LYKOS WOLFALIKE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA INC
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s environmental legislation.
Since 2010, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999, Australia has banned the importation of wolves/wolf hybrids and disallow breeds such as the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (Czechoslovakian Vlcak), Saarloos (Saarloos Wolfhound), Lupo Italiano or Italian Wolfdog.
This also includes any dog that has wolf or wolfdog content such as the Tamaskan and Northern Inuit and many other "wolfalike" type breeds, who are not officially recognised by the world kennel club (Fédération Cynologique Internationale - FCI).
When submitting an application to import to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, you must state the breed of your dog and sign a declaration stating that it is not a prohibited breed or hybrid. Fines up to $313,000 for individuals ($1,565,000 for corporations) and 10 years imprisonment can be imposed for providing misleading or false information on import declarations. Animals can also be seized and euthanised that have wolf content.
This also includes semen from a donor dog who has wolf content:
Reference: Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions and Food Safety Requirements (BICON)
Why aren't wolves and wolf-hybrids allowed in Australia?
Ecological & Biosecurity Risk
Australia has very strict controls on non-native species. The importation of wolves and wolf hybrids is prohibited because they are considered a high risk to native wildlife, to agriculture and to environmental balance.
Since Australia never had a true wolf species established in its ecology (though we do have wild canids like the Dingo). Introducing a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid could disrupt native ecosystems.
Import & Ownership Laws
Federal and state laws prohibit the import and keeping of wolves and wolf-dog hybrids.
For example:
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The government lists wolves and wolf-dog hybrids as prohibited for pet ownership.
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The ban on wolves extends to animals that have any wolf content or are wolf-dog hybrids.
Behavioural & Welfare Concerns
Wolves (and their hybrids) have behavioural, social, space and care needs that are very different from typical domestic dogs. Keeping them in a typical domestic situation raises serious risks to both human safety and to animal welfare.
We understand since these laws were made, there have been individuals who have intentionally imported wolf content into Australia. Our organisation is not affiliated or associated with them.
Our registered breeders do not contain any wolf content in their bloodlines whatsoever.
HISTORY
The Lykos Wolfalike breed was founded in 2014 by Lykosia, under the "Australian Lykos Development Project", which set forth a stud book, Breed Standard and Code of Ethics. The breeding program stated that they were to to be bred to look like wolves with a temperament suitable for Australian family homes. Only domesticated breeds such as the German/Swiss Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky and Samoyed were permitted.
Lykosia envisioned a goal to develop Australia's first wolf-look-a-like breed here in Australia, using healthy dogs with exceptional temperaments, with unique wolfy colour and desired 'wolfy' phenotype. Selective breeding has produced many dogs that are suitable for Australian families, but also have the ability to excel in recreational dog sports.
Lykosia derived the foundation bloodlines from world-renowned purebred White Shepherd bloodlines, whose ancestors excelled in work as guides for the blind, therapy, service, search and rescue dogs, as well as many international working and show ring titles. The founding dogs Oreo and Meira were selected due to their health results and exceptional temperaments which were intelligent, calm and laid back. They were hip and elbow x-rayed, cleared of MDR1 and DM (degenerative myelopathy) and their first litter was then born in April 2015.
This 2015 litter produced Lykosia Caesar, a Lykos from the first litter born in 2015, who starred in a Volkswagen commercial, playing a wolf. The combination of Meira and Oreo produced some outstanding puppies, including an accredited assistance dog and a dog who did therapy work in an aged care home. Since then, many dogs descending from those original bloodlines have been accredited and training in assistance and sporting roles.
In 2018, once Embark DNA came on the scene, it measured the breed mix of the Meira x Oreo pups. The results came in as German Shepherd Dog from Meira, Alaskan Malamute, Husky and a very small % of Samoyed from Oreo's side. Due to the success of Lykosia's first litter in 2015, the combination was repeated again in December 2016.
Over the years, several other breeders throughout Australia registered with our organisation, including but not limited to Wolfden in QLD (retired), Zionena in VIC (retired - only 1 stud dog), Beowolves in VIC and Wolkira in QLD. There are currently around 450 dogs on the stud book register. The breed is developing exceptionally well.
Oreo - foundation sire
Photo by Lykosia
