Natural Dogs

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

Natural Dogs
Natural dogs are the ones we consider to be primitive, aboriginal or ancient dogs, the ones that have evolved without human intervention. Many of the breeds have existed for thousands of years. Some of them lived in a wild, non-domesticated state, while others lived alongside humans sharing with them whatever resources were available. They were all instinctive hunters, scavengers and protectors of territory.

The breeds that you see today considered to be a natural dog are:

Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Eskimo dog
Basenji
Carolina dog
Chow Chow
Dingo
German Spitz
Norwegian Elkhound
Samoyed
Shar-Pei
Shiba Inu
Siberian husky

They are quite intuitive and independent which can make them difficult to train, not impossible, just more difficult than your average dog.

They are intelligent but impulsive and have a strong sense of self-preservation which makes them suspicious of unfamiliar things.

Living freely in the wild resulted in a dog with a high prey drive as well as one that may find it difficult to live in small spaces.

Natural dogs are the closest genetically to their wolf ancestors. They hold the most wolf-like behaviors. They don’t typically tolerate being handled or restrained which can make a vet or grooming visit quite difficult. They can be very wary and defensive towards strangers so it is super important to notice the way they try to communicate with you to avoid any issues. They are known for wandering off or running away, so teaching a solid recall is a must, which many owners of a natural dog struggle with. Giving them plenty of off leash time and adventures in nature are a necessity. They are quite agreeable and happy to participate in most activities as long as everyone else around is not invading their space.

This is not a full list of characteristics and may not apply to every dog. If you are interested in diving a little deeper, I encourage you to read the book, “Meet Your Dog” by Kim Brophey.