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Wolves are better. They have their own kind of living. Huskies do only what the people want that they do.


Fieto

The two are completely different. To compare, or ask for someone to make a choice between them, is unfair to both animals.

Wolves don't even THINK like domestic dogs (their brains are 30% larger [which DOESN'T, incidentally, mean that domestic dogs are dumber!], and they are not genetically designed to bond with humans in the kind of relationship which is shared between domestic dogs and humans. The ancestors of domestic dogs were not even gray or timber wolves...most scientists firmly believe that it was some other canine species...and a smaller one than the wolf at that). And there hangs the problem with "wolf-dogs"...these hybrids are unpredictable and have the POTENTIAL, as any wolf biologist or true animal behaviorist and GOOD dog trainer will tell you. It's the foolishness of humans which takes a beautiful wild animal like a wolf, and crosses it with a domestic dog, because they have some strange need to bond with the wildness and beauty of the wolf. And they're setting themselves up for potential problems. I heard one wolf biologist tell me that crossing the two often brings out the very worst and most unpredictable traits of both animals...leading to an animal which is more dangerous than either (especially around domestic dogs).

Having said that, I think wolves are beautiful animals...which should be left ALONE by humans. Sure, it is a good thing that there are wolf preserves out in the world which allow us humans to get somewhat close and observe (and photograph) these incredible wild animals. And that there are efforts to reintroduce them (and stabilize them) in areas where they had previously been driven out completely (or killed off).

But a choice? I would NEVER sink to trying to own a wolf-dog hybrid. It's WRONG (sorry wolfgurly666, but my opinion is SET on that). I like Siberian Huskies, and find them to be beautiful and versatile domestic animals. And incidentally, Fieto, it is the willingness to work with humans which makes domestic dogs, like huskies, so wonderful and versatile. That hardly makes them worse than wolves. It makes them DIFFERENT. Ever since their distant WILD ancestors started hanging out on the fringes of Cro Magnon camps and villages, dogs have sought and maintained a symbiotic relationship with humans.

But if I were to choose a domestic dog breed which comes even closer to the wolf than the Siberian Husky...in APPEARANCE, I'd have to go with the Seppala Siberian Sled Dog, the direct predecessor (genetically) to the Siberian Husky, and the actual breed of dog used at the time of the Great Serum Run (which was called the "Siberian husky"...meaning the husky from Siberia. All dogs which worked on sled teams at the time, no matter their breed, were called "huskies"...). Take a look at this topic, and posts #3, 5 and 6 for information on the breed, and some pictures: http://baltosource.timduru.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=8646.

Well, being a furrie, I come to terms with my obsession with wolves, however, most hybrids don’t make to great of pets. Wolves in the wild fear people because humans are their only predators, but wolf hybrids are more dangerous than wild wolves because they don't fear humans...simply put, Wolf hybrids do not make good pets...People don’t seem to realize, no matter how small the amount of wolf blood in the animal, it will still have its feral instincts. They are particularly dangerous if you own more then one. They struggle for power, fighting to claim alpha titles. My suggestion xD stick with the Husky's, unless you are absolutely sure you can handle a wolf.

Huskies all the way!!!!!

Sink is sort of offenive their, it's is somewhat natural for that happen on it's own. I like wolves and dogs, wolves are on a tend you need to be more careful with them they can weigh 200 pounds, which is a lot and bit harder, and can really hurt if wanted too could easily break human bone at only 300 psi when their max is 1,200 psi. So around wolves you have to be more careful, then with dogs, and wolves generally need a bigger place to live, and wonder. If be 100 miles a day which will do but not normally. That is true their brain is 30% bigger which does make them in a sense smarter, because they can pretty much understand things and open locks being a first time seeing a lock, so wolves are somewhat naturally smarter. But a dog once called 9-11 to save it's owner that's a smart dog woot! I love both of them!^^

What I said was not meant to be cruel to those who own wolf-dogs. But real wolf-dogs are not like the cartoon Balto. As I've heard many trainers say, and read animal behaviorists write, wolf-dogs often develop the worst qualities of both animals...the strong wolf-pack mentality of the wild wolf (including a strong tendency to challenge the status quo), and the wild, skittish nature of the wolf (which leads to bite issues). And then the lack of fear of humans (as someone might have already said), from their domestic dog genetics. That can lead to a dangerous and unpredictable situation.

oOoO, gunna make me break out the big words xD.

