Wolf Hybrid Questions...

[NHIceGSD]

Ok, I've been hemming and hawing over this for a couple of weeks, as I'm sure it will become a hot topic and I am not asking this with the intentions of starting WWIII, but out of concern for a close friend of our families.

We have friends that are a young couple, with 3 children ranging from newborn to 6 years of age who are looking for a dog. At this moment, they have their hearts set on a Wold Hybrid. They have gone back and forth on the issue many times, but this time it's for real. First and formost, we live in New Hampshire, and I was under the impression that they are not legal to have as just house dogs. To my understanding, I thought that you had to get liscensed through the state, have the appropriate enclosures ect.... Now, that said, there are a million ways to get around that law and it doesn't seem to be a concern of theirs.

There are several things that I see as potential disaster with this situation. They are working with a breeder that A : Isn't familiar with the NH rules and regs regarding owning a Hybrid or B : Knows, but hey, they're selling an animal and don't really care! That doesn't work for me. I have known several Hybrids in the past and they have all been wonderful, kind companions to their educated, adult owners. However, all of these owners are very quick to advise that they need to be very careful when around strangers and children.... They are a joy to own, but they are not the "Off leash playing frisbee in the park with the kids" kind of pet. Maybe I'm letting my personal beliefs muddle my reasoning, but as a mother, I'm not sure if I'm ok with letting my 4 year old go on any more play dates if there is going to be a Wolf mix running about the house!

I'm just not sure how to go about discussing this with them like an adult. I have casually brought this up a few times and the response I got was "This is coming from an owner of a Pit and a German Shepard? " Maybe I would feel differently if it was a different family, but she tends to be a bit heavy handed as far as training goes, and I'm not sure how that would fly with a hybrid. I know that with my GSD, had I taken a strong handed, physical approach to training him, I would have probably ended up with a very large, dangerous animal. I hope all works out for them, and that no one ( human or canine ) gets injured or worse... but whatever happended to a good old ASPCA mutt? Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed.

[enelson]

When I was a kid, my best dog was a Husky/Timberwolf Mix. She was the greatest dog I could have asked for. She was protective of our land, kept strays away from our animals and would let us know when someone was around that didn't belong. She never attacked/bit, but she would back them into a corner and keep them there until we came out.

[Karen Cole]

I can only answer on behalf of our wolf/dog who was a 50/50 cross. Half wolf half mutt...collie I think but the people said they really didn't know. At any rate Cody was wonderfull with us and our boys who were quite small I think they were 8 and 10 when he died.

Cody was an outside dog but never said a word if he did we knew there was trouble. He'd lay with his paws crossed and a foot of slack in his chain when-ever we were outside...just incase and always so he could see me or the boys. BUT he would not let strangers in the yard w/o a warning and if people came to look at goats a "Thats enough" always got him to quiet down but again always where he could see what was happening. I was asked once what kept him on his chain because it was so small and replied he has no place he needs to be but if he wants he can break it easy. I think they were looking to steal goats or something.

He was the same with the animals as well goats, chickens, cats , our dogs the horses could be loose and he would not bother them. Stray dogs were however not safe in the yard.

They are not dogs and you should not forget that but we had nothing but good come out of having Cody and I'd have trusted him with our boys lives as well as my own.

Karen

[Nikknock]

Yikes...as much as I loved my Hybrids, and I had 4 at one time, there was no way that I could trust them around young children. You absolutely have to take a pack mentality with them and be able to be physically dominate (Alpha) at ALL times. THERE IS NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!!!

Coming from someone who has had hybrids in the past and having 2 pitties and my very dominate female mutt now. Comparing a pit bull or GSD to a hybrid is like comparing a apples to the apple sauce, both come from the same source but are total different in consistancy. Hybrids even hand raised in captivity still have that wild instinct and always will. I raised all 4 from the same litter from the time that they were 4-5 days old. Once they reached the age of 7-8 month I was challenged by them physically and mentally on a daily basis and as much as I loved them and treated them well, I would not trust them out of my sight.

IMO your reasoning is not muddled at all. Your instincts in this situation are right on the money and the situation IMO is a receipe for serious disaster. You are right on about them going to the shelter and rescuing a pound puppy. They would be so much happier in the long run.

Please do your best to talk them out of it to avoid potential disaster later!!!

