What animal is cooler than a wolf?! Since the wolf looks impressive, many film producers and book authors create characters based on the species. From “Two Socks” in Dances with Wolves  to “White Fang” by Jack London, and the frightening film, The Grey, wolves in films can be scary or adorable; they’re just so versatile! 

One of the best character types is that of the ‘lone wolf’. This is a protagonist who rejects others’ help and strives to achieve their goals on their own. There are many great screenplays built around this concept and it’s an idea seen in a great many of the best films ever created.

Wolves are the largest member of the dog family and more than thirty subspecies have been recognised.  In 1758 the Swedish botanist and zoologist Carl Linnaeus classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris and the wolf as Canis lupus. (Canis is the Latin word meaning “dog” and under this genus he listed the doglike carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and jackals.) Linnaeus considered the dog to be a separate species from the wolf because of its upturning tail, which is not found in any other canid.

The global wild wolf population was estimated to be 300,000 in 2003 and is considered to be of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Hybrid wolf dogs are increasingly seen in the UK, with some species being kept more widely as pets (including the Czhechoslovakian Wolfdog and the Saarloos Wolfdog).

The average size of a wolf’s body is 3-5 feet long and their tails are usually 1-2 feet long.  Females typically weigh 60-100lbs and males weigh 70-145lbs; this is a large species that commands quite a presence on a film set and photography studios need to have ample space for the wolf to comfortably work.

The banded fur of a wolf is usually mottled white, brown, grey, and black, although subspecies from the arctic region may be nearly all white.  Their striking eyes are what capture the soul and really grab audiences’ attention.  Their mythical aura is awe inspiring and they make a wonderful photographic subject.  It’s easy to see why they are so sought after in the film industry.

We supply professional animal location handlers around the world to ensure you get all the shots you require and, as overseers to ensure the wild is not disturbed, the crew will always be safe and no welfare regulations are ever breached.

It isn’t just the animals that are well trained, our team including our handlers are also highly experienced and fully qualified experts in the field. 

Your handler will take full control of any animals on set and ensure the entire shoot runs properly. They will also fully manage the welfare of all the animals both on and off set; the safety and welfare of the animals is their prime concern.  All of our handling is strictly force-free and only positive, reward based practices are deployed. This way you can have total confidence that by booking With The Animal Talent everything is taken care of legally, professionally and ethically.

The Performing Animals License is no longer relevant (it was scrapped in 2019) and has been replaced with the Animal Activity License, which we hold.

Our handler is covered by a £10 million Public Liability Insurance policy. 

Wolves are naturally nocturnal animals and need lengthy sleeping hours.  This needs to be kept in mind for filming schedules.

The handler working with a wolf or wolf hybrid is required to keep a DWA License.  This means that incredibly strict filming procedures must be followed. Precisely what is appropriate will depending on your specific circumstances, but may include sectioned off areas where only trained handlers are allowed and/or a specifically built green screen studio being supplied.

Please have a discussion with our team to work out travel, housing and handling arrangements.