Wolf Dog Hybrid as a Pet
85Wolf Hybrids as Pets
After some time and debate, scientists have decided that the domestic dog originated from the wild wolf. It is thought that way back when (about 20 to 100 thousand years ago), wolves began to warm up to humans, who started selectively breeding them for traits that they could use for hunting and protection. They look alike and are similar in genetics, but the two animals are completely different. Over the past several thousand years, dogs have been domesticated to live amongst people; wolves are still wild animals.
They are not the same animal. Dogs and wolves are just similar.
When it comes to keeping a hybrid wolf as a pet, there's a lot that should be considered. There are many stories of hybrids being wonderful pets, and this may be true, and in the same studies, they show that most hybrids do not die of old age, rather the owners either let them loose, it runs away, or some other reason as to why the wolf-dog was gotten rid. If it was truly a good dog/wolf, why did they get rid of it?
Appearance
Wolf hybrids can have quite a varied appearance; some will have more of a wolf appearance, whereas others may look predominately like a domestic dog, and in some cases, act more like a domestic dog.
Some wolf hybrids that take more of the wolf genes can be very hard to distinguish from a true wolf, whereas those who take more of the domestic dog genes can be hard to distinguish from a mix breed dog.
- Generally speaking, wolf hybrids will have medium length fur with a medium to thick coat. The fur will range from a variety of colors to include black, gray, tan, brown, and white. Their coat color is not set in until after 1 year in age.
- Eye color will range from golden to brown.
- Ears will generally not flop.
- They may have larger teeth than a regular domestic dog.
- Their legs may be a little longer than a domestic dog.
- The tail may not curl, but remain straight at all times, whether in the air or ducked.
- At a full grown size, males can weigh between 85 to 155 pounds and females between 75 to 130 pounds.
Behavior and Temperament
Being that dogs are the descendants to wolves, they have a lot of the same basic traits and characteristics in terms of protection and territory, but domestic dogs have been selectively breed for thousands of years to live among humans so the wild characteristics have been greatly altered.
Wolf hybrids are generally going to have behaviors of the wolf and the dog, but it is completely unrealistic to expect a hybrid to act like a domestic dog. Training will never eliminate the natural behaviors and characteristics of a wolf or a hybrid, so you will never be able to completely suppress the natural instincts.
Puppies will be more accepting to humans than adults, and as a puppy, will be more willing to submit to humans. After they turn about two years old, wolves start to challenge their pack, so don't assume a wolf/dog mix is not going to ever try to win his dominance over you. Hybrids will live in captivity with humans with great ease, but if you show even a simple sign of weakness, such as fatigue, frustration, or even an injury, you may find yourself in a battle over dominance, which can end in a fatality for you or the hybrid. (According to the CDC, there have been about 14 fatalities reported between 1979 and 1998 due to wolf-dogs; they are 6th in dog attack fatalities. But, like all dog statistics, you can't take these numbers as the word of God or 100 percent truthful, considering that it can be hard to distinguish a wolf mix from just a regular dog mix with no wolf genetics.)
Studies show that neutering dogs reduces aggression and dominance problems, but when neutering a hybrid, you'll only notice differences during mating season, not throughout the year.
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Wolfdogs are very intelligent animals, so you never want to put anything past them. When bored, they can be destructive. When under-stimulated, they can be plain mischievous. These dogs are not predictable, and if you do not have proper experience, it's not recommended that you bring a pup home.
You will want to give your hybrid a lot of exercise on a DAILY basis. You'll want to provide at least 3 to 4 hours twice a day, split between morning and evening, as that's when they'll be most active. Strenuous exercise will help keep destructive and irritation behaviors (chewing, digging, howling) decreased.
Wolf Hybrids and Children
If you have young children in the house, you will want to be very leery of every leaving the child alone with a wolf mix. It's a big concern enough to leave a trusted domestic dog with a child, as you never know what may happen to cause the dog to turn, but a dog mixed with a wild animal poses more of a risk. Even as an accident, an adult wolf hybrid could accidentally smother a child easily.
Because
wolves are very predatory, mixes can maintain this natural instinct,
which can result in major problems if set off. Children scream, run,
trip, and cry, which can scare a wolf mix; children are prone to
injury, clumsiness, and fatigue, which shows weakness to the mix. These
things can set off the predatory response. Even hybrids that have been
trained and raised with children, can flip, resulting in serious injury
or death.
Once the predatory instinct has been triggered, the wolf-dog will never look at the child, or animal the same again.
Wolf Hybrids with Other Pets
Other animals (cats, domestic dogs, chickens, sheep, etc.) can easily stimulate natural instincts and should not be considered 100 percent safe when left alone.
Behavioral Problems with Wolf Hybrids
As mentioned, these mixes retain much of their wild behaviors and can be considered quite erratic and unpredictable. They can assert dominance on children, the elderly, and everyone in between. They can attack other pets, and their predatory instincts cannot be shut off permanently.
Another behavior issue with wolf-dogs is the strong natural territorial instinct. Domestic dogs can be quite territorial, but when mixed with a wolf, the behavior can be increased. Wolf hybrids do not like trespassers, whether animal or human.
Once the wolf mix has set
his territory boundaries, that is his space and if he doesn't think
another animal or human is supposed to be there, he'll take it into his
own account to deal with it.
You'll find that basic territory marking behaviors are not going to be the most pleasant to deal with. While being possessive, pacing the area, and being shy may not be as big of a problem for you, having a dog the digs, is destructive, howls, and chews, isn't that pleasant. Much less scent marking, inside and outside of the house. These may not be dangerous behaviors, but they're not acceptable to most.
Training
You can train a wolf-dog, but you will never be able to 100 percent remove natural instincts. You can socialize the hybrid around other animals and people, but you will never be guaranteed that an animal or human won't trigger some kind of response that could cause injury or death.
Wolves have developed their behaviors of millions of years, and even domestic dogs who have been living with humans only thousands of year, still experience natural instincts that can be deadly. Wolf hybrids have the wolves' genetics, as well as the domestic dog's, but in many cases, the wolf genes are more dominant.
When training a wolf hybrid, they are very intelligent. They catch on fairly easy, but don't expect them to obey commands as well as the domestic dog. They get bored easily, and once they're bored, or even frightened, they're not going to obey (which can be common in domestic dogs as well).
Younger hybrids are more susceptible to obeying commands and training, but adults will try to overpower you when they think they can.
Some hybrids will retain the characteristics of a domestic dog, but you'll always see the traits of the wild wolf. You will find that mimicry is the best method of training a wolf hybrid because wolves learn best by watching their pack members and mimicking their behaviors.
Health
Because there are many health problems across the board that are associated with dogs, it can be hard to determine if a mix breed will be prone to any health problems.
