(Note: the above is a picture of a wolf, not a wolfdog)
Wolfdogs
| The
wolfdog is a cross between a domestic dog a wolf or
Due to the bias and the myths that surround wolfdogs, if you wish to keep one as a companion, you will have many more duties placed upon you with the socialization and training of this dog than is normally necessary when one owns an average dog. Meaning that behaviors that your wolfdog will display that are normally considered acceptable behavior in the average dog, will be seen with harsher eyes. Your wolfdog will be required to act twice as well-behaved as your usual type of dog would. These duties are not only strongly suggested, but will be required for the wolfdog's safety, otherwise your pet could end up dead, merely due to the type of breed he is! breed!
Is a wolfdog the right pet for you? Will you have a lot of free time to deal with your new pet? A wolfdog will require much of your time and you will need to expend a lot of energy and devotion to properly socialize him. Bringing him into your family is one of the areas you will have to work very hard at. Wolfdogs have recent wolf inbred habits and a wolf is a very social, pack-orientated animal.
When you own a pet is it a part of your family and considered to be a lifetime companion? A wolfdog will bond very strongly with your family and this, to him, is forever! You will be seen by your wolfdog as part of his pack. It would be very difficult to bond him in another home after he has been with you and your family for a while. The availability in placements for a wolfdog into a new home is not at all the same as for other dogs. |
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Do you have the means to keep your wolfdog safe and contained?
Tying up or chaining a dog is never the answer to containment. This is the cause of many social problems, one of them being aggression. A wolfdog has the ability to jump great heights and they are skilled "diggers".
They grow very large physically and have a very high activity level! Another thing to take into consideration is whether or not your city or county will allow you to put up the type of fencing that will be needed to safely contain your wolfdog. Some places will not allow you to build a fence that is more than six feet in height. Check into this before going out and getting a wolfdog, otherwise you will have an unsolvable problem on your hands!
You must also check whether or not you will be allowed to have a wolfdog in the area you reside in!
Do you have or can you obtain the experience necessary for training your wolfdog?
You will absolutely need to have control of your your dog, as he could weigh as much as one hundred pounds! Wolfdogs are shy by nature, so socialization must start when they are small puppies and carry on throughout their entire life!
Are you under the false impression that a wolfdog will make a good watchdog?
This is just not so. Wolfdogs are very shy by nature and they do not make good guard dogs at all!
Do you have young children and/or already have one or more small animals in your
home?
You should know that the larger breed of dogs think of small children as just another species! So if you have your mind made up to get a large dog, no matter what the breed, never leave young children alone with the animal without adult supervision!
Also, small animals such as guinea pigs or cats running loose may awaken the prey drive that is found in every dog.
Are you aware that your wolfdog will require a canine companion if you are not able to be
with him constantly?
Wolfdogs, just like wolves out in the wild, are each very social animals. If they are not provided with a companion, they inevitably will become bored, annoyed, frustrated and also destructive. They require the social interaction and friendship of another canine.
Will you have the available resources necessary to give the proper care to an animal that is of wolf inheritance?
Wolfdogs have very different dietary and health maintainence requirements and it can be vary hard to find a vet that is knowledgable about wolfdogs.
Do you feel that you are a responsible enough person?
Another thing to consider is whether or not your intentions are right in wanting a wolfdog?
When obtaining a one of these animals, never have it in your mind that if it's not working out, you can just I can put him in a rescue facility or adoption shelter. This is very wrong! All of the wolfdog rescue facilities (which are far and few between) are full, and folks who do wolfdog rescue for a living are actually being taxed right now! Trying to place these animals in suitable homes is a whole different matter than placing a regular dog.
If you decide you really want a wolfdog for your pet, this should be a lifetime commitment. If your life circumstances should change and you feel that the wolfdog cannot be part of your family any longer, you may have to have the animal euthanized.
Unfortunately, our society thinks it acceptable to drop their unwanted pets off at a shelter hoping these animals pets will find another home. Remember, this will not be an option for you. These agencies don't adopt wolfdogs out, they euthanize them!
Nothing has been included in this section about feeding and subjects pertaining to a wolfdog's care but you can find information on these subjects on the worldwide web.
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