Does anyone own a siberian husky/wolf cross?

I didn't, but my aunt did.  Kona was a wonderful, wonderful dog, but a little frightening looking.  She had a rather wild, "I'm-not-totally-tame" look about her, but she had a great temperment, wonderful with us when we were kids.
 
More pack-oriented than any other dog I've known/had; who was alpha dog definitely figured in with her.  Wish I could tell you more.

I personally don#%92t own a wolf cross or know a lot about them.  But with anything crossed with a wild animal you need to be very careful around.   They may seen tame and cute but they will always be Wild at Heart.  I wish people wouldn#%92t breed Wild animals in our domesticated pets.  Wolves are suppose to be in the wild living free and happy and not used for breeding.      This is just my options about wolf hybreds

I am against the cross-breeding of dogs and wolves. If such a cross is female and gets pregnant, you will have a hard time approaching her. When they are nursing pups, they get seriously defensive-aggressive, which they need to be. In the wild, all 100 lbs of momma will get fatally vicious on you to protect the young, which is a survival mechanism. And it depends on who momma is in the mating. If the momma is a wolf and daddy is a dog, the off-spring will be wolf with wolf-dog appearance.
 
A gray wolf can reach 120 lbs and run upto 40 mph and, in their view, all small animals are dinner. They are leery of humans, for good reason, and are independent and have a bigger brain than dogs. They were not meant to live in a yard. The side of a mountain or valley is more appropriate for them.
 
There are some wolf-dog rescue groups to help these animals live a good life but most of us here are of the mind that wolf-dog crosses shouldn't happen.

Wolf hybrids are alot more dangerous than their "wild" conterpart (even if raised in captivity). Wolves are genetically programmed to fear humans and will usually avoid contact with those they do not know (their keepers-part of their "pack"). This makes wolves alot less of a threat where humans are concerned.
 
Wolf hybrids, on the other hand, do have some of the domestic traits of "dogs", which can make them NOT afraid of humans in general. This can make them very unpredictable. We put alot of confidence in them because we raised them from puppies, but genetically they can and do display some of the instincts of wolves. They also maintain alot of the physical characteristics of wolves, which can include the "kill" instinct, that many of our domestic dogs don't have.
 
While I am against the purposeful breeding of these "dogs", I do respect the fact that they do exsist and there will forever be those who breed them. However, I don't think that they are appropriate for the inexperienced pet dog owner. They need to be maintained by those with experience, to ensure the safety of the animal AND the general public. It's always ashame to hear of these beautiful animals being exploited and used as "status" symbols by those with huge egos. This statement was not made to offend anyone, but my experience with wolves has given me alot more insight to the species and what they have to offer our natural environment.
 

In many parts of the country you need a special permit to own a wolf hybrid because they are considered wild or exotic animals. Those with considerable training and experience in managing exotic animals, and who have the space and resources to do so, can safely own hybrids. Casual pet dog owners should be cautioned to stay away.
 
Last summer, a woman who lives near where I do in Pennsylvania was mauled to death by her pet hybrids. She had raised these animals from puppies and bred them and sold the offspring to others. She however did not have the proper training or permits. She just felt she had a "spiritual connection" to wolves and that was the basis of her keeping the hybrids as pets. She did not have enough space for them (they need a lot more room than a pet dog to have as their "territory") and was far, far too trusting of them. She was found mauled and partially eaten in their enclosure. All the animals were then destroyed, and they are currently still seeking out the pups that she sold to others in order to destroy them as well.
 
No one wins in that kind of situation. The animals certainly did not benefit. Keep wild animals as wild. Just because a wild animal has been crossbred and raised by humans does not mean it is domestic. It is a wild animal living in captivity, but it is not a pure domestic animal. With genetics, you never really know what you're going to get. In a litter of 6 puppies, you may get 3 who favor their domestic dog side, and you may get 3 who favor their wolf side, and it is not until the animals mature that you'll know which is which.

we sort of accidently ended up owning a wolf hybrid of some type. It was somewhat of a nightmare. I wouldn't recommend getting one on purpose. What sort of info do you want, and why?

