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I respect people who can own a hybrid. My living situation now and in the immediate future will prevent me from owning any sort of long-living animal. And while part of me knows that I would give my right arm to have wolf-dog all to my self, part of me knows that I just don't have the will or the energy to devote to that sort of a high-maintainance animal. Certainly not as a first dog. If it requires more effort than a human child, it's probably not for me.

Dragon Tamer is 100% right.
Fully agreed, Dragon.

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Wolfdogs CAN be trained and wonderful, IF GIVEN TO THE RIGHT OWNER who has done their research and so and so on. But, what people don't understand is, they ARE dangerous. And, they can't sit in a cage or the house or the yard all day, doing nothing. Many people don't take their time to research this breed. After their done watching Balto, they want a wolfdog and expect it to be an awesome little pet. Well, unless you know what you are doing.. Know what you are getting yourself into, researched and talked to experts who did own these wolfdogs, have time for caring and are active and is willing to risk getting their wolfdog from a bad breeder with uncared for, untrained, and sick wolfdogs. And respects their instincts, and is strong enough for the wolfdog.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier, wow. Saying they would attack a person faster than a wolfdog. For one, that DEPENDS on the dog. Wolfdogs ARE PART WILD. Pit bulls are DOGS. . It depends on the dog, mainly though. End of story.





There is no such thing as a 'Worst breed for children'. It depends on the dog. ANY dog can be bad for kids. And, I know many dalmations who are lovely with kids. It's no breed best for kids, worst for kids, ect. There just isn't.



They don't make good pets, period.
As a companion, YES. These critters are, simply put, NOT FOR EVERYONE
These are unique, high-spirited animals who are intelligent, creative and demanding. These are not traits that most people, looking for a pet, are prepared to deal with.



Oh, and don't tell me otherwise, a person who spent her whole life working with dogs - researching, talking to dog breeders, experts - many many books, owned so many other dogs in the past, worked with wolfdogs, heck - most of my friends are groomers..handlers, experts, and vets. And, I even go on a dog site with so many groomers/handlers/breeders/experts.

Though, I respect your thoughts, but I just have to be honest. And give you the right info. Don't get me wrong, there is many wonderful wolfdogs, but for most people - wolfdogs shouldn't be the first to consider once looking for a PET.

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With that being said,

Amani-Werewolf - if you want to look at wolfdogs - There is many photos on google, yahoo, ect.
If you mean who comes on here that owns one - Well, I used to think my ol' (Stuborn, devil dog ) was a wolfdog until she was older. I doubt she's a wolfdog, but I have photos of her.

Though, I am sure you will get a quite a few people posting their wolfdogs, and such.
Also, Amani, I am sorry for posting a quite off-topic long post. I just thought it needed to be said.

Thank you

Don't worry hun, I agree with ya. I suppose that, given correct ownership etc. any animal could, in theory, make a good pet. I seen pictures of these African kids and they had a hyena for a pet. It was on a leash and everything. Now THAT'S hardcore, for real! However, a wolf-dog is hardly something you run out and get.

"Hey, honey, kids, I'd like you to meet the nearly wild animal that's going to be living with us for 13 years!"

It's like anything else, what is wise and good for some isn't wise or good for another. It's all about acertaining your needs and addressing them properly. Wolfdogs certainly aren't for everyone, but then again, dogs themseves aren't for everyone. I'm glad that you own several and that they are happy with you and you with them. I'd certainly love to make their acquaintence.

And, to be honest, I DID infact owned a wolfdog and worked with many, many, many. Aswell as helped in training.
Clearly, I don't own that wolfdog anymore, because he passed due to old age. He was SURELY not a great family dog, though he was well-trained, and I RESPECTED him as a wolfdog, part wild animal
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And, I am pretty sure that's because they know what their doing. Good for them.
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As I said, a wolfdog could make a wonderful companion, if given to the right person.


Clearly, there is many people who know nothing about wolfdogs, get a wolfdog without doing no research, goes to a bad breeder and yeah.



AGAIN - These are unique, high-spirited animals who are intelligent, creative and demanding. These are not traits that most people, looking for a pet, are prepared to deal with.

Many people looking for a PET. Wolfdogs are much more companions.
And personally, I think you are either getting companion and pet mixed up. YOUR wolfdogs may be well-trained, in good hands, and you may be strong enough to handle them. But, doesn't mean those people down the street who are looking for a family dog and is a first time dog-owner are going to be able to care for a wolfdog.

