wolf dogs

[HowieDawn]

Hmmmm this topic is interesting, and of course I have to put my two cents in. As a child, My family had a "wolf dog" This dog came to us as a puppy. We live in a "country area" so a lot of people think that they can drop off dogs and the dogs will be able to make it. WHICH IS VERY UNTRUE. Anyway, We definately know that this dog was some sort of wolf because it had the scent gland, which are not found in house hold dogs. We named him Shep because we thought that he was some sort of shephard. The dog was very protective of us. He would take us to the school bus every morning, which was about a mile down the road, and he would be waiting for us at the bus stop in the evening to walk us home. Shep was very gentle. Before our cat had got fix she had a litter of kittens. Shep and the cat would have their rounds because Shep thought that he was the mommy. He would gently pick the cats up and carry them until he had them all in one spot. Soooo, in conclusion to my novel We fortunately had a very good dog. We did not know that he was some type of wolf, but he was a very good family pet, and very protective of the children. Shep left us as he came. One day he went out and never came back

[ownerof3dogs]

Yesterday I was watching animal planet and there was a show on called wild on the set. and it was about the dog "Buck" on the show call of the wild. I found out that he is a Malamute/wolf cross and wieghs 150lbs! i knew he wasn't a pure bred malamute you could tell by his eyes and his ears.

Thanks everyone for giving me your input about the wolf/dog cross

[Kendall2]

Although I think wolves are about the most majestic animal going, I would certainly never try to domesticate one or breed it with the domesticated dog.
I found out something interesting about a year ago, and that is that wolves and wolf hybrids supposedly can't be vaccinated for rabies. I guess there is no vaccine that works with that species. I also found out, by virture of the science book from which I teach, that domesticated dogs and wolves are actually 2 different species. They belong to the same genus, but wolves are Canis lupus and dogs are Canis familiaris. I just thought that was interesting and thought you guys might too.

[carrie]

Sorry to disagree but classification of the dog has been changed quite recently. The wolf is Canis lupus x (x being the sub species such as arctos) and the dog is now Canis lupus familiaris.

[Kendall2]

Thanks carrie for the info...starting on Monday we will be starting our classification chapter, so I can straighten out the book...timing is everything.

[dogluvr]

I have a beautiful wolf hybrid named Lakota. She is one of the sweetest most wonderful animals in the world!! She does not have an aggressive bone in her body. She loves my other dogs, she adores kids-- in fact I have a picture of my friend's 1 year old sleeping on her.
Now, as far as all the "big bad wolf" stuff, I have not encountered any and Lakota is about 92% wolf. I would trust her over my roomates pitbull terrier pup (who he raised with kids and other animals since it was 4 weeks old)-- hands down. Neither dog has had any reason for aggression, yet the pitbull is very very aggressive to many other animals, kids and adults she doesn't know.
So what I am saying is-- who knows with any dogs.. Poodles bite!! You can hear about any breed becoming agressive.
My story is a positive one. I am completely in love with my hybrid and she has proven to be a fantastic pet.
Michelle

[cdippy]

I have a 11 month old malamute husky part wolf, and me and my husband love her to death!! she is a very good dog and they say that they seem to be very intelligent (which i can see). They have their own personality and are very strong dogs. They are listed under as a "working dog" and say to be very good with small children. Ours seems to be very good with our 2 month old. Shes very protective of the baby and watches her every move. I think that any dog weather it being "part wolf" can harm any person any time, it just depends on how the owner raises that dog and trains the dog.

[b10OML]

Can someone tell me why there is a need to have a wolfdog?

Is it for macho reasons, curiosity or just because they are available.

Virtually every temperament, shape, colour, size, etc is already available in established breads.

Also if they escape and return to the wild (I think it's called ferral), then they will breed with the few remaining wild wolves. Potentially, the wolf may be lost for ever

[cdippy]

Theres isnt any reason for having a "wolfdog" its just like having any other dog... why have a German Sherperd or a Rottweiler..wouldnt that be the same as this "macho" reason that youre talking about??and any dog is pretty much available to have, and its not a FULL BREED wolf theres other breeds mixed in. So its not like the dog is gonna run away and go "back to the wild".
This is just my own opionion.....

[This message has been edited by cdippy (edited January 20, 2001).]

