wolfdogs

1. 59

   my last breathposted 14 years ago

   i want to own a wolfdog. wolves have always been my favourite animal. i would like to know if its legal in canada to own one. i cant seem to find anything other than american laws. if you know anything pls let me know.

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      Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That doesn't seem like a very good idea.

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         Alexander Markposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Yes it does.

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2. 72

   relacheposted 14 years ago

   Wolfdogs can be extremely dangerous.  They are illegal in a lot of places because breeding wolf genes into dogs has this tendency to erase the several thousand years of domestication, resulting in an animals with a huge potential to attack their owners.
   
   Check with your local city/town, then province, in regards to what laws they have about pet ownership.

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      OregonWinoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Dito...wolfs are crazy dangerious, as are ferral dogs.  In Iraq, I saw how a few months of running wild for a formaly domestic dog can make them very dangerous and aggresive.

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         kejoboposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         wolfs are not like you describe. if you look at thier life style properley you will see they are better than some humans at rearing there young and staying as a familey. if you had to live in the wild (no kfc etc) how would you survive?
         a wolf would run at the first sight of a human not attack them.
         you could learn a lot off them

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      Whitney05posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with this... I have a hub on wolf hybrids, and I get tons of people telling me I'm a hypocrite because I have a Pit Bull in my picture. Saying that it's the same thing...
      
      Nope...
      
      Difference is Pit Bulls are still domestic dogs, wolf-dog mixes have wild animals bred into the mix.

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      bee99posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      wolf dogs can only be dangerous if you get them at an older age than one
      if you get while they are cubs it will be fine they'll consider you there mother

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3. 58

   marinealways24posted 14 years ago

   Go with a tiger, they are much safer.

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4. 58

   marinealways24posted 14 years ago

   I think you should do a search on youtube for the wolf man that a documentary was done on. He lived and ate with wolves and said that even they pack could turn on him at any given time. Unless you are the wolf man or Ceasar "The dog whisperer", I would say use common sense. lol

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5. 72

   lorlie6posted 14 years ago

   I own a wolf/husky mix and he is one of my most docile animals.  He knows his place in the dogerarchy around here, and is fabulous.  I'm not sure what a 'wolfdog' is.

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      my last breathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      a wolfdog is a wolf mixed with a dog.

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      kenya!posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      wolfdog, i'm guessing what you have lorlie, is a wolf and domestic dog mix.
      wolf mixes can be just as docile as domestic dogs as long as the owner is a very experienced dog owner who knows how to be the pack leader of all the dogs in their pack.
      wolfdogs would only be slightly more dangerous than any other dog if placed in the hands of an experienced, or inconsistent pack leader.
      any dog can be extremely dangerous when it comes to believe it is the pack leader of humans.
      
      i would love to feel confident to own one some day. wolves are absolutely beautiful.

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      mythbusterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I good friend of mine also owns wolf-hybrid animals and tamed wolves has told me a lot about the value of these animals - providing, of course - that they are treated well, trained well and that one never forgets about the wolf in them.
      
      On the other hand, my friend studied these animals, including animal psychology stuff for years before owning them. They're animals to be respected and treated appropriately for their size, displays of behavior, etc., not cuddly pets or "watch dogs" as far as I've been learning from my friend. They apparently have their moments whereby they appear like your average pet and might be very docile but always have to be treated with the knowledge that there is something wild in them.
      
      IN reading some other posts such as from CrazdWriter and Lorlie6, I suppose some wolf-hybrids/wolfdogs would be more tame and manageable than others, partly depending on how much wolf is in the animal... interesting topic 'cos I'm an animal lover, especially cats, dogs and rats...
      
      Heck - even a large dog can be a huge responsibility. I hope anyone considering a wolf-mix will think very, very carefully and critically before becoming an owner...

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6. 0

   sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

   My brother-in-law had a wolf-dog mix. It was well mannered with people and even kids. He had a problem with other pets, he ate them. He also excavated a hugh den under the foundation of their house. He was great despite his problems but I would think you may want to give this some thought before adopting.

