thoughts on wolfdogs/wolfhybrids

[Barracuda]

they make good rugs and thats about it

[Ozone]

I hope the owners of these dogs don't expect apologies if they are shot while loose in the bush.

[Doe]

This was interesting....makes alot of sense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfpQVjYFcSE

Beautiful dog hybrid, but not far from their roots yet

[fuzzy]

I have come across a couple of very well trained and socialised hybrids and one that i can think of that was kinda scarey. In my personal inexperienced opinion it seems as if someone has the time, space, resources, experience and is willing to learn then maybe not a bad idea. Like many dogs it doesnt seem suited to a suburban or urban house hold with 2 people working 9-5 plus commutes plus soccer and hockey for the kids.......ect.

When my wife and i were looking at breeders to get our Bouvier, there were many who would not sell one of there pups to anyone who didnt have a decent sized fenced yard as well as to couples where the work situation left the dog at home for more than 8 hours a day. We are fortunate enough that my wife can work part time and that having Grizzly is part of our lifestyle, not an accesory. I can only imagine how much more applicable this would be for a wolf hybrid.

fuzzy

[Blacktail]

Had a bitch malamute/wolf cross a number of years ago
awesome dog for protecting the house and my kids but had to eventually have her put down because of it.
She ended up going after any other dog or cat in the neighbour hood and even almost killed a couple

At this point I probably wouldnt get another

[IronNoggin]

... having Grizzly is part of our lifestyle, not an accessory. I can only imagine how much more applicable this would be for a wolf hybrid.

Excellent choice of wording Fuzzy One!

I've lived with various versions of Wolf Hybrids over 30 years now. They certainly are not for everyone! They demand and must receive a LOT of Attention, a LOT of Training, a LOT of Patience & Understanding, a LOT of Room, a LOT of Exercise and in general a LOT more effort than the vast majority of domestic breeds. Many will tell you in off hand terms they they are "all" potentially dangerous. That's complete BS. Any dog can be brought down to that level, and these animals are no more so inclined than any.

If you can get your mind (and wallet) wrapped around the level of commitment these require, they offer up a whole series of positives. They are the Walking Einsteins of the dog world. Incredibly intelligent, very much more so than any domestic. Really. And although many require more reinforcement and effort to train, that effort pays off in spades.

Our latest two are very well socialized with people, and I trust them implicitly with folks, including children, once they have been properly introduced. The female ain't all that great with other dogs, but our male is - as long as they do not try to dominate him. He will warn two or three times if that should occur, and most we've dealt with have understood the message pretty quickly.

For Companionship, both at home and in the bush, I can think of no better. They very much are our "Pack", love the Missuz and I as their Alpha Female and Male, and would literally lay down their life for us if we requested that. Not likely to happen.

Amaruq ("Wolf" in Western Arctic Inuit) doesn't look overly much the part, his coloring comes from his mother's side (he is 1/2 Timber Wolf and 1/2 Alaskan Husky). But he has the defining shape to his head and body, and weighs in over 140 pounds at this point. Hell of a great Buddy out in the bush. Fetched up no less than 2 dozen grouse last fall, and didn't manage to break skin on a single one of them despite his somewhat awesome dentition. Working him now to be a "blood trailer" for big game, and he is showing excellent signs of good promise. Completely Fearless, he tackled 3 bears in the yard last year, and while he managed to lay some pretty good hurt on two of those, was never even touched by tooth nor fang in the process. Loves tagging along fishing, just have to teach him the difference between hatchery and wild steelhead now... LOL! Studies the float intently, and certainly lets you know when you get a strike! Spooky Smart that Boy, damn proud of his development, and extremely pleased he entered my life when he did.

Here's a few pix:

This was at 11 months, he has filled out considerably since then:



The Look:



Recent picture awaiting dawn on the river:



Asiulu ("Probably" in Western Arctic Inuit) does look the part pretty much. She's 1/2 Arctic Wolf, 1/4 Shepherd and 1/4 Lab. Gorgeous and knows it, she very much is our "Little Princess". Another seriously intelligent one, she is my Missuz' faithful Companion, and loves her first and foremost above all else. Was a tad trickier to train her as I got her a little too old for my liking. But with patience and persistence she has developed into a very good Companion animal.

A few pix of her:



Her Warning Face:



The key thing to realize is that these are sensitive animals that require a great deal of love and attention. They certainly are not for everyone, few in fact carry the discipline to keep them successfully. But they are NOT the ticking time-bombs some naysayers would have you believe. In over 30 years, I have only ever had one that was a problem, that directly due to me acquiring her as a "problem animal" at near 6 months. All the others have been more than fine. And of the dozens of pups we have placed, none have ever developed any serious issues. Good parentage, and just as important if not more, Damn Good Owners who Care! It's the latter that decides what your dog will turn out like, regardless of it's breed in most occasions.

On the occasions I find myself wandering off from home once again (fairly frequently that is) I can rest easy knowing my two Buddies are there to look after the Missuz. Be right foolish of any perp to try and run up against them methinks.

We had planned for Asiulu to take a year and a half break from motherhood, having had ten last fall. But these are very determined critters, and somehow they managed to do the dirty deed right through the wires of the kennels! Impressive and downright maddening at the same time. Going to let her have them, she's close now. Last of this run though, snip time coming up for her as soon as the wee ones wander off to their new packs. I'll run up a post when they happen along. Going to be interesting around here yet again...

Feel free to ask if you have more questions. Quite possible I will have encountered most that may come to mind...

Cheers,
Nog

[IronNoggin]

I'll run up a post when they happen along. Going to be interesting around here yet again...

Ten. Again. Ouch!

Dejavous?

Correction: Eleven

[elkdom]

the neighbor had one, a big male 1/2 wolf, well over 100 lbs
the neighbor,, because he lived rural, as many of us do, let his wolf dog run, while he was away at work,
his wolf dog chased domestic animals, terrorized the neighborhood and wildlife, especially wintering deer, elk, moose
his wolf dog was shot,
now we have peace in the Peace!

[steepNdeep]

Sounds like awesome animals that you have there IronNoggin! I'm sure that they can be very rewarding if you are committed, but I think they are beyond most people's abilities for time and commitment. Most people with busy lives probably shouldn't even have dogs, but many do... (myself included).

[Foxton Gundogs]

the neighbor had one, a big male 1/2 wolf, well over 100 lbs
the neighbor,, because he lived rural, as many of us do, let his wolf dog run, while he was away at work,
his wolf dog chased domestic animals, terrorized the neighborhood and wildlife, especially wintering deer, elk, moose
his wolf dog was shot,
now we have peace in the Peace!

But thats the owner not the dog.(don't get me wrong Im not sticking up for a "dog" that funs stock or game) We have had all sorts of "city folk" move to the country and think they could let their dogs run. My cure for that if I dont know who the owner is and the dog isn't causing any real trouble YET is to try to catch the dog (usually pretty easy) then tie a spent cartrage to it's collar and draw a target on its side. VERY effective, you usually dont see the dog running loose again.