Wolfdog Puppies For Sale

As with All Dogs, Wolf Dog Hybrids Respond Well To Proper Training

Courtesy of Rare Breed Exotics

While they're certainly not for everyone, Wolf Dogs, or Wolf Dog Hybrids, as they are often called, can make a wonderful choice in pets for those who are looking for a dog that's a bit exotic. Of course, the appearance and temperament of the dog will depend partly on the breed of dog the wolf is bred with, but in most cases larger domestic dog breeds make up the 'canisfamilians' side of the mix. In most cases, the Wolf dog hybrid mix is beautiful and exotic, considering that arctic or timber wolves are typically used in breeding.

History
In America, evidence exists that indicates domesticated Wolf dogs have been around for at least 10,000 years. In Europe it is believed that Wolf dogs were used for hunting mammoths due to fossil evidence that points to this conclusion.

Wolf dogs or Wolf dog hybrids were first bred in Great Britain in 1766. Theories purport that the first dog bred with a wolf was an original version of the Pomeranian which probably differed somewhat from the breed we know today. This haphazard union produced nine Wolf dog puppies.

Today, cross-breeding the German Shepherd with a wolf is common, and in fact was the first documented mix by breeders, and still the most preferred. In recent years, experiments have been conducted in Germany crossing the wolf with the Poodle. The Alaskan Malamute has also been bred with the Timber Wolf to produce a breed known as the Wolamute.

In 1921, Dutch breeder Leendert Saarloos began efforts to produce a German Shepherd Dog that would be less prone to canine distemper. He cross-bred the German Shepherd with the Mackenzie Valley Wolf, resulting in a breed known today as the Saarloos wolf dog. The Czechoslovakian wolf dog was created in the 1950s, and is today recognized by the United Kennel Club among other organizations. It is used for herding purposes both in the U.S. and in Europe, as well as for therapy, search-and-rescue missions, and police work. Because the AKC does not recognize "hybrids," undomesticated mixes or any animal which is not purebred, the Wolfdog does not appear in any of the AKC group classification categories.

Appearance
Wolf dog hybrids are available in a variety of colors, but any combination should be well blended. Most are white, black phased or grizzled sable (also known as agouti). The coat is typically dense and heavy.

Because Wolf dogs are the product of crosses with various dog breeds (German Shepherd, Malamute, Siberian Husky, etc.), their exact appearance cannot be described as specifically as other breeds can. Generally speaking, the higher the content of wolf, the more your pet will resemble a wolf. In most cases though, the adult male will weigh approximately 80 to 125 pounds and be 26 to 33 inches tall at the shoulders, while the female Wolf dog hybrid will weigh about 70 to 100 pounds and be 25 to 32 inches tall at the withers.

Temperament
Because of the varying percentages of wolf and domestic dog in the wolf dog, it's hard to pinpoint temperament, as some may be mild and calm while others are a bit more aggressive. It is important that you establish that you are the "alpha dog" yourself and that your pet is not. The wolf hybrid has a temperament that is inclined to be dominant, and is not a good choice for families with small children.

Many Wolf dogs also have a high level of energy, and get along well with other pets you may have in your home, particularly when properly socialized or even raised together from a young age. Because of various mixtures of genetic traits of the domestic dog used in breeding and the percentage of wolf in the mix, behavior patterns are less predictable as well. Many people believe that wolves as a whole are fierce, aggressive animals that will attack. However, the reality is that the wolf is more timid and shy toward human beings than most breeds of dogs.

Overall, the temperament of the wolf dog depends largely on how it is raised, trained and disciplined. There has been no conclusive evidence to prove that the Wolf dog hybrid is more dangerous to or aggressive toward people than other dog breeds which are considered a bit aggressive, such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. Most wolf dogs are fairly independent.

As a former wolf-dog owner, this writer can testify that my Ladywolf was one of the kindest, gentlest, and certainly the most intelligent of any of the dogs I have ever raised. She was 90% Alaskan Grey Timberwolf, and 100% pure magic. Our bond was deeper than any I have had with any “dog,” and she lived fifteen happy years.

Environment
What is the ideal environment for those who desire to own a wolf dog as a pet? If you are an apartment dweller, this is not an ideal situation for a dog that is frequently highly energetic and large in size. Your pet will need plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise in order to thrive and be happy.

Even if you have a larger home, you will want to let your pet stay outside a large part of the time, or even year-round as the Wolf dog hybrid does not conform well to being cooped up inside. A large fenced yard where your pet has plenty of room to roam and romp is ideal, or even a rural area with plenty of acreage for your pet to explore. Wolves love to have caves and tubes and perches to play on, so it is good if you put a little time and money into building a kind of “playhouse” in your yard.

Health
The Wolf dog hybrid is generally a very healthy animal, in fact healthier than most other dog breeds. They are generally less affected by inherited diseases such as hip dysplasia than most breeds. In fact, the wolf dog is usually healthier than either of its parents because of an outbreeding enhancement called heterosis, which simply means the increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring.

Grooming
Like most other aspects of the Wolf dog hybrid, grooming needs depend greatly on what breed of dog was crossed with the wolf or wolf dog. Generally speaking, brushing the coat about once a week will be sufficient. During shedding stages, brushing two to three times a week should be enough to remove loose hair and keep coat healthy.

Bathing is required only once or twice a year. Clip nails once or twice each month, and clean your pet's ears on a regular basis.

Special Considerations
Because a wolf dog has at least a percentage of wild, undomesticated animal in its makeup, some say that it is impossible to predict whether your pet will be docile or aggressive. Additionally, some states in the U.S. do not permit hybrid ownership, so it is important that you check to be certain you can legally own a Wolf dog hybrid in your state or municipality if you are considering one as a pet.

It is of extreme importance that you train your Wolf dog hybrid puppy using positive reinforcement and give it firm rules, without ever being harsh. In my own experience, I found that shunning Ladywolf when she had misbehaved was very effective, as that is exactly what the pack would do with a wayward member.

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