Wolf Dogs in Australia: Law and Wolf-Like Breeds

Can you own a wolf dog in Australia?

Not a true one. A wolf dog (also written wolfdog) usually means one of two things: a hybrid bred from a wolf and a domestic dog, or a breed that was created from wolf-dog crosses, such as the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. Australia does not allow either into the country.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) dog import guide says some hybrid dogs, domestic and non-domestic, are not allowed into Australia, and that these bans come from environmental protection and customs laws rather than biosecurity law. It lists hybrid dogs not allowed in, “including, but not limited to, these breeds and any crossbreed offspring from them”:

• Czechoslovakian Wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos Wolfdog or Saarloos Wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano or Italian Wolfdog
• Kunming Wolfdog or Kunming Dog

DAFF sends hybrid questions to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), and says that if an imported dog is identified as possibly being a hybrid after arrival, DCCEEW may investigate further.

What does the law actually say about wolf hybrids?

The rule that matters is the Live Import List. Under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, a live animal can be imported only if it appears on that list. The list compiled on 28 January 2026 includes the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and the dingo, but not the wolf and not any wolf-dog hybrid. Since 1 July 2026 the Live Import List has been administered by the new National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA), which says the only hybrid on the list is the mule/hinny.

DCCEEW's guidance on hybrid animals spells out the policy: hybrids are not permitted “unless specifically listed on the Live Import List”, and this applies “irrespective of generational distance from the original mating or wild ancestor”. It also says that registering a dog-wild animal cross as a breed with a registration body “is not accepted by the department as evidence the animal is not a hybrid.” Where ancestry is in doubt, the importer has to prove the animal is not a hybrid.

DCCEEW's household pets page names wolfdogs (wolf crossed with domestic dog) as a hybrid, says all hybrids must pass a risk assessment before they can be listed, and states that “the only hybrid on the Live Import List is the mule/hinny”. It specifically mentions Czechoslovakian vlcaks: even if overseas groups recognise them as a breed, they cannot be imported unless they are on the list.

There has been one formal attempt to change this. In 2023 DCCEEW put an application to list the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog out for public comment, with comments closing on 8 March 2023. As of the January 2026 compilation, the breed was not on the list.

Do any states have their own rules?

The import ban is federal, so it covers every state and territory. Tasmania also has its own rule. Section 32 of Tasmania's Nature Conservation Act 2002 defines a “restricted animal” as a fox, wolf, dingo or mink, or “a hybrid” of any of them. Bringing one into the state or having one in your possession needs the Secretary's prior written permission, and the Act says that permission may only be given as part of a program to manage feral populations. Biosecurity Tasmania puts it simply: dingoes, foxes and wolves are prohibited entry.

Other states regulate exotic animals through their own wildlife and biosecurity laws, and DCCEEW notes that states and territories set rules on keeping exotic animals within their borders. If you are unsure whether a particular dog is legal where you live, ask your state environment or primary industries department before you take it home, not after.

Which legal dog breeds look like wolves?

Several breeds recognised by Dogs Australia have the upright ears, wedge-shaped head, thick coat and grey or sable colouring people mean by “wolf-like”. Every figure and quote below comes from the breed's Dogs Australia standard.

Breed standards describe the ideal show dog. Individual dogs, and especially rescue crosses, vary, so judge the dog in front of you. Standards checked 9 to 10 November 2026.

How do the wolf-like breeds differ?

Siberian Husky. The Husky standard describes a medium-sized sled dog that carries “a light load at a moderate speed over great distances”. Blue or odd eyes are allowed, which adds to the wolf look. It is sociable with people and other dogs but bred to run, so fencing and recall are the big challenges.

Alaskan Malamute. The Malamute standard calls it a “powerful and substantially built dog” for heavy freighting, and treats blue eyes as a disqualifying fault. It is the closest to a wolf in bulk and the hardest to handle on lead. Our Husky vs Malamute guide compares the two in detail.

