendencies). We multiply by 10 for a familiar 0–100% display and average across the three columns. Sliders and notes in the tool explain what moved the needle (e.g., “northern ancestry” vs. “wolf-like muzzle/ears” vs. “howling/prey-drive tendencies”). Remember: it’s an index—a guided comparison—not a DNA test result.
| High “wolf-ish” look/feel* | Why they trend high |
|---|---|
| Siberian Husky | Indigenous sled-dog origins; documented Arctic (Taimyr) ancestry signals in studies; classic spitz morphology. |
| Greenland Dog & other sled-type laikas | Arctic working history; wolf-like coats and endurance; ancient Arctic ancestry signals noted for Greenland Dogs. |
| Alaskan Malamute | Northern working lineage; robust spitz outline; often clusters among older lineages in genetic trees. |
| Akita / Shiba Inu | East Asian spitz ancestry; retained many “primitive” morphological traits. |
*These are profile highs. It doesn’t claim greater “percent wolf DNA”; it reflects combined genetics + looks + tendencies.
Working herders/guardians like the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois can also score high on behavior/physique, even though genetically they’re part of more recent European breed development. That’s the point of the three-column approach: genetics and morphology don’t always line up.
Low-score sweethearts—French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Maltese—were sculpted for companionship: short muzzles, compact frames, low prey drive, and minimal howling push their morphology/behavior subscores down, even though their genomes remain very close to wolves overall.
Tip: If your dog is a mix, try toggling physical/behavioral sliders (ears, muzzle length, howling, prey drive) to see how appearance and instincts can alter the combined score even when genetics are similar.
No. It means your dog rates very high on a wolf-like profile across genetics/looks/behavior. It does not equal “90% wolf DNA.” Domestic dogs and gray wolves are already extremely similar genetically; a relatively small set of differences (plus modern breeding) explains big trait changes.
Very high (often reported around ~99.9%), but treat that as an approximate figure from explainers/reviews, not an absolute constant. What matters most are the specific regions shaped by selection (e.g., starch digestion, neural and behavioral pathways).
Both are Arctic spitz with documented “northern” signals. Huskies often show stronger howling and a leaner work morphology and have documented Arctic ancestry signals; Samoyeds share Arctic spitz heritage too. Subscores reflect those typical tendencies, not a judgment on individual dogs.
Large ancient-genome datasets suggest dual ancestry: dogs are closer overall to ancient East Eurasian wolves, with additional ancestry related to Southwest Eurasian wolves—whether via a second domestication pulse or later admixture. The picture is still being refined.
Selective breeding targeted key pathways (face shape, size, ear set, coat, starch digestion, social behavior). A small number of variants can shift morphology and behavior dramatically, especially under strong human selection.
No. The calculator uses global datasets and breed standards. What does change by region is law—especially for wolf-dog hybrids.
Laws about owning wolf-dog hybrids vary widely by country, state, and county. Veterinary groups note that legal status differs by jurisdiction and some places require permits or ban hybrids entirely. Always check local rules before acquiring any hybrid.
If your interest is purely educational (most users), perfect—compare breeds, learn the science, and enjoy the “wolf-ish” fun. If you’re considering a hybrid, do extra homework on husbandry, ethics, and local law.