How long do wolf dog hybrids live
Everything You Need to Know About Wolf-DogHybrids
Growing up, I must have read Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George 100 times. I set my single-minded obsession on these majestic canines, as I was wont to do with various things over the years. But my reverence for wolves didnt really wane like other fleeting fascinations, and so I dreamed that one day I might be fortunate enough to have a wolf-dog hybrid.
Fast-forward to last year, when my husband and l decided to bring a dog into the fold of our family. With the help of our two ever-fickle children under the age of 6, we pored over pictures from rescues until we found a face that spoke to us: a white German shepherd, then named Tyson.
At 8 months old and around 65 pounds, the dog we now know and love as Jaws was obviously a large breed. At his first vet visit, we were told he was underweight and needed to pack on some pounds. Problem solved! At just over a year now, Jaws has filled out to 100 pounds and is still growing.
And every single time we go out in public with him, we get asked the same question: Is he part wolf?
While weve always answered no, the truth is at first we werent so sure ourselves. I felt fairly confident that he was, in fact, simply a white German shepherd but there was no denying this dog had a distinctive appearance. His light amber eye color, which is considered a fault in the GSD pedigree, seems to be the factor that throws people off the most.
So, naturally, we did some research. It was extremely enlightening, leading us to the conclusion that Jaws is not a hybrid we think (more info below on why its nearly impossible to say that with all certainty). But for anyone wondering whether a wolf-dog hybrid is right for them or whether the dog they just adopted may be one, there are some serious considerations that should be made.
What is a wolf-dog hybrid?
Yes, it is essentially exactly what it sounds like a wolf-dog hybrid is an animal that is part wolf and part domestic dog, with German shepherds, Alaskan malamutes or Siberian huskies being the domestic dog breeds typically being crossed. Since wolves and dogs are interfertile, the result of their breeding is viable offspring.
According to the International Wolf Center, though, such hybrids rarely occur in the wild due to the highly territorial nature of wolves. Also of note is that since modern domestic dogs descended from wolves, technically all dogs have wolf heritage. To be clear, a wolf-dog hybrid is defined as an animal with a pure wolf ancestor within the last five generations.
What kind of temperament do wolf-dog hybrids have?
As explained by Wolf Park, a highly respected not-for-profit, It is very hard to write about wolf hybrids, because there really are no absolutes. Because the wolf content in a hybrid is difficult to determine, temperaments can range greatly. To determine how much content a wolf-dog hybrid has, one must rely on phenotyping which basically amounts to an educated guess derived from the creatures physical and behavioral traits. Fun fact: Wolf-dogs from the same litter can act and look entirely differently, with some taking on the characteristics of a dog and others a wolf.
Low- and even mid-content wolf-dogs can be as easy to train as a standard domestic dog. However, the higher the wolf content in the hybrid, the more wild the animal is and therefore harder to handle. Since wolves are naturally timid around and mistrusting of humans, so are high content wolf-dogs. High content wolf-dogs are very wary of people, while low- and mid-content wolf-dogs may be more indiscriminately friendly like northern dog breeds such as the malamute.
Wolf-dog hybrids are powerful animals, which can be more territorial, predatory and aggressive than your average dog. At 14 or more years expectancy, they can also have longer life spans than your typical large-breed dog. They must be socialized early and with great care, and if they dont get enough physical and mental stimulation, they can become quite destructive. They tend to be mouthy and will chew on anything and everything if left to their own devices. Wolf-dog hybrids are agile and often cant be contained by a standard fence.
In short, wolf-dog hybrids are complex creatures. One wolf-dog hybrid could potentially turn out to be a perfectly docile pet (although thats very unlikely with a high content), while another could be unwieldy and aloof. Generally speaking, they are not for first-time dog owners or for the faint of heart. They need a strong handler who is patient and well aware of the unique challenges of owning such an animal.
What are some of the physical markers of wolf-dog hybrids?
Again, since wolf-dog hybrids can exhibit physical characteristics of either dog or wolf, there are few categorical answers here there is no single trait that can help you conclusively tell if your dog is a wolf hybrid. There are some comparisons that can be helpful in determining if a dog is a wolf hybrid.
Wolf-dog hybrids generally have longer legs and much larger feet than a domestic dog. Their chests are narrow. A wolf-dog hybrids head is relatively large in proportion to its body, and its face markings are often more blended than a dogs. Ears are typically erect, rounded and furry, while the snout is long and pointed with a low forehead or little to no stop.
A wolf-dog hybrids eyes are usually light in color, ranging from amber to yellow. A wolf-dogs nose will be black, and its teeth may be longer and with a more pronounced curve than an average dog. It may have a thick ruff of fur around the neck and shoulder area, and its tail will often be straight and bushy with a black spot (the precaudal gland) on top of the tail base.
Is it legal to own a wolf-dog hybrid?
Regulation of ownership for wolf-dog hybrids varies by state, county and even city. Since roughly a dozen states have legislation regarding these animals, youll need to check with your local municipalities to see if owning a wolf-dog hybrid is even an option where you live. Regardless of whether it is legal, it remains one of the most controversial topics in the canine pet world expect further rules and regulations as the popularity of wolf-dog hybrids grows.
I want one; what now?
If you are dead set on getting a wolf-dog hybrid, the best thing you can do is educate yourself. Research, research, research is required with this animal. Many wolf-dog experts recommend spending time volunteering at a wolf-dog hybrid or wolf rescue to orient yourself to the unique nature of these creatures.
Again, early socialization is imperative. Specialized training will likely be necessary with high-content wolf-dog hybrids, which for the record may never be the giant snuggly and sociable dog youve been dreaming of. Wolf-dog hybrids require a secure space to run and exercise with a 7- or 8-foot fence at minimum they are consummate escape artists. They can be terribly tricky to housebreak. Also, a wolf-dog hybrid should never be left alone with a child due to their natural predatory instincts.
Should you decide to pursue ownership of a wolf-dog hybrid, its crucial to seek out a reputable breeder or preferably rescue organization. Misrepresentation runs amok in the wolf-dog hybrid world, with certain sellers claiming pups with no wolf content are high-content (and charging an arm and a leg for them).
Where can I learn more?
Wolf Park, the International Wolf Center and Howling Woods Farm are all fantastic resources for learning more about wolf-dog hybrids.
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.
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.