[wolflady]

Having conducted volunteer work at a Wolf education and research facility in IN, I have been able to learn a lot about my favorite animal in the wild: wolves. Wolves and dogs are as different as night and day. Dogs were domisticated for a reason over hundreds of years. Wolf hybrids are very unpredictable and often fall into the hands of inexperienced people thus making them a threat to anyone who comes into contact with them, including the owner. It also gives a misunderstood animal more negative connotations to the public when a wolf hybrid attacks a child(high prey instinct), injures a family member or kills a family pet. A wolf is fearful of man. They protect their families and hunt for the food they need. A hybrid is unpredictable and should be treated as as a wild animal. I personally think all wolves, pure or hybrid are beautiful animals, but I don't think it's right for private ownership of such animals unless it's for education to the public about this misunderstood animal, and it's done properly. People buy these animals because they think it's cool. This is not a good reason. Also, many breeders of 'wolf hybrids' will misrepresent their breeding stock. A lot of research must be done if you are considereing one of these animals. If anyone is interested in reading a guide to keeping a wolf hybrid(and seeing what's all involved), please email me and I can send along the details.

[lakaria_2000]

I wish to know how to breed and raise a wolfdog, can u kindly please email me the detail

[wolf_Q]

I wish to know how to breed and raise a wolfdog, can u kindly please email me the detail

Did you even read the thread? Please at least read the post right before yours.

I have loved wolves all of my life, but I do not believe they are pets, they are wild animals. If you have a wolf or wolf hybrid that was rescued, is used for positive education purposes about wolves, etc. then that is fine but I strongly disagree with purposely breeding them to sell to the general public as pets. I have met several wolf hybrids and they were extremely sweet animals, but they were owned by people who knew how to handle them, most don't. It seems the majority of people that get them (and breed them) want them just to say they have a "wolf" they really don't have a clue.

[cane_corso_mom]

Hi there!

I think it is cruel to have wolves as pets... they need to be in the wild, it's not fair to the wolf.

[wolflady]

Wow, how did I miss this thread!

Most people on PT know that I adore wolves, and even worked with them in college when I volunteered at Wolf Park. Wolves and wolfdog hybrids are beautiful animals and I respect them. However, I do not agree with anyone keeping wolves as pets. I used to think the idea of having a hybrid was cool, until I worked at wolf park and discovered that you have to treat a hybrid like you would a wild animal because of their unpredictability. It's a full time job.

There are a few folks who own hybrids that care for them in a proper way (our very own Souraya, for instance), but sadly, too many people get hybrids because "they're cool" or they inaccurately think they will make good guard dogs. This is, in fact, a very large misconception. Hybrids are very unpredictable, and can exhibit largely wolf-like traits, while others might exhibit more dog-like traits. Wolves and dogs are actually cousins...it has taken hundreds of years to domesticate the wolf into the domestic pets that people have today. Dogs and wolves are actually quite different, which may come as a surprise to some people. Although dogs do maintain some of their wolf-like traits, they are still two very different species.

There is some really good information about wolfdogs here.

**hugs**

[wahya]

I have a Wolf/Dog and I think he is he best thing in my life right this moment. Sure he isn't housebroken yet and he is the hardest thing to train (I have had him for 4 mouths and he only sits down and hi fives) and he chews everything in site, and he wont learn his name. But I love the poor thing and I know he love me with all his heart! I couldn't ask for more from him or any of my other dogs. He gets along with everyone of them, he has 10 Acers to run with my shepherd, he hasn't bothers my birds, snake or ferret, I have got him to come to me even without his name. He is extremely shy but he's not scared. I breed labs so I have people coming over all the time and he doesn't mind them he just goes to his spot and watches as people pick there puppy and when they have a treat in hand he just waits tell they give it to him and pets him and goes on about his life. He goes through rawhides and howls in the middle of the night because he wants up on my bed he hasn't fingered out he can just jump up there but then again my bed is pretty far off the floor I need a stool to get up on it. BUT ALL IN ALL I DONT THINK HE IS ALL THAT BAD AN I CANT THINK OF NOT HAVEING THE BIG LUG. I LOVE HIM TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OO MUCH!!!!!!!!!

LOVE,
ROSA
>^..^<