Last week my kids went to the pound with a family friend. Our daughters Taylor and Brooke have been bugging us about this dog (Cooper) from the shelter. They have been asking us to adopt him.
When in doubt, DON'T. Especially a wolf mix. If you want a big dog get a golden retriever or a lab retriever, or a collie. These are great with kids!
I would NOT adopt that pet.
1. can be dangerous
2. is only half domestic bred
3. how vicious can the other half become?
4. as it gets older, it may become mean
This is a P.S. My sil adopted a part dog/ part coyote. Big mistake. I'm not going into any details.
ditto.
your small dogs are SMALL and look SMALL to another dog. this is a wolf mix. stay away i say.
I have read many times that these dogs are unpredictable. Might be totally tame and nice for a while but can never be trusted.
Listen to your gut. Don't give in.
Check out www.wolfpark.org/
A few quotes from that page:
-- Wolves and high-content wolf hybrids should never be regarded as pets.
-- Children below the age or size of a typical 14 year old, including the owner's, are always potentially in danger.
-- Wolf-dog hybrids should, for safety reasons, essentially be kept like wolves. While low percentage wolf-dog hybrids may be unlike pure wolves in many respects, and many can and are kept like pure dogs, they all retain, *as do many dogs*, the motivation for predatory behavior. This means that a person, especially a child who tripped and fell, or who is moaning, crying, or screaming, may be considered wounded prey and attacked. Grave injuries, even death, are all too frequent in such cases.
-- The animals should be fed a proper meat diet, including bones, skin, and/or fur.
-- Socialized wolves or wolf-dog hybrids may also challenge the owner or others for dominance.
In summary, while wolf-dog hybrids seem like really neat animals, they are NOT suitable as pets. There are so many other wonderful, gentle dogs at the pound that are looking for a good home, why would you deliberately subject your family to these types of risks and headaches?
I don't think a hybrid is a good idea if there are children or other pets in the household.
I also wonder why this poor creature (humans are at fault for breeding them) is at the pound in the first place.
There has been a place here locally that has wolf hybrids that has been in the news at least twice. Their animals are kept in a penned/fenced area but have gotten out and have harmed or killed pets in that neighborhood.
Wild animals belong in the wild! And, we should stop encroaching on their territories when we build more houses and more stores and yet more restaurants! Okay, I'll get off of my soapbox now!
I can't believe a shelter would even have a wolf hybrid! I used to have a dog/coyote mix, and she was wonderful, but I really advise against any of these hybrids, especially with young children. We cannot even assume our pet dogs won't bite or attack, let alone something that's half wild.
TerryfromChilliOH
I had a Hybrid wolf dog once , NEVER AGAIN ! I / we could not train her , she ate a whole couch right down to the springs, the woodwork on the door frames, you name it she ate it, She was a beautiful dog, ( puppy ) I gave her away 3 times and they always brought her back cause she did something wrong . She was gentle but she was just a baby too at the time, Finally found her a home , she is a junk yard dog , guarding a junk yard. So I was told ? She was 6 months old by the time I found her a good home, My other dogs hated her big time, always trying to beat her up. NOT A GOOD IDEA GETTING A HALF/BREED WOLF DOG, But a friend of ours had one, and she was excellent, loved everyone.
I once owned one, it was honestly the best pet I ever owned. Biggest lap dog ever. Infact the government no longer used hybrid as a way of calling them. Since DNA testing has evolved they have found they are the same as captive dogs, they now call them wolfdogs and that is why they are willing to let you adopt it. Just like ANY big dog, proper breeding is esential to them. Raised well they are good, I would not consider this animal if it was abused though
I have a wolf hybrid and she is great but I got her when she was 2 monthes old. I would not advise getting a hybrid that is older. They do take a lot of work and time. also she does not really like little dogs and that could be a problem for you and dangrous around the kids if the hybrid was to go after the small dogs.
I have owned 3 wolf hybrids and all of my children were little with all of them. they are the most loyal animal and will except you and your family as their pack and will go out of there way to protect you. I just lost my wolf-hybrid of 10 years and she will be very sadly missed. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one except for the state I live in has banned them because of the idiot people that think they are mean! the picture is of my male and female playing in the snow. he died at the age of 7 (Lakota-male black/tan) and she was 10 (Miatuck-female black). I hope I was of help to you and if you have any further questions feel free to contact me.
We had a collie/wolf. She was a big baby for the most part. She bit one child because he pulled her tail (hard) while she was eating and she snaped at me on a separate occassion. I imediately dominated her and I became the top bitch in this house from that point on. We had a few minor behavior problems with her. She died right after we became Dog Whisperer fans. His techniques were really working. I wonder what he would say about a hybrid.
I have a wolfdog and, like what has been said previously, not a good idea to bring small dogs around her. Not a good idea to bring people she doesn't trust around her either. I love her to death and she's a great dog, but she's very independent and will pretty much do as she pleases. She mostly will just listen to me or my dad if we tell her to "sit" or "lay", but for the most part, training her was pretty difficult.
Unless you have gobs of time to devote to training and getting in good with the animal, I'd strongly advise to think twice about owning one.
