Utonagan Puppies Fresno

Utonagan Basics

When you see the Utonagan dog breed for the first time, you might think that you are looking at a wolf. In fact, the Utonagan breed was specifically developed to look like a wolf. Originally sold as a wolf hybrid, this dog is actually a mix of three distinct breeds. Despite their wild appearance, Utonagan dogs make wonderful companions and family pets, though they may be a challenge for inexperienced dog owners.

The Utonagan breed was specifically developed to look like a wolf.

Origin

Originally known as the Northern Inuit Dog, the Utonagan breed was developed during the 1980s by Edwina Harrison. Harrison created the breed by crossing five mixed-breed rescue dogs of unknown origin with Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, and Alaskan Malamutes. The goal of this crossing was to produce a dog that had a wild, wolf-like appearance but the sweet, gentle nature of a domesticated dog. The breed has yet to gain any recognition from major breed clubs including the AKC, the UKC, and the British Kennel Club.

Pedigree

The Utonagan was developed from several mixed-breed rescue dogs crossed with Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, and Alaskan Malamutes.

Food/Diet

As a large-breed dog, the Utonagan should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for large breeds. The Utonagan is also a very active breed, so he may respond well to an active or working breed formula. You still need to be careful about overfeeding, however, to prevent obesity.

Despite their wild appearance, Utonagans make wonderful companions and family pets.

Training

The Utonagan was bred primarily to look like a wolf – it wasn’t developed for any specific working ability, though these dogs can be trained for many different things. This breed is highly intelligent and people-oriented, so he responds well to training. These dogs are quick to learn, but their size and their capacity for boredom may pose a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. This breed requires clear boundaries and a firm hand in leadership, however punishment and rough treatment will not be tolerated. These dogs do require a good bit of training and socialization from an early age, especially if you want them to get along with other pets because they have a high prey drive.

Weight

The Utonagan is a large dog, standing 23 to 30 inches tall and weighing anywhere from 55 to 110 pounds at maturity. Males of the breed tend to be larger than females.

Temperament/Behavior

Despite its wild appearance, the Utonagan was specifically bred to be a gentle, people-loving breed. This breed has a friendly, gentle temperament and they love to spend time with family – they also have a particular love for children. These dogs are unfailingly even-tempered, though they are prone to behavioral problems if they don’t get enough mental or physical exercise. These dogs can be somewhat dominant as well, so they need an experienced dog owner who will set clear boundaries and maintain a strong position of leadership. This breed loves to spend active time with family and does very well in various dog sports.

Common Health Problems

The Utonagan is a healthy breed with a long lifespan compared to many breeds of its size. This breed is prone to several health problems, however, which may include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, Addison’s disease, von Willebrand’s disease, and various eye problems.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for the Utonagan is between 12 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

Similar to the three breeds from which the Utonagan was developed, these dogs require a significant amount of daily exercise. This is not a hyperactive breed, but he does have a good bit of energy that needs to be released through a long daily walk and active playtime or free time to run in a fenced yard. If he doesn’t get enough exercise, he is highly prone to developing behavioral problems. These dogs also need plenty of mental stimulation to prevent boredom.

Utonagans have a particular love for children.

Coat

The Utonagan has a medium-long double coat that comes in various combinations of black, grey, and white. The coat is very thick with straight, smooth guard hairs in the outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. Dogs of this breed should have a clearly defined mask and any pied or ink marked colors are not preferred. Despite the length of the Utonagan’s coat, it is easy to maintain – it only requires twice weekly brushing. The breed does blow its coat during the spring or late summer, however, which may necessitate extra grooming.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Utonagan is 4 to 8 puppies. Because it is a large breed, you need to be careful about feeding puppies so that they don’t grow too quickly. If large-breed puppies grow too fast it could put strain on the bones and joints, predisposing the dog to musculoskeletal problems as an adult. Feed your puppies a large-breed puppy formula until they reach 80% of their maximum size then switch to a large-breed adult formula or working breed formula.