How big do wolf hybrids get
Wolf-Dog Hybrids
Myths Regarding Wolf Hybrids
MYTH:A wolf hybrid will make a better guard dog.
FACT:Due to the shy nature of wolves, hybrids usually make poor protection dogs. Aggressive tendencies, if any, in the hybrid may be fear induced and as such, can be unpredictable and hard to control.
MYTH:A wolf hybrid will live longer than a dog.
FACT:The life span of a wolf in captivity is 12-14 years the same as a large domestic dog.
MYTH:Hybrids are healthier than dogs, and are less prone to disease.
FACT:Wolves and dogs are prone to the same infectious diseases. There may be some question as to the efficacy of standard dog vaccines in wolves and some hybrids.
MYTH:Huskies and malamutes are part wolf.
FACT:Huskies and malamutes are breeds of dogs, like any other.
Wolf Content in the Hybrid
Many breeders who deal in wolf hybrids promote the wolf content of the pups and even set their prices according to the amount of wolf blood in the litter. This is not based on sound biology or genetics.
When one breeds a dog with a wolf, the offspring will inherit a set of genes from each parent, and are indeed 50/50 that is, one-half dog and one-half wolf. However, when these animals are backcrossed with other wolves, dogs, or hybrids there is no way to calculate or manipulate which genes are passed to any individual offspring. Often breeders believe, for example, that a 50 x 50 hybrid backcrossed with a 100% wolf would yield an offspring that is 75% wolf. However, that would only be an AVERAGE amount of wolf in many backcrosses. Any INDIVIDUAL animal might inherit all the dog genes from the hybrid and be 50 x 50 both physically and behaviorally. Or conversely, any individual could be predominantly wolf, or any variation or combination in between. It is like throwing 50 blue marbles representing a male parent and 50 yellow marbles representing the female parent into a bag and randomly selecting the 50 marbles that will represent the DNA of one offspring. You dont know what you will get. The ideal result would be an individual that looks like a wolf, but behaves like a dog. Unfortunately, often one ends up with an animal that looks like a dog and has the perceived obstinate nature of a wolf.
There are genetic tests available. Those tests look at 3-4 genetic markers, depending on whether it is a male or female. According to the testing lab, what the test can tell the owner is whether there has been wild wolf DNA in that domestic dogs lineage in the past three generations. Others dont see the test as reliable yet, and what the analysis shows is that the DNA sample simply does not match any known domestic dog DNA on file. This all contributes to the uncertainty of how to determine what is a hybrid. People working with hybrids often look at several factors: physical appearance, and behavioral history to make an educated decision about whether an animal is a hybrid. The result is to label hybrid as low, medium, or high content wolf depending on the degree to which the animal looks and behaves like a wolf.
Wolf Dog Hybrid: The Honest Truth about Owning A Pet Wolf
Wolfdogs are loving, loyal creatures that will stay by your side no matter what. Hybrid wolf crosses get very attached to their owners.
Their loyalty is unmatched, and when they are adopted at a young age, their owner has the opportunity to form an intense bond with them and stick by you faithfully.
But you might be wondering what a wolf dog temperament is? Here are some behaviors you can expect from amid content wolf dog.
FRIENDLY
Wolf dog hybrids are generally friendly towards others but have been known to become aggressive when they feel threatened or in danger.
HIGHLY INTELLIGENT
Wolfdogs are very intelligent animals, and they should be treated as such! They enjoy mental stimulation and need to have tasks for them to do on a regular basis.
TIMID/SHY NATURE
Shy by nature, wolf dogs can be difficult to socialize. When wolf puppies are not socialized early in life, they can remain skittish to strangers all their lives. They need lots of outdoor time and human interaction in order to thrive socially.
NEEDS HIS FAMILY
Pet wolf-dog hybrids require the presence of their families and are uncomfortable when left alone. These types of dogs possess a pack mentality and thus require a fellow canine or consistent human companionship. Providing your wolf-dog with companionship is crucial in preventing him from feeling isolated.
SEPERATION ANXIETY
Unfortunately, Wolf pets have major separation anxiety. They willdestroy everything in a frantic panic when you leave them alone inside. It has helped having our other two dogs around when we leave Cruze alone. Since wolves communicate through touchpetting him also helps him feel less anxious.
