Wolfdog Hybrids

[MiamiLeos]

This is somewhat of an odd post so bear with me...

I have been looking into Wolfdog hybrids on and off for a few years, just for the heck of it. I never really intended on purchasing one because I personally would never purchase any cat or dog when there are so many perfectly good pets in shelters being euthanized. Anyways, I have been looking to maybe add a kitty or two to my home which contains my two rescue dogs, Pit/Lab/Boxer mix Bronco, and Maltese Roxy (and of course the leos and balls lol). So I have been browsing the Animal Services website checking out the kittys and who could help but to look at the pups too. Well believe it or not, yes, there is a Wolfdog in the pound right now. I have emailed the shelter for more information on him but they will probably not get back to me until atleast tomorrow or Tuesday. The potential issues I see with adopting him are mostly related to his content percentage, which I am unaware of because I am unaware of his background. He looks to be atleast 50/50 though, but looks don't always matter. Something else I know about the hybrids is that they need a lot of exercise and physical outlet. I would have to take him for probably about an hour run in the morning and evening and likely a good walk in between. I am willing to do that. What I am not sure about is how the interaction will be between him and my 5.2lb Maltese, Roxy, who quite frankly, looks more like a bunny than a dog. I would plan to crate him while not home and at night because they can be very mischevious and destructive when left to their own devices. I have strong confidence in my abilities to judge canine/dog behavior. I have studied them endlessly. And although I have studied wolf behavior quite a bit more than the average person, I have not had as much experience with them as I have had with the domestic dog. They will put this beautiful animal to sleep, no doubt soon if someone doesn't come foreward to claim him. It just seems like such a waste. I guess what I'm looking for are opinions on the situation and any personal experiences with wolves or Wolfdogs. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Here is a link to his shelter page with a pic of him:
http://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=MIAD.A1353567

 

[Russ S]

While I can't help with advice about will hybrids, I would advise you to check local laws about keeping them. Laws can vary greatly from town to town, city to city.
Also, you should call the shelter/pound and talk to then about weather it has shown agression toward any of the other animals or the staff.
Good luck with him if you do decide to adopt him.

 

[MiamiLeos]

Thanks, I have looked at the laws and there is only restriction on housing full wolves or crosses that are indistinguishable from full wolves. I would consider him quite distinguishable, he has the "Indian face" that the northern breed dogs show when crossed to wolves, like a huskys face. I havent heard back from the shelter staff yet, weekend and all, but yes his temperment is my number one priority.

 

[Loui1203]

What a cool dog! If you don't get him i will!! (i'm in Boca lol)
If i were you i'd take your bunny/dog to the shelter and introduce them to eachother on nuetral territory and see how it goes. If there is no aggression i would adopt him and promptly name him Balto. hehe.
He is most likely really sweet, shelter dogs have to be otherwise they are immediatly put down.
Keep the updates coming!

 

[Hannibal]

We actually met a 2yr old wolf/shepherd mix last week at the dog park. What a gorgeous gorgeous dog, and super friendly. He got along with all the dogs at the park, large and small. It did seem to keep closer to it's owner than a lot of the other dogs, could be the shepherd in him. But there was no aggression what so ever. Probably like all dogs, just needs to have the proper training and a responsible owner who keeps up on the training/commands.

If you do get the pup, post tons of photos!

 

[tlbowling]

I'm no help but he's GORGEOUS!

 

[MiamiLeos]

Thank you for the comments everyone. I am always the kind of person to err on the safe side. I like to plan and have everything arranges so there will be little to no glitches in the future - I am more so like this with my pets, as they are the equivilant to my babies. I would like to go meet him and bring something with my other two dogs scent on it. I think I would rather observe him with several other dogs of various sizes and temperments before putting mine with him though, just well, you know, they're mine lol. Wolfdogs are serious business though and nothing to be taken lightly. In the pic he looks shy/submissive which is alright, just as long as he's not overly shy. Still trying to find out more info on him.

Another catch.. I'm moving out of my current residence in one week. Crappy timing!!!! I wonder if the shelter would hold him if I paid them or something until I moved. It would just be such a terrible waste to see him pts.

 

[JordanAng420]

Keep in mind that you live here in Miami, and it gets excruciatingly hot at any given time of the year. These dogs have multiple undercoats, need extensive grooming several times a week, and extensive excercise MUCH much more than an hour walk 3 times a day. This dog is really going to need and want a lot of space to fulfill some of his natural instincts as a "wolf". It's also going to need a TON of time and dedication from it's owner. His mind needs to be constantly stimulated. I'm not trying to dissuade you from getting this dog, but PLEASE really think about this...it's not the kind of dog you can stick in a crate whenever you want...

I think I would rather observe him with several other dogs of various sizes and temperments before putting mine with him

I think this is a fantasic idea.

Good luck if you decide to adopt him, give him the best home you can give him.

 

[MiamiLeos]

Well I went to the poind and saw him today. The picture does him no justice. AT ALL. I was prepared to take him home however the staff would not permit anyone without a class 2 to handle him, which is rediculous because class 2 clearly states that it is only needed for animals indistinguishable from wild animals, which he is not. Nonetheless, I spoke with the supervisor who told me that a rescue group will be taking him on Thursday. I suppose that's good.. I just hope they are a an exotic rescue, not just a dog/cat rescue. I'm deciding weather or not I should be upset over this. He was so very sweet.

 

[JordanAng420]

Well I went to the poind and saw him today. The picture does him no justice. AT ALL. I was prepared to take him home however the staff would not permit anyone without a class 2 to handle him, which is rediculous because class 2 clearly states that it is only needed for animals indistinguishable from wild animals, which he is not. Nonetheless, I spoke with the supervisor who told me that a rescue group will be taking him on Thursday. I suppose that's good.. I just hope they are a an exotic rescue, not just a dog/cat rescue. I'm deciding weather or not I should be upset over this. He was so very sweet.

Please don't be upset. In the back of my mind I was hoping that you would not adopt this animal....not because I think you can't handle it...but because it is truly a wild animal that needs experience from someone who has raised wild animals before....This poor dog has no chance here in Miami Florida....hopefully he'll get adopted out to someone who has the space for him and is not new to how wolf-hybrids need to be kept...


I applaud you for your compassion....i'm sorry this didn't work out, but eventually, the right dog will come along, I promise. :main_yes:

 

[rickmoss95]

i had a 98% wolf a few years ago. although he was raised by me as a pup, and was very tame and handleable, they are not dogs! his personallity and demeanor were totally different than a "normal" dog. he was around kids when i was there and did very well with them, but he was only tollerating them and not overly affectionate. i could deffinately see the wolf mentality in him. i had him for two years and he is now happily living in the country in a six acre fenced in area with a barn where he sleeps. they are not really an animal one should have without alot of experience with "wild" type animals and TONS of room for excersize...