What's the difference between the American Dirus and American Alsatian?

By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, May 27, 2025

’m ready for a return of more peaceful emails, aren’t you?

Let’s turn our minds away from the larger chaotic world that surrounds us and settle in by the warm, welcoming fires of the Dire Wolf Project’s Inner Circle.

Life is different in our pack.

A little more gentle.

A bit more quiet.

And a place of belonging.

I am so grateful to have time each day to sit with you for a while.

Every so often, we receive a new packmate that fits right into our world, as if she’s always been with us.

That was the case last week when I received an email from a new member wanting to understand our world a bit more.

Her questions were thoughtful, sincere, and intelligent.

So my replies were equally as intimate.

I know many of you in our Inner Circle may benefit from our little exchange, so following is our back and forth dialogue.

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NEW PACKMATE

Hello Jennifer! 

I recently discovered your website in my research of the American Alsatian breed. One thing I noticed immediately is that it is generally overall more healthy than other breeds I was considering. However, searching online doesn't tell me what health issues are more common in this breed. What have you seen in the past while working with these dogs? 

I am also curious to know what they are like as puppies, and I'm hoping to get some background on that from previous owners, but groups surrounding this breed are hard to find given its a rare breed to begin with. I don't know if it's a common practice among all breeders to do a Litter Evaluation Report, but is that something you do with your pups? How is that executed and is there a certain standard you follow for that also? If not, I suspect it may be something only breeders of one of the breeds I was considering that do this. 

The reason I'm asking is because my husband and I have been researching various breeds of dog, looking into what breed might best suit as a potential service dog prospect in terms of what I'll need (light mobility work, DPT). 

We think an American Alsatian would be a perfect fit, and while I have experience training dogs myself, the more advanced tasks I need I'm already intending to get professional help with. I would love to meet some American Alsatians in person, before deciding firmly on this breed.”

===

JENNIFER

“Hello!

What a joy it was to hear from you—and welcome to the path less traveled! It sounds like you're doing your due diligence as a future pack leader, and I couldn’t be more excited that your trail has led you to our little den of gentle giants.

Just a slight clarification before we begin...

There are two strains for DireWolf Dog™ bred by the Dire Wolf Project™. 

Both of these strains are collectively known as DireWolf Dogs™.

You're absolutely right—the DireWolf Dog is a rare and remarkable creature, not just in appearance but in heart and health as well. Their calm, intuitive temperament, paired with strong nerves and thoughtful observation, makes them well-suited for specialized work like mobility and DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy)—especially with the right leader by their side. Many of our dogs have gone on to become excellent intuitive service dogs working side-by-side with their human partners.

You asked about health—great question. One of the pillars of our breeding philosophy is longevity and genetic stability. Because we've tracked our lines so closely over the past several decades, we’ve significantly reduced many of the common ailments seen in giant breeds, like hip dysplasia, heart problems, and bloat. That said, no creature is completely immune. The top three health issues we’ve seen are:

  • Hypothyroidism, (4.8% in the last 10 years) is our breed's most prominent health issue.
  • Cancer/Tumors, (2.2% in the last 10 years) can occasionally occur around 8-10 years old. 
  • Panosteitis, (1.7% in the last 10 years) aka: growing pains in giant puppies that need higher protein content in their diet than normal.

Overall, American Dirus dogs tend to age gracefully, passing away anywhere from 12-14 years old. This is especially true of dogs fed a raw meat diet for their entire lives. 

You can find a list of ALL reported health issues in the breed since its inception in 1988 at the following link:

https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-dogs/our-health-foundation/health-database/

As for the pups—ah, where do I begin? American Dirus puppies aren’t your typical wild and bouncing kind. They are thinkers first, observers second, and movers third. While other breeds may pounce into every new experience, our pups watch and assess, preferring to follow a brave sibling or a trusted human into the unknown. They are incredibly bonded to their humans, seeking praise more than treats, and they flourish under calm, clear leadership.

We do not encourage rowdy, independent behavior in our lines, especially since we breed for calm, stable family and service companions. So instead of “crazy puppy zoomies,” you'll more often find a curious head tilt or a silent tail wag as they wait for your direction. Their puppyhood is serene, reflective, and deeply rewarding.

Yes, we absolutely do Litter Evaluation Reports! It is a cornerstone of our practice. Our evaluation occurs when the pups are born all the way until they are 7–8 weeks old and includes:

  • Temperament testing for submissiveness, sound sensitivity, independence, focus, and human bonding.
  • Structural evaluations to ensure proper angulation, balance, and overall conformation.
  • Observational notes over several days to monitor adaptability and confidence levels.

