Is it true that wolf hybrid dogs are good pets?

Question

is it? everyone says that wolfdogs are loyal dogs if you raise them as a young puppy. is that really true? i dont want a dog thats gonna turn on me.

Answer 1

So far my Goliath is. He is wolf and Akita. he is 6 months old, I've had him since he was 3 months old. He is very good with the whole family and visitors. He is definitely different than any dog I ever had. He doesn't like to be left alone. He hangs out all the time with someone in the house. He behaves well at the dog Park but once he check things out he stays right close to me, If the Grandkids are with me then he goes where they go. Hope this helps!
P.S. He is very smart,He knows how to play Ya.

Answer 2

We have a Russian Timber Wolf, pure bred.
And he is a big pussycat.
Correction:
HUGE pussycat.

My sister takes care of rescued wolves and wolfdogs on my property.
As rescuers, we do not recomend a wolf as a pet. As much enjoyment as we get from them, they are best suited, happier, and healthier in the wild.
Same as we recomened for deer, racoons, eagles, pumas...
Wolfdogs depends on the breed of their other half. (And we've seen some weird mixes!)

First thing: every wolf, dog, whatever is going to have his own personality. So, everything a say from here on end is "generally".

Thing to remember about wolves, and their younguns, may they be part dog or not, is that they are, instintively, a wild animal. They are not going to act like a dog.

Now this doesn't mean that they'll turn on you.

Quite the contrary: wolves and wolfdogs are ammazingly loyal and protective of their pack.

But that's what your family will be: his pack!

He'll raise your kids same as he would look after the pack's cubs. Sometimes that means groaning while your toddler swings on his ears. Sometimes it means a growl and a snapping of teath when said toddler goes too far. NOTE: snap teath, not bite. He will not hurt his pack, but he may dish out a little disciplin.
He won't get along with newcomers right away, making sure that they understand that HE is supior. Like the pack, new comers start on the bottom rung. Younger they are, the more likely the wolf will feel big brotherly. The older the newcomer, the more likely the wolf will feel the need to put him in his place. Since the wolf sees his human family (ane possibly other family pets) as his pack, it won't matter if the new comer is dog, cat, human, or guinee pig.
And, if you bring the wolf into the family in midlife, he will act like a loner wolf trying to establish dominence in the pack.

These critters need a lot of attention, a lot of room, and a lot of understanding.
Just remember that a wolf and a wolfdog IS NOT a dog!

Luck to you.

The Chronicler

Reading other responses I feel the need to point out that wolves nor wolfdogs do not attack children.
There are a few cases, very few when compared to other animal attacks/instances, of when a wolf has hurt or, yes, even killed a child. And only one out of the seventysome odd such cases that have passed through our gates have been an attack.
The others were all sad, yet innocent, accidents.
A wolf doesn't always understand that we aren't as tough as they are, that we don't move like they do, we don't have their instincts nor reactions. They make mistakes, misjudge a jump.
A fine example was our third wolfdog. She jumped after a frisbee same time a child did from another direction. Instead of catching the frisbee, she caught the child's face. it was a horrible accident. The child needed a lot of stiches and a few days in the hospital. And the entire time the wolfdog cried; all day and all night. Whent he child returned home, the wolf dragged herself across the floor to the child's feet and rolled over, exposing her neck, begging forgiveness.
These are not viciouse animals and it is ignorant to say that they are.
What they are is not suited for the life of a poodle or, even, a german shepard.
Again wolves, wolfdogs are not dogs!

Answer 3

Wolfdogs are not usually pets. Some will be happy to walk on a leash, learn tricks, and hang out with you on the couch. Others retain too many wild traits to really be considered a 'pet'. You become a caretaker of a wolfdog, not an owner.

Wolfdogs usually require a specially fenced yard. Your fence needs to be unbreakable and undiggable, and at least six feet tal. Ideally, it's fully enclosed, meaning there's also a 'top' to the yard you let them run. You need to be ready to have more than one dog, as these are pack animals. Also, from day one, you MUST do firm and consistant training and socialization. This means taking your dog out almost every single day.

Most wolfdogs howl like wolves. It's a very beautiful sound, until everyone within a square mile is awakened by it at three in the morning and starts calling you to complain.

And of course, this is on top of making sure owning a wolfdog is legal in your area. In many places, it's not.

Answer 4

I had two wolf hybrids...one was an excellent dog, the other was a bit psycho...she had pups though, the pyscho one, and we have one of those pups...but since he is only a 1/3 wolf, he is a great dog. Protective, loyal, sweet...just a darn good dog. Someone said Shephers or Akitas...why not a shep/akita mix? hehe I have one of those...very good dog as well. Mix dogs are the best...a good ol' mutt is the best way to go!

Answer 5

They can be very loyal pets, but there is a higher risk of their natural aggression coming out later for no apparent reason. It's not a good idea to have a hybrid wolf as a pet in a populated area. If you live on a farm, that's a different story...

Answer 6

The wolf hybrids are just that half wolf. They need a owner that can train them and retain them well in a suitable kennel. Remember most wolf hybrids can still revert to their wild side and attack and kill other dogs and cats. If not trained any living thing that moves quickly around them may become prey. This is instinct and natural behavior.
If you are a home owner and your insurance co. finds out you own a hybrid wolf, you may be canceled. Even if you rent you may have problems with your neighbors. They are very hard to contain.

Answer 7

I know in certain places wolves are not allowed to be domestic pets because of the chance they will "turn" or act "wild." I'm sure this varies place to place - you should check your local laws. Even a half wolf pup is still a wolf, so you might want to check with your local municipal building to ask about the laws.

Answer 8

I don't understand why anyone would want a "wolf dog", other than as some sort of sad status symbol. From my point of view, these wonderful animals belong in the wild, not tied up in someone's back yard.

Why do people insist on forcing wild animals to live by their rules? Why can't you simply enjoy them in their own element?

Of course, what also amazes me is the number of people claiming that they have a dog that's "half wolf", or "pure timber wolf", and they base that claim on the way the dog looks, or what some moron selling them out of the back of a truck told them. In fact, these dogs are Malamute-, Shepherd-, or Siberian-mixes. No wolf at all, just something made up due to ignorance, greed, or misdirected insecurity.

In my experience, people who own actual wolf hybrids don't brag about it. They are very protective, and call them Malamute mixes.

Seriously, why can't people just go to a shelter, or find a responsible breeder, and get a dog, and leave the wolves as they are -- magnificent and wild?

Answer 9

I wouldn't get a wolf hybrid of I were you. I ask a person who owns one what its like, I've heard they can high maintance. But if you get one try get one with more husky or malamute in it. We used to have a chow and wolf mix he looked like a wolf but was gentle like dog.

Answer 10

Don't get a wolf. If you want loyalty, get an Akita or a German Shepherd.