Wolfdogs?

[aronoiiel]

I'm curious has anyone on here owned a wolfdog before or known someone who's owned one before?

[HuskyCouture]

The breeder we got embry from also breeds wolf sibe crosses. They're very people shy but sweeties

[Wizadora]

Rachel on here has a wolf hybrid. maybe she will see this and post. X

[Kroush]

My aunt has owned one- but he had to be put down. Thing is, if anyone knows you own one and just gets mad at you, all they have to do is tell animal control you have a wolf breed and they'll make you put them down. Insurance goes way up, many places will not house you with a wolfdog either. Plus, if your dog ever gets out, all someone has to do is make up a story and your dog gets put down even if it didn't do anything.. because of being a wolf hybrid. They're highly illegal in a lot of places and I do not recommend them as pets because their temperament is a grab bag. They will test you and are quite capable of seriously injuring or killing a person or livestock.

If your dog ends up in a shelter from running away, they will automatically put them down because of the wolf content.

I definitely do not recommend first, second or third generation wolf crosses.

There is someone on the forums who has a wolf mix as well, who is well-mannered. But again, with wolf mixes, it's a grab bag and personally, I wouldn't take all the risks just for the sake of owning an exotic cross.

[tim&sky]

My aunt has owned one- but he had to be put down. Thing is, if anyone knows you own one and just gets mad at you, all they have to do is tell animal control you have a wolf breed and they'll make you put them down. Insurance goes way up, many places will not house you with a wolfdog either. Plus, if your dog ever gets out, all someone has to do is make up a story and your dog gets put down even if it didn't do anything.. because of being a wolf hybrid. They're highly illegal in a lot of places and I do not recommend them as pets because their temperament is a grab bag. They will test you and are quite capable of seriously injuring or killing a person or livestock.

I definitely do not recommend first, second or third generation wolf crosses.

There is someone on the forums who has a wolf mix as well, who is well-mannered. But again, with wolf mixes, it's a grab bag and personally, I wouldn't take all the risks just for the sake of owning an exotic cross.

but each to there own ......just like normal dogs theres good an bad in all of them and as for the temperment , your quite right , my dee is a hell of a handfull at the best of times but over here she is not classed as "illegal" anymorebut i will say harming a person i doubt, maybe another anamal yes for sure

[Kroush]

but each to there own ......just like normal dogs theres good an bad in all of them

Yes, but the difference is we live in the united states where there are laws and policies against it. Yes, to each his own- but don't break the law while doing it. There are consequences.

[tim&sky]

Yes, but the difference is we live in the united states where there are laws and policies against it. Yes, to each his own- but don't break the law while doing it. There are consequences.

was the same over here untill a few years ago

[sutsibe]

I agree with Kristina that wolves and hybrids are generally not ideal pets. Well said - +1 rep.

[Sarah]

Rach on here - dygosamikita has one and wow

[dygosamikita]

Wolfdog..lol where to start.....

There has been some good information already given but there has also been some misinformation. I have owned or been owned by a first generation wolf hydrid since March 1999. I have lived on both sides of the pond with her and yes there are laws about them in BOTH countries.

Each state is different as they are state laws and not federal ones. Here is a website that lists what the current status is. I can not vouch for the accuracy but it is correct about Michigan. http://hubpages.com/hub/wolf-hybrid

As for the UK, if you own a wolfdog you are required to keep a dangerous wild animal license for them, which are issued through the local council. The guidelines for the licenses are issued from DEFRA but it is each council that controls them. Each council can also ask for different requirements to be met with the license.

Now enough of the legal stuff, now about owning one. As much as a husky is not a 'normal' dog, a wolfdog is less so. They will challenge you within in the pack. They may not neccessarily do so in an aggressive way but they will do it in some way. Nikita 'bullies' people who do not stand up to her by climbing all over them, nibbling their ears, and stealing their food. Now these actions would not be seen as aggressive but it is her showing dominance over someone. Another wolfdog may choose to challenge through aggression though. Nikita is 11 years old now and see is still not housebroke, she will go to the door for a split second, if you do not happen to see her do this she will simply go on the floor. She knows it is wrong but does it anyway. Where Sampson (my husky) will come bug me to let him out, Nikita has no thoughts of doing that. She will plunder about the house just looking for stuff to get into. She will steal and eat ANYTHING. We have to Nikita proof the house at all times and with a dog that stands 6ft on her hind legs, there aren't many places that she can not reach:unsure: . She has caused more destruction over the years than one could even imagine possible. One instance when we lived in the states, she made the hole in the wall for the dryer vent big enough for her to fit through so that she could get outside.

I have been somewhat lucky with Nikita, but also I have always had to be firm with her. Nikita is lovely and she has always loved people and never been aggressive in anyway towards people. I love her to bits and wouldn't trade her for the world, but I would never look to get another one as the pure pigheadedness is very tiring at times.

