Puppy Howls instead of barks. Why?

Question

We just brought home a puppy that was a part of a group of pups that were saved from a bad situation. She looks to be a German Shepard and Husky cross with VERY large feet. She only howls and doesn't bark at all. We have had puppys before and have never ran into this. Plus her canine teeth are not straight like the other dogs but have an inward curve to them (it is slight). I am wondering if she could have a little bit of Wolf in her blood line?

Answer 1

First of all, Huskies are well-known for their howls, and it's fairly common for Shepards to do it as well. It is pretty unlikely that your dog is mixed with wolf, though not impossible. Also, depending on what you mean about her teeth, that doesn't have anything to do with wolves- all puppy canines have a curve to them. Adult canines do as well, but it's less noticable, because they aren't so small and skinny. As for the large feet, it's very common for puppies of large breeds to have large feet. I wouldn't count on her being a wolf mix... and if she was, I'd keep quiet about it- it's illegal to keep one in some jurisdictions!

Answer 2

Take her to a vet and ask. If need be, they can x ray her and tell because the skull and neck structure of a wolf is much heavier and stronger than a domestic dog, even a husky or shepard. Also, if she was saved from a bad situation, she may be emotionally traumatized for life and you may have to make special habits for her entire life. She may not be good around other dogs, children, she may chew up your house when you go to work unless you have her on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety meds. If she is a wolf cross with serious emotional problems, you should consider if you can make the special arrangements that she will need so she can live a humane life without harming anyone else or you should find someone who can handle a wolf mix or put her down, even though it may seem cruel, it may be the best thing to do.

Answer 3

I once owned a Husky and he only howled. He had slightly curved teeth as well. I guess your puppy got this from the Husky side in him. The Husky and German Shepard both have large feet so the poor fellow may have HUGE feet! I bet she is a beautiful dog. Glad you rescued her.

Answer 4

I think sometimes puppies just howl because they feel lonely or sad or maybe they just haven't fully learned how to bark yet. I have a chihuahua and when I first brought her home she would kind of had a howl/whine thing going on, but one she got a little older and used to her new environment she started barking. Also your dog comes from a breed where howling is probably more natural for them than barking.

Answer 5

Akitas tend to have a very distinct howly bark. Is it possible that this is what she could be? An Akita would definately resemble a husky/sherpard cross. Try googling some pictures of Akitas and see if maybe they look similar to ur pup! Good luck!

Answer 6

its possible i had a wolfe husky hybrid when i was a kid and he used to howl when he was a pup but once he got around our other dog more he kinda picked up the bark thing it sounded funny at 1st but he ended up eventually barkin

Answer 7

I had one Golden puppy that howled up a storm! I know he didnt have a speck of wolf in him.
Some just howl to get their point across.

Answer 8

Dogs howl... She is from a pack that she is used to. She is a puppy, she is sending out the cry that says ' HERE I AM,
COME GET ME " She's lonely and misses the attention and security of the pack.

Answer 9

All dogs came from wolves so some still carry wolf traits in behavior and looks. It is possible one of her parents was wolf/wolf hybrid. If she's a nice and good dog would it even matter if one of her parents was a wolf/wolf hybrid?

Answer 10

she could be. that would be cool- like balto. i have a samoyed puppy and she has big front paws and curved teeth. samoyeds and huskys are in the same dog catagory, so they can be similar. my puppy doesn't howl though.