Many due South fans are attracted to a certain Mountie in red serge, but many others are also attracted to that donut-snatching 'wolf' Diefenbaker, whose antics cause the Mountie no end of grief.
Television often uses dogs as substitutes for wolves, due to easier accessibility and training.
Fraser isn't sure of the other parent, but considering the vastly limited choices, one can easily theorize the other parent was a sled dog. This would explain why Dief looks so much like a Husky, from the eye coloration to the curling of his tail. Dief is, in fact, a wolf-hybrid, popularized by pet dealers these days. Wolf puppies are born with blue eyes, which then become a golden color as they reach maturity. Although a wolf's vision is excellent, for the first few weeks of birth they are unable to focus their eyes properly.