Saarloos Wolfdog

Saarloos Wolfdogs are generally considered good-tempered dogs both inside and outside of the home. Outside they are energetic and curious, happy to explore new territory and follow their noses when they find an interesting smell. Because of it, when kept outdoors, it is recommended that they be retained by a tall fence, as they are athletic enough to hurdle things in order to get out and explore further. They do have a fair prey drive and will chase small animals if allowed, but that also means they will need to be thoroughly socialized if they are to be kept with small, non-canine animals without incident. Inside the home they are generally calm and relaxed, forming tight bonds with their families and showing a fair amount of affection even if only moderately playful. They tend to be very wary of strangers and instead of barking or having protective instincts, they will slink away to try to avoid confrontation, making them poor guard and watch dogs. However, that does mean they tend to be non-aggressive, so even when they are uncomfortable, prefer to run and hide over asserting themselves. Their aloof behavior generally makes them cautious of young children as well, especially if they are rambunctious, making socialization that much more important if they are to stay happy and comfortable in their home living environment. Because they are used to a pack environment, they tend to have at least some level of separation anxiety and coupled with their high energy levels, means owners need to be proactive in getting them regular exercise to keep them from becoming frustrated, bored or unhappy.