What you can consider are basic health problems that are associated with big dogs, as wolves can be considered large dogs. Hybrids will see the same basic problems.
- Hip displasia
- Deafness
- Eye infections
Wolf Hybrid Studies
Although, I will be the first to tell you that dog studies are not the most accurate when comparing the group in the study to the population as a whole, you can look at the individual studies and summarize those results to form your own opinion.
The
most common study is one with 300,000 hybrids (with more dog genetics) and out of the entire group, 10 people were killed
(about 1.25 annually); in comparison, out of about 50 million dogs are kept as pets, there are about 20 people killed annually (about 0.11 annual deaths).
Deaths by hybrids is about 11 times more than
domestic dogs.
Wolf hybrids are not for everyone, and if you decide to bring one home, you want to do all the research that you can before hand, and you want to make sure that you and the entire household will be prepared to handle the animal. You cannot expect too much out of a hybrid in terms of obedience or the same pet relationship as with a dog.
Even though hybrids have domestic dog genetics, they are still considered wolves and wild animals to most states.
Wolf Hybrid Laws
Wolves and wolf hybrids are not legal in all states to keep as pets. Before you get a wolf-dog, you need to check with your state and local laws.
- Alaska- illegal to own unless grandfathered in on January 23, 2002
- Arkansas- owning hybrid wolves requires special regulations and considerations
- California- illegal to own first generation hybrid unless you have proof you had the hybrid before 1988. You can own a second generation hybrid without a registration.
- Connecticut- illegal to own
- Delaware- permit required to own a hybrid
- Florida- doesn't regulate wild x domestic mixes, but hybrids of wild x wild crosses are regulated
- Georgia- illegal to own; considered any cross of a wild animal still a wild animal
- Hawaii- considers a non-domestic animal and are illegal to own
- Idaho- illegal to sell, purchase, barter, keep, own, or transport wild animal or hybrid
- Illinois- illegal to possess hybrid unless the person has authorization from the Department of Natural Resources to bring into the state and a Federal Exhibitor's permit to keep it
- Iowa- considers hybrids dangerous animals, and if you own one or want to are subject to many restrictions
- Kansas- does not consider hybrids as 'wolves' but large domestic dogs, but it's still required to have a "Special Wildlife Possession" permit
- Louisiana- illegal to import, possess, purchase or sell
- Maine- must be licensed, rabies vaccinated, and have a permanent ID (microchip or tattoo), as well as special caging requirements for breeding
- Massachusetts- illegal to possess, sell, trade, breed, import, export or release except as otherwise provided by regulations of the division
- Maryland- illegal to possess, trade, sell, barter, breed, or own
- Michigan- illegal to own unless grandfathered in before the act was passed
- Minnesota- not state regulated, but regulated by county
- Mississippi- permit required to own as well as special caging
- Missouri- permit required
- Montana- no restrictions, but hybrids with 50% or more wolf genetics must be permanently ID-ed (tattoo or microchip)
- New Hampshire- some restrictions
- North Carolina- not state regulated by county regulated
- North Dakota- illegal to own unless grandfathered in as of August 1, 1997 and has had the animal spayed/neutered
- New York- allowed as long as the hybrid is 5 generations removed from the wild
- Ohio- not regulated by state, but county regulated
- Oregon- not state regulated by county regulated
- Pennsylvania- permits required
- Rhode Island- illegal to import, receive, or possess, unless otherwise permitted
- Tennessee- permit required by department of agriculture
- Texas- illegal to selling, trading, bartering, or auctioning of a dangerous animal or animal parts; as for owning, that is determined per county
- Utah- not regulated by state, but regulated by county
- Vermont- regulates hybrids that are 4 generations or less removed from the wild
- Virginia- permit required
- Washington, D.C.- illegal to possess, display, offer for sale, trade, barter, exchange, or adoption, or give as a household pet
- Wyoming- regulates import, possession, and confinement.
Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana (permit required for wolves, not hybrids), Kentucky, Nebraska (unless the dog is 90% and 10% dog), New Jersey (must be able to show proof it's a hybrid), New Mexico, Nevada (law is changing by still currently allowed), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
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Wow - this was a great hub. Very informative. I recently moved to Wisconsin and started hearing how people had these and decided to research it. I would have never even thought this was legal anywhere.
i just recused a wolf /Shepard hybrid running down the street in my neighborhood , i think he was used for pit fighting cause his ears are flopped and have scars. he was running into traffic and i yelled stop ur gonna get hit, then all of a sudden he ran to me, (i was a little frightened at this) as he got closer i realized his size and started to run. he caught up to me lighting fast and knocked me over and covered me in doggie kisses. after calling the police and taking him to a vet , my husband and i decided to keep him, all 98lbs. (we have 2 chis that are 5 lbs) the vet told us he was a wolf hybrid and about 9 months old, and he would be about 120lbs , that's a lot of dog!!!! we finally got him home and named him aleister,and gave him my art room, and a couch for a bed , also he only gets fed a whole raw chicken once a week , and gets taste of the wild twice a day with 2 raw eggs. He is amazing ,but i have to say , he does howl , he is very , very protective of my family, he is stubborn ,but overall a joy to have. we also have a paralyzed dog Otis, who is also amazing ( he was left on my porch, with a brick round his neck),and aleister helps him , he nudges him and pushes him in his wheel chair , he just is so good with otis. Also we have cats he loves the cats, the only problem we have is if you don't meet aleister with us he's not gonna like you, he doesn't like loud colors (don't ask me but he hates neon colors) , and yes they DESTROY EVERY THING , if they don't get exercise. and please don't give me hell on this but i had to get a shock collar , i have never shocked him ,just used the vibrating and it works wonders i am pack leader, in fact if he sees the remote he stops in his tracks , i suggest one . in finishing he is wonderful , he protects my family, he keep's me active, and he gives so much love, but as others have warned please, please be sure you have the time for this awesome dog if not its a waste.