Would I recommend a wolf dog to anyone?? NO, there is too much risk of things going wrong. I do not even think that they should be breed. It was only ever done as a status thing and is irresponbile to say the least as most dog owners could not handle one correctly and it could easily lead to someone being seriously hurt or killed. There are enough domestic dog breeds out there with the same looks that will be much easier to handle.

Hope this goes some way to helping you understand some of the legalities and the real life trials of owning a wolf dog. Also there are a lot of peole out there that say they have a wolf hybrid when in fact that animal has no more wolf in it that my cat does:) . I have seen this a lot over the years.

SN - to anyone who already owns a wolf dog or thinks they do, in both countries, keep your mouth shut about it. It is not something you want to go bragging about as it can be used against you with the local governments. I have never admitted to the council here or the dog catcher in Michigan that Nikita is anything but a Malamute cross who happens to look like a wolf.

[aronoiiel]

Awesome info guys thanks for chiming in ^_^

Rachel, your Nikita is a high percentage wolfdog yes? Did you start out with her as your first wolfdog or did you start with a low percentage and work your way up in owning them to a higher percentage? I'm YEARS away from owning one if I really want to when I get stable enough in my life and so I figured I'd prep now lol; though I've been researching since I was 13 lol. Guess you could say it's my childhood passion

Though honestly I have met some myself in person and it really makes you think 4th and 5th and even 16th about owning one. Wanting one is pretty much where it stops when you really dig deep and look into owning one. Honestly it almost takes a special type of person to handle one as they are more like a wolf than anything and you really have to understand the wolf mentality as the dog mentality is quite different when talking running and order of the pack I think.

[Wizadora]

Why get a wolf dog? There are breeds around now that look like them and are easier and safer to handle.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

ive met Nikita and WOW shes gorgeous and so gentle! even when skyla attempted to eat her at the husky meet up she didnt bat an eye lid but i would never own one myself - ill just admire them by seeing nikita (if we are ever at another meet up together again) and looking at her pics instead

[Lil Miss Bump]

wow cracking information rach-really interesting to read

[Mazz]

My wife knows someone who had five. All five were more on the wild side, than on the dog side. Wolf hybrids are illegal to own in the state in which this person lived. The vet had them listed as Malamute crosses. These "dogs" were kept outside and no one but the owner could approach them. They were all aggressive toward strangers. This person no longer has these wolf hybrids, as they have all passed on.

Given the liability issues in the US, the issues with homeowners' insurance and dog ownership, in my wildest dreams, I would not even entertain the thought of having a wolf hybrid.

[Andy]

Rachael Hope you don't mind me posting a cuppla pics of the Gorgeous and super friendly NIKITA

As you can see she is a lot larger even than a large Malamute.

We met her at Heaton Park in Manchester.

She was so well behaved, and friendly.

A real credit to Rachael.

[aronoiiel]

Why get a wolf dog? There are breeds around now that look like them and are easier and safer to handle.

I think alot of the appeal is people want to have an exotic animal and something that is more "wild" than most and want to brag to their friends and such. Unfortunately getting a wolfdog for these purposes is a big NO; and will ultimately end really badly for the animal. On the wolfdog forum I'm on they have this wonderful list of why you should not own a wolfdog and it's made a ton of people, including me, think of different breeds that would better fit our lifestyles as opposed to just getting one cause you want it lol. Frankly if I'm ever going to be ready for one it won't be until I'm much much much more older and more stable in my life and career.

What breeds would you throw out there for those wanting the look but not the wild animal attached?

[davidjk]

my nans neighbour in Canada had 2 husky x timber wolf crosses. The were very friendly towards me and my sister.

Dion (the owner) said that they where socialised with huskies, Labrador and Newfoundlands.

yes i would love to own a wolf or wolf dog, who wouldn't there is something truly amazing about wolves.

but the reality is you could not trust it fully.

plus huskies are hard enough work.

my 2 have many many years left in them (touch wood) and when they go i will get something easy lol

[aronoiiel]

Those paws are HUGE lol and what a majestic wolfdog you have ^_^ She truly is a credit to your hard work Rachel that she gets along with strangers. The kennel Kiana came from actually breeds wolfdogs as well and she's told me stories of how much a challenge it is to raise them.

Rachael Hope you don't mind me posting a cuppla pics of the Gorgeous and super friendly NIKITA

As you can see she is a lot larger even than a large Malamute.

We met her at Heaton Park in Manchester.

She was so well behaved, and friendly.

A real credit to Rachael.

[Removed #1]

I've only picked up through reading...how challenging wolf hybrids are, I wouldn't get one myself...and I definately wouldn't recomend getting one in a household with small children because of the unpredictability and high prey drive that I've read about. All the same, what a beauuutiful dog.

[Kroush]

Here are some Wolf-like and low content wolf breeds, if you're absolutely set on it. I recommend the Utanogan or Northern Inuit above all others.

