...anyone here owned a wolf hybrid? ._.

Kazuko · August 2010

Apparently, I'm getting a wolf hybrid. My husband's mom got one, and when my husband mentioned me wanting a puppy, she offered the hybrid to us... so if all works out, I'll be getting my puppy. She's 4 months old, and according to Vincent's mom, she has amazing temperament. I trust her judgment, as she used to train and breed German shepherds, akita, and Australian shepherd. I'm kind of wary about getting her, but I think if I train her properly, and maintain the dominant role, all should be well. The pup's father is a domesticated timber wolf, weighing in at 175lbs, and the mother is either arctic or gray wolf mixed with husky, so the pup is approximately 75% wolf. So has anyone owned or spent time with wolf hybrids? Yes, I've already read up on laws regarding ownership, and all is well. Also, we'll be getting pictures of her soon. xD; We're brainstorming names now. I'm trying to convince Vincent of the name Kali (Kah-li), the Hindu goddess of Change.

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

Though it's been awhile, I have a couple years worth of hands on experience with them. The woman across the street from my grandmother owns/ed wolf hybrids(husky and malamute crosses), a few which I believe were too high of a percentage to be legal in California(for a fact she had an illegal F1, which produced most of her hybrids). I don't know how many she currently owns, it's been awhile since I've been down there, but she used to have around a dozen dogs(the majority being hybrids or huskies). I used to play with them, and walk them with her daughter on a regular basis. They are very powerful dogs, and I hope your new hybrid will be better trained than the ones my grandmother's neighbor has, because those dogs would tear down a wood fence just to get out, and then would cause massive amounts of damage(they killed livestock multiple times), but they were surprisingly good around most people. Get a good, strong leash just in case; one made specifically for large dogs. I used to help walk my grandmother's neighbor's dogs, because they would pull her daughter down the street, and without help they could easily run off if a second person wasn't there, but as I said these dogs had no real training. Regardless of training, these hybrids were always intense, and would get fixated on something very easily, whether we were in their fenced yard, or walking around the block. Once fixated it's hard to break their concentration, and that's when their power can become a problem. If you're still questioning yourself about owning one, and the laws in your area aren't a problem, then start considering your current pets, family, and home. Here are some things to consider: 1.A lot of hybrids will do very bad around small children and small animals, because they do retain most of their hunting instincts, and they will challenge leadership when they can. If you have small pets(cats, small dogs, rats, etc.), small children, or you are planning on children, then avoid a hybrid. A predictable domestic dog, that fits all of your needs would be much better for everyone and everything. Also, just because your hybrid is okay with an animal or person all through puppyhood, doesn't mean it won't change it mind as an adult. 2.Hybrids can be extremely destructive on a regular basis. Unlike a normal dog, which can easily be distracted, hybrids that retain wolf instincts will investigate everything. Because of their destructive tendencies, it's best to keep them in a large fenced area(dog run) or dog proofed yard. Never leave them inside when no one is home. Small kennels, or crates aren't recommended for hybrids, you could basically say they need an enclosure. 3. A lot of hybrids don't behave like domestic dogs, or at least display some wolf tendencies, so you will have to learn what each gesture and behavior means in order to prevent encouraging the bad, punishing the good, and causing volatile situations. 4. They require a lot more work than dogs, and ideally you should be interacting with the hybrid as a very young puppy. Owning something that retains wild instincts will take up almost as much time as raising a child. If you're not dedicated, and willing to bend your schedule, then a domestic dog would be a better choice. 5. They pretty much need daily exercise. Prepare to do a lot of walking, running, or a fair amount of backyard play. 6. They can be very resistant to most training, especially training designed for domestic dogs. I recommend a hybrid experienced trainer. Honestly, do not train them by yourself, and never assume you're doing it right. This is the area where my grandmother's neighbor failed early on. 7. Be prepared for the worst. Ask yourself what you would do if your hybrid got out, killed another animal, or bit a child. Could you afford the vet bills, doctor bills, fines, etc.? Would you be able to handle public opinion? My grandmother's neighbor paid hundreds, if not thousands each time there was a problem, and her reputation was often bad in the neighborhood, because of what her dogs did. 8. When you own a hybrid, you better have a lot of money set aside. That's all that comes off the top of my head at the moment. If I remember more, I'll let you know.