sincerely,
cara mostafa
I had a wolf-hybred for 13 years and he was the most work of any animal I have ever owned. He died in his sleep - a happy boy I would like to think because I had run out of dog food that night so I gave him 2 steaks from the freezer- one was gone and the other one was laying beside him when I found him in the morning. I would never do it again but I'm glad I did it and all turned out well. If we lived far out in the woods alone it would have been much easier and some of out best times were me cross-country skiing and him running through the woods with me off leash or just ramming around in the woods exploring. (I live on an island so its kind of hard to get really lost ) He pulled me down main street one time on skis and caused quite a stir but on the flip side- cats were not safe from him, nor suet hanging from bird feeders. My son was a toddler when he came to ask me what was furry with no head and I looked out the window to see three headless kittens on the deck. My biggest job was keeping him safe from himself. Did obedience training with him when he was still a puppy and the trainer said we would probably never get it 100 percent- just when he felt like it. I didn't know what I was getting into and bought him on the rebound. My aunt, who had a small lap dog told me I should get a dog - better than the boyfriend who dumped me. I was afraid she would find me a little foo-foo dog so I found myself one! As much as I don't like the idea of restricting ownership of hybrids, I think it would be for the best. Its just not fair to keep something as beautiful and wild confined and at the whims of people. We can't aways go the distance with them. As much as w e do we can never give them what they deserve. I did it mostly by luck and paranoia and there was a time when I was looking into a rescue for him but I realized it was my problem and I would probably have to put him down. We were always tangling over who was boss and it was ugly. By the time my kids came along Micky was almost too old to be a threat- the one time I let my guard down I came too because he was fussing at me to get the little toddler away from him- as careful as I was- there was that one time. You just never know - I think we were being watched over! SO- watch them in the wild- that's where they belong. We can't own beauty- but we can appreciate it and make room for it!
Great Hub and excellent information. My Indian friend, Tall Horse, is heavily involved with wolf rescue and it is ongoing and growing in this country. So many people are enchanted with the idea of owning a wolf or hybrid and have no idea whatsoever the challenges involved -- then when the going gets tough they want to get rid of them. We've found mistreatment to be very common at that point and my friend has literally bought a couple of wolves back from near death -- hairless, starving and beaten. Seems humans resort to beating and other mistreatment when they can't manage one of these animals -- or set them wild loose on the community when they can't find anyone to take them off their hands..
Tall Horse now personally owns three rescued wolves (two females and one male). The male is the brother of one of the females. The bottom line is wolves are not dogs and although they may respond to humans somewhat like dogs they're still and always will be wolves and will always have the instinct that's born in them. Instinct is not meanness -- it's a born and bred survival trait that has to be recognized by humans. Tall Horse is very careful to maintain his "leader of the pack" status and has been challenged on several occasions. When those occasions arise there's no holds barred as he must win and win big. His three rescued wolves are not only delightful but loving -- but they're wolves and can resort to wolf traits in a heartbeat.
I've personally only known loving attention from all three wolves but as they're each close to 100 pounds if they ganged up on me they could win in a heartbeat and I never lose site of that fact. In fact, Tall Horse never says a word about it but when I go in the backyard I've noticed he always follows me out the back door and keeps a sharp eye on all interaction between me and the wolves. Not a one of these wolves has ever attacked anyone for any reason -- but if one gets radical they'll all join in as they're "pack" predators.
If there were any advice to share with potential wolf or wolf/dog owners it would be to study and learn the responsibilities of owning one of these marvelous creatures and their natural habits and instincts. Secondly, no matter what you read they are thinking predators by nature and there's no guarantee at any time they won't revert to some deeply hidden instinct as it's part of their nature. If that instinct is recognized and addressed controlling it is a possibility -- BUT -- the beauty of wolves is their sense of freedom. How sad it seems (to me) to disallow the real nature of these beautiful animals by closing them up in an apartment or a room all day. They need room to roam and play and a backyard with at least a 5' fence would be a good start.
Yes, to live with human beings there must be rules but the instinct of the wolf is freedom. A home where they can run, play, enjoy health and good treatment while interacting with human beings is the optimum. Being starved and beaten into submission is as inhumane to a wolf as it is to any other creature. To be honest, the wolves I've known that have been starved and beaten might be the most dangerous of all and I damned well don't blame them.
There are lots of wolf rescue organizations in the United States as there's lots of people who think they can -- but find they can't -- deal with wolves wolf/dogs. If you're thinking of adopting please contact these organizations as there's lots of good information available from them on raising, owning and adopting wolves and wolf/dogs. It's not for the faint of heart but may be one of the most rewarding adoptions a human can make.
I have a 3/4 wolf, Husky and malamute X who is now 12. Got her when she was 3 months. Very loyal and sweet, but not used to children and doesn't like them because they make too much noise and touch her. (She is not very physically affectionate - like a wild animal) Would not leave her alone with them. She has had cancer tumors removed from mammaries (did not have her spayed until recently as I live in the woods, far from any dogs; she never roams, even unrestrained), a couple of seizures recently and arthritis, which came suddenly. Don't know what is casuging the seizures. Total personality change, won't go for walks now (used to LOVE) not very alert or playful anymore. Kind of like a zombie. Maybe brain damage from seizures? Guess we all get like that when we get to be 84! She was/is/used to be the smartest and IS best, sweetest most loyal dog I have ever had.
I have hybrid wolf it nice dog.
Wow they make good pets.
I am the proud mummy to a german shep/timber wolf. She was dumped on my partner before we meet. She had 1 eye barely open when she was dumped. My partner had always lived alone with AbbyGail. We dated breifly before they moved into the home I currently lived in with my 4yr old daughter. The dog and child had been friends before the relationship began. Abby adjusted very quickly to her new family and has been GREAT. I love her as much as I love my daughter. She is NOT A PET. She is a MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. She comes into "heat" every 3 years. and has had puppies both time. 8 and 9 puppies each time, all healthy and no runts and all have survived. My partner loves her whole heartedly. And I believe will die, when Abby passes away. They have such a remarkable connection to one another. She doesnt like other dogs for the most part, but she is all momma to the cats. And Protective of the entire "pack". I have done tons of research about hybrids, to find the best ways to manage and correct and show her where she stands in the totem pole. She has adjusted well. Not to say she doesnt get mad and tear thing up. or be upset with being left and pee-pee on rug to "show me". It is true, not just anyone can handle a haybrid. Also in all my research i have not been able to find much on common health problems, or anyone who has had one altered. I am afraid it will change her temperment, partner is just afraid to put her under to have it done :) She doesnt think she could live with herself if Abby didnt wake up from surgry. Any way Abby is 7 years old, and this week when it got cold all of a sudden she started showing signs of arthritis in her back end, we only gave 81mg asprin when she was hurting so much she was whinning. It did seem to help but we would like to find a more natural way to reduce the symptoms and relieve the pain. Does anyone have any suggestions?
i didnt see anything about South Carolina could someone please give me the info. im wanting to get a hybrid. and if it is legal here would anyone be in to selling me a pup?
my wolf is warm and friendly and totally trustable and part of the family, he loves people. I think that wolves are being given a very bad rap here. Wolves treat you with respect if you treat them that way. My wolf expects a nose kiss every day from my wife before she goes to work and when she gets home. He takes my hand and leads me to the door when he wants to go outside and howls when he wants back in. He is timid and very kind to other dogs. He lays his head on my arm while I eat and I show wolf manners by giving him the last of whats on my plate every time. He kisses my face after I do.
