I’ve been wondering, why is it more common to see people keeping wolf hybrids as pets, but not pure wolves? I don’t really get why there’s this difference in how they’re viewed.
I used to own wolf-dogs, but they never got above the MC level. I can’t imagine dealing with a HC or even owning a pure wolf. They’re unpredictable and can easily clear a six-foot kennel, like it’s nothing. The aloofness never really goes away. It’s better to have a more domesticated dog to keep things calm.
I think one reason people don’t keep pure wolves could be because they are considered inherently dangerous wild animals, even though they might look similar to domesticated pets (like a tiger doesn’t look like a house cat). Wolves have been getting less common too, though I think their numbers have been coming back recently. Also, with fur traders and backyard breeders involved, it’s a mess. I’m sure there are legal reasons behind it, but I think someone else here could give you a clearer explanation.
And those folks who claim they have a ‘98% timberwolf’ are probably just lying. They’re likely dealing with a husky, shepherd, or malamute mix with wolf-like fur that’s being passed off as a wolfdog. That misinformation just keeps going around.
A wolf hybrid is the first-generation offspring of a full wolf and a full domesticated dog. Once those hybrids breed with other dogs, they become wolfdogs. So, in a way, your wolf hybrid might actually have more wolf in it than a hybrid that’s been bred further out. I’ve seen wolf content go up to 93% in some of these animals.
They’re not legal everywhere. They aren’t in my state either.
There are several reasons for this:
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Wolfdogs are legal in a lot more places. In the US, they’re considered domestic dogs on a federal level, though the laws vary from state to state. But many places do allow them.
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Wolfdogs are generally easier to manage, though this really depends on the mix, how much wolf they have in them, and the individual dog’s temperament.
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There are just way more wolfdogs around in private hands. They’re easier to get than pure wolves or other exotic animals in general.
@Willow
In Iowa, I believe they have to be bred a few generations out, otherwise, they’re considered dangerous.