Utonagan Dog Breed Information

Posted on Oct 1, 2019, Modified : Jun 22, 2021 Zina

Breeds

Country of Origin	United States
Nicknames and Other Names	None
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Crossbred
Group	Sled Dog, Companion Dog
Bred For	Wild appearance but sweet and gentle nature
Size	Large-Sized
Recognized By	None
Life Span	12-15 Years
Ideal Weight	55-110 Pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height	Male: 26 and above Female: 25 and above
Fur Type	Double Coat, Medium long, Dense, Straight and smooth
Common Colors	White, Black, and Gray
Markings	None
Availability	Moderately Available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	No
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	Northern Inuit

Utonagan dog is a large-sized dog that at first glance is confused with a wolf. It has a wolf-like appearance because it is specifically designed to look like a wolf. It is a mix of the three distinct dog breeds: Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherd. They are a strong, muscular dog that is covered with a beautiful, dense coat.

Despite having a wild appearance, Utonagan is a very gentle and loving dog breed that makes an excellent family companion. They are a very sociable and friendly dog breed that gets along with all aged members in the house from a child to old people.

Origin and History

The Utonagan was originated in 1987 by Edwina Harrison who mixed five unknown rescued breeds with Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and German Shepherd.

The name Utonagan means ‘spirit of wolf’ in Chinook Indian. It was not bred for any other reason than for the specific looks of the wolf. But since it was bred from the three extreme working dog breeds, it can be kept as a working dog.

Utonagan is not yet been recognized by any major kennel club including AKC, UKC, and British Kennel Club.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of the Utonagan is gentle, sweet, well-balanced, and even-tempered. They make an excellent family companion due to their loving, gentle nature. They thrive in the home environment with their family, helping them and playing with them.

Behavior: Utonagan is a very energetic dog with a high activity level. They need regular exercise where you should take them out for running, jogging or dog sports. They are not suited for apartment life and need an open space where they can perform their daily activities.

Utonagan Dog running on the water.
Image Source: PetGuide

Personality: The personality of the Utonagan is intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. They get along with other dogs very well as they have a very strong pack mentality. However they need good leadership in a house, otherwise, they will see themselves as pack alpha.

Trainability

Training Utonagan can be a tough task to do as they have an independent mind. They need firm and consistent leadership, so establish leadership upon them when they are still at a young age.

Start from basic obedience training and move to agility as they master the basics. Use a positive method of training and reward them with delicious treats and vocal praises as they complete a certain task.

Is Utonagan Child-Friendly Dog?

Yes, Utonagan is a child-friendly dog that gets along with children very ell. They are playful, loving, and gentle with them and also tolerate their rough and harsh behavior. No matter how tolerant and friendly your dog is, it is always necessary to supervise their interaction with kids. Also, teach your children to behave around dogs and handle them well.

Facts

Although Utonagan is known as a wolfdog, it has no ‘wolf’ in the DNA.
They are a very noisy dog that loves their own voice. Even with the training they do occasion talking with themselves.

Health Issue

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Lens Luxation, Patellar Luxation
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Rabies, Canine Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Canine Distemper, Kennel Cough
Shedding	Moderate Shedder
Drooling	Average Drooler
Grooming	Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average
Separation Anxiety	High Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 23% Fat: 8% Probiotics Glucosamine Fish Oil

Utonagan Sog is generally a healthy dog breed with few genetic health issues.

Hip Dysplasia: It is a situation where the hip joint of your dog is dislocated from its original place. It causes the dog painful to move from one place to another. It is a mostly genetic problem, so before buying a puppy, always check for its parent’s health problems.
Obesity: Utonagan is likely to get obese, so for them the right amount of dog food and always involve them in regular activities.