So does that mean they are legal in Colorado?
We have a 3/4 malamute, 1/4 timber wolf, female who will be 2 in November. She has been an awesome friend to the entire family. She has also been extremely irritating at times. We bought our baby before doing much research. In the beginning, she was allowed to run the home 24/7. We learned quickly she could not be trusted to "run free" in the house. She ate the furniture, soiled the carpet, ate clothing and anything else on the floor or within her reach. We began caging her at night and when we were away from home. After beginning the caging, she house broke easily and quit destroying everything in site. We already assumed she would have the wild animal instinct and showed her, and are still showing her today, she is NOT the Alpha in the house. She obeys commands excellently (down, sit, NO, bed) She is great with our kitten (plays gently, cleans, sleeps with him) BUT we still do not, and probably never will, trust her ALONE with the kitten or children. The kids (ages 3-16) have been told not to show weakness to her and to treat her with firmness, but kids will be kids so it is easier to just not leave her alone with them. She has never shown aggression toward anyone in the home or strangers on the street, but she does have wild animal in her and COULD turn and we know this. If anything were to happen to our baby, I would have no problem getting another hybrid, BUT I would NOT have two at the same time. She is ALOT of work.
Loved the reading Whitney!!
Wolf hybrids should be judged by others. I own a mid-content siberian husky x canadian grey wolf male and he is totally amazing,loving and loyal and I trust him 100% and I know that he will protect from any harm since he has already done so twice. He is about 72 cm tall at the shoulders and weights 110 pounds and has inherited one blue eye from his siberian husky heritage while the other is amber.
I have just adopted a 90% Canadian Grey Hybrid/Shepherd/Husky, now 4 months old. He has a lot of energy and has learned several tricks and is the apple of my eye. Every night before I go to sleep Cody jumps on the bed, and I give him his good night kiss, and he takes his little nose and very gently rubs the whiskers all over my face and then goes to sleep. He gets along with cats, but I have to watch him constantly around my parrot. He is so beautiful and sweet.
I really want a wolf hybrid and I appriciate all the info. I am doing lots of research and will make sure to treat my wolf hybrid with respect and kindness
My friend recently lost her german Shepard/wolf hybrid Atila (short for atila of the hun) cause he was always very buff. Anyway, I have known her since we were in pre k and after 18 years of growing up with her and going to her house, that dog was the most gentle giant ever. She had a little sister that would pull on his ears tail and paws and he wouldnt budge at all. He was definitely a gentle giant. His mother was a Labrador/German Shepard and his father was a German Shepard/wolf hybrid. A beautiful mix that resulted in a beautiful,majestic creature. You will be missed Atila!?
When i was born my dad had brought home a wolf/husky pup, she was mine from the beginning. She was very sweet and protective of me. If someone new came to the house she would instantly get up and curl around me and growl until my dad took the person by the hand and showed her that they were "ok". She had only one dominance issue the whole time she was alive, she snaped at my dad... she nvr did it again. she used to sit by the underground dog fence thingy and listen to her collar beep, and she'd sit ther for hours until it stoped... at that point she'd make a break for it in the woods. She had eaten something dead and got poisoned from it. she was a wonderful dog, and if my fiance and i didnt live in michigan, we would definatly have one.
i luv wolves and owls wodnt it be creepy if there was a owl+wolf hybrid?
i have wolf x malmute, he is my best friend, i love him so much and would love to own another one, he always been a good animal, listens well and has never hurt anyone, but i see he can and will go after smaller animals such as rabbits and birds ectr, but would trust him with my life yeah wolves are awesome,
I liked this article for the balanced and responsible information given. I have a wolf/dog mix that I had from a puppy, very challenging as a puppy and I was her 4th home at 9 weeks old!! That is the down side to anyone who breeds these mixes, I had her spayed at 9 months old to prevent more wolf dogs who people think are cool to own, but don't realize the difficulty and long commitment that they require. I think there are alot of husky mixes that people think are wolf dogs, but are not. Anyone who claims that their wolf dog is easy does not have a true wolf dog. I also do not have children and have not allowed my wolf dog around small children. They are loyal.. intelligent.. beautiful dogs, but can be unpredictable. We had had a malamute wolf mix prior to her.. so knew the responsibilities that went along with ownership. We live in maine where wolf dogs are not uncommon, all the people I know who have them are responsible but I hope anyone considering this type of dog will seriously reconsider, it is traumatic for them to change owners.. more so than than domestic dogs.. so be prepared for 10 year plus commitment and vets who may not choose to care for them. I was lucky as my vet took her as a patient, but he still flagged her file. Oh yeah, she is always on leash or chained when outside.
My dog/wolf is now 7 months old. I didnt think I could love him or enjoy him more than i did, but I do. He is so kind to all humans and animals and I really dont think it will change. He now carries 20 pounds in his backpack, and walks so proud with it!! He has turned me into a blushing dog owner:-)
We adopted a wolf- german rottweiller hybrid from a breeder. Only thing was, he was going to breed his 2 rottweillers and his neighbors 100% wolf came down and we'll say "got" her first. He gave her to us and she has done really well. Its hard to find a trainer and I didn't tell the vet when he didn't ask, but I'm sure they'll do blood tests. Thank you for the article, it was very informative. Our dog looks 100% domestic, you would never look at her and think wolf ddog.
Also keep in mind that the people posting on this hub and reading about this are most likely the responsible owners who know how to handle their hybrids, take necessary precautions, and treat their animals well to earn their respect and loyalty. People commenting on their fears here are far more worried about people who treat their animals as a showpiece, as some sort of trophy, and who don't know how to instill loyalty or keep the animal from causing trouble. Some people can get so tied up in the "romanticism" of having a wolf that they don't realize the responsibility they have to take care of it properly, and that's when the problems happen. It's much safer for irresponsible pet owners to have another kind of pet (if they're going to insist on owning one, which they shouldn't be allowed to... poor pups!).
i have a husky/wolf low content hybrid. She is a member of the family, and I love her like a daughter (since I have no children). Everyone posting comments saying hybrids are absolutely dangerous, or absolutely fine, cannot speak for every single hybrid out there. Every single one is different. All owners are different. I am an avid animal lover, and I wouldn't trade my Princess for anything in the world. She has been my best friend for 7 years now. If you adopt a hybrid, you are taking a risk, but you will never know how it is going to work out until you experience it yourself. So for those of you who do not own one, and are downing people that do, you are completely ignorant. Speak only on topics you have some personal knowledge about!
