Wolfdog refers to crossbreeds between a wolf and a dog in the first four generations (F1-F4), crossbreeds between a domesticated dog and another species in the family Canidae in the first four generations (F1-F4) and, irrespective of the number of generations, any crossbreeds in which one parent is an above mentioned crossbreed (F1-F4) and the other parent other than a domesticated dog.

Therefore, a crossbreed is considered a wolfdog, if its ancestor, in addition to the domesticated dog, was a wolf no more than four generations earlier, counting the crossbreed's own generation. From the fifth generation (F5), crossbreeds are considered domesticated dogs.

However, if a crossbreed is crossed, for example, with another wolfdog instead of a domesticated dog, the genetic characteristics of the new crossbreed are still wolf-like. In this case, it does not matter how many generations back the original wolf has been. Therefore, in such crosses, the number of generations does not matter.

A wolfdog is classified as an invasive alien species in Finland.

Koirasusi