Wolf as pet? What issues would that present?

Question

What issued would I have to deal with if I would buy a wolf to keep as a pet? It's not something that I am considering seriously at this point, but I was curious because I remember having a friend in my childhood who had a pet wolf. It was very friendly, but when I think back, it acted mostly depressed and just slept all day. And it was only 3 years old.

So, those who know, please list any issues that you can think of that I would be presented with if I were to buy a wolf as a pet. Legal issues, domestication issues, behavioral issues, insurance issues; any and all input is welcome.

Thank you!

By the way, keep your answers focused on wolves, and not hybrids, and other wolf-like dogs. Thank you!

Answer 1

Terrible idea for most people. Dogs have had tens of thousands of years to be domesticated. Wolves haven't. They're 100% wild. Wolfdogs are even trickier- they're genetically torn between a desire to please man and an instinctual need to fear him.

Wolves are illegal to own in almost every state unless you have a special wildlife or education permit, or are running a sanctuary. An insurance company will not touch a property with a wolf or wolfdog on it.

They are near to impossible to housebreak. They cannot be housed alone- must have a dog or another wolf for companion- or they become neurotic. They dig through anything and can climb fences up to nine feet tall. Electric ground and top wires are needed. They howl. They may kill and eat smaller dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife on the property. They are terrified of strangers and may only bond to one or two humans. If not taken from the mother and bottle fed at the right age, wolves may never bond with humans and end up terribly fearful of people.

They are often reported by neighbors as nuisances or threats. They are occasionally turned loose by environmentalists or shot or poisoned by people who hate and fear wolves. They don't do well in public, where they will of course, attract a lot of attention.

When trying to keep one fails, the odds of rescue are slim to none. Most state and county adoption facilities will not take any animal suspected of wolf blood. Zoos don't want them and sanctuaries are full and have years long waiting lists. 99% of former pet wolves and wolfdogs are euthanized after they leave their first home.

Please don't risk the odds. Enjoy wolves from afar, in nature, where they belong! Get yourself a beautiful Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute and appreciate the beauty and intelligence of the wolf imparted into the dog.

KEEP WOLVES WILD!!!
http://www.missionwolf.com/
http://www.wolfhaven.org/

EDIT: I forgot to add that any negative press that comes from 'pet' wolves ends up being taken out on the wild ones. That's why so many government agencies are loathe to protect them. They believe all the PR about the 'big bad wolf.'

Answer 2

Question.
Why would you want a wolf as a pet, rather than a domestic dog? Because of its 'exotic' value?

Wolves as pets are incredibly varied. Some can take to home life just fine (particularly hybrids) but there are some with aggression or depression problems.
Wolves are not meant to be house dogs. You should have large amounts of enclosed land (at least 1/2 an acre), and the wolf should have a lot of enrichment for mental stimulation.
If you have small children or other dogs, definitely do not get a wolf. As I said, wolves are not meant to be house dogs. House dogs have been domesticated for generations- hundreds of years. Wolves have been wild, and their wild instincts will always take over when they are anything but content. A scared or sick wolf means a potentially dangerous animal.
If you really have your heart set on a wolf, I would suggest a wolf hybrid, and be careful of what the other half is. Go with a wolf/ Shepard mix, or Malamute. I wouldn't suggest a husky mix, which can amplify some of the less desirable traits.

Wolves need a lot of mental stimulation. If you want a dog that is going to pay quietly at home while you're at work, this is not the dog for you. Doggy day care is also out of the question. Wolves can make messes in the home, from ripping up furniture to chewing up table legs, etc, simply from boredom.

Really weigh your decision. As I said, there ARE good pet wolves out there. But you need to make sure that you make in informed decision. Talk to many wolf owners, talk to wolf rescue organizations. This is a serious decision, and you cannot just throw it out the door if the wolf doesn't suit your family.
Ask yourself why you really want a wolf, ask if you can be there for the animal in all instances, ask if you have the appropriate environment in which to raise a wolf.
Its good to see that you are not taking this decision lightly, and that you are obvious in tune to the other wolf you have been exposed to.
Good luck!
I hope I helped.

Answer 3

Wolves are not domesticated. They will act aggressively whenever they want to. Also, they become very depressed when kept as a regular dog.

The biggest problem comes when wolves are released back into the wild after being a pet. Most people can't handle wolves as pets, and so they dump them in the woods. Those wolves have no fear of humans, and those are the ones that you get attacking cattle, etc. near houses.