I got my wolamute when he was 6 weeks old. I have read, and continue to read, everthing possible about hybrids. He is six months old now and I would n't change him a bit. Because I have read so much, I know what to expect, and what not to expect. I have a 13yr old border collie that is definatley the alpha of the 2. I am a single mother with a 17 yr old daughter and we love him dearly. It was been hard housebreaking him, as I expected, but he is fine now. I wish I had room for 2 more. Like many people have said, they are not for everyone. People please do your research BEFORE bringing one into your life. It is a challenge, but a challenge that is very rewarding. He has his own backpack, loves it, and eventually I would like to train him to pull a sled. Not professionally, but for fun. I will let all know how it turns out.
Be kind and smart for the sake of the animal
stephanie-kfalls or
Honestly, wolf-dogs (because they technically arent hybrids because wolves & dogs are in the same classification)arent any more "dangerous" than any other dog. Pitbulls are the most naturally agressive canines out there, by far more than pure wolves. wolves are naturally timid, they dont go looking for trouble, they only protect & hunt for survival. Unlike chihuauas, pitbulls, rotweilers, mastiffs, & HUNDREDS of 'breeds', a wolf-dog wont run upto a stranger, & they DO NOT make good "guard dogs" unless thier owner is irresponsible & lets thier pet think its the Alpha. & as far as "Alphas" go, its not a things that is singled out to wolfdogs, it goes with any breed, & any pack or herd type spiecies including horses, cattle, & even chickens,.. Ive been attacked by plenty of roosters that thought they were the alpha, & if you own a horse & dont take the role as the higher authority, your in BIG trouble, & even worse with cows....
aside from all of that, wolf-dogs are a breed even if they arent "registered" thats like saying, "well air doesnt exist because i cant see it"...
there are even "registered" BREEDS of wolf dogs, such as the
Saarlooswolfhond,
Tamaskan Wolf-dog,
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog,
Lupo Italiano,
Kunming Wolfdog,
etc..
the whole Issue of wolfdogs isnt the breed. its the irresposible breeders & owners. "high content" animals should only be bred by reliable breeders & for Experienced owners such as trainers that use wolfdogs to play in movies..
I also dont agree in breeders breeding wolfdogs that look like malamutes, huskies or german shephards, it somewhat defeats the purpose of the breed. just like any breeding with any animal, it should be done selectively & in a professional manner.
Wolf hybrids are beautiful, just like a full wolf. However, one can own one forever and not have a problem...but the instant you show any sign of weakness in front of the animal you better watch out! They see you as the alpha...once the alpha seems weak it's their natural instinct to attack you to take over the alpha position. A lady owned one of these wolf hybrids...she had them for years, and was considered an expert with them. They found her dead in the back yard. She had tripped and fell and the dog attacked her! It killed her then began eating her. She treated her wolf-hybrids like babies and fed them very well!
Sure...dogs came from the wolves...however, over thousands of years, the wolf has been bred out of the dog! A wolf hybrid is still half wild! So that gives you a 50% chance of getting attacked! Good luck with that one!
I have to say that I was always against owning a wolf/hybrid. However I rescued a wolf/hybrid three years ago and she has been one of the most beautiful, intelligent creatures I've ever had the pleasure of being around. Her personality is second to none and she is extremely gentle with the family to include my grandchild. However, because I've worked with and owned large dogs before and was aware of potential dangers regarding large dogs, plus have studied wolves for years I trained her to be submissive with food and other things that could trigger instincts from the time she came home. She was 4 weeks old when I brought her home. She is now 3 years old and 98 lbs.
She has been a lot less of a handful than the Huskies, Laboradors and Malinois I've shared my life with so far! People wanting a wolf/hybrid need to be aware of the inherent dangers, but not all wolf/hybrids are dangerous. They are like other breeds... as dangerous as a cruel or uneducated owner is. I would not trade her for the world.
Excellent hub. I did my final project on hybrids when I graduated high school. I think a lot of people are making the mistake of grouping all hybrids as the same and this is where the debate is. High percentage hybrids, 50/50 mom was 100% one side and dad was 100% another, are the most unpredictable. Loving and devoted yes but you never know when the predator will come out. No matter how you spin it a wolf is a predator and the natural instincts are still deep rooted in a high percentage hybrid.
That being said lower percentage hybrids are safer, still not 100% safe. Then again you should NEVER leave any dog alone with a small child or animal that can't defend itself.
I personally am against breeding dogs and wolves together. Their roads have diverged and they are not the same animal. Wolves are sacred and wild, we need to respect them and leave them alone. Domestic dogs are our buddies and companions, ever faithful and watchful. Why water down the wild just to have a novelty pet? It's just wrong.
Great information on here! Hybrids are a lot of work, which is why I'll stick with my foster dogs! Thank you.
I recently became the proud owner of a 19 week old wolf/husky, named Nella. So far as a puppy she has been the smartest dog and has picked up on things very quickly. She has been trained quicker then either of my beagles. That being said my sisters beagle chooses to fight over food and always acts up. That was do to lack of training and discipline to show him right and wrong. Which also shows that any dog will act up and fight. They are all animals for a reason. They all want to be dominant. If anything you would assume a wolf to be more loyal in the fact that they live in packs. I have already seen a loyalty from my dog that i had not seen from any of my other dogs, besides my recently passed on 17 year old chow/lab mix(which chows are known to bite and be bad themselves). Thousands of years ago when people started breeding the dogs we have today, you have to think how might these dogs of acted at the start. I am sure that in 2 years there will be no out bursts with my dog because i fully trust her and have done everything to help her adapt to children and other dogs. Its sad that i have to keep her at my grandparents house because my dad when he was informed by others, came to the conclusion that she would attack or be disobedient no matter how she was trained. Also my sisters fear "she's a wolf she might try and attack my baby", when in actuality she is a puppy and would acclimate better to a young child at this age. Its sad that such a beautiful breed can be criminalized based on what people say and don't know through experience. When you read most of these responses you see there are more positives then negatives. There is a loyalty factor that you might not find in any other animal, they aren't your every day dumb loving dog. They are intelligent and have a connection to humans more then people realize.
I recently adopted a wolf-hybrid not knowing what i was getting into. I got him when he was 3 1/2 yrs.old. He needed a home, he met 3 families and chose me. I have now had him for 1 year. I must say the transition was definitely difficult. He chewed everything, my couch, camera, door-lock..EVERYTHING!....BUT, i held on, stuck by him and he turned the corner so to speak and 100% better! He hasnt chewed anything in months. He has always had absolutely the most GENTLE tempermant. He adores the cat Fidel, actually the cat runs the show! I must give props to the previous owners who did a FABULOUS job training him, but am a little concerned d/t previous posts about him challenging me in the future....although deep down i just don't see him doing that. I feel like he would have tested me by now. I have obviously researched hybrids AFTER i accepted him, and consider myself EXTREMELY LUCKY how easy he is compared to what i have read. If i would have read any of it before i never would have taken "Buddy". This has been a learning process and lesson well learned. I personally think you should never intentionally breed wild animals w domestic animals. Animals are wild for a reason and belong in the wild. But if any experienced hypbrid owner has any advice they'd like to share, i'm here to listen and learn! great thread....
