Was boarding a wolf (mature 87lb female) and went to brush it a bit and the majority of the neck fur is matted in little curls excepts on the back of the neck. I have seen this a number of times before, but not all wolves have it. I have heard that these are the wolves that actually do the killing. The hair gets like that because of the blood that gets all over it and the other wolves will clean it up later by licking the blood off. It makes sense to me, but was curious if anyone else has heard this.

i kinda thought the same thing and i also see this every year. I will note i don't see this in the fall season (when freezing is not occurring). So i think the freezing temperatures and ice have something to do with what looks like rubbed fur under the chin and neck.

That sure is interesting.

Good point about the fall vs the winter freezing. That really makes sense.

A few of the wolves I get will have curly hair under the neck and sides. It is mostly in the older mature wolves that I notice it. The younger ones not so much