"Dimensions
Gray wolves are the largest extant members of the Canidae, excepting certain large breeds of domestic dog.[24] Gray wolf weight and size can vary greatly worldwide, tending to increase proportionally with latitude as predicted by Bergmann's Rule.[45] Adult wolves are 105160 cm (4163 in) in length and 8085 cm (3234 in) in shoulder height.[46] The tail is ⅔ the length of the head and body,[47] measuring 2950 cm (1120 in) in length. The ears are 90110 millimeters (3.54.3 in) in height, and the hind feet are 220250 mm.[46] Wolf weight varies geographically; on average, European wolves may weigh 38.5 kilograms (85 lb), North American wolves 36 kilograms (79 lb), Indian and Arabian wolves 25 kilograms (55 lb)[48] and North African wolves 13 kilograms (29 lb).[49] Females in any given wolf population typically weigh 510 lbs less than males.[50] Wolves weighing over 54 kg (120 lbs) are uncommon, though exceptionally large individuals have been recorded in Alaska, Canada,[50] and the former Soviet Union.[46][51] The heaviest recorded gray wolf in North America was killed on 70 Mile River in east-central Alaska on July 12, 1939 and weighed 79.4 kilograms (175 lb),[50] while the heaviest recorded wolf in Eurasia was killed after World War II in the Kobelyakski Area of the Poltavskij Region, Ukrainian SSR, and weighed 86 kilograms (190 lb).[51]"
I occasionally see a guy with a big, big dog called a Neopolitan Mastiff, and that dude is huge. Slobbering, friendly, unlike my ideas about Gray Wolves in the wild.
It is a good thing to remind ALL dog owners that their veloved friends descend from very capable carnivores.
My 3.5 pound Chihuahua is viscious, when angry, scared, provoked, in presence of perceived food competitor, etc.
In about 1/1000 second he reverts thousands of years from domestic pet to wild hungry wolf, in spite of his small size, which he doesn't understand in the least.
Hate to imagine him at 175 pounds.
"My 3.5 pound Chihuahua is viscious, when angry, scared, provoked, in presence of perceived food competitor, etc...Hate to imagine him at 175 pounds."
There's some pretty powerful pack ferocity on display in microcosm in these rat terriers at work.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Well, thank you for that amazing lesson on wolves. I just don’t wan to meet up with one myself! :o)
There is a Bull Mastiff living next door to me. I have a
15.5 pound Boston Terrier who only attacks Mastiffs and Dobermans. Well, He doesn’t actually attack them, but he gives them a good close up talking to, let me tell you. He is so protective! Small dogs no problem. All dogs are as wonderful as their owners are.
Have you read Dean Koonerz’s “A Big Little Life”? about a golden retriever he once had. Great book!