Wolfdog Knowledge From classic literature to Game of Thrones, wolfdogs seem to be everywhere, and these somewhat wild canines are not only beautiful—they’re also incredibly funny and mysterious. Beauty and mystery aside, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding wolf dogs — and the debate over whether they’re safe household pets. If you’re considering getting a wolf dog, here are some important facts about wolf dogs, their behavior, and legality.
- What is the definition of a wolf dog? As the name suggests, a wolfdog is a cross between a wolf and a domesticated dog – Siberian huskies, sled dogs and German shepherds are the most common domesticated crossbreeds. Both wolves and domesticated dogs are “sterile,” meaning they are genetically similar enough to interbreed, but these hybrid dogs are rare in nature because wolves are super aggressive and territorial. Also, it is true that all dogs have wolves for their ancestors, but only animals that have had pure wolf ancestors in the past five generations can be considered true wolf dogs.
- There is some controversy about the dangers of wolf dogs Like many other dogs considered “dangerous”, there is some controversy about wolf dogs — and whether they make good pets. While some say they are loyal, loving and completely trainable animals, others claim they are too wild, aggressive and unpredictable. The truth is, there is no “typical” wolf dog and no way to predict how “wolf” it will be. As a result, there is far more diversity in behavior and temperament than golden retrievers, which can be difficult for pet parents who cannot raise a wolf dog with unpredictable temperaments and wolf-like needs. Sadly, many of these animals end up living in cages or being euthanized because their owners are not prepared to take care of them properly.
- Wolf dogs cannot be vaccinated against rabies vaccine Risk of wolf dog vaccine Currently, there is no rabies vaccine approved for wolf dogs, so any wolf dog that bites people or other pets may be considered a rabies risk. Wolfdog owners are encouraged to vaccinate their pets as the vaccine remains protective in most cases, however, these animals cannot be considered legally vaccinated as they are not included in the vaccine manufacturer’s on-label use. This means that if a wolfdog bites a person or pet, they are considered at risk of rabies and can be euthanized for rabies testing, depending on the situation.
- Raising wolf dogs is illegal in all cities. Wolf dogs are usually classified according to the number of children they have or the generation removed from pure wolves. For example, F1 represents the original breeding between wolves and domestic dogs or between wolves and wolf dogs, while F2 represents the second generation. Since DNA sequencing is usually not performed or provided to potential owners, it can be difficult to determine whether your dog is a true wolfdog, or a standard domestic dog that has been bred to have a wolf-like appearance. This ambiguity makes it difficult for states to enact legislation on keeping wolf dogs as pets — many make them outright illegal, while others allow limited ownership. If you’re considering adding a wolf dog to your home, do your research to make sure that owning a wolf dog is legal where you are.
- Wolfdog pups look and behave completely different from other dogs. Although many domesticated kennels share some physical and behavioral characteristics, wolfdog pups look and behave differently from any of their siblings. Why? Some pups may display more domesticated dog features, while wolf dog pups may display more wild wolf features. Like we said, there is no real way to predict how wolfish your wolf dog will be as he grows into a teen and adult.
- Wolf dogs need a lot of space Wolf dogs are usually recommended for people who live in wilderness or in the woods because they need a lot of space to stay happy, healthy and exercise. Some sources suggest at least 300 square feet with plenty of trees and obstacles for the wolfdog to climb.
- Wolf dogs need a special diet. They need two to four pounds of raw meat every day. Feeding your wolfdog regular dog food will not provide him with the nutrients he really needs. 08. Wolfdog Howl – Many wolfdogs love to howl. There are countless reasons why a wolfdog howls, from communicating with another wolfdog (or wolf!), to telling the other dog to stay away from her territory, to hearing it in the distance siren sound. If you bring a wolf dog home, be prepared for a lot of howls