Description of a Saarlooswolfhond.

In 1921, Dutch breeder Leendert Saarloos started crossbreeding a German Shepherd Dog male to a female Canadian Timber Wolf (Canis lupus occidentalis). He aimed for an improved version of the German Shepherd Dog which was immune to distemper, and succeeded insofar that the Saarlooswolfdog we know is a strong imposing dog, but they kept their wolflike characteristics; they are cautious, reserved and lack the ferocity to attack; it is not the dog that Leendert Saarloos hoped to get. His theory was also proven wrong, as nearly all the first generation hybrids succumbed to distemper. Until he died in 1969 Leendert Saarloos was in full control over the breeding of his \"European wolfdog\". The Dutch Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1975. To honor its creator they changed the name to \"Saarlooswolfdog\". In 1981 the breed was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). In the past, some Saarlooswolfdogs were trained as guide dogs for the blind and rescue dogs.