The wolf of our street

DOG owner Dot Aaron howled with laughter when a curry deliveryman turned tail and ran off after a greeting from her fearsome-looking pet.

For the pooch, named Tok, looks like a wolf, stalks like a wolf and a fifth generation wolf. But a very loving one.

Recalling the curry delivery, Dot, 72, chuckles: “The takeaway man looked like Usain Bolt with Tok hot on his tail and my son Martin running behind. “All Tok wanted to do was lick his face!” Tok is a rare Anglo wulfdog, descended from wild Czechoslovakian wolfdogs and introduced to the UK six decades ago.

They were officially declared dogs – they were previously considered wolves, requiring a Dangerous Wild Animals licence – 10 years ago.

Standing at 3ft and weighing 7st, Tok – the name means peaceful crossing in Alaska – packs the power of a wolf too.

So Dot is very careful. She says: “Tok’s always kept on the lead. In this day and age there are so many people who would ‘cry wolf ’ that I daren’t take the risk.”

Like his ancestors, Tok howls and has a pack mentality – staying loyally close to Dot and Martin, 45, at their Lincolnshire village home. Yet he is just a like a domestic dog too and loves walks, digging holes and snoozing on the sofa. Dot, who used to have a labrador, bought Tok at eight weeks old. She adds: “There are so many differences between these dogs and the average dog, they’re a special animal.

“He howls if he hears a wolf howling on telly! At night he comes into my room to check on me and if I come downstairs to make a cuppa he’ll stand at the top and his eyes shine in the dark – it’s incredible.

“Tok is always at my side, he is devoted to his pack. He patrols the garden and if anyone walks down the boundary he’ll stalk them silently.”

HUMOUR

Dot fell for the breed after becoming fascinated by howling wolves on a visit to Canada. She and Martin never leave Tok alone and dedicate a lot of time to him.

She goes on: “You need to be a bit different to own a wulfdog. You need a good sense of humour, need to be very active and on the ball when you’re walking them because they’re hunting all the time, they’re so alert.

“I don’t think everyone should rush out and bring home a wolf as a pet but I hope more people learn about these incredible creatures and understand them for what they really are.”