DESTUCTIVE BEHAVIORS
Being considered wild animals, if wolf dog hybrids are left on their own for too long or neglected in any way, they will become destructive out of boredom or loneliness.
HIGH ENERGY
Wolfdogs have high energy and need to be provided with the right environment that is stimulating. They require a lot of exercise every day, because they can become destructive if they dont have enough mental stimulation.
6 Wolf-Dog Hybrid Breeds (with Pictures)
Dogs are the descendants of wolves and keep many of the same traits as their wild counterparts. When it comes to having a wolf-dog hybrid as a pet, you first and foremost need to make sure its legal in the state and area you live in. A wolf-dog hybrid is a breed that is a cross between a wolf and a domestic dog breed. The purebred breeds intentionally crossed with wolves include Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Akitas, German Shepherds, and more.
Its important to note that mixing a domestic dog breed with a wolf can end with the dog having a wide variety of instincts and temperaments. Even though its mated with a domestic dog, you cant breed all of the wildness out of a wolf-dog mix.
If trained and socialized right, the wolf-dog hybrid can make an excellent companion since they are often friendly, playful, and loving. As with any pet mixed with a wild animal, its best to be careful when adopting a hybrid. Well give you 6 wolf-dog hybrid breeds you might not have known about in the guide below.
The 6 Wolf-Dog Hybrid Breeds You May Not Know About
1. German Shepherd Wolf Hybrid
The German Shepherd wolf hybrid, also called the Wolf Shepherd, already resembles a wolf in appearance. This hybrid has pointy ears, a thick coat, a long face, and is quite large. Depending on the age, sex, and genetics, you can expect this breed to reach between 50 and 100 pounds and then top out at between 20 and 26 inches in height when your pet is full grown.
If you socialize and train this breed well, they can get along with other pets in the house. However, its still not recommended that you leave the Wolf Shepherd alone with smaller pets, such as rabbits, hamsters, and the like, as it does retain a lot of its prey drive from the wolf parent.
This is an extremely curious breed, so make sure your backyard is secure. You can socialize and train aggressiveness out of this hybrid and curb its desire to roam if you do so when the dog is a puppy.
2. Siberian Husky Wolf Mix
The Siberian Husky wolf mix is also called the Husky Wolf mix. As you might have guessed, this is a crossbreed between a Siberian Husky and a wolf. While this breed is considered quite shy, they also have a strong prey drive and a strong pack drive.
They make loyal, loving pets if they are trained and socialized right when they are puppies. The Husky Wolf has a strong pack mentality, and they show dominance over weaker dogs. This means it might not be best to adopt one of these dogs if you have young children, as these traits can make the dog unpredictable.
Its also not a good idea to have this breed in the same house with cats or other small animals since theyre likely to treat the animals as prey. The Husky Wolf is an extremely intelligent breed, so its going to need a lot of exercise, both mentally and physically, to be healthy and happy.
3. Akita Wolf Hybrid
The Akita Wolf hybrid is a crossbreed between a wolf and an Akita dog, which means it has a highly predatory and dominant nature. The Akita Wolf is highly intelligent, as most wolf breeds are, and they get bored fast and are always full of energy.
They arent easy to train and may be aggressive and challenge their pet parent when it comes to authority. They are also aggressive eaters and tend to be mean to other pets in the household. Because of their aggression, its best not to have this breed in a house with children, especially small ones.
4. Wolf Labrador Retriever Mix
The Wolf Labrador Retriever mix is, as it says, a crossbreed of a wolf and a Labrador Retriever. Since these animals have widely varying ways and personalities, its hard to determine what youll get with this crossbreed. They require extensive training and socialization to keep as pets, but the mix is more popular than other wolf-dog hybrids.
5. Great Dane Wolf Hybrid
A Great Dane Wolf Hybrid is a large, powerful, yet majestic creature. It has a shaggy tail, semi-pointed ears, and large jaws. Sadly, this dog isnt the best choice for someone who is a first-time dog owner. Their sheer size and uncertain temperament make them hard to train and control unless youre a seasoned pet owner.
This breed can be aggressive towards other dogs and wary of strangers. The dog is highly intelligent, but it might not ever fully trust you, and you can never fully trust it. Dont adopt one of these wolf-dog hybrids unless you can handle the dog and train it properly; even then, you have to be careful with it.