I remember when I was about 14 or 15 growing up in the UP (Michigan) there was a guy that had a wolf/husky mix. It got in a fight with another one and some little girl about 7 years old, somehow was near by and got to close and got killed. Don't remember the whole story but I know there was a HUGE deal about it. (and rightly so)
I know there was a rescue/10 or so acre area that one guy had to take in  wolves and hybrids. (his name was Wolfe believe it or not) Don't remember what he was doing with them, but I remember they re-introduced the grey wolf to the UP about 15 or so years ago and I think he had something to do with it....I think...
IMO I think the only reason to have a hybrid like this is if the animal is in danger of going extinct and for a responsible breeding program to get them back.
Yes they are beautiful, interesting and an ego trip for some...  but leave the wild in the wild and the dogs with the people.
 
I do know that a lot are 25% all the way up to 75% wolf which ='s Wild. So you do have that % that is NOT a tame domesticated dog, and there is that dominant gene thing, and the pack thing, and any other "thing" that a wolf, would have...
Small furry pets in the household are pretty much out I would think...

HK- hybridization actually CONTRIBUTES to the endangerment of a species. Check out some of the documentaries on Siberian tigers and how crossing them with (more common in captivity) tiger species has created a problem for conservationists.

I worked with one when I volunteered for husky rescue years ago. He was a menace. Very unpredictable, defensive dog whose problems were exacerbated by his owner who was of the 'there there baby, mommy will feed you' school of dog ownership. He died of a heart attack shortly before her landlord was going to force her to put him down.

No sh!t? I stand corrected...
 

I have never owned a wolf hybrid, nor will I ever.  I have been around a lot of them though, as one of my old vets was working with a rescue to rehabilitate and treat owner surrendered high percentage hybrids and wolves.  They were all very gorgeous animals, but you'd be so surprised at how many are surrendered for growing too big or not acting like a dog.  People tend to get a wolf cross to have a wild looking dog acting pet, but a lot will end up with a very doggish looking wild acting animal. 
 
Also, be wary of stories you hear, there's a lot of inflation that goes on about the percentage of wolf in wolfdogs.  As it is a cross that attracts money, the higher percentages sell for more, therefore you get a lot of breeders that exaggerate the amount of wolf in the dogs.  Many wolfdogs I see I seriously doubt have any wolf in them whatsoever.  This leads to dangerous stories because you have people that think they have high percentage wolfdogs and they tell people how easy they were when in reality their dog is either a very low percentage or not even part wolf.  The next person thinks it'd be easy and actually ends up with a high percentage wolfdog that they cannot control and either have to euthanize or surrender. 
 
Wolfdogs are not for the casual owner.  Sure, some people with a lot of experience can handle one, but it is still wild.  Therefore, the best place for the wild is in the wild. 

I am curious as to why you would like info on them also.

These animals are not for the casual owner..

Huskies alone need ALOT of special attention to keep them happy and content..a mid to high content WD needs even more.

 If you want info,look for books written by Nicole Wilde....She has a very  good way of talking about these dogs,and what to expect.