Answer 4

A REAL wolf?

1. It's illegal, they're protected species in the USA. Canada might be different.

2. You'd need a rehabbers license to handle and kennel one, which isn't easy to get since the state licenses you for specific animals and birds.

3. It wouldn't be allowed into contact with other humans unless used for education purposes, and your insurance liability will be sky high.

4. You can't just give it to a zoo when you can't handle it or loose interest. Zoos don't take 'pets' regardless of what wild species they are.

5. To be mentally as alert as possible, and happy, a wolf needs to socialize in his pack, which means more wolves not dogs or humans as substitute pack members.

Answer 5

Legal issues will depend on where you live. There are going to be permit issues and you usually have to register with agencies. They will have certain requirements for appropriate and safe housing.

They can't be domesticated like dogs can be so you are going to have issues with training, especially as puberty sets in. They react like wolves, so you would need to know how to deal with that. Training them is different than training a dog so you have to know the differences to keep yourself and the wolf safe.

The insurance would be a separate issue and it can be expensive and hard to get. In addition, you need to speak with your home owner's insurance because they might decide not to carry you if they find out about a wolf on your property. (They can even be picky about dog breeds!)

Answer 6

Our neighbors had one... he was so sad! They had to build a pipe fence (like you'd keep horses behind) and electrify it to keep him in, as he was jumping their chainlink and roaming the neighborhood. He seemed a bit happier when they bought a pair of chihuahuas (since they're pack animals, and all) and when the chi's had pups, he'd lie in the sun and let the babies crawl all over him, chew his ears, everything. Sometime when the pups were small they adopted a medium sized white mutt too, and he seemed to fit in well until after they sold the puppies. They were taking the white mutt to the vet and had him on a leash headed out the front door, wolf charged him and killed him, then turned on his owners (they never spent ANY time with him). He had to be shot, as he really meant business.

They're wild animals, I think it's rather cruel to try to make a pet out of one. The local exotic sanctuary has a couple dozen who were pets once upon a time, and though they've provided the best environment they can for them, it's still not great; wolves need miles and miles of territory to free roam to be happy, as well as pack structure.

Answer 7

We got a rescue dog, and this is what we made for her: 2 cups cooked brown or white rice 1/2 cup peas 1/4 cup boiled and mashed sweet potato (optional) 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth 1/4 lb. boiled and shredded chicken Cook it all up and mix it really well in a glass dish. The mixture should have a pureed texture. If she refuses it at first, put her in a separate room with the dish and walk away because she may feel uncomfortable eating in front of you. Mixing this "bland" diet for her will entice her to eat more often more so than dry dog food, and it's very inexpensive (and better for her than the bagged stuff). If you're not all about mixing up a special meal for her, just pour some broth over her food and see how she does. Bacon grease is also great for dogs in small quantities as an occasional treat over top of their food. Depending on how often she ate in her previous home, she may need to work her appetite back up. Enticing her to eat with some broth or grease will help her fill up more often, and eventually feel hungry more often. Best of luck :D

Answer 8

Aside from the fact that it is illegal...

They are not domesticated. They are not friendly. They are high-strung and high-stress, as well as pack-oriented. A wolf without a wolf pack can quickly move into "neurotic" which can exhibit itself either as aggression (lashing out at everything) or depression (complete withdrawal from everything).

There is absolutely NO reason to consider having a wolf as a pet, other than for personal gratification and personal ego/power. And that is NOT a good enough reason to subject a wild animal to your whim "just because you want to."

Answer 9

I have an acquaintance who is a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in wolves. The best advice I could get from her is don't do it, as you have already seen in other answers.

She even speaks some wolf sign language and knows when enough is enough. That does not take long most times. They are beautiful, wild animals and should be left that way.

Answer 10

wolves are wild animals.please do your research before you purchase a wild animal.be sure to check with your state,dem.forestry and wildlife division.if you are caught with a wild animal and you have no license from your state the animal will be confiscated.also there are many vets who will not even look after a wild animal because they are not qualified.keeping a wild animal is a huge commitment and a huge responsibility.you will also need to prove liability insurance for a non domestic canine.hope this helps.good luck cc p.s. if you get caught without a license housing a wild animal you will be prosecuted.know your state laws.
this also applies to hybreds 1/2 and 1/2 's.