Wolf Dog Hybrids

First I would check with the local laws and see if it's legal in your area to own or breed them. Some places will also require a permit of some kind because they are classified as an exotic, other places the dog must be 25% wolf or less, it really depends on where you live.

A wolf is a wild animal and even if it is mixed with a domesticated dog you still have to deal with it's wild characteristics. It will be like keeping a wild animal as a pet and it's not as easy as keeping a dog. It will be extremely high prey driven with very unpredictable behaviors. Wolfs have more emotions than a typical domesticated dog and it takes a lot of patients to understand them. You also want to make sure you can give the wolf mix a lifestyle that fits its needs, land to run in, things to keep it entertained and that kind of stuff. They are not the dog for everyone so please do as much research as you can before deciding if this is truly the dog you want. By asking here you are off to a great start and I hope you get some wonderful advice.

You also need to check with your home owners insurance. Many companies will not insure your house if you have a wolf hybrid.

Also, some training centers will not accept you in class if you have a wolf hybrid.

My question to you is, why do you want a wolf hybrid? Do you like the looks of them? Do you know anything about their temperments, exercise and training needs?
 
Most likely a wolf hybrid is not going to be the best companion. It will be independent and headstrong, not the type of dog that will stick by your side 24/7.

Jewlieee, they WILL stick by your side. They are pack dogs. I have done some research on their temperments, I'm just looking for more input. 

See the following links.

[linkhttp://www.dogexpert.com/Miscellaneous/The%20Wolf-Dog%20Hybrid.pdf]http://www.dogexpert.com/Miscellaneous/The%20Wolf-Dog%20Hybrid.pdf[/link]
[linkhttp://www.wolfhaven.org/thinkagain3.html]http://www.wolfhaven.org/thinkagain3.html[/link]
[linkhttp://www.angelfire.com/nv/tmyst/facts/wolf_dog_hybrids.htm]http://www.angelfire.com/nv/tmyst/facts/wolf_dog_hybrids.htm[/link]
[linkhttp://www.leerburg.com/wolfcross.htm]http://www.leerburg.com/wolfcross.htm[/link]
 

I have only been up close to one wolf hybrid and that was about 30-40 years ago when I was a teen.  The man walking him said he was 1/2 wolf, which was legal back then, but he told me I would have to lock my dog in my car before I approached his hybrid, because his "wolfie" made a habit of killing any other dog it could reach and its' strength was such that the man could NOT stop a charge.  While it was a beautiful animal, he had to walk it on an oversized chain (it broke smaller leashes) and he said it was prone to, I guess we could liken it to PMS, where the animal became uncontrollable and he felt he had to approach it with a stick or bat in hand.  In addition to the laws, insurance and other things mentioned, please consider the uncertain temperment of an animal which is part wild.  Sometimes you cannot take the "wild" out.  Good luck.

ORIGINAL: Jewlieee

You also need to check with your home owners insurance. Many companies will not insure your house if you have a wolf hybrid.

Also, some training centers will not accept you in class if you have a wolf hybrid...

 
Something else to check out is vets.  Your regular small animal vet may not be allowed to treat a wolf hybred.  I know from when I worked there that mine can't.

Ok, you asked for some input here's my take on the hybrids:

Anyone that actually breeds them is being irresponsible. 

Look online at the wolf hybrid rescues, contact those people via email and arrange to meet some of the dogs they harbor.  If you're still convinced that these are the perfect canid companion-ask them the recommendations of breeders and such. 

Most of the rescuers I've corresponded with are very protective of their hybrids, and aren't very pleased with those that breed them.  There are, however, some breeders that have bred exclusively for temperment and the genetic portion of the animal that is wolf is very small (25% or less.) 

If you are dead set on the "look" of a wolf, google "American Indian Dog" and you'll find dogs that look very similar if not identical to wolves-yet have been bred to work with man, not against him.  This is a very important consideration-as hybrids with larger percentages of wolf DNA tend to be very hard to housebreak, very destructive, very headstrong-and are very powerful and intolerant of rough treatment.  (Meaning positive training only!)

Best of luck, do another google for "wolf-dog forums" and I'm sure you'll find several.

ETA:  Timdat, thanks for the wolfhaven link, that is the organization I was thinking about, they're one of the best!

