Wolves and Huskies

[Sweetpea RAWR]

The Siberian Husky, a very popular dog, is native to cold climates. But are these affectionate dogs related to wolves? And if so, how closely? Huskies seem to have the instincts of a wolf, and though their appearance may be different, they seem to be closely related. But are they in the same family?

[Kivia]

All canids are in the same family Canidae, so technically yes, Siberian Huskies and wolves are similar in that manner. They also look a bit like wolves too, and seem to be like wolves, but there are actually several other breeds that are actually more closely related to wolves than huskies, like the Saarloos Wolfhound to name one off the top of my head.

Here's a guide Blightwolf made about wolf-like breeds if you wish to look at that^^:
http://www.wolfquest.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=39975

[Sweetpea RAWR]

But huskies are domesticated, so is it possible if we began to live with wolves, that they would become more docile and domesticated like the husky? They were wild before our influence, and since they're in the same family as wolves it surely must be possible. Not that keeping wolves as pets is a good thing. Wolves and dingos are just about the only wild dogs left. ( I am aware of others I just can't remember them all) My curiosity has led me to the question: If wolves and Huskies are alike, then why don't you see them living together? What was different enough about the Husky that it was ok with humans and became our companions?

[SolitaryHowl]

The husky is not a separate species. It is a breed of the dog. The dog was domesticated from wolves a long time ago. Breeds of dogs were created by breeding certain desirable traits of the early domestic dog.

There are many other animals (species) in the same family as wolves and dingos. (Canidae)

They are, but are not limited to:

- African Wild Dog
- Coyote
- Domesticated Dog
- Grey Wolf
- Red Wolf
- Red Fox
- Arctic Fox
- Dingo
- Jackal
- Maned Wolf
- Dhole

(More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canidae#Caninae)

I believe you are confusing the domesticated dog issue?

[Sweetpea RAWR]

Well I understand that. Domestication started when wolf packs were living on the fringes of human society. Those wolves who didn't live with a pack usually scavenged human trash. The humans noticed them and they started to live together as hunting partners, then companions. Over a long period of time those wolves who were isolated from the wild wolves became their own species, or the domesticated dog, and began to show different traits. When humans realized this they started inbreeding, or breeding different traits together to get desired traits. That led to many dog species. The malamute (Spelling??) is the most similar to the wolf, more so than the husky. But huskies are genetically similar, and because they are both from the Candid family, mating might be possible, although the offspring may be infertile, such as mules are. I believe that if we went through the entire process of domestication again with wolves, the result would be the same, the wolves over a period of time would be domesticated and docile, like the dogs we have today.

[Blightwolf]

http://www.wolfquest.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=40096

That should clarify some things for you, if you care to take a look at it.

The malamute (Spelling??) is the most similar to the wolf, more so than the husky. But huskies are genetically similar,

I'm sorry, but you have been misinformed. The Alaskan Malamute is not "the most similar to the wolf", not anatomically nor behaviorally.
And speaking in general terms, all breeds of dog are equally genetically related to wolves, Northern/sled-dog breeds are not any more related to wolves than any other breed.

[Canidae]

And speaking in general terms, all breeds of dog are equally genetically related to wolves, Northern/sled-dog breeds are not any more related to wolves than any other breed.

This has always greatly amused me; it's strange how a husky is no more closely related to a wolf than a chinese crested.

[Sweetpea RAWR]

I believe its because all dogs are descended from wolves. We breed them together for different traits (long ears, short tail, etc), and over time they have developed into their own different looks. But technically, yes all dogs have the same genetic makeup as wolves.

[Canidae]

I believe its because all dogs are descended from wolves. We breed them together for different traits (long ears, short tail, etc), and over time they have developed into their own different looks. But technically, yes all dogs have the same genetic makeup as wolves.

Yeah I know that's why they have different looks, but it's still quite amusing.

[DarkMadHunter]

I figured that most dogs are very related with Wolfs, With many traits of wolfs with many instincts with Powerful noses, Scencitive hearing, and those other things that can NOT be explained. Many traits.

[Sweetpea RAWR]

Like I said, we breed them to be that way. It's amazing though that a dog like the Chinse Sharpei can have the same genetic makeup as a wolf. I think though, through closeness to humans, dogs lose instincts to hunt, run from humans and group together.

[April]

The Siberian Husky, a very popular dog, is native to cold climates. But are these affectionate dogs related to wolves? And if so, how closely? Huskies seem to have the instincts of a wolf, and though their appearance may be different, they seem to be closely related. But are they in the same family?

All dogs are related to the wolf, though some closer than others. No doubt the husky has a close connection to the wolf although I don't think it's the closest dog to the wolf

Actually they are not all equally related. Some have been breeded further down in the spectrum than others. I watched a show on national geographic on dog breeding and as dogs kept breeding new generations began to emerge, much MUCH less related to the wolf than other dogs. I mean yeah they eventually all lead up to the wolf, or coyotes or other wild dog species but some have more relation in how they act/look in relation tothe wolf.

Dogs are bred for certain things as well. Humans have pretty much bred the dogs to be like they wanted them. Wonder why pitbulls are so dangerous? They're bred for fighting. Or why some dogs are friendlier than others, they were all bred for tasks, it is not just how used they grew to humans. They were bred for that reason.

Dingoes are not natively wild to Austrailia, they were brought there by ancient cultures. And now they're a wild dog but they came from elsewhere, so who knows if they are actually a species of their own or if they were indeed actually bred as well. I think I once knew the answer to that but I forgot on whether they were bred or already a species.

[DarkMadHunter]

Though...Its interesting. VERY interesting

[Sweetpea RAWR]

I suppose I brought this topic up because Huskies look like wolves more than other dogs. It piqued my curiosity.

[Achak]

The Maned Wolf is NOT in Canidae. It is an entirely different species- more closely related to bush dogs (not real dogs) or raccoons. I need people to stop saying Maned Wolves are wolves, dogs, or (shudder) giant foxes. THE MORE YOU KNOOOWW~