How are wolves different from dogs?
How a dog is different from a wolf depends on the breed of dog. Of course, breeds such as the Chihuahua are very different from wolves they are much smaller, and have big brown pop-eyes, domed heads, etc., which wolves do not have. There are several breeds of dog, including the German Shepherd, the malamute, and the Siberian husky, which look like wolves to some extent. In general, wolves have broader heads, smaller, more rounded ears with fur in them, narrower chests, longer legs, and do not have a clear white “mask” on their faces like malamutes and huskies. Wolves also do not have curled tails (like chows or huskies), floppy ears (like beagles), dark brown eyes, or pink noses. Wolves also behave very differently from dogs. Dogs have been bred by humans for thousands of years to do a lot of different things that wolves do not naturally do, like bark a lot at intruders (wolves would rather run away) or to guard, rather than chase and kill, sheep. Dogs are also more tolerant of humans
Wolves and dogs evolved from a common "wolf" ancestor, but today, they are quite different. Dogs have lived with humans for many thousands of years. They were likely the first domesticated animal, and because of their relationship with humankind, they have become very different from wolves. While wolves instinctively avoid human contact, dogs instinctively seek it out. Experiments have indicated that wolves may be better at certain problem solving tasks (escaping cages, manipulating objects with their mouths etc) than dogs, but dogs appear to be more skilled than wolves when it comes to interacting with humans. For example, dogs are adept at watching their human companions and making eye contact in order to anticipate and respond to human requests. Wolves in the wild are pretty similar with respect to their physical characteristics (size etc); Selective breeding has not only led to an incredible range of dog breeds with tremendous variety in size, shape and demeanor, but it has also genetically altered the developmental timeline of dogs. Among other things, as pups, they open their eyes weeks after a wolf pup would.
So there are numerous ways dogs vary from wolves, but perhaps the most important difference is that wolves are not pets. They are magnificent wild predators who play an essential role in maintaining the natural order. They are definitely not dogs. Dogs, on the otherhand, depend on their human relationships, and are, of course, humankind’s very best friend and companion. If you’re looking for a buddy, bring home a dog from your local shelter or rescue! And support efforts to preserve wolves in the wild, where they belong.
How a dog is different from a wolf depends on the breed of dog. Of course, breeds such as the Chihuahua are very different from wolves — they are much smaller, and have big brown pop-eyes, domed heads, etc., which wolves do not have. There are several breeds of dog, including the German Shepherd, the malamute, and the Siberian husky, which look like wolves to some extent. In general, wolves have broader heads, smaller, more rounded ears with fur in them, narrower chests, longer legs, and do not have a clear white “mask” on their faces like malamutes and huskies. Wolves also do not have curled tails (like chows or huskies), floppy ears (like beagles), dark brown eyes, or pink noses. Wolves also behave very differently from dogs. Dogs have been bred by humans for thousands of years to do a lot of different things that wolves do not naturally do, like bark a lot at intruders (wolves would rather run away) or to guard, rather than chase and kill, sheep. Dogs are also more tolerant of human
Related Questions
- Why can two different species (such as wolves and dogs) breed together, and still be considered different species?
- Aren’t the wolves that were re-introduced in other places non-native or different from earlier wolves?
- Are All Dogs Descended From Wolves and How Did the Different Dog Breeds Develop and Evolve?