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 !!!!!!!! They need containment..extremely strong containment( Kuruk has pulled our kennel door right off)..most of them can't be left alone in the house...at least if you want things intact when u get home..They can rip apart or tear something up quicker than u could even imagine...They need companionship...They need someone strong enough to hold on to the leash ( i myself went flying through the fence when Kuruk was after a rabbit ) and can't even be trusted off leash unless in a fence that is wolfie proof...They need a lot more training than most dogs...They should have raw meat as part of their diet..which can get expensive...Now all this said...We got Kuruk when i recieved an email begging for help for a Native American Indian Dog...I had no clue they existed and was told he was going to be put down if someone didnt help and take him in ...I was told he was so shy of e1 that he wouldn't go near men at all and was leary of the woman who had him as well...I took 1 look at his eyes and said i had to try to help...He got here and was a 45 lb 4 month old terror...At first shy and timid...once it was just me and him i was his chew toy lol He wouldn't come out around Mark or anyone else but me and the kids and this was months!!! It took a good 6 months before he trusted Mark and would allow him to pet him and sit near him...He still doesn't go around anyone else....he hides and runs..it makes it very difficult for walks...He escapes from the containments and we are currently working on something else lol I am proud of the progess he has made..he is like a new dog compared to how he was living with the other 2 people who had him and gave up....He is extremely smart!!! As soon as he sees the leash he goes to the door and plants his hiney down so quick it's so funny...He knows with a look from me to not do what he is doing ....I feel like i do have a special bond with him and am thankful i helped save him...I love him dearly and would never give up on him...He comes up and lays on my lap... he is a huge lap dog lol He does the same with the kids...and we all love him Would my life be easier without him??? Yes!! So people have to think long and hard about bringing 1 into your life...I'm not with the rest of the crowd with the "they are more dangerous" because people say that about pits and other breeds too...Statistically looking at all the dog bites and deaths from dogs there isn't "one breed" who does this more than others....I'm a firm believer in it's how the dog is raised..not the breed..It's irresponsible owners that are to blame not any of the dogs...I would never leave Kuruk alone with any children and that includes my own...If i'm not 15 feet  away or closer they aren't alone with him...plain and simple...and that's what someone who cares and is responsible does...i'm there just incase....And it should be like that with any dog because accidents happen...Kuruk didn't ask to be born...the irresponsible breeders selling them for $1500 should be ( well nm i wont say what i think should happen to them) They are selling these dogs claiming they are hypoallergenic and shed 1x a year ( ummm come look at my house!) They claim they are great, loving family dogs...( ummm again nope...i have found so many online that are like Kuruk...shy and scared of e1) And they claim that they aren't bred with wolves( again lie....i have proof ) And this is why so many are in shelters or put down because people get them thinking they are getting something a lot different than they are told... So because we ended up adopting him not knowing what we were getting ourselves into is hard and we weren't prepared...but....he is my big baby that i love with all my heart and will protect him and keep him safe here  

I own a Siberian Husky/Coyote/elkhound mix.

I did not get her from a breeder, her mama got bred in the mountains of New Mexico. I did not know what she was when I got her and her sister. I love her to death, but she's NOT an easy dog.

I agree with most everything everyone has said about unpredictability with wolf dogs. I also agree that hybridizing wolves and dogs endangers the gene pool for wild wolves. I live in Alaska, one of the last places the wolves live in the wild. I want these wolves protected!

I miss my Stevie dog who passed on almost two years ago now, I miss him terribly. I still have Sofia, but here's the difference between a dog and a hybrid:

Stevie looked at me with "What can I do for you?" ALWAYS in his eyes.

Sofia looks at me with "What can you do for ME?" ALWAYS in her eyes.

There is a HUGE difference between the two.

And she's only 1/4 coyote. She's adorable, affectionate, terribly smart, and now that she's five, quite calm, that is, she is smart enough to understand what is needed in different situations. She sleeps on the couch while I teach, greets each student with little sniffs, licks and solicits petting. Then when we go home she goes NUTSO running all over and wanting to play.

She has a prey drive that will NEVER quit, which means she'll never have good recall. Huskies are extremely active, not-for-beginner dog owners in the first place. Adding a hybrid to that is NOT a good idea.

She SPRAYS when she gets excited about another dog IN MY CAR. [:@] You haven't lived until you have to drive around in a truck that smells like dog butt most of the time.

She's very sensitive to noises and can be startled quite easily. A big plastic grocery bag rustled last night and scared her clean across the room. When she was younger, such a thing would have provoked a spraying incident.

She thought small children and babies should be attacked until she was about three and a half. It took her a LONG time to get over this. As I'm a music teacher and work with kids all day, this complicated my life a lot.

If she were a half & half hybrid, I'm sure she would have gotten in trouble by now. I love her dearly, but would never recommend anyone getting a dog like Sofia unless they really knew and were experienced enough to deal with the insane energy, hunting and temperment issues.

Having been around many very "hard dogs" that were dogs not crosses I would say they should be banned. There are enough breeds and mixes within the dog world that messing with this isn`t wise.
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