"The wolf has had an influence on the culture, art, and lore of human societies since before historical times. A traditional fear of wolves is deeply ingrained in many cultures, where they are often regarded as fearsome predators, not only of wildlife but also of humans and livestock. Such perceptions have resulted in wolves being hunted to extinction in many parts of the world where they once were plentiful.

In American culture, the image of the "big, bad wolf" has been pervasive. This view has been changing over the past few decades as reports from naturalists studying both wild and captive wolves have dispelled many of the myths and misconceptions surrounding these animals.

Changing perceptions have resulted in an increased interest in wolves and things related to them. Chief among these has been the growing popularity of the wolf-dog hybrid, more commonly referred to as the wolf hybrid.

A wolf hybrid is the offspring of a breeding between a wolf (Canis lupus) and a dog (Canis familiaris). Breeding is possible since wolves and dogs are closely related genetically.

Though estimates vary, the current population of hybrids in the United States has been reported to be around 300,000. Growing interest in them has led to a proliferation in the number of wolf hybrid breeders, with many profiting from the breed's increasing popularity.

In addition, a small but energetic industry has sprung up around the animal. A number of publications, periodicals, and at least two registries are devoted to the breed. Several regional and national wolf hybrid organizations catering to breeders, owners, and enthusiasts have also become established.

As their numbers continue to increase, wolf hybrids have become the center of a growing controversy. A number of attacks on people--mostly children--have resulted in severe injuries and several deaths. Consequently, many people have begun to question whether such animals belong in their communities, or whether they should exist at all.

Despite growing attention, wolf hybrids remain largely misunderstood. Their poorly defined nature and lack of a stable identity have helped fuel the controversy surrounding them. "
(Robert A. Willems, DVM ;Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care)

lots more info on the wolf hybrid.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/newsletter ... 4wille.htm

Very good stuff, Deimos. I've seen that page before, and it helped form the conclusions I've stated about wolf-dog hybrids.

It's unfortunate. One CAN understand the desire of people to want to latch on to the wolf, and feel "the call of the wild". But those animals deserve to be FREE, left alone. They should not be tinkered with or crossbred with domestic dogs just so people can feel all touchy-feely about having a "wolf" in their midst. Their OWN "wolf". And after all, the wolf-dog is not a wolf really. It's a crossbreed. A "designer dog"...just an unstable one.

Attitudes about wild wolves have been changing a lot in our country. Though there are still some who hold onto the views of the wolf as a dangerous and unpredictable animal. Neither is true of them. They are magnificent, intelligent animals. And deserve to repopulate the areas of our country which they held long before we ever came here (or ANY humans, for that matter). They are faced with three distinct problems: the first is that of sports hunters (and "canned hunts" too...where yuppies are given the chance to hunt where the wild animal is controlled and cut off from any possible escape) and also farmers and livestock handlers...who despise them because they might occasionally attack livestock. The second are urban yuppies, and also teenagers and college-aged people who have this touchy-feely grassroots ideology about protecting the animals, and also getting close to them (thus disturbing their natural state). And third, the animal rights extremists, who's terroristic tactics do more damage to the protection of animals than any good.

well, xD I think we may have proved our point . *waits to see if someone posts "I WANT A WOLF" without reading what has already been said.*

ROFLMAO. I'm surprised more of the kids here, who apparently own "wolf-dogs", haven't come back with diatribes about how insensitive we are being, and how "wrong" we are.

