The amount of wolf in a wolf-dog cannot accurately be determined by a DNA test, nor are there any reputable breed registries for wolf-dogs available. Currently, DNA tests, even those offered through veterinary offices, remain inaccurate, likely due to the fact that wolves and dogs are so closely-related that false positives and false negatives are very common. On a similar note, breed registries like the Continental Kennel Club also known as the CKC are infamously well-known for registering just about any dog as a purebred this-or-that on the condition that the breeders send them money, even if the animal is not what it's claimed to be.
Paperwork does not prove wolf content. Buyer beware! Vets, too, are not always a reliable source of information when it comes to determining whether or not a particular dog is "part wolf"; as vets are not currently taught to identify wolf traits by means of phenotyping at any point during their training. As such, it is disappointingly common for vets to assume an animal has wolf content based on misinformation. Wolf-dogs typically weigh between 70 to pounds. Claims of animals significantly larger than that are usually flights of fancy.
FB house promo. Sign Up for News Updates. Sign up. Not convinced? High Content Temperament: High content wolfdogs tend to share most of the same personality and physical features as wolves. Daily handling starting as early as 10 days old by direct family is vital; remember pups both wolf, wolfdog, and dog are very susceptible to disease at this point and interaction with people outside of the family can pose a health hazard. Research has demonstrated that if a pup is not handled during the critical bonding period of its first 21 days, it may respond with very fearful behavior towards people and in captivity.
This time frame is considered the optimum period to introduce a pup into its new home and surroundings. During this phase, a pup should be gradually exposed to potentially frightening stimuli such as kids, the postman, vacuum cleaners, spray cans, street noises, loud noises, etc.
Between eight and twelve weeks of age, the pup should also be introduced to the places, circumstances, and conditions that he is likely to have to face as an adult. Not only do pups form attachments to people during this sensitive stage, but also to places. High contents are extremely intelligent and will test your containment.
Unless you have a six sided kennel which is all 4 normal sides of a fence plus a top and bottom made of heavy duty chain link or cattle panels there is no such thing as bomb proof and even then a wolfdog may find a weak point such as a rusted or damaged area.
In this case we are NOT talking about food. It is not unusual for a high content to chew apart your furniture, chew the drywall in your house, chew wires, chew doors, chew the outside siding of the house, whatever they can get their mouth on. Other unacceptable behavior often seen in high contents is jumping on tables, furniture, and sometimes even the top of fridges.
High content wolfdogs are the least likely to want to please you. Although very loving they are not likely to perform tricks, sit when asked, stay, rollover, etc Because of a high prey drive young children, cats, or small dogs should NEVER be left alone with a high content wolfdog. A child running around screaming is likely to invoke a high prey drive response and can lead to injury or even death.
Please note that this is not solely a wolf trait, other breeds of dogs especially northern breeds tend to have a high prey drive as well. Even with early socialization to cats or small dogs a high content should really never be left alone with either. They can take time to warm up to strangers and be very fearful at first but with patience they tend to trust much more quickly.
With good breeding mid contents can be outgoing but many will retain some kind of shyness around strangers. Mid contents can often be brought into the house although chewing may be a problem, they do tend to be more willing to please than high contents. Mids are in general better with small animals than high contents but since often times wolfdogs are mixed with Northern breeds, GSDs, Border Collies, or other breeds with high prey drive any owner should be cautious when they are around young children, cats, or small dogs.
Mid contents also can be destructive. Low Contents Temperament: Low contents are the best choice for someone new to wolfdogs. They are often the most outgoing, willing to please and best in the house while often retaining the intelligence and self awareness of a high content. Low contents are easy to train albeit they can be stubborn at times.
Low contents are also the most likely to do well with children, cats, and small dogs. However cats tend to still be viewed as prey. Early socialization can help to eliminate most risks. Also remember that breeding that does not take temperament into account can result in an animal that is unstable certain breeders are known to have aggressive wolfdogs or wolfdogs with behavioral issues. Instability is not necessarily due to breeding 'aggressive' wolfdogs per say.
What often times happens is a mis-match of temperament in the dog breeds chosen to cross with a wolf. This is in their nature and you cannot get upset with her. If you are not willing to come home to your couch in shreds or your shoes ripped up I know a cute little puppy is all too tempting but remember Their previous owners did not realize how daunting the task of caring for a wolfdog would truly be. DO your research. I have worked with hybrid rescues and the problem , they are unpredictable.
You never know if the wolf side or the dog traits will be more dominant. Various organizations like mission wolf and others taken around wolfs and turn down calls a year. They just don't have the resources to help any more than that. This means they stopped acting like dogs and more like wolves.
Others will find a way to escape and end up hit by a car or shot or in a shelter where they will be euthanized. The lady who has the two 3 yr. They are battling for the alpha position or one has decided that he doesn't want the other to be in the pack. This happens in the wild all the time and with wolves that are at the sanctuary. They have to be moved and separated. If you want to help sponsor a wolf dog at one of the sanctuaries. That's the best way to own a piece of one of these beautiful wild creatures.
My two males wolfdogs that are brothrs.. That wolf x husky mix pictured with the reddish tail looks exactly like mine,except mine instead one of its eyes is icy blue due to his siberian husky heritage. My wolf hybrid is a mid-content Canadian gray wolf x siberian husky male and stands 29 inches at the withers at 4 years old. If it weren't for my wolf hybrid saving my life twice, I probably wouldn't be alive rightnow plus he is my best friend and I love him so much.
My wolf hybrid and I, go 4 times a week for a 10km bike ride. 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. 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.
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. 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 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 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.
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.
It's not for the faint of heart but may be one of the most rewarding adoptions a human can make. 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 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. I love her as much as I love my daughter. She comes into "heat" every 3 years.
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 doesn't 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 doesn't get mad and tear thing up. 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 temperament, partner is just afraid to put her under to have it done : She doesn't think she could live with herself if Abby didn't 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 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 what's on my plate every time.
He kisses my face after I do. 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.
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 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. She is ALOT of work. Wolf hybrids should be judged by others.
He is about 72 cm tall at the shoulders and weights pounds and has inherited one blue eye from his siberian husky heritage while the other is amber. 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.
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 wouldn't budge at all. He was definitely a gentle giant. A beautiful mix that resulted in a beautiful,majestic creature.
You will be missed Atila!? 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 had eaten something dead and got poisoned from it. I liked this article for the balanced and responsible information given. 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.. We had had a malamute wolf mix prior to her.. 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.. 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. I didn't 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. 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. 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 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.
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