2 year health guarantee on all Western Timber Dogs
About the Breed
The Western Timber Dog
The Western Timber Dog is identifiable by their wedge-shaped skulls, longer legs, and fluffy tails. Through selective breeding, they have eliminated the wilder behaviors of a wolf, but maintained the appearance and characteristics of these large canines.
Country of Origin of the Western Timber Dog
Wolfdog breeds are not a new phenomenon in the Americas, as they have been found to part of the fabric of ancient cultures throughout the centuries. Archeological evidence suggests that the first Wolfdogs were kept by the Teotihuacan civilization 2000 years ago1, predating the Wolfdog breeds of their British counterparts by 18 centuries, as the first documented Wolfdog in Great Britain was in 1766*. Despite their long history in the Americas, the wolfdog breed became extinct at some unknown time in the North and South American continents. A resurgence in the breed developed in the United States and Canada in roughly the 1980s. There have been other wolfdog breeds found in other parts of the world including the Saarloos Wolfdog Recognized as an independent breed by the United Kennel Club (Since 2006), the Dutch Kennel Club (Since 1975) and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) (Since 1981). The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog recognized as an independent breed by the nation of Czechoslovakia (Since 1982), Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. The Western Timber Dog is an American breed, started in the State of Washington by its Founder, Leslie Lily Madaffari-Whisenant in 2006. Western Timber dogs were the result of cross breeding with other large dogs [Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherds] in hopes for a more mystifying companion. To begin, this breed had many features of a typical wolf: thick heavy coat, long spindly legs, almond shaped eyes, and was very large in stature. People were captivated by their loyalty, companionship, and intelligence, but these pups still exhibited many “wolf-like” behaviors [chewing, digging, etc.] that resulted in the destruction of household goods. Breeding programs were then set up in order to captivate and elevate the many positive traits of this wolf-dog, while decreasing the size and wilder behaviors. They were first known as Timberwolf Dogs, and eventually, Timber Dogs as they exhibit a household pet temperament, with a wolf-like appearance.
Breeds Originally used to Develop the Western Timber Dog
The earliest breeding of Western Timber Dogs was generated from crossing Wolfdogs with high wolf content with German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies and/or Alaskan Malamutes. Some note that Samoyed’s were also briefly, but rarely, used to cultivate desirable traits in some bloodlines. It was this breeding that transformed a 145lbs wild wolf, into a 110lbs domestic companion*. The popularity of these pups, turned dogs, resulted in more active breeders, and opportunity for breed improvement, to what we know it to be today. Due to achieving the anticipated genetic diversity for this breed, Western Timber Dog’s no longer rely on cross-breeding.
References
1- Valadez, Raúl & Rodríguez, Bernardo & Manzanilla, Linda Rosa & Tejeda, Samuel. (2002). Dog-wolf Hybrid Biotype Reconstruction from the Archaeological City of Teotihuacan in Prehispanic Central Mexico.
2- Cusdin, P A, and A G Greenvood. International Zoo Veterinary Group, Keighley, West Yorkshire, 2000, p. 7, The Keeping of Wolf-Hybrids in Great Britain.
3- Madaffari-Whisenant, Leslie. “Western Timber Dog Breed History.” Personal Interview conducted on 6 Feb. 2022.
A Message from the Western Timber Dog Breed Founder...
Leslie Madaffari-Whisenant is credited with the founding of the Western Timber Dog. Find out more about her experience with the breed!
Official WTDAA Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Western Timber Dog is a moderately long legged and lanky built dog that strongly resembles the Western Gray Wolf or Timber Wolf. Secondary sex characteristics are prominent.
Characteristics
The Western Timber Dog is energetic, agile, and requires high levels of exercise and mental stimulation. The breed is loyal and reliable with its handler, but will be more aloof or disinterested in strangers. The breed possesses the wolf's natural inclination to remove itself from stressful or uncertain situations and will promptly refer to its handler for guidance.
Head
Gently wedge shaped with delicate features:
Skull- The skull is flat and triangular, no prominence of occiput or eye socket. There is little to no stop at the nose bridge. Skull is dolichocephalic.
Muzzle- The muzzle is moderately long completing the triangular shape of the skull. It should be delicate of feature with no boney or prominent protrusions.
Teeth- Has a complete set of white teeth meeting in a scissor grip.
Nose- Black and well pigmented, brown is acceptable if the animal is Ignis or Red. The lighter streaked snow nose is acceptable, but not desirable.
Eyes- Are obliquely placed in the skull, notably almond shaped, pigment around eyes must be black ( brown is acceptable if the animal is Ignis or Red.) Acceptable colors are brown ( any shade) orange, green, yellow, amber. Blue eyes are not acceptable. Bi-colored eyes are acceptable only in the absence of blue.
Ears- Medium sized, well furred, triangular with rounded tips. Slightly cupped is very desirable. Ears are set wide on the back edge of the skull. Ear cropping is prohibited. Any degree of “ flop” or fold is a fault. Ears are mobile and will move forward or back depending on interest.
Neck
Neck is well muscled, flows smoothly into the topline. In Winter Coat, the neck should be heavily furred with a notable V cape. In summer coat, fur will be slightly longer than the rest of the coat, V cape will be detectable but not prominent.
Forequarters
The shoulders are moderately sloping. Forelegs are slender boned and straight. Feet are large, snow shoe type, well cushioned pad, with a prominent growth of fur between toes.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are in balance with forequarters. Hocks should be moderately bent “ cow hocked.” From the rear, it should appear that the hocks are close to touching when standing alert.
Tail
The tail is heavily furred, bottle brush shaped and low set. Length of the tail should reach at least to the hock joint. The tail is carried with a slight curve, partial sickle shape and will be highly expressive. In a restful state, the tail should hang long with only the slightest curve. In an alert state, the tail may raise slightly. In an excited state, the tail may raise into a vertical sickle, but may not curl over the back beyond the hips.
Coat
The thick double coat may range from medium length (plush coat) to moderately long ( wooly coat) Downy undercoat must be 1-2 inches in depth, soft and wooly.
Winter Guard coat must be no less than two inches and no more than 4 inches. The coat will be shorter along the body with length increasing around shoulders, neck, over the rump, breeches and tail. Coat measurements should be taken on the top of the neck and at the hips and breeches.
Color
Colors range from light gray to shadings of brown, black and red. All colors must possess a lighter colored undercoat, ranging from white to tan. Agouti guard coats are desirable. The only acceptable solid color is white. Recognized colors are Gray, Blue, Sable, Silver Sable, White or Ignis ( white with pale red markings.)
Weight
Weight should be considered a guideline as dogs will carry different levels of muscle mass.
Males- 75-95lbs Ideal 85lbs
Females- 65-85lbs Ideal 75lbs
Height
Males TBD Inches at shoulder
Females TBD Inches shoulder
Gait
The gait is light footed, sleek and tireless. Feet will converge near the centerline of the body. Neck will be mostly aligned with the back, head carried low.
Photo Gallery
