FAQ | lykosia

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are serious about the lives we bring into this world.

We place equal priorities on health and temperament. The look of the dog never takes precedence over these core priorites, which is why the colour and type of the breed may take longer to develop. We are in no rush and are patient in our breeding goals because we do it the right way.

Important: Please read up on The Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia's "Frequently Asked Questions" page here.

WHY THE LYKOS?

Being involved in purebreds for such a long time, I developed my blood lines up to a excellent international standard, where I am satisfied that little needs to be done in their improvement. I am a firm believer that each litter bred should be a serious attempt to improve type, health and temperament. I do not believe in breeding puppies for the sake of it, nor ever for money (trust me, if you breed the right way, you don't make money!), so I have no burning desire to regularly produce litters when there is nothing equally good enough to breed them to. I believe in breeding forwards, not backwards.

After learning about the other breeds in development overseas, such as the Northern Inuit, British Timber Dog and Utonagan, I knew that I would love to have one myself.

There are certain breeds in Australia that are not recognised or registered that have been imported from overseas that resemble a wolf type of dog, but after investigation and first hand experience with them, I was not satisfied with their temperaments and ability to fit into the average family as a stable companion.

One of these breeds was a Czech Wolf Dog (Kita, pictured above in 1st and 3rd photo and below). She was a lovely young girl with a very sweet nature, but extremely high energy (rare for her to sit still for 2 seconds- the photo below was the only time she rested for 2 minutes), severe separation anxiety (screamed when I left the room) and she could not be left in a backyard with high fences (attended or unattended!). Within 10 seconds of being outside, she tried to jump our 6 foot fence - and would have succeeded if I hadn't grabbed on the way over! Kita was then transferred to a facility in QLD who was very experienced in her breed. Not a breed I would recommend for the average family home. Her breeder had imported her parents and was vastly inexperienced according to reports. When I found Kita, she had 2 other siblings up for rehoming in different parts of Australia, due to their level of difficultly for a family home without a fully fenced secure enclosure. Backyard breeders are inbreeding dogs from this breeder, with no health testing and selling them for $8000!

I had the offer of including Kita in my breeding program, but felt very strongly that her behaviour traits would not be a positive inclusion to the Lykos breed.

Some have skittish temperaments, unreliable recalls and separation anxiety. This is not something I wish to see in the Lykos. I believe these other breeds need full-time companionship and owners needs to be very experienced in canine and wolf content behaviour. Not something really suitable for a family pet. People should not just purchase pets for their "look", but make sure priority is put on health and temperament that suits their lifestyle.

It is my aim to breed dogs of fantastic temperament and health, suitable for a companion/family dog, using only the soundest and suitable breeds possible in body and mind.

ACTIVITIES/TRAINING

I feel that it is important for all dogs to experience a great life, with regular fun activities and outings. Dogs should be reliable in their obedience, friendly companions that fit well into the wider community.

Over the years, I have owned and bred dogs that excelled in conformation showing as well as working ability. At the end of the day, most people will agree, that the most important thing is that the dog have a great temperament suited for the family lifestyle. At the end of a dog's journey here on earth, one does not first remember the show ribbons or titles a dog attains - it's their temperament and companionship that makes the deepest mark on our hearts.

Obviously, a well behaved pet only comes from a) the right genetics and b) the right upbringing and training.

It's the breeder's job to select the right genetics and raise their puppies with lots of love, care, handling and positive experiences with different people. Then, it's over to the new owner to create a good environment and routine for the dog, with proper training. For me, these things are the bare basics.

RECOGNITION

Being involved in the recognition of the other Australian breeds, I am well versed in how the canine bodies work and the requirements for the recognition of a new breed.

Our main focus at the moment is to develop the breed. We have no rush to do this because we would rather build our breed the right way with strong foundations.

Recognition requirements will be achieved in the future when the appropriate requirements are fulfilled.

When the requirements are fulfilled, the appropriate measures will be taken that will allow it's formal registration with a governing canine body.

BREEDING ETHICS

We are passionate about dogs, their husbandry, correct training methods and general care. We are dedicated to helping others and will always provide advice to those asking for it.