All of this is recorded and shared with families, along with our puppy match recommendations. We don’t just let people pick a pup based on color or eye shape—we match based on personality, future goals, and the individual dog’s needs. It's like matchmaking for the Ice Age elite!

And now the best news of all—yes! If you're passing through our neck of the woods in eastern Washington State next week, we’d love to welcome you to our den. You’ll get to meet our adult companions, interact with a few young up-and-comers, and truly feel the difference this breed offers. Just let me know the day and time you’ll be nearby, and we’ll make sure the welcome howl is ready!

Thank you for taking the time to reach out with such thoughtful questions. It tells me a lot about the kind of home you and your husband would provide—one grounded in research, patience, and heart. Whether you join our pack or continue on your journey, I’m honored to be a part of it.

With warmest regards (and a happy tail wag from our crew).

===

NEW PACKMATE

Regarding the answers you so graciously provided, I have a few more questions. With Hypothyroidism being the most prominent health concern in this breed (The American Dirius), when have you seen that become an issue in one of your dogs/puppies placed in homes? Cancer is not a concern to me, since you mentioned it occasionally happens in dogs within that senior age gap, (8 - 10 years, and according to my previous vet, dogs are considered seniors by age 5). Is Panosteitis something puppies grow out of, and only happens during the growth phase when the bones are still growing and fusing together? Or,  something that affects them life-long? I also appreciate how you mention the percentages, which is both encouraging and informative, and tells me these dogs are healthy and we have nothing to be concerned about as far as major health issues common in other breeds. 

Further, thank you for explaining the Litter Evaluation Reports and going into detail about what they accomplish. I found some of these observational notes on profiles of puppies from previous litters to be engaging, informative and helpful towards getting to know what the individual puppy is like from birth: which I think is a great insight for their families.

You mentioned that there are two strains of Dirius Dogs, the American Dirius, and the American Alsatian. What is the difference between the two genetically and are the two bred to serve different purposes but remain similar due to breeding guidelines followed? For example, the American Alsatian is bred to be a gentle giant, companion dog, where the American Dirus is bred to be more versatile?

Lastly, I'll note that my husband has told me that he's surprised we are not on your waiting list for a puppy already, given the American Dirius is a perfect fit for our family. However, we are in the military, my husband is an active duty member of the Army and we do not yet know where we will be moving to at the end of the year. It could be out of the country, and I just want to wait to find out if we will be stateside before commiting a $600 deposit to get on your waiting list.

Thank you, Jennifer, for being so open and kind and generous. I love it when I get to talk to people like you.

===

JENNIFER

Your words warmed my heart. Thank you for taking the time to write with such thoughtful curiosity and care. 

Though I’ll admit I was looking forward to meeting you both this week, your graciousness in rescheduling makes it all the more exciting when our paths do cross. And they will—when the timing is right, the stars align, and your pack is ready. 

Now, let’s get to your questions.

You're absolutely right—hypothyroidism is the most commonly seen issue in American Dirus dogs, and even then, it’s remarkably rare. Out of hundreds of puppies over more than 30 years, only a small handful have ever developed it, and in nearly every case, it appeared in adulthood, typically around age 3. It’s easily treatable with inexpensive thyroid medication and regular vet monitoring. We’ve kept such detailed genetic records that when a case does occur, we can trace it fairly easily. We look for patterns, check lineage, and adjust breeding pairings to protect the health of future generations. That’s the benefit of a long-term project driven by preservation rather than profit.

Yes, Panosteitis (aka "pano") is a temporary condition that sometimes shows up in giant, rapidly growing puppies—especially males during growth spurts. Think of it as adolescent growing pains. It’s caused by inflammation in the long bones as the skeleton expands to its impressive adult form. While it's uncomfortable (and can cause limping that shifts from one leg to another), it does go away completely on its own once the bones mature—usually between 12–18 months. We find that a high-protein diet with added meat-based nutrients and minimal high-impact activity during growth phases help prevent it altogether in most of our pups.

I'm so happy to hear how much you appreciated our puppy profiles! We put a lot of heart into our Litter Evaluation Reports because each pup is its own little storybook, full of subtle traits, quiet instincts, and early tendencies that will shape who they become. Our goal is to give families a window into that pup’s soul—before they ever meet face to face.

Ah, now the difference between the American Dirus dog and American Alsatian dog is a great question. 

