Is this a wolf or hybrid?

[AZP&Y]

It's my understanding that wolves never have the "widow's peak" in this picture -- they either have solid faces, or a solid mask over their eyes. A dog with a widow's peak is, instead, a husky, malamute, or mix of one or both.

 

I raised Huskies for 14 years... I'm still going with Husky.

 

 

AzP&Y

[mulie hunter]

I don't think it's a husky. It is either a wolf or a hybrid.

[FlyingW]

Looks like a husky to me ! I've seen a mess of wolves over the years in 27 and they look considerably different than your pic.

[BELLOTABUCKS]

if it were a ferrel dog that would be interesting it could have husky blood. the hunt regs say wolves have a short blocky snout and shorter more round ears this profile shows it does have that just looks to purty. but this pooch isn't awefully lanky so i'll play the ferrel card

[AZMSK]

I have two malamutes and have been arond huskys and malamutes for years by the markings this looks like a malamute or husky mix dog. Is there any houses in the area?

[Arizona Griz]

I have had both a wolf and a wolf hybrid. They can come in all colors.

 

It does not look like a pure wolf nor does it look like a Husky.

 

If you notice the tail it has a slight curl, not characteristic of a pure wolf.

 

It does have the hair shield on top of it's shoulders which is a wolf trademark.

 

I would have imagined that it would have already started putting on it's winter coat and that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

Looks to be a hybrid to me.

[tontotom]

Cool pics and neat sighting. It really doesn't look like the wolves I've seen in 1 & 27 but it does look lean like it's living on it's own. I'm guessing feral but holding out for the expert to report back.

[25-06]

Do we really have pure wolves here in arizona, If so has anyone ever tried one in the frying pan?

[bowhuntaz1]

I got this via email at 6am this morning.

I will keep you posted.

 

James,

 

 

 

I passed these photos along to our wolf experts and I am currently waiting to hear back from them. I’ll let you know as soon as I get word from them.

 

 

 

Johnathan O'Dell

 

Wildlife Specialist - Game Branch

 

Arizona Game and Fish Department

 

Secretary/Treasurer SW Section TWS

 

[Flash]

Pretty interesting. I am by far no expert, nut have seen wolves in eastern AZ and Idaho and I think that is not one. The body structure seems different. I will be interested what G&F tells you.

[WFGinNM]

I'm going to have to say "Hybrid", Husky/Shepherd.

 

--Bill

[COUESAZ]

I got to thinking I sure hope it is just a stinking dog. Can you imagine if it is a wolf they will have to shut the area down and pita will be all over protecting it and the thousands of acers it should have to rome on.

[bcoover]

I'm going to have to say "Hybrid", Husky/Shephard.

 

--Bill

 

 

I was thinking the same thing.

[bowhuntaz1]

Just got a call from one of the wolf guys (chris). He stated that from the frontal shot it is not a wolf, but from the side shot, there MIGHT be some wolf blood in there somewhere... Hybrid is a possiblity...

Great feed back guys, thanks...

[WFGinNM]

Just got a call from one of the wolf guys (chris). He stated that from the frontal shot it is not a wolf, but from the side shot, there MIGHT be some wolf blood in there somewhere... Hybrid is a possiblity...

Great feed back guys, thanks...

 

 

Pretty cool that you got an answer back so quick, in NM we wouldn't even be able to get in touch with the right person for months. I suppose that if you took a frontal shot at it you'd be alright. Any other shot be careful you don't hit any "wolf blood".

 

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

--Bill