Over all, I'd personally suggest skipping this puppy. If you are legitimately interested in owning a hybrid, take some more time to learn about them, and then find a breeder that will let you interact with the puppy early on. I'd even suggest finding local owners or clubs so you can get some insight and hands on experience with multiple adult dogs, because there can be decent appearance and behavioral difference in each individual dog. Good luck.

Kazuko · August 2010

1. We have no other animals, and no children, nor do we plan on having children. I'm just not a baby person. xD; 2. This is one of my main concerns as we don't have a fenced yard, and we're renting this house for a couple years at most (military housing) 3. I'm fairly decent at body language, and my husband much more-so than me. 4. My husband's mother has had the puppy for about a month now. She says she has wonderful temperament, and this is coming from someone who is very well versed in dogs. 5. I'm a stay-at-home wife, so I have more than enough time to walk the dog. My main worry is that I'm 90lbs on a good day- I want to avoid having a powerful dog. 6. My husband will be doing much of the training, as he's had experience with large dominant, potentially unstable dogs. He and his mother trained German imports, sometimes from bad bloodlines (and thus, having very bad, unstable temperaments) for military and police use. 7 & 8. Money's really not an object anymore, which is really strange for me. I'm kinda worried about her getting out, as once again, we don't have a fenced yard. We're allowed to put up 4' fences about 10x8ft large, but we have to get everything cleared by the housing community and... such the like. I'd also be worried about ever letting the dog in the backyard without a lead as our neighbors have some rambunctious, loud dogs. If we get this dog, we'll be getting a very strong leash, with a prong collar. This goes without say for me. I really am not at all sure about getting this dog- thinking of being left alone with such a powerful breed for months at a time worries me, especially since this will be the first dog I've raised. ._.; But my husband's gun-ho about it, and once he has his mind set on something, I can't really get in his way.

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

I don't have any experience/knowledge about wolf hybrids, but I just wanted to say one thing. If you really aren't sure you want a hybrid, don't get one. That goes for any dog/animal. Based on what princesushi said, if you aren't completly devoted to this hybrid, it could turn out pretty bad. If you have any doubts about your safety or the safety of your family and friends, it may be best not to get a hybrid. Once again, I have no experience with these animals, so I really wouldn't know what to expect from one. I'm only saying this because that this applies to all dogs, and I, personally, would not want an animal I waqsn't 100% sure I could handle. If you do get one though, good luck!

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

1. That's good. lol, I'm not a baby person either. 2. A hybrid really should have lots of room. They aren't inside dogs, or apartment dogs, even with lots of exercise. Other than their destructive tendencies, which are a bother to their owners, it's not fair to a hybrid to expect it to be okay with living inside. They aren't domestic dogs, they are wild animals, and they need the room. It would be like putting an alligator in a bathtub, and expecting it to be happy, or locking a tiger in a bedroom, and expecting that to be enough. 3. I'd still recommend looking up the behaviors of wolves and wolf hybrids, because misreading their behaviors according to what a domestic dog would do is one of the biggest reasons why hybrids develop bad, or aggression behaviors. 4. Hybrids can be unpredictable, but if it's currently doing good, and has a decent temperament, then there is a chance it will be an okay companion, but as I said, they can change as adults. 5. A hybrid, particularly one that has husky in it could very well drag a 90lbs person down the street if something suddenly caught it's attention.They are so incredibly strong that's it's amazing. This is why I recommend spending time with adult dogs, so that you aren't surprised by what they can do when you get one. 6. Unstable domestic dogs from bad bloodlines are still domestic dogs, which have lost of lot of their wild instincts, and respond better to humans than wolves or wolf hybrids. Most hybrids will behave like wild animals completely, or to some extent, and thus a trainer experienced with training wolves, or hybrids will be able to assist you in achieving a manageable companion much better that the world's best police dog trainer. Another problem with hybrids is that some just aren't going to be trainable. Once again, don't assume you can train a hybrid, and don't assume your methods are right. Would you train a tiger by yourself, because you've had domestic cats? No. Seek a professional with hybrid experience. 7&8. Honestly, it sounds like a hybrid would be a very poor choice for your family, at least at the moment. If you want a pet that is going to be trainable and expected to stay inside a lot, don't get a wild animal. To sum everything up- This is what I'm getting: 1. You're inexperienced with dogs, and this will be your dog to raise. 2. You don't have a secure fenced yard, and you're nervous about putting anything in a fenced yard, because of the neighbors dogs. 3. You want a manageable pet that isn't going to over power you. These are the problems: 1. Hybrids should be looked at as wild animals, even though they are referred to as dogs. You should have experience before ever considering a wild animal. 2. Hybrids need lots of room. 3. Hybrids are big(some are gigantic), and extremely strong. Please consider a pet that is suitable for your family, not a dog that is convenient, because it's being offered to you. I don't mean to sound so discouraging, or blunt, but I just don't want you to get an animal that's not right for your family, and I don't want an animal to be put in a poor situation, due to improper housing and experience.