Nice article, butI can´t understand why people can´t leave animals alone. Why create a dog wolf hybrid? To prove that we humans are creative? What´s the point really, poor animals
Having had a wolf hybrid for 12 years I must say she did teach me a lot, not only about her but also caused me to do research on the wolf in general. I have come to greatly respect these magnificent animals. But have to agree the wolf belongs in the wild. If you'd like to read about her, the title to my article begins with Princess. She still retained a touch of the wild, but managed to find a balance (eventually) between inside the home and outside.
Great Hub, good info!!
grammasue,
I recently read this and thought it would be of use to you...."When a dog is constantly leaning on you, putting his paw on you, or touching you in some way, this is not your dog loving you, it is your dog displaying dominant behaviors. In the dog world, space is respect. A dog who is constantly nudging you and leaning on you, is not only disrespecting you, they are being the alpha dog. You are the one who must start and end touching and affection." Hope it helps a little bit, I know it is rough to rescue an animal who is that age already and was so mistreated. I commend you for making such an effort and having so much love and faith in him! :)
They are not dangerous. I own one right now and he's my big baby.
I have a wolf hybrid and I love him so much. I have never had a problem with him. He was even aproached by our neighbors dog who growled at him and he just walked away. Judging one wolf hybrid does not speak fairly to the rest of the species. I mean Think about there have been some terrible people in this world, but we dont go judging all the human race like that its not fair and injust. Some wolf hybrid may have agressive tendancies but not all of them will.
My son acquired a husky/wolf/german sheperd mix about 2 mths ago. she is tan in color and getting black down her back. she carries the wolf tail with the black tip. I have her now. she is not tied or caged. we have another dog for 7 years and they love each other. she does not mind the cats either. we do not play rough with her or let her jump upon us. she is allowed in the house and has been very hard to potty train but I think we just about have it down. she barks rarley and when we are gone and come home she uses funny sounds to try to talk to us. she loves friut loops and cat food. she loves the grandkids and loves to play with them. I hope her teperment will always be good. we do scold her but we do not hit her. she is shy and timid at times but not as much anymore with us. she has seemed to pick out my 17 year old daughter has her favorite. she cries when she goes to bed, shower, etc... she is a sweetie and her name is Dixie Lynn
We rescued a "german shepherd" (no papers) at a shelter a few months ago.... right away noticed odd things about his behavior that seemed very wolfish. Not knowing anything about wolf dogs did some research online, your article is very good. Pretty certain Shadow is some sort of wolf mix as he has so many characteristics you describe and is very unpredictable. The shelter we got him at warned us of his behavior issues but he is so beautiful we figured our love of all animals would win him over. I would never trust him around small children as he has gone after our cats (one in particular) a number of times. He is four years old and was found abandoned in someones basement that had moved. We do love him and plan on keeping him for life despite all the work involved keeping him. He is super intelligent and we couldn't figure out why he was doing such dumb things like marking in the house, and NOT barking at strangers.(we wanted a watch dog!) He acts almost shy but if a stranger were to reach out to touch him he will snap. He also has this odd way of coming up to us and "leaning" his side and hind quarters on our legs. This is when you are either standing or sitting. He does it ALOT. Almost like submission. Anyway just wanted to comment on your article as it was a big help in figurig out Shadows strange behavior.
I own a hybrid and have never had a problem. My parents have two and my brother has three and they live in our homes. Not one of them have been a problem. Great with kids, cats and other dogs. I worked at an animal shelter for a long time and find that any dog can have aggression issues. Any animal(no matter the breed)is in the hands of their owners. And if that animal turns on their owner, it's because the owner didn't give them the proper attention and training. It's you as an owner of a hybrid or any other dog to have the responsibility for your animals actions. The only people that should be banded from having a hybrid are ignorant people. And they should also be banded from having any animals or children for that matter, as that is way our shelters are full.
Yes, I have heard and know of many states, towns, and countries who ban Pit Bulls and many other breeds as pets. The difference is that wolf hybrids are bred of domestic dog and wild animal versus a dog breed who's history is decades of domestic dog only. A breed who's breed has been breed for many years at being human friendly and animal aggressive.
It's good you trust your wolf hybrid with your children, but these animals still have wild genes in them and can be quite unpredictable.
And, yes, I have heard of attacks caused by wolf hybrids. Many of them. That is why they are illegal as pets in many areas.
I have owned a wolf hybrid for over 3 years. We have 4 children 12 and under. I can honestly say that this is the best pet we have ever had. Anyone who has never had one should really keep their nasty comments to themselves. Apparantly you don't know what you're talking about. Any dog can turn. Look at all the attacks you hear about from pits. Do you hear anyone saying it should be illegal to own one of them? I have rarely heard of attacks by wolf hybrids who have been domesticated. Also, my wolf hybrid gets along great with our children and i have never worried that he would turn.
All dogs are different, so it is hard to say. Some dobermans and pits are super sweet, so ask if a wolf hybrid will act like that, who knows. Some may, but it's more likely to turn as the hybrid gets older, depending on how much of the wolf genes it actually got.
hello Whitney, read your article. I love reading it and it gives a lot of knowledge regarding a new wild breed. Atleast new for me. Isn't these kind of breed dangerous? I mean, can they be so wild or unpredictable? If so, will their be reaction the same in case they are sprayed with a repellent? I'm just curious because if ever someone came across these kind of breed, will they be able to react like doberman or a pitbull?
i own a six month old wolfsheaperdhusky mix supposodly 96% wolf and i did no research till after i got him. he's allready 64lbs i have four daughters and we all love him allthough he does play little rough but he is just like any other 6mnth old pup just about 35lbs heavier, i woulnt trade him for te world. beleive half of what u see but nothing that you here. treat them with love and respect and establish dominance at a early age and youll have a loving companion, but with size and energy i recommend them for bachelors or people with older children. God bless!!
I love wolves and at one time wanted one, but after reading your article I think I will enjoy them from a distance, I don't want to take the risk of some one getting hurt because of my wolf. I guess real wolves would be the same if not worse than the hybrid. Thanks for the Knowledge enjoyed your hub.
There are people who have animals for the right reasons and there are idiots who have animals for the wrong reasons. I have had 2 wolfdogs in my life, and I am blessed with the knowledge, understanding and life style that has allowed me to experience these wonderful creatures. I wish those of you who are against the ownership of wolfdogs would be quicker to blame humans, rather than the animal itself that ends up being agressive or tied to a tree. My heart breaks for ANY animal that ends up in the wrong hands.
