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The
wolf hybrid dog, or wolf dog, has long been a controversial companion
animal. There is a great deal of information available
regarding these special canines, but there is also a great deal of
misinformation. Separating fact from fiction can be a
challenge. This is a challenge that must be diligently taken,
however, by anyone who is contemplating bringing one of these animals
into their life or home. There are already many rescues and
shelters that are overburdened with wolf hybrid dogs, just as there are
rescues and shelters overburdened with other breeds.
Fact
number one:
The
wolf hybrid is a mutt, or a mixed breed dog. This means that
knowing just what a hybrid will be like is similar to trying to judge
the future temperament of any mixed breed puppy.
It’s easier, of course, if you are familiar with both of the
parents, and easier still if you know the grandparents. There
is no way to determine the amount of “wolf content”
versus “dog content” for certain, and no type of
genetic testing exists. A hybrid may look like a wolf and act
like a dog, or look like a dog and act like a wolf, or fall somewhere
in the middle.
Fact
number two:
Both
wolves and dogs are dangerous predators. It is reasonable to
expect that a wolf hybrid dog is going to have a strong prey drive,
regardless of whether it is classified as a “high
content” or “low content”
wolfdog. Just as many dogs that have been raised with
children and animals learn to suppress this prey drive, and NOT chase
the kid or the cat or anything that moves, many hybrids also can learn
to control this impulse. However, many dogs never develop the
ability to control this instinct, and combining a little bit of wolf
DNA makes this even more difficult. Can a wolf hybrid dog
learn to be trustworthy around small animals and children?
It’s possible, but always subject to change. Any
dog or hybrid with a strong prey drive will always be a potential
threat to smaller creatures, including children.
Fact
number three:
Dogs
and wolves mature differently. A dog is physically mature
between 6-18 months; smaller size dogs maturing earlier than giant
breed dogs. Mentally, the dog tends to lag in an adolescent
frame of mind until roughly 2-3 years old. A wolf, on the
other hand, does not necessarily mature slower
than a dog, but for a longer period. A wolf will continue to
mature mentally until about five years of age. A dog does not
truly develop an “adult” mentality when compared to
a wild wolf, and since this does not occur until after age three, it is
impossible to fully judge the mentality and personality of a hybrid
until after this time, when it has reached its full, mental
adulthood.
Fact
number four:
The
wolf is much more intelligent than the average dog. A higher
IQ is a product of natural selection. A wolf hybrid may
inherit this higher intelligence. It is often said that
hybrids are “untrainable” or “cannot be
housebroken”. This is false.
They can be very well trained, providing the right methods are used,
and the canine is properly motivated. The wild wolf does have
an instinctive drive to mark their territory, usually by
urinating. When kept indoors, the wolfdog may regard the
entire house as their territory, creating problems. Their higher
intelligence factor enables them to also train their owners
well. It also enables them to figure out many
“tricks” on their own, such as opening doors and
unlatching gates. Anyone who brings a hybrid into their home
needs to be prepared for the unexpected!
Fact
number five:
There
is no approved rabies vaccine for wolves. There also is no
evidence that the current rabies vaccine for dogs does not effectively
prevent rabies in wolves as well. This excuse is often cited
to enforce the laws of cities and states banning ownership.
Owners of a wolf hybrid need to take this into consideration and find a
vet who will give the hybrid all the required vaccines the same as any
other dog.
These
basic facts are simply a foundation to understanding wolfdogs or wolf
hybrids. Understanding wolf behavior and communications and
how it differs from dog behaviorisms is critical to having a lasting
relationship with one of these majestic canines.
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