Puma: What's the fear of wolf-dogs all about?
I own 3 of them! They are very loyal and have never caused me any trouble whatsoever. There was one incident where one of our wolf hybrids nearly killed the neighbor's Pit Bull. But the dog came onto our property so, It greatly changes the scenario.
I will admit that these dogs are extremely powerful! But at the same time, I find them to be no different than any other dog. They have a true fear and respect for humans (At least the ones I have do it). The person we bought the hybrids from called them "Tundra Shepherds". They are a German Shepherd-Wolf mix.
Photo Credit: Sonja & Roland/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by Kim
I think the fear is that these dogs are HALF wolves. Wolves are wild animals, and yes dogs descend from wolves, but the percentage of wolf in most breeds is very low. The breed that is closest to the wolf is the Alaskan Malamute. That wild instinct is more apt to come out with your dogs than it is for a DOMESTICATED dog.
Answer by SKITTLES
I had a chow/wolf mix dog when I was a kid and she was the best dog we ever owned. Very loyal and protective of all the kids, but loving and gentle. I have pictures of her taking care of some stray kittens.
Answer by chester drors
What's the fear?
You say "There was one incident where one of our wolf hybrids nearly killed the neighbor's Pit Bull"
I think that sums it up rather nicely...
Answer by littledel
People fear wolf-dogs because of the word wolf. I raised many of the fine animals and came to know them as very smart, strong, loyal, loving animals that loved and protected their family which included their owners. They are different than most dogs in they need to know where they stand in the rankings. You should always be the "top dog" to them. They are wonderful to be around but play rough so they are not for just anyone.
My kids would literally ride my hybrids like a horse, and these animals NEVER offered to harm my kids. But I raised them to know their place in the family. I don't have any more hybrids because the neighbors I had at the time were afraid of them, and one day, while we were gone my beautiful animals, were poisoned in their own pen. I never had the heart to get any more.
Answer by Abby_Normal
Just wanted to say there are records of wolf attacks in North America, just not fatal attacks.
Wolves are wild animals and are meant to be wild animals. If you do have wolves, you would agree.
Breeding them with domesticated dogs is just plain wrong.
Shame on "Tundra Shepherds" for breeding them.
Answer by Garnet
I had the most amazing experience at a friend's house. I had just taken her home and she asked me in. She wanted me to meet her 'dog'. He was a wolf-dog. Apparently, he bit several family members and she wanted him to get to know me. She let him in and he came flying over to me & put his head on my lap and looked up at me as if to say, 'aren't you going to pet me'? I played it cool & it almost drove him nuts.
He licked me and then went around the table and started pushing my hand with his nose. That finished me. I held him in my arms, petted and cuddled him. He licked me and whimpered. When my friend's husband came in he was shocked. He had never seen him 'fall in love with anyone before.'
I love wolves. They are the most misunderstood animal there is. They have been slaughtered almost to extinction. He must have picked up on my love for him. I believe he was a German Shepherd-Wolf mix, too. I use to hear him howl. When he heard the police and fire sirens he started. I haven't heard it in years. I have a feeling he has gone to doggy heaven.
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Answer by rebecca m
The only problem I see with them is that they are at a higher risk for health issues. My Aunt owns a malamute-wolf hybrid named Smokey who is the biggest, sweetest, dumb dog you will ever meet. He wouldn't hurt anything even if it was in his yard (he lives in the middle of about an acre of woods). The vet said that he had bad hip (the vet said he needed a hi8p replacement) problems already when he was only about 8 months old and some of his siblings died from health issues. They are sweet gorgeous dogs, I will agree but I don't think breeding them as a hybrid is worth all the pain they have to go through.
Answer by birdybrain50
My family owned one many years ago, and like you, we loved her and were quite amazed at her. She was smart, loyal, loving, and quite protective of us.
Most of the fear you see in people is purely uneducated fear of what they hear as a myth. Unfortunately, society has not learned to respect animals and only hears what they want to add to the prejudice of something they want to hate. I love dogs, but we found our wolf-hybrid was far smarter.
We did find, also, that there was quite a genetic difference; her body temperature averaged about a degree higher, and she had scent glands much like a deer and had quite an odor if frightened.
When people who are not educated about animals think of wolves, they picture the monster that would overpower and kill anything they want just for the pleasure of it. Obviously, they are not considering that man has killed far more wolves than wolves have killed people. The fear has the same root in myth and legend of an unnatural animal the same as the fear of snakes, for example.
Enjoy your wolves, and perhaps you can help to educate people and calm their fears.
Answer by heb218
My friend owns one and it's 120lbs + and growled at me when I first entered his home. Now he is fine with me, a total lap dog..lol… but people are very fearful of different breeds that have gotten a bad rep (pits, stuffies, Rotties, wolf hybrids) I personally think they are all wonderful animals, despite the breeds! It's just sad that the media only talks about the bad things that those breeds of dogs have done. we just need to work and prove that all dogs are loving and wonderful pets despite the breed, and end breed discrimination.
Answer by Strigidae
Read "Of Wolves and Men" by Barry Lopez.
We have several wolf/wolfdog rescues in Colorado. One rescue's animals got out and killed or maimed several dogs and livestock.
I've witnessed "well-socialized" (the owner's words, not mine) hybrids attack and kill their own hybrid kin.
One of YOUR hybrids attacked another dog, doesn't matter if it was defending its territory, your animal is now considered "vicious" in the eyes of the law and your neighborhood.
How you can logically assert they are "no different than any other dog." I find that very curious, unsettling, and plain uninformed on your part. Your hybrids are not "dogs" and never will be.
If you have kids I strongly advise you NEVER leave them alone with any of the hybrids (or any domestic dog, either). Considering you have three hybrids — one with a proven record of attack behavior, I strongly advise NO ADULT be alone with them. Not unless you keep a .45 in your belt.
Kelly C Thank you!
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