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title: "Saarloos Wolfdog - temperament, price, health | Pedibase"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+6
Dogs
# The Saarloos Wolfdog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Netherlands
A primitive, powerful and reserved dog, intended for experienced owners.
Size LargeLife expectancy 10–12 yearsBudget ≈ €140/monthPuppy €900 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 16](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=saarloos-wolfdog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Limited
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Fair
Strengths and weaknesses
- Hardiness: It is an overall robust dog, well suited to an active life in an appropriate environment.
- Intelligence: He understands quickly and observes a lot, which makes him a perceptive companion when he is well supported.
- Bond with his group: He can develop a deep attachment to his reference family.
- Delicate training: Its independence and wariness make learning more complex than in more docile breeds.
- Not well suited to city life: Apartments and highly stimulating environments generally do not suit it well.
- Need for experience: This breed requires an owner capable of handling a sensitive dog with primitive behavior.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Experienced owners: They will know how to set a consistent framework and respect the breed’s sensitivity.
- Life in a house with land: This environment better meets its need for space and calm.
- Active and patient people: They can offer it outings, stability, and high-quality relationship work.
Not recommended for
- Beginners: Lack of experience increases the risk of socialization and management mistakes.
- Apartment living: Lack of space and the dense urban environment do not match its needs.
- Households looking for a very sociable dog: Its reserved and primitive temperament may disappoint if one expects a dog that is immediately open to everyone.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
68 cmSaarloos Wolfdog
- Height at the withers
- 60–75 cm
- Weight
- 30–45 kg
- Coat
- Medium-long, dense
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- Netherlands
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Saarloos Wolfdog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Saarloos Wolfdog was developed in the Netherlands by Leendert Saarloos, a Dutch breeder who in the 1930s crossed a European she-wolf of Siberian lineage with a German Shepherd. His initial objective was to obtain a dog closer to nature, but selection mainly highlighted the animal’s primitive traits and sensitivity. The breed was officially recognized in 1975, then definitively by the FCI in 1981. It remains rare outside its country of origin.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Saarloos Wolfdog is a large wolf-like dog, athletic and harmonious, with a slender silhouette, rather long limbs and a solid bone structure without heaviness. Its head clearly recalls that of the wolf, with a flat skull, almond-shaped eyes often yellow, very expressive triangular ears and a well-furnished tail carried low at rest. Its coat, more abundant in winter thanks to a developed undercoat, is most often found in wolf-grey, forest-brown or light sand tones.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Lively, intelligent and very independent, the Saarloos Wolfdog shows itself to be deeply attached to its social group while remaining reserved with strangers. It retains marked primitive instincts, notably a strong wariness of novelty and a tendency to avoid rather than confront. This is not a submissive dog nor one that is constantly demonstrative, but a sensitive companion that calls for a relationship based on trust.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Saarloos Wolfdog needs space, freedom of movement and a stable environment. It copes poorly with dense urban life and apartment living, and thrives more in a house with a large, well-fenced plot of land. Very observant, it can be discreet, cautious and sometimes distant, but it remains active and needs long regular outings to channel its energy.
Training
## Training and socialization
Its training requires experience, consistency and very early socialization. Harsh or coercive methods are counter-productive with this sensitive and independent breed, which learns better in a clear, calm and consistent framework. The goal is not to obtain mechanical obedience, but a well-balanced dog, capable of trusting its human reference and calmly managing its environment.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Saarloos Wolfdog
The purchase price varies depending on the lineage, the reputation of the breeding kennel, compliance with the standard and the rarity of the breed. Given its demanding profile, it is essential to prioritize a reputable breeder who works on socialization, temperament and health monitoring.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saarloos-wolfdog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Saarloos Wolfdog is generally robust and hardy, with a powerful build and good overall resistance. Like many primitive-type breeds, it can however prove sensitive to certain management practices, stress and certain drug treatments. Careful and individualized veterinary monitoring remains recommended.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saarloos-wolfdog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The diet of the Saarloos Wolfdog must support a large active dog without promoting overweight. Protein quality, digestibility and adapting the ration to age, exercise level and body condition take precedence over the mere quantity served.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saarloos-wolfdog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Despite its wolf-like appearance and its origin stemming from an old cross with a she-wolf, the Saarloos Wolfdog is indeed a recognized dog breed. Its very pronounced resemblance to the wolf explains part of its fascination with the public, but also many misconceptions about its behavior, because it is above all a sensitive and very particular dog, far from the profile of an easy family dog.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Saarloos Wolfdog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Saarloos Wolfdog suitable for a beginner?
No, this breed is generally not recommended for a first-time owner, as it requires experience in socialization, behavioral management, and subtle reading of the dog.
### Can it live in an apartment?
It is not a good candidate for apartment living. It needs space, freedom of movement, and a calm environment, preferably in a house with a well-secured yard.
### Is it close to its family?
Yes, it can be very attached to its social group, but it often expresses this in a more reserved and independent way than traditional companion breeds.
## Find a Saarloos Wolfdog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Saarloos Wolfdog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Saarloos Wolfdog breeders in Pays de la Loire4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/pays-de-la-loire) [Saarloos Wolfdog breeders in Normandy3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/normandy)
### Saarloos Wolfdog breeders by country
[16 breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog) [16 breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/germany) [7 breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/italy) [4 breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/netherlands) [2 breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/switzerland) [2 breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/united-kingdom) [1 breeder of Saarloos Wolfdog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/austria) [1 breeder of Saarloos Wolfdog in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/denmark) [1 breeder of Saarloos Wolfdog in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog/spain)
[All breeders of Saarloos Wolfdog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog)
## Ready to welcome a Saarloos Wolfdog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-saarloos-wolfdog)
## Discover other breeds
[Dutch Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dutch-shepherd)
[German Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/german-shepherd-dog)
[White Swiss Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/white-swiss-shepherd-dog)
[Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/czechoslovakian-wolfdog)
[Belgian Malinois
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/belgian-malinois)
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