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7. 85

   wychicposted 14 years ago

   I've looked into Czechoslovakian wolfdogs, I also only know US laws but I know that even in areas that didn't allow most wolf-dog hybrids still allowed them because they have such a low percentage of wolf in them, but bred with German Shepherds they still look like wolves.
   
   Other than that...I've worked with one 50/50 hybrid, she was part timber wolf and a HUGE animal. She and I got along very well, but she was very picky about how interactions with her were to be carried out, definitely not an animal to have around children or other pets, and only for people who are very well in-tune with canine behavior.

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8. 93

   habeeposted 14 years ago

   I have owned 9 wolf hybrids, and my best friend has owned 2. All of them were wonderful pets EXCEPT for one. We had to have her euthanized. She was half German shepherd and half timberwolf. The others were only 1/4 timberwolf.

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9. 59

   my last breathposted 14 years ago

   my grandparents neighbours used to own a wolf husky mix. he was the best dog ive ever met. and he seemed to really understand me.

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10. 0

    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    relache is right. They are most unpredictable and dangerous.

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11. 59

    my last breathposted 14 years ago

    wolves are such misunderstood creatures. im still gonna adopt a medium content wolfdog if i can get a permit.

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    Hongliang Zhangposted 14 years ago

    I feel "Tibetan Mastiff" is also a good selection off!

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    JerseyDawgposted 14 years ago

    While wolves and wolf/dog mixes, are beautiful and majestic, and intelligent, they are wild animals and belong in a free and open setting and in their natural habitat. While I respect and love the wolf, and think they deserve protection in the wild, in domestic situations, they are unpredictable and dangerous. They are not dogs and survive more on instinct. At 2 seperate dogs parks I've gone to, several wolf owners would bring them, and it ALWAYS caused a problem with the wolf being aggressive. The wolf realizes its not a dog and tries to dominate, and the dogs did not socialize. Their are a lot of great large breed dogs in shelters that need homes. Let the wolves be wolves.

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14. 0

    Will Bensonposted 14 years ago

    It may be a good idea to check w/your insurance carrier to see if you'll still be able to get liability ins. w/a wolfdog.
    
    Also, there's the issue of being legally liable if someone gets injured and sues you.
    
    Just my thoughts. Good luck with your decision.

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    theirishobserver.posted 14 years ago

    I have a pure breed border collie, great dog, decendent of the wolf, acts like a wolf, lovely loyal animal and great guard dog, star with a border Collie, very easy to keep and then perhaps graduate to larger dog.....

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    My husband owned a wolf/husky mix and she was very loving, never turned on anyone, never growled unless you were Mexican because she was abused by Mexicans and she remembered it. But other than that she was very sweet, loyal, protective, but never bit anyone.
    
    Some wolfdogs may be dangerous but like you said wolves are misunderstood. Wolfdogs aren't ALL dangerous!

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17. 82

    Whitney05posted 14 years ago

    They're not all dangerous, but it can be a crap shoot because you're breeding wild animal in them.

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    grannygoodearthposted 14 years ago

    Had you considered a Native American Indian Dog? They are very wolf like in appearance but without being unpredictable. They are great dogs for people with allergies. My best friend (who has a 16 month old son) has a NAID which was purchased in Wisconsin. The dog weighs about 50 pounds but I do know that many NAIDs are larger.

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19. 52

    kejoboposted 14 years ago

    it is possible to have one as a pet although the more wolf that is in the dog the harder they are to keep.you also have to consider your neighbours they might just shoot it just because they can. in north america they have just started a wolf massacre saying that they are a dangerous animal. a wolf will run from a human not attack.if you would like a wolf lookalike have a look at the saarloose you wont get much closer than that.
    ps. a wolf would require approx.15 miles a day excersize.

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20. 66

    theherbivorehippiposted 14 years ago

    You should check with your city if Wolf Hybrids are legal or not.  Some places, such as where I live in Michigan, it is legal to still have a Hybrid as long as the animal was part of your "family" and registered before the laws on them went into action.  Although you can own an Hybrid, you cannot breed and sell them to someone living in a location where laws are practiced. They are beautiful dogs and like any other dog...it's all in the way you train them and knowing how to properly handle an animal makes all the difference.  That being said, they will always have a very strong prey instinct towards any neighborhood cats, squirrels, etc.  I have two Alaskan Malamutes and I have seen them kill animals that have ventured into my yard and it is such a violent site. That being said, do your research with your city, etc first before even thinking about it.

