Spring puppy season is already on the way!
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, Dec. 16, 2024
My phone lit up like a firework—
A message from Robokiller.
Someone was calling about a puppy.
Now, let me tell you, I don’t always pick up unknown numbers.
Call it a quirk or call it survival—I just hate being surprised on the phone.
Anxiety creeps up when I see that glowing screen, wondering who is this?
And what do they want?
But Robokiller?
Oh, it’s been a lifesaver.
It asks the questions for me—who are you and why are you calling?—leaving me free to mentally prepare.
And for someone like me, that preparation makes all the difference.
I can gather my energy, flip the mental switch to “upbeat and personable” mode, and take the call with confidence—even if I’m secretly anxious inside.
Yesterday was no different—but it was extraordinary.
The message came through, and I hesitated.
But my curiosity won out.
I picked up.
“Hi! I’m calling to ask… do your dogs have any wolf content in them?”
Ah, here we go, I thought.
Normally, people want a quick yes or no, a “thank you”, and a polite hang-up.
But not this time.
On the other end of the line was a thoughtful woman—let’s call her Deirdra—and instead of brushing me off, she gave a curious “hmm” and invited me to explain.
And boy, did I explain.
I launched into my well-practiced spiel:
“The Dire Wolf Project is a science-based breeding-back program designed to recreate the exact bone and body structure of the extinct, prehistoric dire wolf… but in a loving family companion dog. We use only domesticated dog breeds. Health and temperament always come first, which is why, even after 35+ years, not all of our dogs look as ‘wolfie’ as you might expect.”
Deirdra listened—really listened—and before long, we were deep into the details of her own dog situation.
Turns out, she’d bought an AKC-registered German Shepherd Dog for $250 back in March—a real bargain.
She had big plans to train her as a mobility service dog.
And her pup?
Perfect at home.
But when they ventured out into the world—complete chaos.
That 9-month-old teenager was
way… too… friendly!
Deirdra described her pulling on the leash with the strength of a freight train, dragging her to greet every stranger, every dog, every squirrel—you name it.
In public, the dog was so excited to make friends that all training went right out the window.
I offered her some reassurance, though.
After all, nine months is peak teenager phase—a real ‘who are you and what happened to my sweet puppy’ moment in life.
With time, patience, and a little guidance, she might settle back in.
But Deirdra wasn’t so sure.
She went on to share stories of her previous dogs—aloof companions who weren’t overly impressed by strangers, dogs who tuned in to her needs instead of the environment around them.
“That’s exactly what I want,” she said. “A dog who naturally ignores everyone else and just focuses on me.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“That’s my preference too,” I said.
It’s not for everyone, but it’s the standard personality for both German Shepherd Dogs and our American Dirus dogs.
Or at least… it used to be.
I couldn’t help but muse aloud about how so many modern German Shepherds have shifted.
Maybe it’s the influence of the AKC show ring—but the “aloof, reserved” temperament of the breed has given way to a more outgoing, friendly, and sociable dog.
The result?
Lower energy, lower drive, and a much “nicer” personality—but sometimes, that friendliness isn’t what people are looking for.
Deirdra was fascinated.
We talked about everything—from temperament quirks to training challenges—and eventually, the conversation turned back to our American Dirus dogs.
Gentle, calm, mellow, and naturally aloof—they prefer their people over the chaos of the world.
For someone like Deirdra, a dog like that might be just the ticket.
By the time we hung up—several hours later—she had a plan.
She’d follow our Dire Wolf Project YouTube channel, learn more about the breed, and decide if our dogs were more her style than the energetic, high-drive German Shepherd in her life right now.
And while Deirdra dreams about the future, so do we.
Because guess what?
There’s a lot on the horizon here at the Dire Wolf Project.
We’re expecting three litters of American Dirus puppies in February!
Marie was bred with Dublin.
Galena was bred with Cookie Monster.
Maggie was bred with Donner.
If all goes according to plan, those pups will be ready to find their forever homes by mid to late April 2025.
So, for now, I’ll leave you with this…
The future looks bright—for Deirdra, for us, and for the next generation of American Dirus dogs who are ready to bring the calm, loving, aloof-but-devoted companionship that so many of us cherish.
And to think… it all started with a phone call I almost didn’t answer.
You can see the matches (and a few more I have decided on) by clicking the link below:
https://direwolfdogs.com/dogs-for-sale/future-litters/
P.S. I plan to complete the future litters’ descriptions and predictions today. I’ll send the link again in tomorrow’s email.
Movie Monday
In this week’s movie, we learn the science behind how wolves and other canines keep warm throughout the deep and frigid winter snow.
There are two important physiological adaptations that occur in our dogs that allow them to be especially adapted for the harsh winter cold.
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.