[wildcat180]

What is her reasoning behind wanting a wolf hybrid in the first place? Why can't she go with a husky or malamute cross?

I'm not against hybrids, per se, but I am against any dog owner wanting something they know little about simply because it's "cool". If this particular family is uneducated about keeping a wolf hybrid, to the point where they're willing to break the law, and she has a negative way of training, it could be a recipe for disaster. Ultimately, the dog will suffer for it all.

I'm not sure how the best way to go about talking it out would be. But I would be sure to mention that pit bulls and GSD are DOMESTIC animals, not half wild. Then, I'd also point out that in the wrong hands even domestic dogs have the potential to maim and kill.

[Horse poor]

Personally I have not had a hybrid, but have a close friend who has had a couple. He says he would never have a wolf around little kids unless supervised all the time. It really depends on the owner of the dog and what kind of mentality they are. I wouldn't do it myself and I've had GSD, Black lab, Healers, Aussies and shelties. Know someone with a Min Pin that I wouldn't let an adult near as it would tear you apart. The temperment of the dog matters also. Hope you can get through to her.

[pvf]

My uncle had 2 wonderful hybrids, but his 3rd one was terrible he didn't trust it at all. He also had contact with a few other people that had gotten pups out of the same litter and they had lots of problems to. They found out that they were 75% to 90% wolf. Not the 50/50 they had in the past. Needless to say most of the dogs from that litter had to be put down. They attached other animals on the farm, one cornered there owner ect. If you know how to handle them and go to a repetable breeder than it should be ok. But, this happened from a repetable breeder also. So anything can happen.

But, if you get the right ones they are wonderful!

[dandeeqh]

I had a 50/50 wolf husky cross years ago. She was one of the best dogs. Wouldn't hurt a flea. She had the temperment of a lab. She was given to me as an 8 week old pup. She grew up with my kids, cats, and horses. Now I'm not saying that all of the wolf mixes are this way...just like with any breed of dog there are good and bad.

If they are just wanting one to be "cool" and break the laws to do it, then in my opinion, they are the last ones that should be getting one.

There is a woman that lives about 1/2 hr from me that raises wolf/husky crosses. Some of them are 80 - 90% wolf. They are absolutely gorgeous! She sells the pups at $1200 each and doesn't seem to have a problem selling them. She usually only has a litter a year but I do know that once in awhile she will have two litters (two different females). She says that she screens all interested puppy buyers but I don't know to what extent.

[DoBeSassy]

I have no personal experience with a hybrid, but I could understand where they wouldn't be the safest dog for a new family. I would talk to them and see what is going on in the thinking. Maybe they don't even know it's illegal to have them? Just lay it on the table and see where you are from there

[Cynder'sWay]

I had a hybrid cross, was 93% wolf, loved that animal more than I can say. But like nikknock stated I would never trust him around young kids. He was more wolf than dog and had to be treated that way. You had to always be Alpha and keep a close eye on him. But with me he was the sweetest animal in the world.

Also, the breeder they want to get their hybrid from does not sound like a reputable breeder to me but a backyard breeder. They should know their state laws, have contracts to sign, information concerning owning hybrids to give to prospective owners, ect.

[NHIceGSD]

Thanks for the insight! They are perfectly aware of the regulations (I presented them with a printout! )... but don't agree with them. Now, I'm sure there are laws out there that everyone disagrees with, but they're usually put in place for a reason.

If it was a different family, I might not be so up in arms about the whole situation, but we live in NH, and the area that they live in is fairly urban. Everyone that I've known with a hybrid has had huge acerages and beautiful outdoor living facilities for them. They definatly did get let indoors, but for the most part, preferred their outdoor lifestyles. Again, nothing against the breed, but I just don't see them as kibbles n'bits, day at the dog park animals... and I don't think it's fair to expect them to live indoor, urban setting kind of lives. I would have a similar opinion if they were looking into a border collie or ACD. You have to find the right animal to fit your lifestyle. I'm sure there are wonderful hybrids that are great with kids and accepting of strangers... would I take that chance with three kids and a never ending stream of friends in and out of the house? Never.

