Does anyone own a siberian husky/wolf cross?

Hdkutz..

 the links you provided were put up by a well known  anti Wd person...fair enough..

  What the sites fails to mention is that the responsible owners of wd's will go out of thier way to try to disuade someone from buying one,or breeding them.Most of the Wd people i know are rescuers,who do not like the breeding practices of most irresponcible breeders of all dogs,let alone wd,s.

 The site pretty much implies that all wd's ought to be put down...regardless...I myself belive that there are people who can handle these dogs and provide a good life for them..

  In most instances of wd(or dog )attacks,i can most likely give you an example of an irresponcible owner / breeder.

 The statistics about bites you posted doesnt go into detail about how the incidents happen..Other ,similiar sites do,and in all of the examples i have seen on the similiar sites.i could show you owner neglect or irresponcibility..

 Containment is one of the most important issues with these animals,(as much or more to keep people out as to keep the dog in)and without ample room to live and run and play,these dogs(like any other dogs)will lead a miserable existance...It is not impossible ,under the right conditions,to raise a wd properly...I would STRESS tho,that it is not for the owner without expierience in northern breeds,big dogs,and without the funds to provide containment(ALOT OF MONEY)and a diet suitable to them..MEAT...

  Would i go out and buy a WD..Absolutely not...Do i think they should be bred..Only to the very small percentage of people who can afford to do the right thing by the dog(but then again,i believe this about any bred for purpose dog).Do i think that once a dog is born it should be condemned just because of breed? NO!a dog is only as good as the person who takes it in to care for it...

ORIGINAL: Boo1129
Wolfdogs are gorgeous, beautiful, loving animals...Should anyone get 1?? No not just anyone...It shouldn't be something someone goes looking for...There are people breeding these dogs and then they end up in shelters..put down or worse...being let go to fend for themselves...I do not believe they should be bred ...There are many out there that need homes and if someone is experienced and knows what is going to involve and wants to adopt 1 to give them a forever home i think thats awesome...But please don't get 1 from a breeder

 
That's pretty much my thoughts on the matter as well. 

Jeano,
great way to break it down for us! That makes a lot of sense about what can you do for me/I for you analogy! Not just a train once and trained forever kinda dog huh? I cant imagine all that you put into it but dont blame us for envying you, your closeness to such a amazing creature, 1/4 and all, ha ha. And I dont mean envy in a "I wish I could have one too" way but a respectable, you are one hellova woman way, he he!

I know of a family that have a German Shepard/Wolf cross. 2 small children also. Buddy is great with the kids so far. He is huge but still a pup. Hubby feels sorry for Buddy as the kids tug - pull - jump on Buddy.
 
Buddy also get into trouble at times. He kills a few sheep sometimes and also chases the cows sometimes.
 
I only met Buddy once - he seemed freindly enough. Big boy - boy was he big.
 
I really hate to see what could - may happen in the future when Buddy gets older.
 
 

ORIGINAL: mollymoo

I know of a family that have a German Shepard/Wolf cross. 2 small children also. Buddy is great with the kids so far. He is huge but still a pup. Hubby feels sorry for Buddy as the kids tug - pull - jump on Buddy.

Buddy also get into trouble at times. He kills a few sheep sometimes and also chases the cows sometimes.

I only met Buddy once - he seemed freindly enough. Big boy - boy was he big.

I really hate to see what could - may happen in the future when Buddy gets older.

 
Wow, thats a tragedy waiting to happen! He needs to teach his children proepr puppy manners because when that dog gets older and matures you cant assume he will be so tolerant.
And god forbid something bad happens guess who will get blamed? Not the kids I can almost assure you

I agree 100% with you. Sheprano.
 
Hubby tried to tell the father about what you said about puppy manners. I hope this sinks in.

You can learn a lot from this website!!!!
*So you think you know what a wolfdog is*
http://www.wolfechovalley.com/id42.html

Buddy also get into trouble at times. He kills a few sheep sometimes

And a sheep weighs more than a child and can run faster.

And yes, some people, with the proper knowledge and facility, can keep a wolf dog. But I differ from some scientists in that I do not think that dogs and wolves are the same species. I think they evolved from common ancestors and I think that the one true difference between dogs and wolves is the dog's affiliation to Man, which the wolf does not have. Both canids have similar behaviors and share some similar biology, to an extent, but that doesn't make them the same species, even if they can interbreed.

Shadow is often mistaken for a wolf. He has that "look." But he is not a wolf. But, like a wolf, in a new surrounding that is not his territory, he will be shy and meek. As has been said before, a wolfdog can be more dangerous than either a wolf or a dog. Wolves have definable behavior and trained people act accordingly around them. Dogs have definable behavior that can be trained and channeled, starting with the fact that they look to humans for cues. This has been proven in peer-reviewed studies of problem solving. A wolfdog has which traits of one and which ones of the other? Not to mention that percentage breeding is a misnomer and merely relies on the mendelian math model, which never took into account the modern knowledge of mtDNA.

I've seen countless pics of kids sleeping with their pit bulls, and rightly so. A pit bull is an extremely obedient breed of dog, when properly bred and trained. As a breed, it's greatest desire is to please the human No one will see a child sleeping with a pet wolf or wolfdog and there is probably a reason for that.

I love wild animals and I am glued to the t.v. every time a documentary on wolves is airing. And that is the only way they should be in my house. On the screen.

I agree for the need to provide sanctuary for the wolfdogs to live out their lives in relative safety and peace. But I would certainly draw exception to allowing children to interact with what is essentially a wild animal. Especially a wild animal that survives by running up to 40 mph and clamping on with its teeth, brings down a 200 lb creature than can run faster than any human. And they accelerate to maximum speed in 2 to 3 bounds. And can weigh up to 120 lbs. 120 lbs at 40 mph will knock down a deer, let alone an adult human. 

That being said, I've met a few people who claimed to own wolfdogs and they haven't had any problems, yet.

Alot of good information here...i wont go through my personal opinions (too much), but here are two experiences i have had...

my brother purchased a wolf/hound mix (?!?!?!) named Cassidy and had THE WORST puppy period I have EVER seen. some pups will chew the legs of tables and chairs...Cassidy would destroy an entire sofa! (my brother good-naturedly joked that he wa spraying bitter apple through his entire house like air freshener!) housetraining was difficult and just when he started to mellow at 12 months old...he went through an intense adolesence as Cassady reached sexual maturity at sge 2 (wolfs ht that later than domestic dogs) the drive to chase, hunt and KILL makes him untrustworthy in many situations...and if you are an animal lover, it is upsetting to have your dog return bunnies squirrels, etc that will never be eaten. Cassidy and my brother are VERY close companions (its been 10 years now!) but the level of devotion (and flexible lifestye) he has committed to the dog is intense.

The sadder story is that of a higher level of wolf mix, Lobo. The Humane Society was (rightfully) unwilling to re-home him when his owner left town. I knew the owner and offered to help. Over a period of a few days Lobo and I became close and i enjoyed his massive (110lb) and dedicated company. However, Lobo would accept NO OTHER in my life and became possesive VERY QUICKLY. I was able to find a loving and seemingly appropriate country home for him a state away. I dropped him off, and the next morning i got a call....Lobo escaped from the house and was shot while destroying a neighbor's chicken flock (herd? ). It was interesting to me that all the effort I put in to trying to save him was in vain...Lobo wasnt meant to be in a human setting and i blame the sin of "trendy" breeding for his death.

shannon

ps my brother did sink alot of $$$$ with behaviorists to get Cassidy to a point of being livable.