Wolfdog vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison

The Drentse Patrijshond came about in the 1930-1950s. The breed developed from pointing dogs which originated in Spain, arriving in the Netherlands in the 16th century and being known as Partridge dogs.

The eastern part was known as the Province of Drenthe, and it is this area where these Partridge dogs were bred exclusively, not being mixed with other unknown breeds.

After World War II the Drentse Patrijshond was also recognized by the FCI. It was a popular dog in the Netherlands and the breed was also recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1943. The Dretse’s popularity grew in other European countries too. In the 1960s some of the dogs entered the United States and in 2008 the Drentse Patrijshond Club of North America was established.

The Wolfdog was brought about when domestic dogs were mated with a variety of wolves so as to produce a hybrid.

People who want to own these hybrids have to be careful because they find that the unpredictable behavior of their pets makes it difficult for them to care for them.

Then they want to get rid of it. Every year, heaps of these hybrids are abandoned due to humans interfering with nature.

The wolfdog has been bred with a number of dogs but we think about it more in terms of wolf and German shepherd.

The Drentse Patrijshond is a medium to large sized dog standing between 55 and 63cm in height and weighing anything between 18 and 30kg. He is a working dog and known by other names such as Dutch Partridge Dog and Dutch Gundog among others.

The coat of the dog is medium length and dense and is mostly white with reddish brown markings. People looking at him liken him to a spaniel, pointer or setter kind of dog. He is athletic and muscular with a long feathery tail, floppy ears and a brown nose with amber colored eyes.

Temperament:

The Drentsche Patrijshond is an amicable family dog who is relaxed and calm around other pets in the home as well as children. In fact it is the kind of dog that forms a strong bond with his human family, not liking to be left alone.

He is a lively, alert and playful dog with a tendency to be a bit stubborn but this is easily dealt with when he undergoes training and socialization. He is an adaptable dog, being able to fit into life in the city or the countryside, just so long as his beloved owners are close by. However, he is very active and will require an owner who will take time out to take him on walks or involve him in lots of outdoor activities.

People mesmerized by the wolf long to bring some of that wildness home, and the wolfdog is supposed to do this.

Their looks differ a lot, even those that come from the same litter. You can’t have a predictable looking wolf dog because it could be any domestic dog bred with a wolf so they display a large variety of appearances.

Most Wolfdogs seem to have smaller heads than pure wolves. The ears seem to be bigger and more pointy.

A popular wolfdog mix is a German Shepherd mixed with the wolf. These dogs can be between 70 to 76cm in height and weigh between 40 and 45kg.

Their coat is thick and can be in colors of grey, cream, red, white, dark brown and black.

Temperament:

While the wolfdog can be trained to become quite a friendly kind of dog, it is not suitable for the first time dog owner. It can show bouts of aggressiveness around strangers and be highly protective of its family.

However, this can be helped with early socialization and training. It is illegal to own the wolfdog in some states. You don’t want to leave a wolfdog alone with your children even though the dog is capable of love and loyalty towards his human family.

The Drentse Patrijshond is a breed of dog that is particularly human orientated – just loving being around his human family.

He forms a deep bond with those that care for him and he can’t bear to be separated from his human family. The dog has always had a strong hunting instinct but these days this sweet, loyal dog is much more a devoted family pet who is more than happy to come indoors and make himself at home among his family members.

When you add the genes of a wild animal to the pool, you get a crossbreed and when its an animal from the wild, its nature is unpredictable.

Many people don’t think about the consequences of what they do when they interfere with nature and the wolfdog gets put down when it behaves like a wild animal and attacks or bites out of defense.

Yes, they can be loyal, loving pets but always you will have the shadow of the dog or wolf’s unpredictable behavior.

There is a reason why these dogs are banned in a number of states. This dog-type-wolf breed is not recommended as a pet at all – take a look at animal shelters and the number of wolf dogs there and ask yourself why.

The Drentse is a fairly healthy dog breed, with a life span of 12 to 15 years. No matter how healthy your dog, there will always be some health issues it may face. Environmental factors and diet can play an important part in his wellbeing.

Health concerns with this breed can include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia as well as hereditary stomatocytosis. This is a disorder that affects the dog’s cells walls.

Too much fluid gets into the cells and this damages red blood cells. Some breeds are more prone to this disorder, and the Drentse Patrijshond is one. It is an hereditary disorder that results in chronic anemia and liver disease.

These dogs are generally healthy and aren’t prone to genetic related issues.

They will also be susceptible to common dog ailments such as parasites and hip dysplasia.

Like any other dog, these Wolf dogs will also possibly develop tumors. He will also need to be vaccinated against harmful diseases and you will need to have a reliable local vet who is interested in your wolf dog.

Grooming:

This dog is quite a heavy shedder, but even so, he won’t need professional grooming – just a good brushing twice a week.

The teeth will need to be brushed 2 or 3x a week and because he has floppy ears, these will need to be checked for infection. It’s a good idea to clean them with some special dog ear cleanser, but if you’re not sure how, your vet or a professional groomer can do it for you.

Cut your dog’ nails, but once again if you think you might cut into the quick of the nail, causing bleeding and pain, a professional groomer can do it for you.

Diet:

The Drentsche Patrijshond will require quality dry dog food. Speak to your vet about the best kibble that ensures your pet gets his full quota of vitamins and minerals. Add in cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken from time to time and include some raw meat wherever possible. Adding in some raw meat helps to stave off dry, red, irritated skin. Your pet will also need access to fresh, cool water day and night.

If you own a wolfdog the same care procedures would need to be followed as you would with a regular dog.

A wolfdog, however, can’t be vaccinated against rabies. It seems that the reason for this is that it is due to current legislation, and vaccine manufacturers don’t want to support wolf dogs as pets because they are considered to be dangerous.

Provide your wolfdog with highly nutritional, protein-based food. You don’t want to feed your wolfdog any of the low quality, traditional store-bought food high in carbs and artificial additives. Instead, look for a diet rich in proteins and be sure to give this dog some raw meat occasionally.

Groom the thick coat to ensure it stays shiny and healthy.

The dog is active and you will need to provide heaps of exercise for him, both mental and physical activities.

The wolfdog will require training but it will require dedication, though it can be done as the dog is very intelligent.

Even with training, the wolfdog isn’t suited to life in the city but should be kept in the countryside.