Saarlooswolfhond vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison

Dutch breeder Leendert Saarloos began to breed German Shepherds to a European wolf. His goal was to bring out a dog that was more hard working.

The Dutch Kennel Club recognized this dog breed in 1975, and to give honor to the breeder, they gave the name to the dog - Saarloos Wolfdog. The dog was also recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

Today the Saarloos is regarded as a pet and companion. It was in 2015 that a study found that this dog showed more genetic association with the gray wolf.

The name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

The Saarloos Wolfdog is a large dog standing at between 60–75cm male and female and weighing between 30 and 45kg. He is athletic and muscular with a short, dense coat. Colors are wolf-grey, white and red. The Saarloos has wolf-like expressions so the ears are erect, the muzzle pointed and the tail long and plumed. They eyes are a yellow color. The face is bright and alert, showing how intelligent he is.

Temperament

The Saarloos Wolfhound is full of energy so will be looking toward his owner to come up with good exercise for him.

A walk will always be welcome, but for such a lively dog, he’ll want something more energetic such as a hike, swimming, being allowed to run off his leash in the park and lots of vigorous ball- and rope games.

He is an independent dog and for this reason you’ll want him trained and socialized to make him obedient. He is loyal and loving but some of his wolf-like characteristics might mean that he isn’t a good choice for the first-time dog owner. If the first time dog owner is firm, consistent, strong and kind, then everything will be alright.

The beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

The Saarloos Wolfhound is a beautiful wolf-like dog that is full of life and energy. When you bring him into your life, you’re going to to have a wonderful addition to your family.

He is an independent dog that is strong-willed so it pays to have him trained and socialized, and then he becomes a balanced, well mannered dog that is loving and loyal with his beloved human family.

Your MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

A well bred Saarloos Wolfhound is regarded as very healthy, and with good care they can reach up to 12, 13, 14 or 15 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common canine disease which comes about when a dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. For a dog diagnosed with hip dyslasia it can be painful lying down and getting around.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, but diet also plays a part as well as environmental factors. All dogs breeds are susceptible to hip dysplasia. Try and avoid your dog putting on too much weight as then it puts excessive strain on the joints. There are different treatment options to make it more comfortable for your pet.

Your MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

Exercise:

He’s an active dog so he will need a good dose of exercise to keep that muscular, lean look.

Grooming:

You will need to brush the dense double coat twice a week to ensure the removal of loose hairs and to keep the coat shiny and glossy. Trim his nails and check inside his mouth as he can’t tell you when he has a rotten tooth which can cause a lot of pain.

Diet:

Feed puppies 4x a day.

Puppies 6 months on can have 2 meals a day.

Always feed your dog premium-quality dry food. Twice a week you can add home-made food to the dry kibble as a tasty treat. Add boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up and a portion added to the kibble. The rest can be frozen and then a portion warmed up for another meal.

Try and add some raw meat to his food occasionally as this helps to keep skin problems at bay.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Your pet needs a warm, dry, comfortable place to sleep to call his own.

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure there is both shade and sun.

Spaying and Neutering – beneficial if you don’t want puppies.

Vaccinations for puppies and adults to stave off deadly canine diseases.

Exercise:

Huskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.