This study was rebutted as not providing convincing evidence four years later. Prehistoric wolfdogsР”Р„ 1982 study of canine skulls from Wyoming dating back 10,000 years ago identified some that match the morphology of wolfdogs. Ancient DNA shows that dogs from Europe over 5,000Р’В years ago also show little evidence of interbreeding with wild canids. However, the global dog population forms a genetic cluster with little evidence for gene flow from wolves into dogs. There is evidence of widespread gene-flow from dogs into wolf populations, and very few deliberate crossings of wolves with dogs, such as the Saarloos Wolfdog. Whole genome sequencing has been used to study gene flow between wild and domestic species. Recognized wolfdog breeds by the FCI are the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog and the Saarloos Wolfdog. Hybrids between dogs and Ethiopian wolves discovered in the Ethiopian Highlands likely originated from past interactions between free-roaming feral dogs and Ethiopian wolves living in isolated areas. It has been speculated by some biologists that some of the coywolf hybrids in the northeastern third of the continent may also have both coydogs and wolfdogs in their gene pool.

Р”Р„t the same time, because many isolated populations of the three wolf species in North America have also mixed with coyotes in the wild, Admixture of dogs and two other North American wolf species have also occurred historically in the wild, although it is often difficult for biologists to discriminate the dog genes in the eastern timber and red wolves from the gray wolf genes also present in these wolf species due to their historical overlaps with North American gray wolves as well as with coyotes, both of which have introgressed into the eastern timber and red wolf gene pools. Р”Р„t the same time, wolfdogs are also often bred in captivity for various purposes. Such admixture in the wild have been detected in many populations scattered throughout Europe and North America, usually occurring in areas where wolf populations have declined from human impacts and persecutions.

Р”Р„dmixture between domestic dogs and other subspecies of gray wolves are the most common wolfdogs since dogs and gray wolves are considered the same species, are genetically very close and have shared vast portions of their ranges for millennia. There are a range of experts who believe that they can tell the difference between a wolf, a dog, and a wolfdog, but they have been proven to be incorrect when providing their evidence before courts of law. To the left: Parents: female wolf and male GoР•вЂћczy Polski right: parents: female wolf and male West Siberian Laika. Hybrids in eastern Poland in the Wildlife Park KadzidР•вЂљowo.

Canis rufus