Utonagan - New Wolf-Like Dog Breed

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Do you like dogs that resemble wolfs? If so, you will be fascinated by Utonagan – a relatively new dog breed created in the 1980s. These dogs undoubtedly resemble a wolf appearance, and because of that, their popularity started to grow rapidly.

Utonagans are excellent family dogs that protect the kids while being gentle enough not to hurt them. It is a very intelligent dog that will do best in a house with a big yard where he can roam around. We are sure you will be speechless if you see this dog breed. Because of the rise of their popularity, there is a probability that many unethical breeders will start to breed them only to make some money.

If you want a Utonagan dog, we advise you to search your local shelters and try to adopt one. That way, you can get the dog you want while saving his life.

History

The history of the Utonagan dog breed is rarely short. They were created at the beginning of the 1980s and have gained much more popularity recently. Edwina Harrison was the breeder that created this dog breed. Her vision was to create a dog that would have a physical appearance of a wolf while being a gentle and well-tempered dog breed.

The result was Utonagan, and to create this dog breed, Mrs. Harrison used different dog breeds, including

• Siberian Huskies
• Alaskan Malamutes
• German Shepherds
• 5 unknown dog breeds

Neither kennel club does not recognize this dog breed since it is relatively new and has a long way to go.

Temperament

Utonagan dogs are created to be loving and gentle, which is exactly what they are. They are excellent choices for families with kids as they can be excellent playmates for them.

However, this dog can be dominant, and with these dogs, you need to be the alpha for your dog to listen. This dog must receive proper stimulation so he wouldn’t exhibit negative behavior traits such as destructive behavior.

Boundaries need to be set, and your dog needs to follow them if you want a well-behaved dog with whom you will not have problems.

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Care and grooming

Utonagans are high-maintenance dogs; if you want one, you must be prepared to spend a lot of time on their care and grooming. They have a medium-long double coat in various color combinations, including white, black, and grey.

They have a thick outer layer of hair and a soft, dense undercoat. Since they are double-coated dogs, you can expect they will shed – a lot. During shedding season, you can expect a large amount of hair. Because of that, you must brush Utonagans weekly to keep the hair under control and keep those dogs looking their best.

Besides grooming, this dog will also require basic teeth, and ear cleaning, and nail trimming. If you are unsure how to do it yourself or don’t have time, we advise you to schedule a meeting with a groomer and let him do the job.

Socialization

As with any dog breed, early socialization is a must if you want to end up with a well-behaved dog breed. Utonagans need proper socialization because big dogs tend to be dominant. With early socialization, your dog will know the boundaries and what is expected from him.

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Is Utonagan good with kids?

These dogs are excellent choices for families with kids. Kids will get playing mates with enough energy to follow them around. No matter how good your dog is, it would help if you always supervised while they play since Utonagans are big dogs, and they could unintentionally knock the kid over, so you must always be there.

Can Utonagans get along with other dogs?

This will solely depend on your dog. These dogs can get along with other dogs and animals if taught early on and properly socialized. However, even with the proper socialization, there could be a situation where your Utonagan will not like some particular dog and will not be able to get along.

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Training

Training is extremely important for these dogs. Utonagans are intelligent dogs and can quickly pick up your commands, but besides that, training them is important to set boundaries and to teach your dog what he can, and can’t do.

They tend to be dominant dogs, and if they realize that they are in charge, you will face many problems with this dog in their lifetime.

You must start early and provide your dog with proper training to get the best results. If you are unsure how to do it, we advise you to seek help from a professional.

Exercise

Utonagans are high-energy dogs and need the proper daily activities to be happy and satisfied. If you provide him with enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day, you can be sure your dog will not develop bad traits and behavior.

These dogs are best suited for a house with a big yard where they can run and play. 

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Health problems

Most dog breeds are susceptible to health problems, which also applies to Utonagan. Since this is a relatively new dog breed, there is little information about their health problems, but we know some of them.

Utonagans can suffer from

• Hip dysplasia
• Joint problems
• Heart problems
• Bloat
• Addison diseases
• Epilepsy

These are well-known health problems that can bother many dog breeds worldwide. Because of their rarity, no known health problems are specifically connected to Utonagans.

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World Dog Finder team