German Shepherds are formidable opponents in the domestic dog world. But how would this breed fare in the wild? No German Shepherd owner wants to imagine their cute baby fighting a big bad wolf. However, the German Shepherd is a herding dog and was originally bred to protect farm animals from predators including wolves.
With a smaller body build and a lower bite force, German Shepherds are unlikely to beat a wolf when it comes to a fight. However, if the German Shepherd was bred to secure farm animals and has already fought wild animals, it might be able to defeat the wolf.
In this article, we will take a deeper look into a Wolf vs German Shepherd fight. We will examine the advantages and disadvantages of both sides and decide on a winner based on the facts. So, let’s get right into it!
German Shepherds vs Wolves
Contrary to popular opinion, German Shepherds aren’t direct descendants of wolves. However, this breed is similar to wolves and shares 99% of its DNA with them.
While wolves are wild predators known for their territoriality and scavenging, German Shepherds are a domesticated dog breed known for loyalty and protectiveness.
A German Shepherd vs Wolf combat is not the norm yet it is not impossible. In fact, German Shepherds were originally bred to herd and protect sheep from predators like wolves. There have been recent instances of these two species fighting and in these cases, the German Shepherds often held their own, despite being domesticated.
Who would win in a fight between a Wolf and a German Shepherd?
To a large extent, wolves are more likely to win. Although winning this fight depends on several factors including age, physical condition, size, etc., there have been more records of wolves winning. This is largely due to their size and bite force advantage and their exposure as wild animals.
However, the winner of a German Shepherd vs wolf fight largely depends on the dog’s personality and environmental training. If the German Shepherd was bred to secure farm animals and has already fought wild animals, the wolf has got a serious opponent on its hands.
Some dog owners have reported some accounts of their GSDs doing some hurt to wolves in a fight. But this only happened with dogs that have received intense combative training and have sizes relatively equal to the size of the wolf that they encountered. You can check out this video below to learn more about what to expect from a Wolf vs German Shepherd fight.
Why would a German Shepherd fight a wolf?
Generally, German Shepherds will fight dogs and other animals including wolves, when they believe that the animal is threatening them or their families. German Shepherds are loyal to their human families and will do anything to keep them protected. This is why they are highly suited as guard dogs (Source: 10 German Shepherd Dog Facts – American Kennel Club).
In most cases, if the German Shepherd is alone and outnumbered by wolves, it will run away. Wolves are pack animals and are rarely on their own.
German Shepherd vs Wolf: Strength
Wolves are stronger than German Shepherd dogs provided that the two dogs are about the same age and both are in good condition. Wolves have stronger muscles making it possible for them to move their limbs more powerfully.
One characteristic that sets wolves apart is their stronger jaws and teeth. According to Cuteness, both canines have 42 teeth as adults; however, wolf teeth tend to be longer and thicker than those of similar dogs. This can give wolves an advantage when it comes to securing a hold of their prey, as their fangs can reach up to 2 inches in length.
Also, while German Shepherds have their hind legs crouched, wolves’ legs are straighter and consequently stronger.
German Shepherd vs Wolf: Speed
In running, German Shepherds will struggle to match up with wolves. According to the National Wildlife Federation, wolves often travel at five miles (8 kilometers) an hour but can reach speeds of 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour. German Shepherds on the other hand have a top speed of only 48 km/h (30 mph).
With the obvious difference between their top speeds, it’s quite difficult to imagine that GSDs can draw any advantage from running speed during combat with wolves.
German Shepherd vs Wolf: Size
Although German Shepherds are known as a medium to large breed, wolves tend to be slightly larger. In general, size can be a factor in the outcome of any animal fight, as the larger opponent may have an advantage over a smaller one due to greater physical power and reach.
| Animal | Average weight (kg) | Average height (cm) |
| German Shepherds | Male: 30-40Female: 22-32 | Male: 60-65Female: 55-60 |
| Wolves | Male: 36-50Female:27-36 | Male: 58-81Female:58-81 |
German Shepherd vs Wolf: Agility
Generally, GSDs are agile dogs and may be able to match up with wolves in terms of agility depending on their upbringing. Wolves are agile and may do better than German Shepherds partly because they love to move in packs/groups. This helps them to respond better to obstacles.
Your GSD can measure up to this level of agility if it has been exposed to the necessary agility training over time.
German Shepherd vs Wolf: Bite Force
German Shepherds rank well among dog breeds for their relatively strong bite force. According to The Dogington Post, the records for the strongest bites of domestic dogs are actually held by Shepherds and Rottweilers.
Wolves, however, have a stronger bite force than German Shepherds and this might be a form of advantage in a German Shepherd vs Wolf combat. Wolves have a bite force of 400 psi while GSDs have a bite force of 238 psi.
External factors that will influence a fight between a German Shepherd and a wolf
Several external factors can influence the fight between a wolf and a German Shepherd and they include
Age
An adult German Shepherd will have the advantage if it goes head-to-head with a wolf pup. The German Shepherd will be bigger, stronger, and more agile than a wolf pup.
Illness and existing injury
Any of the two sides carrying an existing injury or suffering from an illness will be thrown at a disadvantage.
Condition of the territory
Wolves will likely feel more confident if the fight takes place in a forest. Also, wolves travel in packs and a GSD may be at a higher risk if there’s a pack of wolves nearby.
What to do if your German Shepherd meets a wolf
It is best to prevent such encounters from occurring because they usually end with both animals injured or worse dead. Your dog is naturally inclined to do its best to protect you and will risk its life while getting this done. Here are some tips to prevent your dog from meeting wolves if you live near wolves or decide to go hiking:
1) Keep your dog on a leash and in your tent at night
2) Carry bear spray when hiking
3) Don’t leave food out of your tent or in the garbage
4) Avoid areas where wolves are known to be present, especially at dawn, dusk, and night when wolves are most active.
We hope that you take the necessary steps to prevent such fights. However, if you are in such a situation, here are some tips.
1) Make noise and try to appear larger to deter a wolf from approaching. You can do this by clapping, shouting, or using a whistle.
2) If you encounter a wolf, do not run or turn your back on it. Instead, try to maintain eye contact and slowly back away while making noise and trying to appear larger. Keep your dog close to you and protect it if you can.
Watch this video to learn how to keep your dog safe from wolf attacks:
Conclusion
A wolf vs German Shepherd fight is not a please scene. In most cases, the wolf is more likely to win because of its predatory nature, great bite force, and its pack lifestyle. Don’t count your German Shepherd out though. These dogs are fiercely protective and can do damage when they choose to!
Curious about whether your German Shepherd can kill a wolf? Check out our article: Can a German Shepherd Kill a Wolf?