My fiance and I have a wolf hybrid. He is 1 1/2 years old. Our dog is very dominate over his territory and yes is a very different from a domestic dog, however he is very smart! My advise is not to get a wolf hybrid from the pound. Why? Because you really don't know what the dog has been through or what his mentally state to be around you and your kids. If you had gotten him/her it was a puppy that's a different story.
I have a hybrid and he is the nicest dog I have ever seen in my entire life. He gets along with any other dogs, puppies, cats, anything, he is literally a big sweet fluffy dog. I wouldn't let the name "wolf" hybrid scare you because I wouldn't trade him for anything else.
My aunt and uncle had a French Poodle. That darn dog would lay quiet sleeping all evening while you were visiting however when we went to leave and would kiss my uncle goodbye Bowzer would go crazy and jump for your face to attack you. And it was just a poodle.
My friend and wife have a hybrid husky from when he was a puppy. He is a beautiful dog but they don't have children. He is very loving to everyone a real sweetheart.
In your case though with small dogs and children I don't think it would work with a dog that is already a year old and you do not know its background. The risk is to great with your family involved.
I have two wolf hybrids, one is 3 and the other is 6 months. They are the best and they love my two nieces. They are good dogs to have, and I hope it works.
If you want to get these breed do your research first. Any dog at any shelter, learn about its past. I just got my second wolf hybrid puppy. He is wonderful and full of energy. I have been around wolf hybrids before this. I had good and bad times with this breed but I love them. My blueheeler/wolf hybrid is hardheaded but she is like my child. I've had her five years now. She's good around kids but she doesn't like them pulling on her ears or tell. It's only been three year for her being around them though so she still learning.
Ok, A lot of misinformation on this page, not a lot of science.
First of all, a wolfdog is not a breed.
The thing to understand with wolfdogs, is their behavior is individually predictable, but not breed predictable. What this means, is if you get an excellent wolfdog, that is what they are, an excellent wolfdog. It's important to understand, that aggression in wolfdogs comes from dog genetics, not wolf genetics.
Wolves are very non-aggressive to other wolves, or to humans in the wild as it would be detrimental to the pack. Dogs on the other hand, can be very aggressive, and are much more so than wolves, particularly breeds that were bred specifically for their aggressive qualities. So aggression in a wolfdog tends to be related closely to the type of dog the wolf was bred with, and how high the content of wolf is. The higher the content of wolf, the lower the chances of aggression as wolves are less aggressive than dogs.
The next thing to understand is prey drive.
Dogs have prey drive, and wolves most definitely do. However dogs by and large are not very good hunters having been bred to depend upon humans. Wolves on the other hand make very good hunters. They are apex predators. What scientists have discovered as the main difference between dogs and wolves in tests, is that dogs will look to humans for guidance and instruction where as wolves will or may not.
We bred dogs for submission, to us, humans, and for dependency on us. Dogs have a gene for this, Wolves may not or may have a lesser developed one, or a more primitive one combined with others, that in breeding, we modified, to have them look to us humans as the Alpha pack member all the time. So dogs are very trainable and easily obedient compared to wolves. What all this means in a wolfdog or wolf hybrid is a mix-up.
You may get a wolfdog with dog dependency and trainable genetics, with a wolf coat, health, bone structure, and physical appearance, and intelligence.
Or,
You may get a wolfdog that likes to dig your yard to china, is impossible to housebreak (wolves pee outside), has a high prey drive even towards small dogs, cats, and possibly children, and possibly high dog aggression if it comes from a biting, or aggressive breed of dog.
In other words, depending on the pup, you may get the perfect pet, with perfect health and superior trainability and intelligence, or a beast that's unmanageable for most except a strong personality or Training professional. It depends entirely on the individual wolfdog.
That is the way it works.
In the same breed, some pups may essentially be unadoptable, needing to stay with the breeder the rest of their lives, while others of their litter mates may be perfect, or superior even animals. You have to take it on a case-by-case basis, and analyze each animal differently. Their behavior *is* stable, but on an individual level, not on a breed level.
You can't view them as a breed, but as an individual wolfdog. So as far as adopting one is concerned, like adopting any animal, you need to spend time with the animal to identify it's behavior personality to see if it's a good fit for your family. Just like a herding dog isn't appropriate for a small apartment or as a housedog with children (a herding dog will try to herd your children by biting them) so to you need to match the wolfdog to your personality and family needs.
Both dogs and wolves need discipline.
Dogs get it from humans, wolves get it from the alpha members of their pack. If you are going to own a wolfdog, you need to be serious about being an Alpha pack leader. I recommend a Halti (now called a Holt) brand head collar, as well as a German pronged collar for checking them. They need to be taught to heel, and obey, and who the boss is. If you can do that, they are a great animal.
If not, they may not be a good fit, and some wolfdogs are only a good fit for people who understand wolfdogs and Wolf behavior. Some are great family animals, some are better suited in a wolf enclosure. It all depends on the dog, and the animal. If you're serious about adopting one, get to know the animal, do your research, and find out more about wolfdogs. Wolfdogs can be great companions, if it's the right fit for you and your family.