6. Alaskan Malamute Wolf Hybrid
The Alaskan Malamute Wolf hybrid is a cross between a timber wolf and an Alaskan Malamute. It is one of the oldest wolf-dog hybrids; they are playful, loving, sweet, and make great companions. However, this breed can be skittish and has been known to be very stubborn.
The Malamute Wolf has a loud bark and will destroy things if left alone for too many hours at a time. This is another hybrid that its best not to leave alone with small children and pets because of its intense prey drive.
Other Wolf-Dog Hybrids
Here are a few other wolf-dog hybrids that theres not as much information about:
- Pitbull Wolf
- Mastiff Wolf hybrid
- Australian Shepherd Wolf mix
- Chow Chow Wolf mix
- Doberman Wolf mix
- Golden Retriever Wolf hybrid
With any of these wolf-dog hybrids, its best to watch them around small pets and children.
Conclusion
There are quite a few wolf-dog hybrids to choose from. However, sometimes these dogs can be temperamental and have a high prey drive because of their wolf parents.
If youre considering purchasing or adopting a wolf-dog hybrid, you need to do your research well. Talk to any breeder youre considering to see what type of temperament the parents have and make sure never to leave the animals alone with the kids or small pets. While most of these wolf-dog hybrids are sweet, loving, and loyal, they still have the genes of a wolf and need to be watched carefully.
Featured Image Credit: Kris Dhondt, Pixabay
Wolf-Dog Hybrids
Myths Regarding Wolf Hybrids
MYTH:A wolf hybrid will make a better guard dog.
FACT:Due to the shy nature of wolves, hybrids usually make poor protection dogs. Aggressive tendencies, if any, in the hybrid may be fear induced and as such, can be unpredictable and hard to control.
MYTH:A wolf hybrid will live longer than a dog.
FACT:The life span of a wolf in captivity is 12-14 years the same as a large domestic dog.
MYTH:Hybrids are healthier than dogs, and are less prone to disease.
FACT:Wolves and dogs are prone to the same infectious diseases. There may be some question as to the efficacy of standard dog vaccines in wolves and some hybrids.
MYTH:Huskies and malamutes are part wolf.
FACT:Huskies and malamutes are breeds of dogs, like any other.
Wolf Content in the Hybrid
Many breeders who deal in wolf hybrids promote the wolf content of the pups and even set their prices according to the amount of wolf blood in the litter. This is not based on sound biology or genetics.
When one breeds a dog with a wolf, the offspring will inherit a set of genes from each parent, and are indeed 50/50 that is, one-half dog and one-half wolf. However, when these animals are backcrossed with other wolves, dogs, or hybrids there is no way to calculate or manipulate which genes are passed to any individual offspring. Often breeders believe, for example, that a 50 x 50 hybrid backcrossed with a 100% wolf would yield an offspring that is 75% wolf. However, that would only be an AVERAGE amount of wolf in many backcrosses. Any INDIVIDUAL animal might inherit all the dog genes from the hybrid and be 50 x 50 both physically and behaviorally. Or conversely, any individual could be predominantly wolf, or any variation or combination in between. It is like throwing 50 blue marbles representing a male parent and 50 yellow marbles representing the female parent into a bag and randomly selecting the 50 marbles that will represent the DNA of one offspring. You dont know what you will get. The ideal result would be an individual that looks like a wolf, but behaves like a dog. Unfortunately, often one ends up with an animal that looks like a dog and has the perceived obstinate nature of a wolf.
There are genetic tests available. Those tests look at 3-4 genetic markers, depending on whether it is a male or female. According to the testing lab, what the test can tell the owner is whether there has been wild wolf DNA in that domestic dogs lineage in the past three generations. Others dont see the test as reliable yet, and what the analysis shows is that the DNA sample simply does not match any known domestic dog DNA on file. This all contributes to the uncertainty of how to determine what is a hybrid. People working with hybrids often look at several factors: physical appearance, and behavioral history to make an educated decision about whether an animal is a hybrid. The result is to label hybrid as low, medium, or high content wolf depending on the degree to which the animal looks and behaves like a wolf.
