The wolfdog is the subject of much controversy in North America. It is also called the wolf hybrid. It is the product of crossing a wolf with a domestic dog, and this term is also used for the subsequent offspring of those hybrids.
People who do not support the breeding of wolfdogs argue that these exotic, controversial animals are hard to predict, dangerous and do not make good pets, in addition to there being no available rabies vaccines for wolves and their hybrids. Those who are pro-wolfdogs claim, however, that the wolf hybrid is an outstanding companion, and that people cant go back to being dog owners once theyve had a wolf hybrid.
Until lately wolf hybrids were rare, but they are now being increasingly bred in North America and several parts of Europe. The US shows the greatest numbers of wolf hybrids in the world, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1998. They estimate the population to be around 300,000, however there are some who claim the numbers go up to as high as 500,000.
Over the years the wolf hybrid has developed into a fad animal or pet. This occurs because of the media exposure increasing the popularity of wolves and their hybrids. The first generation hybrids were gray wolves crossed with wolf-like dogs, such as Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, or German Shepherds"the subsequent offspring looked exotic and appealed to owners looking for such.
Much of the controversy about wolf hybrids centers on its breed-specific legislation, meaning they debate about the animal's "perceived danger" and its categorization as protected native wildlife. These organizations consider wolf hybrids as wild animals (and therefore unsuitable as pets): The Humane Society of the United States, The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Ottawa Humane Society, The Dogs Trust and the Wolf Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Species Survival Commission. There are many European nations as well as many U.S. states and municipalities that disallow or outlaw the breeding, ownership and importation of wolf hybrids and others impose regulated ownership.
Because it is a hybrid, the wolfdog's physical characteristics when it is born are not predictable, much in the same way as mixed-dog breeds. This means that hybrids embody a wide variety of appearances. Others look like dogs without any wolf blood whatsoever, while others resemble full-blooded wolves!
Wolfdogs possess smaller heads than pure wolves. Their coats are not as dense and they have larger ears that are also pointier. Their fur markings are more distinctive, but not as smoothly blended.
Unlike pure dog breeds and their inherited diseases due to the thinning out of their gene pools, wolf hybrids are considered genetically healthy animals. Observations from the Soviet Union saw that high content hybrids have longer canine teeth than dogs of about the same size, rendering them able to bite through tough material like a knife through snow, says reports from the South African Defense Force. They have excellent senses of smell that rival even the most established scenthounds, and they possess better endurance during the hunt.
People who do not support the breeding of wolfdogs argue that these exotic, controversial animals are hard to predict, dangerous and do not make good pets, in addition to there being no available rabies vaccines for wolves and their hybrids. Those who are pro-wolfdogs claim, however, that the wolf hybrid is an outstanding companion, and that people cant go back to being dog owners once theyve had a wolf hybrid.
Until lately wolf hybrids were rare, but they are now being increasingly bred in North America and several parts of Europe. The US shows the greatest numbers of wolf hybrids in the world, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1998. They estimate the population to be around 300,000, however there are some who claim the numbers go up to as high as 500,000.
Over the years the wolf hybrid has developed into a fad animal or pet. This occurs because of the media exposure increasing the popularity of wolves and their hybrids. The first generation hybrids were gray wolves crossed with wolf-like dogs, such as Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, or German Shepherds"the subsequent offspring looked exotic and appealed to owners looking for such.
Much of the controversy about wolf hybrids centers on its breed-specific legislation, meaning they debate about the animal's "perceived danger" and its categorization as protected native wildlife. These organizations consider wolf hybrids as wild animals (and therefore unsuitable as pets): The Humane Society of the United States, The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Ottawa Humane Society, The Dogs Trust and the Wolf Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Species Survival Commission. There are many European nations as well as many U.S. states and municipalities that disallow or outlaw the breeding, ownership and importation of wolf hybrids and others impose regulated ownership.
Because it is a hybrid, the wolfdog's physical characteristics when it is born are not predictable, much in the same way as mixed-dog breeds. This means that hybrids embody a wide variety of appearances. Others look like dogs without any wolf blood whatsoever, while others resemble full-blooded wolves!
Wolfdogs possess smaller heads than pure wolves. Their coats are not as dense and they have larger ears that are also pointier. Their fur markings are more distinctive, but not as smoothly blended.
Unlike pure dog breeds and their inherited diseases due to the thinning out of their gene pools, wolf hybrids are considered genetically healthy animals. Observations from the Soviet Union saw that high content hybrids have longer canine teeth than dogs of about the same size, rendering them able to bite through tough material like a knife through snow, says reports from the South African Defense Force. They have excellent senses of smell that rival even the most established scenthounds, and they possess better endurance during the hunt.
About the Author:
Douglas Priestly is the writer of numerous Wolf Hybrid facts. To learn more of his works such as Wolf Hybrid puppies, Wolf Hybrid breeders or Wolf Hybrid rescue, just visit his website today.
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