They definitely do not make ideal pets. Take it from someone who owned one. They have a high prey instinct and are very destructive.
Read more of my experiences with my wolf hybrid on my blog. Http:// morepetpampering.net
Some states like Michigan do not even permit ownership of a wolf hybrid. Do your research before you adopt one.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Can a Wolf hybrid be trained to stay in the house?
By Shannon from Folsom, NJ
It isn't as easy as a yes or no answer; a lot depends on how old the dog is, its genetics ( what percentage wolf? what percentage dog?) how much room and time you have for the dog and for its training--and a host of other things.
Try using this as a stepping-off point:
www.nal.usda.gov/
It gives some general info and a lot of links to specific information on them.
Just as with any other type of dog, it really pays to do a lot of reading and research into temperament and behavior common to the breed before bringing one home so you can decide beforehand whether it's going to work for you ( and the dog) or not.
I got one as a pup and he's been a great dog. The mother was a wolf... the father must have been a husky mix. lol The picture is of Buddy and we've had him for over 10 years now.
We did have another one a long time ago and he liked to attack the smaller dog. We had to give him back to the pound. Wasn't worth it to us.
So I guess it depends on the temperament of the wolf/dog...?
I've heard of it being done, and of it failing. My vet trainer says it can be done, but is better with no children around. Also, your renters/homeowners insurance may not cover you.
Wolf hybrids can be great pets. Never ever confuse them with a dog though. No matter how long you have them, or how well behaved they are, or any of the other "how wells" you can come up with, they are still part wolf. And the natural wildness is still in there somewhere. I had a full timber wolf once and he was great. However when my first child was born, he was overly protective of the baby. It got to the point that I had to lock the wolf up in order to care for the baby. We gave him to a large zoo in the area.
My brother also had one that was 1/2 timber wolf, 1/2 shepherd. She was also a fantastic animal. But my brother always told me that she could not be trusted around small kids (mine were teens at the time). And when her time came to die, the wolf took over in her and she went off to die alone, which is what wolves do.
Personally I don't believe in breeding hybrids of any kind, and I'm very much against breeding wolf/dog hybrids. I feel strongly that wolves belong in the wild, and dogs belong with families.
I have a 30% white artic/timberwold 70% siberian husky who is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. She is a favorite at the local dog park!
It is hard to train any dog to stay indoors. Mine is an inside dog, and she does really well with listening to me. We just recently moved to a new home and we were keeping my dogs out back (I also have a shepard mix) and the husky kept getting out. I never noticed because she would always go back inside before I got home. The neighbors told me! We just put bricks to where she couldn't get out. I think she always went back because my other dog couldn't get out with her!
My husky is easy to train but stubborn! She only does what she thinks there is a point to! Good Luck!
I got my timberwolf/husky hybrid when he was about 2 and a half years old. He was already potty trained, well socialized and knows basic commands like sit, stay, down. It took him a few weeks of getting used to us before he had effective recall, but we joked about changing his name to "Shadow" because he's always within a few feet of me. We live in a small apartment right now and he doesn't have any problems with it. There is always someone home 24 hours a day, he is rarely left alone but counter surfs when he is. He is huge but sleeps on our bed every night. I have a 2 year old who antagonizes him but he's become increasingly patient with him and seems to realize he's the puppy of the pack. As long as he gets time outside and at the dog park, he doesn't pace too much. That comes from his wolfy side. I wouldn't leave my two year old alone with him, but he gives a warning growl and moves away if my son goes too far, and doesn't bite.
The most important thing to remember, whether you have a wolf hybrid or any other dog, is that the training, or lack thereof, is as much a component of their behavior as their breed.
Check out these photos.
This is Hutch a Siberian Husky and Wolf mix. He's not my dog, but he thinks he is. He's 6 years old and, until this past March, lived chained to a big tree across the street in a neighbor's back yard.
Stryker was a 7 year old Wolf/Husky. My daughter needed a soul mate, and in AZ, came this glorious wolf/dog who understood her. He was there before her marriage, children, and she understood him just as well.
Grace is a 2 year old Husky/Malamute/Timberwolf. One of our friends bred his dog and Grace was the puppy I fell in love with. We weren't looking for a dog at all, but I couldn't watch someone else take her.
Dacoda is a 1 year old Siberian Husky/Timber Wolf mix. I got Dacoda right after Christmas last year. While taking a walk around the block I saw a bunch of white fluff balls running around in a neighbor's backyard. My curiosity got the better of me and I went over to investigate.
Dakota Star is now 18 months old. She is a Timber Wolf/Husky. We are wolf/wolf dog rescue and she was born in our compound. She can do anything she wants.
Dakota Star - Wolf/Husky Photo. Dakota Star is a 1 year old Wolf/Husky. We are a wolf rescue and have a pack of 12. . .
Merl..not by choice! He is 9 months old and an American Wolf Husky. I was in the wrong place at the WRONG time!
Trigger is 6 months old. He is Malamute/Wolf. I rescued him from a dirty and infested home. I got him when he was 3 weeks old