Kazuko · August 2010

xD I don't think I managed to portray it enough: I don't WANT a wolf hybrid. I'd prefer almost ANY other breed to this dog. The issue is convincing my HUSBAND as to why this is a bad choice. I've brought all these points up to him, and he still refuses to accept it. The only reason I haven't flat out said "Hell no." is because it's either this dog, or no dog, and sitting at home, alone, in a state where I know NO one, it gets lonely. ._.;

Alabama · August 2010

I'd still tell him "NO, not just no, but hell no" Because he's using the all or none to get his way. It's a dangerous situation for you, especially if you aren't sure of yourself and tell him it's "FUBAR" that he's willing to put you into a dangerous situation.

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

Yes, I have to agree with sushi and bama here. You should tell your husband that this dog would not be a good fit for you, and could be dangerous to you. You can always wait for another dog that suits your family better to come along.

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

I agree with Bama and iluvdogs, tell him up front that it's a bad idea, and that you don't want it. This dog is supposed to be for you, correct? Try to make him understand that you don't feel comfortable with owning a hybrid, since you will the the one around it most. If that fails, call his mother and tell her that you don't want the dog, but appreciate the offer. I understand that it can get lonely, but don't let loneliness cloud your judgment. In this case it probably would be better to have no dog, rather than the wrong dog. Why is it that this is the only dog that you could get? If it's a money, or an availability problem, there are lots of shelter dogs that need homes. Also, have you considered something small, like a rat or cat? A kitten can be a complete joy to raise, and it sounds like an indoor cat might be good for your requirements, assuming no one is allergic.

Garnet · August 2010

I owned a half wolf/chow mix for 11 years. His mother was full blooded chow and his dad was full blooded (wild) wolf. He was the best dog we ever had. His name was Homie. We got him when I was around 2. I could play with him from the age of 2 till the day he died and he was very protective of me. Only family and friends could get near me. If a stranger walked up he would kinda stand in front of me to my right and lower his head and start growling at them. lot's of people were afraid of him because he had wolf in him. Even LOOKED like a wolf. =D I'll post Pics if you want (I scanned the pictures I had on my dresser lol)

Kazuko · August 2010

I told him last night, and after a small spat and some crying on my part, he had me email a shiba/akita breeder last night. I'm not sure I like the breeder tho'. I got a reply this morning- they want $900 for pet-quality puppies, and didn't show any pictures of current/past litters, which was the only thing I asked for. I didn't even MENTION prices. It's a dog for me, yes, but he's the one who'll be paying for the dog, and for the food and vet bills and everything else because it seems I am perfectly incapable of finding a job. (Though not from lack of trying) He says if he doesn't like the dog's breed, he's going to absolutely detest the dog and hate it, and I'll be happy, but he'll be miserable because "it's kind of like asking me what kind of tumor I want. Do I want brain cancer, or do I want lung cancer?" He stated very clearly that he'd only go for a purebred because he just can't stand mutts. ._. He also stated that he doesn't want to pay for a purebred, because they're expensive. So. I was confused last night. xD Vincent hates any pet animals save for dogs and ferrets, and we aren't allowed to own exotic animals, such as ferrets, so that was kinda fail. Otherwise I would've happily brought my kitten and ferret with me from Arizona (those two are inseparable, and since I couldn't bring the ferret, I wasn't going to just bring the cat.) I think I made somewhat of a breakthrough though. This morning before he left for work/school, he came in and asked me what breed of dog I always saw myself growing up with- and when I replied "I've never seen myself as living with purebreds. Mutts are cheaper and generally look cooler." he got all quiet and then told me to start looking online for any dog I wanted, and that we'd go to the pound this weekend, probably Friday after his work/classes.

