The Shih Tzu shares more DNA with wolves than most other breeds. The only breed group with more shared wolf DNA is the Nordic spitz group (Huskies, Samoyeds, and Malamutes).
Similarities Between Dogs and Wolves
Dogs and wolves have many outward similarities. After all, the two species descend from a common ancestor. In fact the two species share 98.8% of the same DNA. They can even interbreed (although their offspring are typically not fertile).
Apparently, a team of scientists found that the breed is the furthest removed physically and characteristically from wolves. They're a tame breed! The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most popular breeds in the UK and US – probably because of their lapdog reputation.
A wolfdog is a canine produced by the mating of a domestic dog (Canis familiaris) with a gray wolf (Canis lupus), eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), red wolf (Canis rufus), or Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) to produce a hybrid.
Currently, Shiba Inus are one of the dog breeds that have the closest genetic relationship to the grey wolf. According to a 2004 study, Genetic Structure of the Purebred Domestic Dog, the four dog breeds closest to the wolf are Shiba Inus, Chows, Akitas, and Alaskan Malamutes.
#1 – Shih Tzu
Although this breed looks nothing similar to wolves and other wild canids, the Shih Tzu is genetically one of the domestic breeds most closely related to wolves. It is thought that this companion breed originated in China around 800 BC.
Akita. Akitas are most closely genetically related to ancient wolves. They are a Japanese dog breed that is great hunters, and are often police dogs, but are also excellent family dogs.
While Siberian huskies have been marked as ancestors of ancient Siberian wolves, studies suggest they have no more similarities to the wolves than regular dogs. The only link between the two would be the environment they emerged within. However, people often like to compare the two together.
They are large dogs with a wolf-like appearance. They have long hair that is a beautiful shade of blue or slate gray. They'll have a blue or black nose and light-colored eyes, usually somewhere between amber and yellow — sometimes with greenish tints.
1. Saarloos Wolfdog. The Saarloos wolfdog is one of the more wolf-dominant hybrid dog breeds. While its temperament can display both a gentle, German Shepherd-like temperament as well as a more instinctual, wolf-side, owning a Saarloos is best for adult dog owners (no kids!) with a lot of experience.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – the most removed physically from the wolf – was also the most removed characteristically from the wolf. This breed showed only two of the nine aggressive behaviour patterns and none of the six submissive ones that were in the wolf.
Tamaskan
This rare dog breed from Finland has actually been bred to look like a wolf. The Tamaskan is smaller than a timber wolf, usually weighing about 30 to 40 kilograms (around 65 to 90 pounds). However, their grey coats, non-blue eyes, and straight tails together create a strong wolflike appearance.
Domestic dogs come in more sizes than any other mammal species. Now, researchers say a genetic mutation that emerged in wolves before they were domesticated is responsible. On appearances alone, it may be hard to believe dogs like fluffy Pomeranians or spritely Chihuahuas really are descended from wolves.
A wolfdog is a wolfdog or dog bred to another wolfdog or dog, which are the same canine species, a wolf hybrid is a cross between a pure wolf (usually bred in captivity) and a dog or a wolfdog.
There are genetic tests available. Those tests look at 3-4 genetic markers, depending on whether it is a male or female. According to the testing lab, what the test can tell the owner is whether there has been wild wolf DNA in that domestic dog's lineage in the past three generations.
Miacis did not leave direct descendants, but doglike canids evolved from it. By about 30 to 40 million years ago Miacis had evolved into the first true dog—namely, Cynodictis. This was a medium-size animal, longer than it was tall, with a long tail and a fairly brushy coat.
African golden wolves (Canis anthus), which were considered the same species as Eurasian golden jackals (Canis aureus) until 2015, are found across northern Africa. Their range extends east to west from Somalia to Senegal and north to south from Algeria to Kenya.
Adult wolves, however, never have blue eyes. It is a dog trait to have blue eyes or even different colored eyes. Most wolf eyes appear orange, amber, green, or pale yellow, but hardly ever in blue or brown/black. There may be genetic anomalies of wolves with blue or brown/black eyes, but they are not the norm.
Wolfdogs, also called wolf-dog hybrids, are animals that are part wolf and part dog. Both species share an evolutionary past, making them very physically and behaviorally similar. This shared ancestry has also allowed them to be interfertile — meaning that they produce viable offspring when they breed.
Shikoku. Shikoku (otherwise known as Kochi Ken or Mikawa Inu) were originally bred to hunt big game, but don't worry, because the wolf-like Japanese dog breed never turns down a belly rub and kisses from its owner.
The Japanese wolf is most closely related to modern dogs and its ancestral genome has been widely inherited by dogs throughout East Eurasia | bioRxiv.
The Shikoku Ken is a beautiful Japanese spitz-type breed with a wolf-like appearance. Like its smaller cousin, the Shiba, the Shikoku dog is a national treasure of Japan.
The Schipperke is the most fox-like dog in this list. Their black coat, pointed nose, and black eyes resembles a black fox. According to Dog Time, they are fearless, devoted, and a great guard dog.
Saluki. Salukis are acknowledged as the world's oldest dog breed by the Guinness Book of World Records, which states that the breed has been around since at least 329 B.C. This breed was highly prized because of their speed, stamina, and hunting abilities.
German Shepherds and wolves belong to the same genus, Canis. This means they are related genetically. German Shepherds are often said to most resemble the wolf with their long noses, big ears, and a lean build.