We breed for the right reasons and select dogs very carefully and after long consideration and investigation into their health, behaviour and genetics and only after they have proven themselves via diagnostic testing.

LYKOS WOLFALIKE OR AUSTRALIAN WOLFALIKE?

Lykos Wolfalike

The original breed founded in 2014 is the "Lykos Wolfalike". It started with an Official Breed Standard (a blueprint of the breed's structure, temperament, proportions etc) created in 2014.

The aim and purpose was to develop the breed in line with the appropriate regulations for eventual recognition with a kennel club. The stud book, registrations and pedigrees have been kept since the foundation of the breeding program.

Puppies bred by registered breeders are issued with Certificates of Registration and Pedigrees. A comprehensive 'Code of Ethics' was created under the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia Inc (formerly Australian Lykos Development Project), outlining tests for breeding animals such as DNA testing and hip/elbow x-raying.

The breed's sponsoring parent club is the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia Incorporated, run by a committee of passionate people who advocate for the ethical breeding and protection of the breed in line with the law.

Trade mark

The word "Lykos Wolfalike" was trade marked under IP Australia's animal and animal breeding classes in April 2021. To our knowledge, this was the first for any dog breed in Australia to gain. It was specifically done to protect the breed, our pedigrees and bloodlines from being copied or used adversely at this point in time during the breed's development.

'Australian Wolfalike'

On the other hand, "Australian Wolfalike" is the recent term used by people who broke away from the Lykos Wolfalike community with the Lykos foundation bloodlines.

These people were originally mentored and supported by the original Lykos breeders. There is no official Breed Standard for the "Australian Wolfalike" and there is no plan to ever have them developed and recognised by any official kennel club. No parent club, organisation or incorporated association exists for them at this time and they are not issued with registration pedigrees or keep a stud book of their own. They fall into the "designer dog" category.

Why the two different groups?

The straight-forward answer is - politics. Not everyone shares the same breeding values and compliance with breeding rules and contracts.

Both camps tend to follow the same health testing on breeding dogs, but you should always ask for full copies of health test records and breeding documents - as well as pedigree information.

Breeders who are part of an organisation such as the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia Inc, have had all breeding records and health test documentation checked by the whole committee.

The only advice we can provide to prospective puppy buyers is to meet parents of the puppies to see their temperaments, see how dogs are kept on the breeder's property, and always speak to breeders on the phone/video call.

Dogs can appear big in photos of videos, but in person you might see that some are no bigger than kelpie sized dogs. The modern world of photography and ease of editing pictures can also be misleading. Always meet dogs in person if you can - or at least video call.

Our opinion

Basically, the "Lykos Wolfalike" is a breed in development and the "Australian Wolfalike" appears to be bred for commercial purposes, without any view developing them into a legitimate 'breed'.

It is our personal opinion that no breeder should be breeding for the commercial pet market as their only source of income.

There are too many dogs in shelters these days for breeders to be breeding willy-nilly for the commercial pet market.

Breeders should only breed to preserve and improve their chosen breed or for the development of a new one.

All things should be considered a top priority when breeding - specifically, health, temperament, training and working ability, with as much research as possible by breeders to ensure the ultimate welfare and future the dogs.

Our homebred girl, Neva (Lykosia Asena Dawn)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Important: Please read up on the Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia's Frequently Asked Questions page here.

Do you take reservations for future litters?

We keep a short list of suitable applicants, but people are unable 'reserve' a puppy until our puppy sale contract has been signed and a deposit paid.

How common is this breed?

The Lykos Wolfalike breed is still fairly small in numbers due to it being in the early stages of its development. Once the breed has become more developed and achieved the requirements needed to have it formally recognised, the aim is to become a recognised and registered breed with a canine authority (kennel club).

What is your policy for selling a breeding dog?

There may be an occasional opportunity for a quality puppy to be purchased to assist with the development of the breed. The puppy can only be bred with our express permission, supervision and mentorship with the Lykos Wolfalike breeding program and LWCA.

The Lykos Wolfalike breeding program is done with rigorous health testing with a focus on temperament and desirable traits. The breed is governed by an official incorporated association (Lykos Wolfalike Council of Australia Inc - LWCA), which is associated with the Victorian Government, under a formal, legal structure.