Huskies and Malamutes are domestic dogs and have been so for many, many centuries. These breeds are high-strung, but they are in no way wild.
I remember when I was working at a boy scout camp near Bellingham, WA on kitchen staff, the cook I worked for had a wolf-shepard mix that I saw once. He seemed pretty friendly though. BTW, I wonder how wolf dogs compare with say Huskies or Malmutes?
I agree to breeding full blooded wolves and trying to reintroduce them into the wild.
i love that comment "if it has teeth it will bite, from your pet mouse to your two year old toddler" very true! personally i believe that with the wolves dwindling in number why not let ppl breed more full blooded wolves.. i'm sure some one somewhere can set up a program to give them the ability to be released into the wild.. though i have to say i am also a fan of owning (responsibly owning) wolves. Hybrid or other wise. my grandmother's ex husband owned one, with permit. and he was the sweetest most magnificent creature ever. don't get me wrong i do give them respect. but in owning one, i also require they understand the pecking order has me on top. i also wouldn't own one with out have a 10-15ft fence around at least half an acre of propertery or MORE preferably more... to prevent jumping the fence and also giving them adiquate area for roaming and excersizing.. keeping them socailized would also be on the top of my list. but in walking them i'd also keep sure to have them secured. i seen one once had a collar and a harness.. apparently he pulled back out of the collar cuz he wanted to go play one day, so the harness was added for mroe control... (this was in the begingin stages of training) also i've seen another one with a head collar, and a regular collar. this why the animals are controled for the piece of mind for others... even if all they want to do is play.. i agree that you can't always be a hundred percent sure and i would never really feel comfortable letting a wolf play with a chiuahauah... or anything smaller than a huskey for that matter... i also agree that someone with minimal understanding of even a basic dog should NOT own a hybrid or a wolf. they are not the same. they are not pets as much as companion animals.. a dog is willing to please a wolf requires respect and understanding. it's a whole nother can of worms to domesticate a wolf or hybrid... if you don't have knowlege of such creatures.. leave them alone!! if you have an understanding of them, as i have said.. i'm all for RESPONSIBLE wolf owning.. as long as you keep in mind they are NOT dogs and they are NOT pets. but they can make GREAT companions!
I raised wolf/malamutes for about 4 years, I loved them very much, but I lived in town, and nearly every time I got them out to walk them or exercise them someone would call the police, even though they were legal to have, and they were on a leash, I was still harrassed to the point that I decided it wasn't fair to the animal. I found someone in the country to take them. I miss them but I don't think I would do it again.
I really enjoyed this hub. I had run into a couple at the dog park who were really convinced they were clever in telling me their wolf hybrid puppy was a form of shepherd. There were young children running around (stupidly, but thats a comment for a different hub), domesticated dog puppies toddling around, and lots of noise and distractions. This wolf hybrid puppy was terrified, snapping occasionally, and visibly in distress. The owners were proud of themselves, I thought they were insane, and their wolf hybrid just wanted to get back to the wilderness. Very depressing!
I've been married to my husband for five years, dated him for three. He has a beautiful hybrid that is 12 years old. Although she showed some jealousy at first, and would not obey my commands readily, she now respects me as the alpha female and greets me daily after work with love and enthusiam. She is one of the most mellowist dogs I've seen. I respect her size and breed as one should of any animal regardless of species. Realize that ALL animals may become aggressive if angered, frightened or ill. My rule is: If it has teeth it may bite. That goes for your pet mouse to your two-year-old toddler. Remember that humans are capable of some of the most heinous acts.
i have owned an Alaskan Malamute/White Wolfe going on 14 years now and never once has she shown aggression towards children or adults,she is very protective of myself and my children,she's the sweetest most intelligent dog i have ever owned and i would'nt trade her for the world and until someone has had one keep your opinions too yourself!!
I love it! I knew a wolf dog growing up. He looked like he had no dog in him! His personality was perfect :)
I got the information from online from a website giving wolf and big cat laws, so the laws may have changed since that site posted. But, I have found several other sources that have all said they are illegal, stating that F1 Hybrids are illegal to possess unless you had the F1 generation hybrid before 1988. Otherwise, you don't need registration for F2 generation and below, basically the puppies from a direct wolf and dog breeding are not allowed, but puppies from one of first pups breeding to another domestic dog is fine to have without a registration.
"671. Importation, Transportation and Possession of Live Restricted Animals.
(a) It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess
alive animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under
permit issued by the Department of Fish and Game.
a. Wolf hybrids ( Canis familiaris (domestic dog) x Canis lupus (wolf)).
(i) Any F1 (first) generation wolf hybrid whelped on or before February 4, 1988 may be possessed under permit from the department.
(ii) No state permit is required to possess the progeny of F1 generation wolf hybrids, but cities and counties may prohibit possession or require a permit."
Hey I agree and think they should be illegal - most people who end up buying a Wolf hybrid will statistically not have the dog until it dies of old age, but only until they get fed up with it and abandon it or it runs away, which is second nature to these animals. They do not want to be kept. As much as I wish it were true - your comment about wolf hybrids being illegal in the state of CALIFORNIA, you are wrong - they are not illegal there at the moment, I have called the department of Fish & Game & verified it.
I love this article. I've "met" a few timberwolves, (nose to nose!), as well as hybrids. Magnificent animals. Always to be respected. I'm watching our 2 German Shepherds sleeping on the big leather sofa they claimed, both rescued animals. Both amazing. That's as close as I'll get, and I'm okay with that. Great article.
A few years ago a group of Hybrid Dog-wolf were caugh dragging a little girl almost to her death.
That should say it all.
I think it is an irresponsible mistake to breed wolves w/domestic dogs. These animals are wild and even though they may be raised by loving owners from birth, cannot 100% have the unpredictable wild instinct taken out of them. They should not be forced to act like domestic dogs when they are not. I cringe when I read about things like this.
We are the owners of a fairly uncommon breed of wolf dog. They are called Karilean Bear Dogs. They ar ein essence working dogs on our ranch. They are so protective of us that at times I have had to put them in the garage when certain people enter the property. They run with our horses in the riding season and keep bears from us. They will never bring the bear back to the herd. It was amazing watching how our male Vortex handled the birth of our new filly. He took total responsibility for her safety until she had her own survival instincts in place. He would bark at her to get on her feet before he did the outside check of the property. Once he went around the entire 6 acres Vortex would return to her and lay down and keep watch over her. This went on for about three months. By then her Mom Magic Maker began to get very protective and started chasing him off her. They are gorgeous dogs. I.m building a hub on actioncameron with pics and stories if you'd like to see what they look like.