ORIGINAL: Xerxes



If you are dead set on the "look" of a wolf, google "American Indian Dog" and you'll find dogs that look very similar if not identical to wolves-yet have been bred to work with man, not against him.

How about a Shepherd/Husky (or Malamute) cross, even. Most of those are very wolfy looking. I know my local shelter has at least two of those at any given time too...

Or, you could look into getting a breed called the Utonagan.  They are bred to look very much like wolves but have no wolf content at all.  You almost can't tell the difference. 

I have owned 3 wolf hybrids in my life. The first one I was VERY young and my parents bought her out of the paper she was germansheperd/timber wolf mix but looked more germansheperd and was 8 weeks when we got her, she was VERY smart and VERY wiley she grew to be HUGE at around 80 pounds, she loved to escape ans was fast. After her we got 2 more that were twin brothers, siberian husky/timber wolf mixes also 8 weeks old. one died of parvo a week later and we were able to save his brother, well this hybrid was SO SMART, he could get out of the yard no mater what we tried and forget about catching him, it wasn't happing. The animal control showed up one time while I was out there trying to get him and they couldn't catch him either. So my parent got a ticket, he finally got tired of the chase and we got him back home. But they aren't like full dogs, I think they are smarter and harder to train, very head strong, I would say most have a strong erge to hunt, like, for cats and squirrels and small dogs.  They are unpredictable and I would never have one around a small child even if they grew up together, you can't predict what might set it off.  I don't know what my parents were thinking, and my parents couldn't control them, they should never of gotten them. I will never get one now that I have my own place and kids because they demand sooooo much time and effort and they are too unpredictable no matter how they are raised they have a wild streak.  I think they belong in experianced hands.  Also there are people out there that just want money so they will say there dog or puppies are part wolf to make more money while in reality they are only husky or germansheperd mixes that look like wolves.  So please do your research before you decide that is what you really want, also check the laws in your state and in your county. Also check with the place you live to make sure they allow wolf wybrids, most places don't.

People have enough trouble with ancient breeds of dogs that are domesticated, but if you MUST have a wolf hybrid, there are rescues for them.

ORIGINAL: rolenta

People have enough trouble with ancient breeds of dogs that are domesticated, but if you MUST have a wolf hybrid, there are rescues for them.

 
Very true. 

they WILL stick by your side.

 
they won't. They even worse than northern breeds for escaping and running off. We had one by accident. They aren't dogs. They are highly intelligent animals who are more into "what's in it for me" than any dog. Very hard to train. Skittish around strangers. Very likely to become dog aggressive after they mature. Very likely to bite children and attack your guests.
If you have put an advanced obedience title on both a hound and a husky I'd say you MIGHT be qualified to try keeping a wolf-hybrid.

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Or, you could look into getting a breed called the Utonagan.  They are bred to look very much like wolves but have no wolf content at all.  You almost can't tell the difference. 

I was going to suggest this.  They look VERY "wolf-y" but there is no wolf content.... bred for temperament and companionship and reportedly very trainable, with a high "pack drive".  I would definately highly recommend looking into it.
 
Edit to add links with pictures so you can see what I mean:
 [linkHPSESSID=f83caccebfbeb3ebf67dea55f0f02294]>http://k9magazine.com/viewarticle.php?sid=6&aid=533&vid=0&npage=&HPSESSID=f83caccebfbeb3ebf67dea55f0f02294]HPSESSID=f83caccebfbeb3ebf67dea55f0f02294>http://k9magazine.com/viewarticle.php?sid=6&aid=533&vid=0&npage=&HPSESSID=f83caccebfbeb3ebf67dea55f0f02294[/link]
 
[linkhttp://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/utonagan-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/]http://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/utonagan-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/[/link]
 
 [linkhttp://www.bestofbreeds.com/breedprofiles/utonagan.htm]http://www.bestofbreeds.com/breedprofiles/utonagan.htm[/link]
 
 [linkhttp://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geumQZmxJGtqcAxmVWBQx./SIG=1257gi57n/EXP=1175710873/**http%3A//www.dogclub.co.uk/gallery/gallery-uton.php]http://www.dogclub.co.uk/gallery/gallery-uton.php[/link]
 
 
 
This is also a helpful link:
[linkhttp://www.wolftrust.org.uk/wolfdogs.html]http://www.wolftrust.org.uk/wolfdogs.html[/link]