Really, saying ANY wolfdog.. mix breed, even DOG BREED, is good with kids is wrong. Because that is just saying they all are, which isn't true. It depends on the person, the animal, period. There may be a few wolfdogs that are good 'family dogs', but not all. Not even all golden retrievers(The dogs that are known to be family dogs) are great family pets, are good with kids.. And such. There is just no breed that makes good family pets - But there IS dogs/wolfdogs that ARE good family pets. Just not the whole breed.. type.. or whatever.

Now, can this stop? Wolfdogs simply aren't for anyone. And, personally, I just dont' agree with wolfdogs being seen as just pets.

It's the DOG part of the wolf hybrid that make it vicious; NOT the wolf part.




I'm not sure if you've ever owned a wolfdog before; but with a negative attitude like that, you really should never own one. As a wolfdog owner, I can confidently say that they make WONDERFUL pets, as long as you know what you're doing, of course.





Telling you otherwise is pretty much the point of a debate topic.




I agree; they wouldn't make a good first pet. It takes a responsible and very smart person to own one of these magnificent animals. But they DO make great pets for experienced pet owners.

My dog? IDK (he is a hound, though.)

=/ It doesn't matter if she looked evil, or if she looked kind and sweet. Looks doesn't matter.



Lol, too late. I owned and spent time with many. And negative attitude? Lol! I am just telling you how it is. You are most likely getting companion and pet mixed up.

Pet: "pet" is an animal that lives by human rules alone, and cuddles up in your lap when YOU want it to. A pet is solely reliant on us for food, play, training and love.
Companion: Companion implies there is a sense of equality in the relationship - friend, compatriot, comrade. Friends are accepted for who they are, and integrated into your life. You don't ignore your friends, chain them to a tree or abuse them.

Just think what you're saying. "Wolfdogs make WONDERFUL pets." Shouldn't that be more like "Wolfdogs make wonderful Companions."





Uh, No.
There is no part that makes the animal vicious. It depends on the animal.





I didn't say wolfdogs couldn't have loving homes. I said they weren't the best family pets for -most- people. Most people don't want to deal with intelligent, creative and demanding animals. And, many people aren't looking for that in pets. Most are looking for easy-to-train dog, laid back, that their children could even handle, cuddle bug who only needs to be a family pet - with no strong handler or very strong training. Wolfdogs -need- strong handlers, who are experienced and those who respects their wild behavior.

Now, my bad for saying they all don't make good family pets. I just don't really see them as 'pets' - but if someone who REALLY did know what they were doing and and is careful with socializing, training, etc. And understands and respects wolfdogs, then they may have a good family dog with them.

Well, I only spoke out of the facts I knew. I agree that the right kind of person can successfully handle most animals, but the sad truth is many people overestimate themselves and think they are right for the job when they are anything but. Also, they badly miscalculate the task they are placing themselves with. In many minds, the ideal wolf-dog has the appearance of a pure wolf and the mind of a pure dog. Unfortunately, according to a man I spoke to who runs a wolf sanctuary, such a combination doesn't exist. It is far more likely you will end up with a hybrid that looks like a dog and thinks its a wolf. Generally though, they are combinations, which makes them slightly unstable. For instance, dogs instinctively love humans. Wolves, by contrast, naturally fear us. Dogs are generally predisposed to live in a household with no more than two or three dogs, plus the occasional litter of puppies. Wolves, on the other hand, are dependent by nature on much larger packs. And while dogs are bred to depend on humans, wolves have an instinct to depend only on each other and avoid humans at all costs. This combination results in an animal that can be like a perpeptual teenager: they don't know who they are or what their place is in the world.

So to some extent, you are right. the most dangerous part of a hybrid, or any animal for that matter, is a lack of knowledge. But my advice for anyone who wants a wolf-dog: just get a malamute. According to my friend (the one who keeps wolves) the Eskimos cross-bred their dogs with wolves to make them stronger, resulting in the malamute. And to the best of my knowledge, unlike most hybrids, malamutes have an excellent track record overall. It may not be as much of a status symbol, but keeping an animal just to inflate your ego is a crime against the animal anyway.

I petted a hybrid be4 but I dont own one