Just one more little point that I forgot to mention earlier.... since they are more or less illegal, you would be hard pressed to find a vet to care for it. I don't think that the rabies vaccine is approved for use in them... at least in NH. What do you do if your animal is sick or injured? I heard about one case where the so called "Malamute X" was brought to a vet.... he took one look at it and said "No way". Again, is it worth it? I worked for a long time with a world renowned dog trainer and author who would absolutly not let a hybrid into her facility. Again.. back to the it's ILLEGAL part, but in addition.... it's just too much of a Russian Roulette when you're dealing with wild animal genes. If you're working with an educated breeder, who will offer proper training and life long support of you and your animal, great. But why own an animal that you are going to kill yourself trying to get vetted,will NEVER be able to board, and probably won't be happy living in a house with an occasional walk two or three times a week. Recipe for disaster if you ask me. Well, thank you all again. I think that I may be confident enough to sit them down for a proper discussion. If you have any other suggestions, by all means keep them coming!

** I also have to add that I just found out that there are 2 St. Bernard pups locally that are looking for homes! I might have to just casually bring that into conversation.. They'd both be living at my house if I had my way.. but hubby says that our dog limit is 200lbs.... ***

[pvf]

Well if the dogs are illegal in your area they could very well loss there home owners insurance. You might want to them to contact there insurance company.

[Perrys_mama]

A lot of people who've had really good "wolf crosses" probably had coyote or husky crosses that just looked like wolves. Especially the "I don't really know what the dad was, pretty sure it was a wolf"...that's just not very likely. Wolves don't usually go very close to populated areas, and if they did, it probably wouldn't be to mate with Fluffy.

Coyotes, on the other hand, they seem to seek out farmyard dogs...either to mate with or to eat with.

Anyway, I hear stories all the time on the Spokane news channel we get about people whose children were mauled by their pet cougar, bear, wolf etc. Wolves are WILD ANIMALS. They are can't be domesticated. They can be tamed by a strong "alpha" human...but an inexperienced dog owner can't really be expected to know that. That's sort of like taking a lynx cross into an apartment. You might get lucky and get a big sweetheart...but unless you're willing to see your apartment SHREDDED, why take the risk?

As for a wolf cross...I know a lot of mushers who LOVE them...but mushers keep their dogs in packs, and the musher is a STRONG alpha. I can see a wolf/wolf cross adapting well to that. In the suburbs, any dog gets mixed messages. You let the dog into your eating/sleeping space, and all of a sudden it's made an inroads. WILD ANIMALS ARE NOT PETS PEOPLE!

Why on EARTH would you want a wolf cross in the city? If you've got your pick of designer dogs, don't go with "original"...go with "popular"...better choice of breeders, and "popular" is popular for a reason. This wolf-cross thing has the same appeal that Pitbulls did a little while ago, and that Shiba Inus and Bull Mastiffs have now...compensation syndrome. Find the biggest, most macho dog you can, regardless of how inappropriate it is to your lifestyle.

[Melissa_PQHorse]

If they are wanting a hybrid for the looks there are some gorgeous Mals and Siberians that would fit the bill. Shiloh Shepherds even have a bit of a wolfy look.

[pvf]

I agree with what Perrys_Mama. I hope that your friends can understand that these types of dogs should have alot more room and need to be handled differently.

[nrhareiner]

I have a hybred who is now 17 years old. Great dog good with poeple and the cats. has a bit of an isue with one of my other dogs but Earl normally starts it not Bear. They have gotten better about this.

One thing is they tend to be possesive of their food. Bear is and must have his food next to his bed at all times until bed time. He does not like it to get even low. He will let you know when it get too low for his liking.

Other then that he has been a great dog. That said and I love him to death and probable would have anouther but not as my first dog which when I got him I had had a lot of experiance training and working with dogs.

If I had young kids and was looking for a good family pet a wolf Hybred would probable not be at the top of my list. There are so many other dogs that fit the bill.

Go check out the local shelter. Breed rescues are also a good place to start to look. Check out AKC site they give great info on picking a pup/dog that will fit you and your family.

Heidi

[chappel16]

I have a wolf/shepard, and he is a great dog for us, as long as we watch his body language. My friend has a 3 yr old son, and she cant bring him in the house without the dog being locked up. Something with "little people"(kids). He is ok with strange adults, as long as they arent breaking in...lol.

[Appylover]

What do they look like? I dont think ive heard of this breed! Sorry!

[nrhareiner]

The look varies depending on what they are crossed with. Bear my Wolf hybred looks like a big galute with no tail. A lot of people think he is a rottie although if you take away his color and lack of a tail he looks nothing like one.

Heidi

[oveywon]

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