Big boy is Doug, little guy is Dolly. Anyway-

Introduction
Lycanthropy is a subcategory of Therianthropy. Therianthropes are humanoids with the biological ability to alter their form between that of a human and another mammal. Lycanthropes, also known as werewolves, wolfmen, and dogmen, are therianthropes that transform into canines, typically gray wolves. While werewolves have been subject to inspire centuries of Folklore, they are still creatures of science and can be explained. Myths and behaviors associated with werewolf biology will be discussed here.

Hormones
Werewolves have more advanced endocrine systems compared to humans. This is because the inherent act of shifting between forms is triggered by hormones. A lycanthrope doesn't gain the ability to shift until the ages of 9-13, typically during the start of puberty, due to shifting relying on increased growth hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Shifts during this period are typically more "incomplete," with patchy fur, missing fangs, small (or missing) tails, and disproportionate limbs being common. As the werewolf ages, stabilized hormones and maturity allow for a completely seamless shift.

Cortisol and adrenaline also greatly impact a shift- or more so one's urge to shift. Acute stress (adrenaline) may trigger a startled werewolf into shifting as a defense mechanism. Extended periods of raised cortisol may also cause a werewolf to lose self-control over when they shift. This makes reverting back to their human form more difficult. This is commonly seen in adolescence. Stress hormones also increase Ghrelin levels, which stimulates the appetite. A high ghrelin concentration contributes to the instinctual urge to shift and hunt. Werewolves are notoriously hungry due to the energy cost of shifting. A starved wolf may lose the ability to shift between forms, becoming either stuck as a human or beast until properly nourished.

Werewolf bodies are sensitive to hormonal shifts. Their bodies typically have higher fluctuations compared to humans, especially during the spring season. This can make them "moody." This is also when they shed their fur the most.

Luckily, after shifting, lycanthropes typically have a slow rise in endorphin levels. Shifting is a common way for werewolves to blow off some steam and relieve stress. These endorphins also contribute to bonding behaviors. Social relationships where individuals interact with each other while shifted tend to be stronger than those who don't. Like humans and wolves, lycanthropes are extremely social creatures. Though shifting is typically voluntary, repressing the need to do so is unhealthy for lycanthropes. Werewolves who refuse to shift for extended periods risk disrupting the proper cortisol concentration in the body. This hormonal imbalance can cause the body to "give up" and shift rapidly, painfully, and without warning. Sudden shifts can be disorienting and add more stress to an already panicked wolf.

Pheromones
Equipped with powerful noses and active endocrine activity, werewolves communicate using scents and external chemical signals (pheromones) all the time. Shifted or not, all lycanthropes are particularly sensitive to the smells around them.

Pheromones can tell the feelings of a werewolf in ways that words can't, especially when talking isn't much of an option (during most shifts). Pheromones can be used to indicate health, mood, stress, and bonding from wolf to wolf. Compared to humans, lycanthropes have a more developed vomeronasal organ, which is used to detect pheromones.

Unlike animals, werewolves do not undergo a mating season. Pheromone and hormone activity does marginally increase in the spring, though behavior changes are typically minimal. Lycanthropes typically follow more human behavior when it comes to courtship and can successfully form relationships with humans.

Combined with smells, unique pheromone levels can be used for identification. Each individual wolf has their own scent. Mates and family members often find the smells of their loved ones as calming.

The unique scent and pheromones a werewolf gives off can influence romantic and sexual partners. What a specific werewolf thinks is a "good smell" varies from person to person, wolves are still drawn to scents they find appealing.

Closely bonded adult werewolves, especially mates, are much better at reading each other's pheromones compared to strangers. Lycanthropes possess subtle sex pheromones that are released during periods of attraction. These pheromones can encourage an increase in libido levels between partners. How a lycanthrope reacts varies from individual to individual. Sometimes while shifted, a pseudo-mating "season" (a short period of a few days) can be triggered in adults during times of high sex pheromone production. These are most likely residual mating instincts.

Bonded werewolves take part in a behavior known as scent marking (or just marking). While shifted, two or more wolves will groom each other's pelts while brushing their faces against each other. Lycanthropes secrete their personal scent through glands on the face and in their saliva. This activity "mixes" their smells. This is common amongst parents and their young children and mates. This behavior both strengthens their bonds with each other and releases calming pheromones. Marking behavior may also be present with objects that a werewolf particularly likes, though to a lesser degree, and is an expression of territorial instinct.

Pheromones can also be used as an indicator for danger. Stress has a smell. If one wolf is stressed, it is not uncommon for others to also become distressed. Sometimes, this can cause unintentional escalation between lycanthropes and brief confrontations. Werewolves can become very expressive with their emotions, though they are seldom truly aggressive. All bark, no bite.

Genetics & Offspring
Lycanthropes are a distinct species compared to humans. How they came into be is unknown. Due to humans and werewolves having the capability to crossbreed, they must be closely related. Unlike humans, the genetic traits for lycanthropy are dominant. Generally, three out of four offspring between a human and werewolf will be werewolves themselves. Children who do not have lycanthropy still carry the traits, though the potency of them lessens with each generation by 50%. Hybrids with mixed wolf and human traits are not known to exist. The offspring between two werewolves will always be a werewolf.

The gestation period of a werewolf is slightly quicker than that of a human, most likely attributed to their abilities. Like humans, lycanthropes typically carry one child at a time. Twins and triplets occur in werewolf populations as commonly as they do in humans. A newborn werewolf is almost indistinguishable from a typical human. Parents typically adopt an alternating schedule for their transformations while caring for young children (sometimes referred to as pups).