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    moonphlowerposted 14 years ago

    My brother owns one, 75 husky & 25 wolf.  It is the sweetest dog I've ever seen.  However, there was a recent horror story about one in KY that drug a 1 month old baby out of the home severely injuring him.  I guess it's just a matter of choice...and legality in your area.

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22. 0

    Ghost32posted 14 years ago

    Think I'll stick to cats, thank you--but that's just me.  Got this thing, not about to have a "pet" I might not be able to defeat in an unarmed fight to the death.

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    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    My step dad owned a wolf husky mix. most un predictable dog I have ever been around. She got so bad nobody including him could get anywhere near her. She attacked my mom one day when mom was just trying to feed her. That was the dogs last day on earth. I had to bash her head with a shovel to get her off my mom.

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    kejoboposted 14 years ago

    i wood like a saarloose or similar but i havent got the time to give them the correct exersize or training so i contend myself with reading about them and there habits etc.however i have found that the smaller the dog the more vicious and snappy they are.
    i know of a yorkie that has to be muzled when its out and it will attack its owner at times.and yes iknow its only small but can you imagine what would happen to a baby in a trolley if the kid had its hand out if that dog was passing. we have a staffy and i can trust him with any child in fact he seems happier with kids around him.

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    neoyyfposted 14 years ago

    It really depends on what genes the offspring get.  An offspring with only 1/4 wolf, will probably just be like a dog.  An offspring with 1/2 wolf, will have more of a chance to be more like wolf. 
    
    There have been tests where people have tried to keep wolves as pets from puppies, and it was possible, but not without its problems.  The wolves were very strong, very energetic, and very naughty.  They always felt like they were the pack leader, and would destroy everything in the house.  They would jump onto the kitchen table at every mealtime that you had and steal the food everytime. 
    
    They also would bite or "teeth" your mouth whenever you ate so that it had a chance to eat the food in your mouth.
    
    They were constantly active, always looking for something to do.  And they would never listen to any commands.
    
    The owners said that compared to dogs, wolves never looked to us for instruction.  They didn't even acknowledge that the human was there.  They did anything they wanted and nothing could stop them.
    
    Why would any one want this?!?!? To me, that's a fully grown Alsation puppy who is dominant, aggressive and untrained. You would be able to get this sort of dog from a working line and pick the most dominant.
    
    If you are adamant on picking a wolf hybrid, please only get a 1/4 wolf mix, and only consider a hybrid if you have experience with large active working breeds.
    
    Otherwise, get a dog.  Huskies and malumutes themselves are quite a handful.  I promise you that!

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26. 0

    Pani Midnyte Odinposted 14 years ago

    Wolves are beautiful, but a wild animal is meant to stay in the wild. Yes, some are quite docile, but they can turn on you or someone else at any moment, no matter how "domesticated" you think they are.
    
    I wouldn't recommend owning one until you are EXTREMELY familiar with them. Speak to a breeder about having visitations and perhaps allowing you to help out for a few weeks so you can get to know some of the dogs before making the call about taking one home with you. The breeder may charge you a small fee for this, but it's worth it, especially if you are considering this seriously.

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    libby101aposted 13 years ago

    Any wild animal can be tame if you take it at a very young age and train it. A lion or tiger can be tamed if you get them as a very young cub! It takes someone who understands the dangers of these animals to do it safely! It takes ONE time for a wild animal to attack and possibly kill a child or anyone for that matter!
    
    If you really want to own a wolfdog, then do research! I don't mean read a few articles on the internet! I mean actually study wolves in depth! And Go visit someone who owns a wolfdog! Ask questions! Read studies done on these animals! You can't learn anything in a few days! Serious research takes several months to a year!
    
    Nobody should own any wild animal without having some serious knowledge of that animal and be willing to dedicate some serious time in training and learning!
    
    Good Luck and I hope you take my advise and study up before actually getting one!

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