I think you also have to factor in the specific environment into which the dog would have to "survive." A Neufie or Lab left in an environment surrounded with water and fowl would survive quite well most likely. Though very "wolf-like" in many aspects, including her abililty to stalk and kill small prey, I know my Husky/shep would DIE if left in a a hot arid enviornment. She literally will dig a hole in the earth in the woods in the summer and climb in. Just tooooo hot! And our summers rarely get above 80 degrees! I think some breeds have had their natural traits and instincts almost completely bred out of them. The more "dog" left in the dog, the more likely to survive in the elements, I suppose!