Northern Inuits, Tamaskans, Utonagan, Czechslovakian Wofldogs and Sarloos Wolfhounds are all mixes of Siberian Husky, German Shepherd and Alaskan malamute. Some have wolf crossbreeding back in the line, but for the most part they are all domestic dogs and are registered with their respective kennel clubs given the young age of these breeds.

Norther Inuit

Tamaskan

Utonagan

Czechoslovakian Wofldog

The Sarloos Wolfhound is the oldest and most recognized of these breeds and closest to the german shepherd, as they are used for herding.

http://www.inetdesig...olfdunn/breeds/

Other wolfdog and wolf-look-alinke dog info

Other German Shepherd crossbreeds include the Kuming Dog

and the Lupo Italiano, created by the Italian government for working purposes.

(As taken from my post on the German Shepherd cross topic)

[dygosamikita]

Awesome info guys thanks for chiming in ^_^

Rachel, your Nikita is a high percentage wolfdog yes? Did you start out with her as your first wolfdog or did you start with a low percentage and work your way up in owning them to a higher percentage? I'm YEARS away from owning one if I really want to when I get stable enough in my life and so I figured I'd prep now lol; though I've been researching since I was 13 lol. Guess you could say it's my childhood passion

Though honestly I have met some myself in person and it really makes you think 4th and 5th and even 16th about owning one. Wanting one is pretty much where it stops when you really dig deep and look into owning one. Honestly it almost takes a special type of person to handle one as they are more like a wolf than anything and you really have to understand the wolf mentality as the dog mentality is quite different when talking running and order of the pack I think.

Yes Nikita is a high percentage. I was told her father was full timber and her mother was a 75% cross with a Malamute. How accurate this is, I will never know as it is something that is hard to prove and people selling wolf dogs tend to bulk up their percentage where they can. Nikita is my first and only wolf dog, in all honesty is wasn't even my choice to get her. My partner at the time wanted a wolf dog for all the wrong reasons, when I left him I took the dogs as he couldn't be trusted to care for them properly. Nikita and Sampson were my first dogs as an adult, talk about a trial by fire. We were absolutely clueless when we got her so I consider myself lucky that she had such a good temperament to start with. But even with a good temperament she is still a handful and A LOT of work.

I must be honest and say there is no right reason to get a wolf dog. A lot of them end up being destroyed because they have either hurt someone or the owners simply can't cope. A lot of them end up with mental problems as they are torn between behaving like a wolf and behaving like a dog.Kroush has listed an excellent list of 'wolf like' dogs, have a look at those and you will see that they have all the looks without the bad side effects

Rachael Hope you don't mind me posting a cuppla pics of the Gorgeous and super friendly NIKITA

As you can see she is a lot larger even than a large Malamute.

We met her at Heaton Park in Manchester.

She was so well behaved, and friendly.

A real credit to Rachael.

No worries Andy, and thank you

[aronoiiel]

Wow Kroush I had no idea those are some really beautiful dogs for sure. Thanks for the list I'll totally dig into to those

Rachel I find myself more and more agreeing that there is no really positive reason to want a wolfdog no matter how you think about it. Morals are my biggest wrestle with this type and I'm glad I asked on here or I never would've heard about those amazing other breeds that are the wolf appearance but far removed from their wild ancestors. I am now officially partial to the Tamaskan LOL they sound like a positively fun breed; almost as much so as huskies

[Kroush]

Tamaskans aren't recognized by a kennel club other than Tamaskan specific ones, but the Tamaskan has zero wolf content, so they're probably the easiest of all the breeds listed to train and deal with. You can find a lot of information on them here: http://www.tamaskan.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnkXeX3j4Ek?fs=1&hl=en_US

They have a lot of Siberian Habits.

[Karen]

I think there are still a lot of misunderstandings about owning wolfdogs.

I have 5 of them here, all containing wild blood in more or less ( to almost none) percentage and also from different origins.

They are NOT aggressive or dangerous, but YES They need a complete different approach than a "normal" dog. And NO, I will never recommend them to just anyone

The reason I own them? Not to brag about owning them, can tell you that When we had the first one, we didnt know that she had wild blood in her. The breeder did not tell us... We found out ourselves that she was "different" and started looking around and found a friend of the breeder who told us what she (our dog) was.

We had absolutely no problems with her but fell in love with the way she approached the world. When we heard hat we could get an other female 2 years later, we didn't doubt a second! This one turned out to be more than a handful but she was the sweetest thing for us. Really shy towards other people, but if she gets to know them, she is the sweetest thing ever! Only thing: This takes about a year to get to that point And the 3rd one is a cousin from the 1st and 2nd one and gives a big challenge . Number 4 and 5 are more "just" dogs.

For me the main reason of owning them? They are addictive... *ashamed*

I think the main thing is that you don't treat them as a common dog. You'll have to adapt to their ways instead to the other way around. And you can accomplish a lot if you just take it easy and accept their character.

As far as tamaskans go: Yes, they are great dogs with great personality's. But the "no-wolf" part is a hoax