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

I'm glad you were able to make a break through, and at least now he is considering other dogs! Hopefully with a little bit of work, and searching, you'll be able to get yourself a lovable companion. If you ever have a bad feeling about a breeder, listen to it! You can find all sorts of articles, and checklists about what you should look expect a good breeder to say, and how they should act. Honestly, I think one of only notable problems that can be universal with mutts is that they are unpredictable, more so when they are pups. Most purebreds are predictable in personality, size, health problems, etc. With mutts, it can be a guessing game if you don't know the parents. Sometimes it can be easy to tell what they are, other times they can look like something they aren't. Just be cautious of any mutts that display the traits of dogs that wouldn't be a good choice for your family(like herding dogs). If it looks like a boarder collie mix, you might want to pass that dog. Also, you can get purebreds at the pound, or you could go to a breed specific rescue. Check your local paper as well. Out of my 3 purebred dogs, 2 came from the pound, and one was given to my family by a military family that could only take one dog with them(they did purchase her from a breeder though). Here, have a look at my pound puppies: <a href="http://virtualpups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=66138"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://virtualpups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=66138</a>; The pekingese is the one from the military family. In the past I've had other purebred Pomeranians, an American Eskimo, and a Lhasa Apso all come from the pound. I also volunteered in the local shelter, and though a lot of my time was in the cattery, I still browsed the kennels. So many purebreds end up there, and if you don't see one you like on your first visit, make sure to visit again in a few days or a week. Does your local shelter have a website or list on petfinder? If they do, it's a good way to browse some of the animals before even going to the shelter.

Kazuko · August 2010

Needing to give them plenty of exercise isn't a problem at all. I'm a stay at home wife, and I'd -love- a reason to get out of the house and explore my neighborhood. xD I'm also interested in taking up agility, so actually a collie might not be a bad choice. I've pet finder'd all the shelters nearby and I found a set of puppies that look adorable, and they're supposedly part aussie shepherd (although they look more like border collies or German shepherds to me, but what do I know xD) that make me happy. If they ARE part aussie, all the better since that was one breed Vincent's all over. The only breed specific rescue I've seemed to find is for pit bulls or great danes, and Vincent hates boxy-looking muzzles, and we can't own pitties here anyway. <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16656576"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">Here</a> are the puppies I'm currently looking at. They have an adoption fee of $85, which is less than 1/9th what the shiba would end up costing us. ._. If Vincent approves of how these puppies look, I think I'll be set unless the puppies end up being bad choices temperament-wise. It's likely Mark and Charlie are out of the picture from the get-go since Vincent hates dogs of that coloration. Yeah, the man's picky about the silliest things, I know.

dudey465 · August 2010

i love those pups kaz, my favorite pup is Zac he is beautiful, good luck and i hope vincent approves and the pups are fantasic temprements, keep us all updated on the pups : )

Kazuko · August 2010

Max and Zach are my favorites. xD I just realized that that shelter's over an hour and a half away from me though, so I think they're out of the question too. *facepalm* I'll just hope the local shelter has some puppies that they just haven't stuck on petfinder yet, I guess. xD

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

If you really want to pursue a herding class dog, then you'll need to get fencing approved. I grew up around livestock and horses, so we had lots of Queensland Heelers, and a few Australian Shepherds over quite a few years. I personally would never recommend trying to get them to be house/apartment dogs, because they can be destructive, and get really stressed out, but with lots of work, and a decent sized yard they can be okay urban dogs. You don't need collies or shepherds to do agility. Many dog breeds, including quite a few tiny toy breeds, do very well in agility. Any dog with a naturally high stamina or a will to please will do great. I own tiny pomeranians, and if my boys were the size of an Australian Shepherd, I'd be really worn out due to their energy. Poms also do very well in agility, because of their need to please, and high energy. I also used to have a Schipperke, and man was he insanely hyper. Those puppies are cute. I like Max. Due to the coloring on some of them, it does make me think Australian Shepard is in them somewhere, but you can never be sure with mutts, unless you know the parents. Your husband seems to have strong opinions. What are his favorite breeds?

