Greek Biologists Just Confirmed a Disturbing Rumor That Everyone Considered Impossible for Years

Daily Galaxy ^ | October 30, 2025 | Arezki Amiri |

[Red Badger]

Greek scientists have confirmed a rare genetic event deep in the wild—one that blurs the line between domestic and untamed.

A team of Greek wildlife biologists has confirmed the country’s first genetically verified wolf-dog hybrid, identified during a multi-year study of wild wolf populations. The animal, discovered in the forests of northern Greece, carries a genetic profile of 55% domestic dog and 45% gray wolf, according to data released by the conservation group Callisto.

The finding was made during an analysis of 50 biological samples collected from wolves across mainland Greece. DNA sequencing revealed one specimen with clear hybrid characteristics. The individual was not the result of captive breeding but a wild-born animal, making it a rare and significant case in European wildlife monitoring.

Genetic Confirmation Amid Growing Wolf Numbers While wolf-dog hybrids have been observed elsewhere—primarily based on phenotypic characteristics—few have been genetically confirmed in the wild. This case, reported by Greek City Times, is the first of its kind in Greece and among the few supported by genomic data in Europe.

Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and gray wolves (Canis lupus) are closely related and share more than 99.9% of their genome, enabling interbreeding under specific conditions. However, natural hybridization remains infrequent due to behavioral and ecological barriers, including the territorial nature of wolves and the low likelihood of dogs surviving independently in wild environments.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

LOL. I was just thinking the same thing. White Fang
1906 novel by Jack London.

[Red Badger]

Yes, but are they ‘natural’, ie totally without human interference?............

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

I have a Siberian Husky wolf mix. She is the best dog I’ve ever had. There are a lot of things about her that are different, but no other dog challenges her.

[Salamander]

I have no sense of smell due to a TBI

Now gimme muh stinking wolf.

😁

[Salamander]

/there castle

[PeterPrinciple]

are closely related and share more than 99.9% of their genome,

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now, there was just one that was proven a hybrid. they interbreed by nature, that is the design.

Dogs are just selective breeding for for genetic expression that already exists in wolves.

A Russian experiment with dogs proved that dogs were back to wolves in 3 generations. Nature selects also.

New research doesn’t build on the old knowledge it discovers something and claims it to be new.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/06/research-suggests-a-surprising-evolutionary-brain-change-between-foxes-and-dogs/

not quite the one I was looking for but it is relative.

I don’t like the term evolution as it implies new genetic information in our world. I grew up with mendal as genetic expression.

[CommerceComet]

but Ireally couldn’t trust “Woolfy” around my cats.

Or really anything else from what I have heard from dog breeders. Apparently, according to one of the breeders, the wolf side can appear without warning making them unpredictable and unmanageable for anyone other than an expert dog handler.

[Red Badger]

Evolution is a Mendel Defect...............

[PeterPrinciple]

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/06/research-suggests-a-surprising-evolutionary-brain-change-between-foxes-and-dogs/

By analyzing MRI scans of the foxes, Hecht and her colleagues showed that both the foxes bred to be tame and those bred to be aggressive have larger brains and more gray matter than those of the control group. These findings run contrary to other studies on chickens, sheep, cats, dogs, horses, and other animals that have shown domesticated species have smaller brains, with less gray matter, than their wild forebears.

---

On reflection that is an interesting study. Wonder if it applies to humans.

Note the article and how it is written compared with current day research. Refreshing.

[Red Badger]

[Dr. Franklin]

We do have coyote dog hybrids and coyote wolf hybrids, but not dogs? Given the demonstrated plasticity in dogs and the fact that coyotes cross with wolves and dogs, that a viable wolf dog hybrid is considered unlikely would seem silly on its face.

Dogs are domesticated gray wolves. They can still interbreed. In fact, some dogs like German Shepards were bred to me more wolf like.

[Dead Corpse]

All the size and furriness... None of the Wolf “bite your face off”edness...

https://direwolfproject.com/

100% canine. No lupine DNA.

[Dr. Franklin]

Or really anything else from what I have heard from dog breeders. Apparently, according to one of the breeders, the wolf side can appear without warning making them unpredictable and unmanageable for anyone other than an expert dog handler.

The animal needs to know it is in an inferior social status in the "pack". Some owners, frequently women, let their dog think it is the leader, not the person. These dogs will bite to show their dominance with a bad owner. The problem with reintroducing wolf genes is that the animal may be more likely to challenge the owner as the "pack" leader unexpectedly. They aren't docile like a golden retriever.

[Salamander]

I dearly wish but dogs with undercoats make me sneeze and wheeze.

I pet them anyway.

😬

[Dead Corpse]

I’ve only ever owned/lived with large dog breeds. Smallest was my 110 lbs Goldie.

Been thinking of getting another dog. :-)

To each their own.

PS... My youngest Sister has a pair of Chihuahua’s... Ugh. More rat than dog and her cats are all bigger than they are.

[Salamander]

Dogs and wolves split off from an ancient common ancestor.

The “dogs are wolves” has been debunked.

https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/accumulating-glitches/dogs_are_not_domesicated_wolves/

[Salamander]

Same.

You NEED a dog and somewhere there’s a dog who needs you

😊

[Salamander]

There was a show called Life After Humans that showed what happens to the world if we were suddenly gone.

The smaller and often “physically/genetically challenged” dog breeds who didn’t make it more than a few weeks was interesting.

(Dobermans did just fine)

😁

[CommerceComet]

The problem with reintroducing wolf genes is that the animal may be more likely to challenge the owner as the "pack" leader unexpectedly

Same issue of dominance can arise with some of the more aggressive working dogs, like a kangal, bully kutta, caucasian shepherd, etc. These breeds and wolf hybrids are generally too much for inexperienced owners.

[Carry_Okie]

In fact, some dogs like German Shepards were bred to me more wolf like.

Instructing me again? Please.

Capt. von Stephanitz reported in 1925 that the shepherd dog was bred specifically to perfect a more efficient gait than the wolf (especially the Polish flavor). More to your errant point, he speaks of the differences in skull shape differentiating the shepherd dog back to the Bronze Age, what he calls "C. Poutiatini" pp33.

You are talking to one who has had Dutch Shepherds for 30 years and really hates what modern breeding is doing to that type.