I raise American Timber Wolve, have for 13 years and have them all over the country. These animals are nothing like a dog, I have never had trouble with vets and they are very gental. I have raised over 35 of them and never one time had an issue. For those that say keeping them in the wild so you can view them. Let me tell you the chance of you EVER catching a wolf in its surounding is very very very rare. People spend many months tracking and learning their patterns to see these wolves in the wild, you dont just walk down a path and see them, they are smarter than that. It is easy to read a book and post, but till you experiance raising and trusting, you have no clue how enjoyable they can be.
ANY dog's temperment is a direct reflection on its owner.
A good owner could tame even the most wild of wolves (as long as he or she had it from its infancy) and a bad owner could make even a Goldren Retriever into a scared, jumpy, or just downright vicious mongrel...
Personally, I know I wouldn't have enough time or energy to raise a wolf dog...I'm struggling with a boxer-lab mix right now, too much energy!
Gman, dogs that are mixed with wolves, are much more wild and unpredictable than Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Malamutes, etc. The difference is that the domestic dog has been domesticated and living with humans for thousands of years, wolves are wild animals.
great hub, very informative. They are such beautiful animals. I have always loved the wolf and the dog. Great job.
If people wanna own hybrids why cant they? if they are responsible pet owners who devote so much attention to the animal to make it normal whats the problem? You say they are dangerous? Pit bulls, rotwylers er however you spell it, german sheperds, even huskys can be VERY aggressive at times. Its the owner, the pets emotions and actions is derived off of the basic emotions that the owner dawns upon them. Alot of this cant be stopped anyways, natural breeding occurs when humans dont even know it. Breeding is a differnt story! Natural stuff that goes on is differennt too. Quit complaining about these beautiful creatures, i know my friend has one and the wolf dog is the nicest dog i know, waggin tail and everything, licks and kisses, so yall need to chill out and let responsible people reep the roots of these hybrids. as for brian, your a pussy, you got a chiwawa?
they are no longer called hybrids as the canis lupus and canis familiaris are both from the canine family. my grandparents neighbours used to own a wolf/husky. he was an amazing dog. my boyfriends friend owns one and hes never been aggressive. hes just like other dogs. these animals are misunderstood creatures and deserve a chance. same with pitbulls.
Hybrids are not a dog BREED.
Dogs, yes originated from wild animals, but they have been domestic for thousands of years which has bred out the marjority of their true wild tendencies that you commonly see in hybrids.
I think what many people fail to realize.. ALL pets were wild pets at one point in the chain of evolution. I myself love a sensitive, fun breed of dog.. which is why I have a golden retriever. However.. the dog I had before my golden was a beautiful husky. I was attracted to the look of the husky b/c of they're wolf-like look. I think wolves are beautiful dogs.. and if someone wants to have a hybrid as a pet.. I think they should be allowed. As long as they are a responsible pet owner.. I believe that person should be allowed. I do however think that hybrids should be regulated (require a permit) - only because the breed is relatively new and until the breed has been around long enough for us to know ALL of it's behavioral traits.
There are hundreds of dog and cat breeds. All were created somehow.. whether it was by human involvement.. or natural mating. Pet breeds are crossed all the time to create new breeds. People often love the look of a breed.. the temperment of another breed. Thus... breeding.
Hybrids should be allowed EVERYWHERE. But pet ownership in general should be regulated to ensure the good welfare of the pet.. the owner.. and the public.
people who own wolves or hybrids are irresponsible assholes. my dog was almost killed by a pack of these so-called pets these "owners" are some kind of fetishists who are putting the public at risk. get over youselves and grow a set. I,m gonna start packing.
My husband use to have the wolf/husky mix and wants another one. Didn't know it was illegal here in cali. thanks for informing me about that, Whitney. GREAT informative hub. I really enjoyed reading it.
You have written a fascinating article. I greatly enjoyed it. Several years ago I wrote a novel about megolithic tribesmen in Ireland (who built Newgrange) having wolves as hunting companions (Spirit Mound: A Novel of Ancient Ireland, 2005).Thanks again.
Great hub Whitney. I once had a wolf hybrid and she was gorgeous. I wouldn't have traded her for anything, but she was a hand full. Very domaneering and powerful so staying dominant to her was a full time job.
I had one in SC and could not get a rabies shot here. He died of "natural" causes and I only found out about the drawbacks to ownership after I adopted him. Loved "Wolf" but would never own another.
Although I like their appearance, that is where my attraction to them ends! I wouldn't want to keep them as pets as they are more wolf than dog when it comes to behavior. Your article supports exactly why so many states prohibit this type of breed. Thanks, Whitney.
As mentioned, even trained ones that have been socialized with animals and children, can be startled and natural instincts will arise. These are still wild animals and have very strong instincts. Hybrids are only here because mostly of man, although stray dogs will breed with them if the wolves will mate. Man should have left them wild.
I'm all for giving certain breeds a chance, but this is a wild animal bred with something domestic, not a breed. It's not the animals fault by any means, though.
I have owned a hybrid wolf dog for around three years now. I found him hurt in my fishing spot! He came right to me limping and whimpering. I brought him to the vet and then brought him home. For the first couple days I kept him away from my children and other animals for the first couple days until he was feeling better and then introduced him to my bassett hound. Lets just say that after three years i have never seen an agressive behavior out of him. These animals are intelligent and beautiful. I was just recently offered money (a large amount) to breed him with a female from another town. I did respectfully decline but I don't feel that these animals should be judged because all animals need love and affection. Some animals are ment to be wild but if they are here needing help and wanting to be loved and happy why deny them that?
Thank you for a wonderful hub. Why can't people leave nature alone? Go enjoy seeing them in their wild inhabitat. Also I am sure there enough dogs in all shape and size to have. So why not leave them alone and be happy that they are free?
bac2basics Level 3 Commenter 2 weeks ago
What a great hub. My own view is that hybridizing wolves and keeping them as pets is utter madness, you are messing with nature and just asking for trouble.I think it should be illegal everywhere to own them. It´s all very well owners saying they can handle these wolf dogs, but what if they escape into the community? I´m sure this must happen a lot as I can´t see any way a hybrid would ever feel completely settled in a domestic situation..have the owners of these animals never read " call of the wild". I don´t hold with the views about dangerous breeds in the dog world, I think all depends on how the dog has been raised , treated, and trained. But as you point out so well in your hub hybrids are not and never will be 100% domesticated..they are wild animals at heart and wild animals as anyone with half a brain ought to know can be dangerous. Stop messing with nature and let wolves be wolves living their lives free and stick to owning a 100% dog.