forum Owning wolf-dogs

Started February 07, 2020 by @Oakiin

tune

Any questions? I have a very low-content wolf hybrid, and have done a TON of research on hybrids.

WOLF DOGES?! That sounds awesome! I remember something about wolves being gigantic, so does that mean wolf dogs are generally larger than other breeds? What are some of the major traits within hybrids?

Yes, high-content hybrids can be enormous! It does depend on what they're a mix of, but a 50-75% wolf will be quite large. not just in height, they will just take up space. They have a very powerful presence.
That being said, hybrids are a pain in the butt, and MORE than a handful. Even mine, who's less than 25%, is a lot to manage. Common traits of mid to high content hybrids are as follows:

• Wolves don't think the same way as dogs, and as such, are very hard to train the same way. For example, if you point your finger, dogs will naturally want to investigate what you're pointing at. Wolves won't do this. Another example would be my dog. Normally, if a dog is jumping on you you just keep turning your back on them, and they get the message. Mine will actually jump up even if my back is turned. I have to leave the room entirely every time she jumps in order to get the message across.
• Wolves like to lick each other's teeth as a form of being friendly, so a wolf-dog may try to do that. If you pull away, they may grab your face with their teeth to keep you there. They are mouthy, and need LOTS to chew on, or they will turn to you, your clothes, or furniture.
• They bond INCREDIBLY closely with their people, but you could easily say too closely. They can become overprotective to the point of extreme aggression. They can aggress towards people other dogs, pretty much anything.
• They have a tremendous prey drive, so aren't safe around little kids, small dogs, cats and other creatures, and you'll never be able to let one off leash. They can escape most pens, and need a tall, no-jump fence to keep them in one spot. THey also have a lot of "roam" in them, so that's something to keep an eye on!
• They are more energetic than most working dogs, and need a ton of exercise. Even then, they're still going to act crazy, and will most likely rip your house to shreds
• They look totally different. They have huge paws, fur thicker than you would believe possible, and their faces, unlike dogs, are flat, from forehead to nose tip. Just for comparison
• here is a high-content hybrid: https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/52c2efce-cc47-441e-8278-606395456ebf/d8ik41x-88b6bd68-069c-4232-8ba0-08e21b7f7f28.jpg/v1/fill/w_1024,h_650,q_75,strp/loki_a_high_content_wolfdog_aka_wolf_hybrid_by_cindy23323-d8ik41x.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl0sIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi81MmMyZWZjZS1jYzQ3LTQ0MWUtODI3OC02MDYzOTU0NTZlYmYvZDhpazQxeC04OGI2YmQ2OC0wNjljLTQyMzItOGJhMC0wOGUyMWI3ZjdmMjguanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEwMjQiLCJoZWlnaHQiOiI8PTY1MCJ9XV19.VJp9uDpmfxVqjdiUvcGjfMcdqgPg6PIGMYET5n_ZSSM
• Here is a full wolf: https://www.thenewstribune.com/outdoors/pa5ssn/picture125682664/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1140/wolf
  They're super similar! And lastly, look at a husky/german shepherd mix, two breeds that are much closer to wolves than most: https://animalso.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/husky-german-shepherd-mix_6.jpg
  Notice the bigger ears, curly tail,thinne, more distinctly patterned fur and thin legs and paws.. The face is chiseled, and the head is carried high, vs level with the shoulders. The ears are close together, and everything is smaller.

Most high content wolf-dogs end up getting put down before the age of three because they are so wild. They're not domesticated, and need to be treated with a lot of respect.
That being said, hybrids can be loving and sweet and friendly too. With the right training, they can be as well behaved as the best dog. My sister knew one that was so well-behaved, it was allowed in the no-dogs library, and there's one at my workplace who, while being absolutely untrained whatsoever, is incredibly sweet and friendly.
So if you're a wolf expert, they might not be a bad option! They're just generally a sad case, because people want to own a wolf, and then they end up with a scared, unsocialized, crazy and aggressive wild animal that they can't control.
Hope that wasn't too much info!

That's really cool! One thing I have found with jumping dogs is that you can lightly knee them in the chest to knock them down, and they'll get the message. I accompany it with a firm "No!" and only knee them when they are standing up, paws on me so that they can fall down without hurting themselves. You especially don't want to knee them so hard they'll fall backward, and given that you have a wolf dog, that might mean a fight if you go that far.

yes, that's one good technique! I try to adhere to a 'no touch' method of training for my baby girl however, given that she was abused before I got her :/ The one thing she hates more than anything else is me leaving, so that usually does the trick! (Plus I'm not super strict about jumping xD She's usually pretty gentle when she does xD)
Thanks!