German Shepherd Dog. The German Shepherd standard lists the breed's purpose as “Versatile Utility, Herding, Guard and Service Dog” and describes it as “attentive and easy to train”. Grey sables look the most wolf-like. White is not a permitted colour in this standard.

Norwegian Elkhound. The Elkhound standard describes “a hardy hunting Spitz with a bold energetic disposition” in shades of grey with a pale grey undercoat. It is smaller than the others and has a tightly curled tail, but the grey coat and pointed ears give it the wolf look.

Samoyed. The Samoyed standard describes a strong, active working dog for cold climates with a heavy, weather-resisting coat. People who picture a white Arctic wolf often mean this breed. The coat needs serious brushing; our Samoyed puppies guide covers what to ask a breeder or rescue.

All five breeds have a dense undercoat, and the four northern breeds carry the heavy coat of a cold-climate dog, so the RSPCA heatstroke advice applies year after year: exercise at the coolest times of day, give constant shade and water, and never leave the dog in a car. The German Shepherd has its own heat management guide.

Why do wolf-look dogs end up in rescue?

The looks that draw people to these breeds come with traits that are easy to underestimate. These are the traits that often lead to Huskies, Malamutes and German Shepherds being given up:

• Escaping and digging. Sled dogs were bred to run, and many owners discover their fence was not built for one. The Husky escape and exercise guide covers fencing that holds.
• Exercise needs. A bored working dog is often a destructive one, and a short walk around the block rarely satisfies these breeds.
• Size and strength. A Malamute or large German Shepherd that pulls on the lead can be hard for some owners to walk safely.
• Shedding and heat. Double coats drop a lot of hair, and owners in hot, humid areas can struggle in summer.

For an adopter, that is an advantage. An adult dog in foster care has already shown how it handles fences, heat, other dogs, cats and time alone. The RSPCA Knowledgebase recommends looking at rescue organisations and shelters first. Many rescue Huskies and Shepherds are crosses, and our what breed is my rescue dog guide explains how to read a cross.

What about “wolf hybrid” puppies advertised for sale?

Be very cautious. Because wolf hybrids and wolfdog breeds cannot be imported, an ad for one in Australia is either describing an animal that should not be here or using the label to sell an ordinary dog at a higher price. Neither is a good start. DCCEEW says it may investigate dogs identified as possible hybrids.

The usual puppy-scam warning signs apply too. Scamwatch warns about fake websites, social media profiles and marketplace listings offering puppies that do not exist, and advises viewing the animal in person (or by video call if you cannot visit), checking the breeder and comparing prices. If you want a puppy of one of the breeds above, a registered breeder who is a member of Dogs Australia through their state body is a reasonable choice. Our Husky puppies, German Shepherd puppies and puppies for sale guides cover health tests, each state's breeder rules and how to check a seller.

Is a wolf-like breed right for you?

Before you fall for the look, be honest about the day-to-day:

• Can you give an hour or more of real exercise every day, timed around the heat in summer?
• Is your fence high, secure and dig-proof, or can you make it so?
• Are you happy brushing a heavy coat several times a week and living with dog hair?
• Can you physically hold a strong dog that pulls?

If those answers are shaky, look at the dogs for first-time owners guide or the calm dog breeds guide, or take the what dog breed am I quiz. If you are still keen, the adoption readiness check and the dog cost calculator are good next steps. Interested in Australia's own wild dog instead? Read can you keep a dingo as a pet first, because the law is very different in each state.

Find a wolf-like dog near you

• Sydney: Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds and all large dogs, plus our Sydney Husky adoption guide
• Melbourne: Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds and all large dogs, plus our Melbourne Husky adoption guide
• Brisbane: Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds and all large dogs, plus our Brisbane Husky adoption guide
• Perth: Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds and all large dogs, plus our Perth Husky adoption guide
• Adelaide: Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, Samoyeds and all large dogs, plus our Adelaide Husky adoption guide

Rescue sled dogs and Shepherds are often crosses, so read the listing for size, energy and how the dog lives with cats and children, not just the breed label.