EARS

WOLVES: Wolves have small to-sized ears that are positioned moderately high on their heads and have a triangular shape, featuring a well-furred and "cupped" appearance. The ears angle slightly outward, aligning with the of their eyes as shown in the top two photos. Additionally, wolves' ears are often rounded at the tips, thick, and stand upright.

​

DOGS: Dog ears vary widely, from long and floppy to cropped.

Breeds with more natural ear shapes include:

• Siberian Huskies: Typically possess-sized, triangular ears that are moderately to well-furred and set high on the head with moderate thickness.

• Alaskan Malamutes: Generally have medium to large triangular ears that are moderately to well-furred and set wide on the head, with moderate thickness.

• German Shepherds: Usually feature larger and taller triangular ears that are more open, with poor to moderate fur coverage, set high on the head, and with thinner ear leather compared to some other breeds.

Eyes

Wolves possess almond-shaped eyes that are typically closer together on their faces have a slanted appearance. The corners of their eyes align with the outer of their ears, forming a 45-degree angle from the eyes to the ears. Their eye colors can vary from amber to pale yellow, and even green, while blue, brown, and black are characteristics found in dogs.

​

Dogs: In contrast, dogs have round, softer-looking eyes that are set wider apart on their faces. Some northern breeds, like Alaskan malamute and Siberian huskies, may also exhibit almond-shaped and slanted eyes, but usually not as sharply angled as those of wolves. Their eye colors can range from dark brown to bright yellow, green, and ice blue.

Teeth

Wolves: Wolves possess longer and thicker canine teeth compared most dogs, along with larger, more developed molars. Their canine teeth are notably large and slightly curved aligning in a precise scissor bite. Although underbites and overbites can happen, they typically result from significant inbreeding.

​

Dogs: Most large canines should have a total of 42 teeth, though certain smaller or brachycephalic breeds, like English bulldogs, may have fewer due to dental crowding and jaw structure. Northern breed dogs may have smaller teeth, while German shepherds often have teeth comparable in size to wolves, though slightly. While Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, and German shepherds ideally exhibit even scissor bites, underbites and overbites can still occur.

Head Muzzle, Nose

WOLVES: Wolves possess large heads relative to their bodies, characterized by a wedge-shaped appearance reminiscent of a kite. Their skull features unique measurements including a 40 to 45-degree angle from the eyes to the ears. The skull should be relatively flat, with a gentle slope from the occipital bone at the back. The stop—the area on the forehead where muzzle meets the head—should be minimal, and the muzzle should match the length from eyes to the base of the skull. Wolves have black, close-fitting lips and a, textured black nose.

​

DOGS: In contrast, dogs typically have heads that are smaller or average-sized compared to their bodies, displaying a variety of from round to narrow. - Siberian Huskies often have rounded heads with medium-length muzzles and pronounced stops - Alaskan Malamutes feature large, broad heads with shorter, thicker muzzles and prominent stops. - **German Shepherds** exhibit wedge-shaped heads with longer muzzles and minimal stops. Compared wolves, dogs have narrower heads and a wider orbital angle, typically between 50–60 degrees Dog noses can come in black, liver/blue, snow (with a stripe), or spotted variations, while their lips may be black, pink/l, or a combination of both, and can be either close-fitting or loose.

General Apperance, Masking & Coloring

WOLVES: Wolves exhibit a variety of colors, and their facial masking can vary significantly. White or black wolves typically show minimal masking, while grizzled and ones often display more pronounced masks. Those with masks feature blended, banded colors rather than the stark contrasts seen in some dog breeds. Wolves have full masks without facial markings like open face masks, blazes, or splashes, and they possess distinct cheek ruffs—tufts of longer hair on the sides of their faces that should be thick and flowing, reflecting the large shape of their heads.

​

DOGS: Dogs showcase an extensive range of coat colors and patterns, from solid black to red brindle, blue ticking or asymmetrical splash coats. Their facial markings and coat patterns are generally sharp and contrasting, particularly on their faces. For example, an Alaskan malamute mix may have a white blaze running up its forehead. Many northern breeds and German shepherds clear and defined facial markings with minimal blending, and most dogs do not have cheek ruffs.

Neck

WOLVES: Wolves possess thick, robusts that are either proportionate to their bodies or slightly elongated. They feature a prominent ruff of fur that extends from their cheeks down their necks to their shoulders. The fur in this area is dense, composed of longer guard hairs, and exhibits a well-blended color. Wolves are often for holding their heads level or slightly lower than their backs and shoulders.

​

DOGS: In contrast, dogs generally have shorter necks with no significant ruff of fur like that of wolves. Siberian huskies usually exhibit shorter necks with an upright head posture, while Alaskan malamutes have thicker, fluffier necks German shepherds may have longer or more proportionate necks, but they typically lack the ruff of fur.

Coat

WOLVES: Wolves shed only once a year during the spring months, typically starting in early April and through May. They consistently begin this process at the same time each year. Unlike most dogs, which shed throughout the year or have seasonal in spring and fall, wolves undergo a molting process, shedding their entire undercoat along with some guard hairs. This shedding resembles the way bison lose their coats, occurring in large clumps rather than the small tufts seen in dogs like malamutes and huskies. The stark contrast between a wolf's summer and winter coats can be surprising, leading some to mistakenly think the animal is unhealthy during the shedding. Additionally, a wolf's summer coat can distort its appearance, making ears and paws seem larger, legs, and heads narrower, while providing a clearer view of its overall structure without the bulk of a thick coat. Shedding and coat growth are influenced by the changing lengths of days and the amount of natural sunlight received through the eyes. While climate and temperature can slightly affect coat characteristics, an Arctic wolf raised in Texas will still develop coat typical of its northern lineage. In Texas, due to earlier sunlight exposure, shedding may begin slightly earlier, around mid to late March instead of early April.