The American Dirus and the American Alsatian share the same deep ancestral roots including: the same foundational origins, genetic make-up, relatedness, inherited temperament and outward appearance standards. By maintaining two distinct strains of DireWolf Dogs it increases genetic diversity throughout the Dire Wolf Project. In fact, there are very few aspects that set the two strains apart, but here is a list of the subtle differences between them: 

  • American Alsatian dogs tend to have a low-shedding, feathered coat type. The American Dirus dog may occasionally see this combination of traits, but we desire to maintain a more natural coat type with high-shedding and no feathering. I wrote an article on the reasons, which you can read here: https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-guardians/puppy-training/grooming/grooming-requirements-of-your-american-dirus-puppy/
  • American Alsatian dogs have brindling as a color choice which is not available in the American Dirus dog at this time, while the American Dirus dog has a black wolf gray color choice which is not available in the American Alsatian dog at this time.
  • American Alsatian dogs do not have the most recent Lab/Shepherd crossbreed in their lines. We are now in the third generation from this cross in a distinct line within the American Dirus dog strain. Subtle inherited temperament shifts can still be see from this line that we are working out right now. (more vocal, more prone to using their mouth to explore new things)  If you pick up the Dire Wolf Project book on Amazon I wrote in 2018, you'll learn all about why the Dire Wolf Project is neither a purebred dog nor a crossbred dog, but considered a new type of dog breed called the strongbred dog. If you are interested in the science and rationale behind the breed, I highly recommend reading it. https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-publishing/dire-wolf-project-books/non-fiction-books/dire-wolf-project-book/

Your thoughtful approach and honesty about your family’s timeline speak volumes. Please never feel pressured. Whether your trail leads you overseas or keeps you stateside, your place in our pack is secure, and you’re welcome to join the waiting list when it makes sense for your journey.

We’re not going anywhere—we're in this for the long haul, building a legacy that will still be here when your boots come back to U.S. soil. If it’s meant to be, the perfect pup will be waiting with tail wagging when the time is right. 

Also, make sure to remain on our Inner Circle email newsletter for all the latest going on at Dire Wolf Project headquarters. direwolfproject.com

I’m truly honored by your words. The world feels a little brighter with people like you and your husband in it—strong-hearted, clear-eyed, and full of genuine warmth. When the time comes and the right puppy crosses your path, we’ll be here, ready to welcome you into the fold.

Until then, may your road rise to meet you, your home be filled with peace, and your dreams of a dire wolf companion stay alive and strong, just like their ancient spirit.

===

If you, like our new packmate, have come to believe the American Dirus dog is the right next furry companion for your life, the first steps are to:

  • complete the puppy adoption questionnaire,
  • become approved, and
  • place your non-refundable $600 deposit (that goes toward your puppy at the time of sale) to get on our waiting list. 

https://direwolfproject.com/puppy-application/

And if you…

Place a $600 Waiting List Deposit
before June 1, 2025, you’ll unlock
Over $4,200 in Additional Bonuses!

Secure your spot on the waiting list and claim THESE incredible rewards!

1. TWENTY-FOUR Live Dog Training Sessions ($3,500 Value!)

Get professional dog training tailored to your new puppy’s needs with weekly 60-minute Zoom sessions for six months! Learn how to raise a calm, confident, and well-mannered companion with expert guidance every step of the way.

2. The Complete Dire Wolf Project Library ($536.92 Value!)

Receive every book and guide the Dire Wolf Project has published, including:
Dire Wolf Project: Creating an Extraordinary Dog Breed ($24.99)
DireWolf Guardian’s Training Philosophy ($49.00)
Canine Culture Shock dog training series ($297.00)
The Jacob Lake Series ($45.85)
The Informed Dog Owner’s Guide to Choosing a Vet ($50.00)
Handbook for New Puppy Owners ($31.08)
American Alsatian: World’s First Large Breed Companion Dog ($39.00)

5. Personalized Puppy Transition Support Package ($197 Value!)

We’ll guide you past the crucial 30 days after your puppy arrives, including:
Customized schedule & transition plan
Personalized nutrition & health recommendations
Live Q&A session to answer all your questions

TOTAL VALUE: $4,233.92

  • YOURS FREE when you place a $600 deposit before June 1, 2025 to bring home an American Dirus dog!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to claim exclusive bonuses, VIP perks, and world-class training support—FREE!

After the deadline passes, this offer will be gone.

  • Time is running out!

Become approved to place your $600 deposit before June 1, 2025 to secure your $4,200+ reward package and bring home a legendary companion!

  • Place your Deposit Now!

direwolfproject.com/puppy-application

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.