But your are wrong about that, yes wolf-dogs are do seem to be more voilent, and wolves should be free yes, but it's ok to have a wolf, I will own a wolf or wolves rather mostly you have to buy them in pairs. My dad could tell why having a wolf isn't wrong in any way or being in anyway. It's alright to own a wolf I will tell you that, NO I Promise you that. There is nothing wrong with owning a wolf or wolves or wolf-dog or wolf-dogs it isn't wrong on any sort of level I will tell you that. I promise you that. I know it's wrong as you think it is wrong, well I know it isn't, I know.[/quote]

I Love Huskies and Wolves.Wolves have always been apart of my life just as much as Huskies have

Bearing on what you said, allow me to point you in the direction of a couple of noteworthy and important web sites:

http://www.dogsinaction.netfirms.com/Links/dogbreeds/wolf.shtml

http://www.wolfhaven.org/Think_Again_Main.htm

I have also talked with representatives at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and one of their law enforcement agents gave me this specific statement, word-for-word: "there are some very specific instances in which it is not illegal, in the U.S., to own a wolf. However, a person attempting to do so would need to check with the regulations of the fish and wildlife service of their particular state to determine whether or not it is legal there."

The obvious implication here is that, in the U.S., it is normally quite illegal to do so, except in some very specific instances, and that individual state laws apply even moreso depending upon where a person lives. And anyway, WHY oh WHY would you want to own a WOLF??? They're wild animals. They deserve to be left alone...FREE. That is their natural condition. Taking them into human surroundings is damaging to their wild nature, and their instinctual behavior patterns (to mention nothing of being risky). It's nothing more than human selfishness that would give someone the urge to possess a wild animal.

So, in short, Arcturus, the issue of wolf-dog hybrid ownership is tough enough (as the web site links I provided demonstrate). But WOLF ownership?? Bad idea. Totally. It should be left to professionals...who don't "own" them anyway.

Selfishness? Where'd you get that? I already know what it takes to own a wolf, that I already know, your belief that owning wolves is wrong is terrible. I will tell you know, it's not that the wolves feel trap or anything of the short, my dad owned wolves and he loved them very much, and I know they loved him, and many things that can't be said in words. Wolves aren't dangerous to own, if your a rightfull owner of the wolf or wolves rather, How bout this let your mind grasp it if can Baltoseppala, can you think of a 230 pound wolf in strength most likely a aphla if in the wild, with a female alpha about 200 pounds so far a bad idea? how bout then slightly hungry over two babies? For about two hours what is the out come? It's that they just are happy panting over them and sniffing them, right above the babies my sisters. You may think that is wrong, but Buck and Sabrina raised from my father, where not trained trained, but raised by him. They never hurt anyone once.

They never did anything wrong once, besides escape from home and walk around and return home without causing any harm to anyone. They aren't the hungry animal like animal at all, they know things they understand things. I'll tell you this a leesh doesn't work for a wolf or a choke colar. They know the grip is less by going the other way. They aren't that, they smart animals that understand. I know this is hard for any one to grasp and you Baltoseppala might be blasting my dad for his actions with wolves, he knows wolves, and he has a natural talent with them, my dad has something you can never have or even I. Wolves have something which you fail to see. Something you can never see, I don't think ever will, the bond between man and wolf. Do think wolves are just wild animals? That seems to be it.

I know theres nothing wrong and your terrible belief is wrong, I know theres nothing wrong, and it's not a bad idea, you might think me and my dad are crazy or careless or heartless to wolves, I will tell you know, you will never half what I have about wolves, I see things I understand things you don't. From your point wolves should be left alone, which to extent short of need. I know theres nothing wrong, and wolves can be owned, and I can't say the words to prove you wrong Baltoseppala, I don't. I know wolves are not a wild animal. They can have human contact, as an owner, I know what it takes to own wolves and I will get them, even if it cost 1,000,000 dollars, and moving to Alaska or Cannada or buying my own land I will go any distance for them, so is that truely greed?, I will give a arm or leg, this isn't out greed Baltoseppala and I will tell you that and nothing will be as true as that. I'm sorry your blind to this whole thing, I know your point, in every place, but I know mine, and I know what I say is true as you think. My Truth vs your belief. That's what this is. I know it's ok to own one and for me it isn't out of greed, who's greedy the one who says no you can never half and it's a bad idea, or the one who will do pretty much do anything for them. I love wolves, and I know I love wolves more then you. You may say if you really loved them, you would leave them be. That is not true, I will tell you that. Well for you the saying "A man has to beleive in something even if it's not true, if he beleives it, it's true." You might think this goes agaisnt me, and short of does and it just as while goes agaisnt you. I know and you think you know, and from your point you know and I don't know. But I beleive this to my heart and my soul.