wolf dogs

[carrie]

Although I am strongly against these animals being bred for the pet market and have reservations against them in general I have to say that they can be kept without physical cruelty. For a truly socialised animal it is recommended that the pup is hand reared from about 2-4 weeks of age. The natural instinct of the wolf is to fear man, not befriend him, that and the animals incredibly strong prey drive (not being nasty or viscious, but kids are still being hurt and killed) are two reasons why true wolfdogs are not for ordinary pet owners.

[This message has been edited by carrie (edited November 06, 2000).]

[ownerof3dogs]

All of your posts are very interesting.

My moms boyfriend bought a "suppositly" pure bred white german Shephard when he was younger and even bred her but as she got older she became more aggressive and even killed a neighbrs dog that stepped foot on her property. He started to relize that her eyes were more set together on her head like a wolf so he did some investagating in to her pedigree and found out that a couple generations before a wolf had been added. Edventually he had to give her up because she became way too aggressive and dangerous.

[dogncatluvr]

OK, I had nothing to do with this, I was a very little kid at the time....but I am told that my aunt and uncle had a wolf/collie cross. He was so gentle that he would take the cat for a stroll to 'grandma's house' two blocks away (no Little Red Riding Hood pun intended at all). They would receive a treat and go home again. If the cat would think of doing anything to the guinea pigs, Bear would make sure the piggies came to no harm. He would let little babies ride on his back - he was huge. This is my only experience with wolf hybrids. I don't think I would not ever own one.

[MajesticCollies]

OK, I had nothing to do with this, I was a very little kid at the time....but I am told that my aunt and uncle had a wolf/collie cross.

Thank God for the Collie Temperment. lol

I truly wouldn't want my kids around a wolf hybred. We all pick our breeds for the Temperment they carry and what the breed was used for in the first place.
I find it hard to believe a wolf can carry a good Temperment. But I guess you'll find many wolf hybryd owners that will disagree.

[karen israel]

Excuse my stupidity, I can't imagine how you'd get a wild wolf to mate with a "domesticated' GSD in the first place. I visited friends in rural Minnesota ages ago who had a wolf hybrid. The biggest, meanest dog I ever saw. The test whether or not the dog stayed in the house, while I was there, was his first reaction to me. Great. Loving dogs, and never being afraid, I walked right in and was greeted with a whine, circles, and lots of licks. I had never had a dog sleep on my bed before, and I remember kicking it all night without any reaction. It started growling and barking when a neighbor came home late and I clearly remember yelling "shut up" and it laid right back down next to me. Looking back, I can't believe I took that chance.

[carrie]

As dogs and wolfs are the same species it is not unusual for them to mate, in fact in some parts of the States and especially in the parts of Europe that wolves still inhabit this cross breeding is threatening the very survival of the wolf. (In America wolves commonly breed with coyotes too.) Some wolves will not tolerate dogs however, or coyotes.
It is one of the basic rules of keeping wolfdogs to never let any sign of dominance by the animal go unnoticed or undealt with. Your friend was wise to gauge his animals reaction to you! Many people just don't understand the very subtle language of this animal to keep it safely.

[Breezybabe01]

I love wolf dogs. I think they are beautiful retty: My friend has 2 shelties, and one of them is part wolf. He is such a sweetie!

[samualjcat]

A few years ago, my family adopted a dog that was said to be a sheperd/husky mix. She was 6 mo. old at the time. After 5 years she has many features that "look" wolf. Ears, eyes, snout, coat color and texture, etc. Without testing ($$$$$$) the vet isn't sure. She is one of the best dogs we've had. She is not aggressive, but very protective. She has NEVER had an accident in the house, but leaves a profound hair trail wherever she goes. She loves my kids (ages 4 and 7), but also likes her "alone time". Overall, I can't complain a bit. If she is part wolf than so be it. She is my baby and she knows and loves it.

I just wanted to share a good experience with a wolf hybrid.

[i_luv_my_Max]

i have a wolf/dog mix.he is (i guess you would say) 25% akita ,25%chow,25% malamute and 25%timber wolf.hes the best dog ever!! hes rather huge and pure black .I love him so much its hard hearing people say all those things about them.Mebye because hes only 1 quarter wolf he dosent count but ive never had a bad experience with him. He does however (as someone has said) have wolf traits that i cannot change such as he often hunts when hes loose,and usually brings somthing home.and he is quite protective of the family. but on the upside, he is great with kids any age.i guess mebye i just got lucky with Max . In my case,i found him, so before i adopted him i had only seen his mother ,a rather small akita,chow mix so i figured he would be the same .but anyhow i just wanted to share that story with anyone who wants to hear a positive wolf/dog story.

[critter crazy]

My brother in law had a 1/2 wolf and 1/2 half shepard mix, and she was the greatesT she loved everyone, including other dogs. She did however not like cats! she was also very renowned to bring something home, if she ever got loose! But she was the worlds largets sweetheart! She passed away a couple of years ago at the ripe old age of 16! R.I.P Tiko!!

[carrie]

You are far more likely to have a husky/shepherd mix than a wolf cross. Your vet, if he has offered a test to show if your dog has any wolf blood in it, is trying to rip you off. There is no test to determine wolf genes in the domestic dog. This is why so many domestic dogs can be passed off as wolfdogs and so many prople are making money out of it. It is also why nearly everyone has a 75% or higher wolfdog - it is what they are told so they part with their money and there is no way to check up on the claim. Most people you will hear saying how easy and biddable their wolfdogs are have domestic dogs that last saw wolf blood thousands of years ago. Sadly many of them will then aquire a real wolf mix with no idea of the behaviour or psychology of these animals. They will treat it as though it were a dog and the consequences can be tragic for everyone involved, not least the animal.

[samualjcat]

Thanks for your input. My vet did offer the tests but did tell me that quite frankly it would be a huge waste of money. So I have taken his other advice and am enjoying my dog whatever she may be.

[This message has been edited by samualjcat (edited November 16, 2000).]

[IRescue452]

I honestly think wild animals should be left wild and we shouldn't purposely be doing anything to crossbreed or mess with any wild animal.

[WolvesRawk]

I've never owned a wolf dog but I do have wolves. They're very loyal dogs. I love them.

[CagneyDog]

I've never owned a wolf dog but I do have wolves. They're very loyal dogs. I love them.

Your keep a wolf on a chain?