Wolf Hybrids – Wolf-Dogs – A Controversy
I recently read an interesting study from Stanford University that said that wolves with black pelts are the result of wolf-dog hybridization. It was an interesting read, and brought to my mind some of the other ways that wolf hybrids differ from domestic dogs.
As you can imagine, I receive a lot of calls and emails about wolf hybrids. Everyone has an opinion, but I have always been of the mindset that wolf hybrids are NOT a good idea as domestic pets and an even worse idea as a protection dog.
Wolf hybrids certainly have their proponents. One of my closest friends owns one and it is a striking looking and powerful animal, great with his children. The South African Defense Force, a pre-apartheid organization, used hybrids as what they termed “attack” dogs. As you can guess, the program failed. It’s true, hybrids have shown remarkable tracking skills due to their powerful sense of smell (some studies say it is even better than a dog’s) and their long canine teeth and strong bite pressure are overwhelming and devastating. Hybrids have great endurance and generally suffer from less health problems.
Wolf Ancestry – What Are Wolfdogs and Do They Make Good Pets
They have been referred to by many names: Wolf Hybrids, Wolfdogs, or Wolf/Dog crosses. However, if you were to describe these creatures in an accurate term, the right name would simply be “Wolfdogs”.
There is nothing hybrid about these creatures. In reference to an animal, a hybrid means that the animal came from two different kinds of species. But dogs and wolves are the same species, so the term hybrid would be considered an inaccurate term to describe these exotic animals.
Setting aside all technicality terms, wolfdogs are produced by breeding canines with animals that are either full or partial wolf. The majority of wolfdogs are three-quarters or half Malamute or German Shepherd and half or one-quarter timber wolf.
Wisdom… Wolves!
Wolves are magnificent and majestic creatures that have shared this planet with us for possibly as long as 12,000 years. They have a long history as one of nature’s large predators. In the relatively short time that people have taken over almost everywhere on this planet, the habitat for wolves and other species of animal has diminished making it difficult for survival but with the help of environmentalists, wolves have been protected and are making a come back.
The wolf is the ancestor of our dogs of today. What’s cool about that is they co-exist in the present but there are major differences between them. Dogs have been bred over such a long period of time that they are for the most part completely domesticated. The wolf on the other hand commands respect. There is a motivational print called “Wisdom Wolves” that I love. When you see this print and you look into the eyes of this wolf, you can’t help but feel like you are being drawn into its stare, like you are looking into its soul and he commands you respect him. The stare of the predator is definitely there. If our dogs looked at us like that I think we would have fewer pets.
When you really look at the wolf it is interesting to note that they have a very organized co-existence and definite family structure. The older male and female rule the roost and each wolf have a definite place in the pack that must be respected. They work together for survival. Wolves can separate to hunt for food but the nightly howl brings them back together to protect each other and their pups for the night. It’s quite a remarkable and obvious works for them, as they have survived this long.