Kazuko · August 2010

xD His favorite breeds are Akita, Shiba and Australian Shepherd. He said he likes the look of most of the spitz breeds, such as the Finnish Lapphund and Japanese Spitz. He hates small dogs passionately, with the exception of shibas. I had him okay with a Swedish Vallhund until we saw they went for 2k a pup on the low end. He wants all these fluffy, high energy working dogs. I don't think it's hit him yet that he no longer lives on a ranch. xD Some breeds he downright detests are min pins, schipperke (two of his aunts breed them), any boxy-muzzled dogs with short fur... He's also very picky about the coloring of the dog and- *facepalm* To give you a hint at how HARD he is to please, I literally listed almost every breed of dog on Virtualpups, and he said no to all but seven breeds, including akita, aussie, shiba, Japanese spitz, and Finnish Lapphund, and went from excuses like "I don't like their colors" to "They're ugly" to "They look too generic." Yeah, I showed him a Karelian bear dog, and he said he didn't want one because it looked "too much like a dog".

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

...because it looked "too much like a dog".

Wow, lol. Vallhunds are gorgeous, but they do have a very high price tag. I believe they are gaining popularly though, which has helped lower the price a little bit over the years. I love spitz breeds, large and small, but I favor pomeranians and chow chows, which are my 2nd and 3rd favorite dogs. A lot of spitz have the same strong, independent personality, just different sizes. Japanese spitz are small dogs too, and can be comparable in appearance to lots of small spitz like the American Eskimo and Pomeranian, which can be obtained easier in the U.S. A quick search tells me that Japanese Spitz should be 13 inches at the withers, which makes a standard sized Shiba comparable, if not larger. The AKC says American Eskimos range from 9-19 inches. Pomeranians tend to range about 7-12 inches at the withers. My bigger pom(Prince) is 13-14 inches at the withers, and my small pom(Darwin) is about 9-10 inches at the withers. <a href="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r26/PrinceSushi/Pets/Prince-1.png"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r26/PrinceSushi/Pets/Prince-1.png</a> Taken today. Prince is on the left, and Darwin is on the right. <a href="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r26/PrinceSushi/Pets/121_4367.png"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r26/PrinceSushi/Pets/121_4367.png</a> In a full, natural(uncut and unfluffed) coat. Maybe it's just me, but I think that if he was white you could easily mistake him for being an Eskie or Japanese Spitz. If you like Japanese Spitz, and can't find any local, or for cheap, then you might want to consider a larger pom or Eskie. I can't say much about how they compare to a Japanese Spitz in personality, because I've never been around a Japanese Spitz, but a lot of small spitz are similar in personality. The Eskie supposedly had Japanese Spitz introduced somewhere in it's history. Enough of my rambling. Of the dogs you listed, I actually think an Akita would make a good large house dog, assuming there are no conflicts with your home insurance, since they are often put on the dangerous breed list. Japanese Spitz and Shibas should work as house dogs too. I don't know anything about the requirements of Lapphunds, and Aussies should have a yard.

Kazuko · August 2010

After a couple hours of general D< from him, he's decided we're going shelter hunting Friday and Saturday, and I'm allowed to pick any puppy I want to as long as it's under 6months old. 8D So excited. He also said he's willing to drive anywhere up to 150 miles away to pick up a puppy for me. Any breed, mutt included.

RoyalRaccoon · August 2010

Before going, take some time to read articles on testing puppies/shelter dogs for behavioral problems, and be reasonable about breeds, because not all will work for your situation. If you see a mixed breed puppy, and it says it's part -insert breed-, but you don't know much about that breed, then you might want to go home and look up what that breed needs, because there is a chance that the puppy with inherit those behaviors and requirements. Never adopt a dog you are unsure of. Shelter puppies can also have some problems, so I'd recommended looking up signs to be cautious about. The last thing anyone should go through is adopting a sick puppy that develops parvo or distemper, because both can lead to death, and require you to wait months before getting a new dog. Most of the time these puppies are not adoptable for a long time while undergoing treatment, or they are euthanize, but some can slip through. Also, why can you only get a puppy? There are more adult dogs than puppies in shelters, and many of them can be great companions. Not to mention, it will be easier to test them, and know their size. It's up to you, because it's going to be your dogs, but I'd recommend not limiting yourself to just puppies, or you could miss out on some great dogs. Start with pups, and it you find nothing you like, then try looking at the adults. Good luck, and keep us posted!

iluvdogs111 · August 2010

I'm so glad that your husband agreed to let you try a different breed! Now, hopefully, you can get a dog that suits you better, and that you're more comfortable with. Personally, I like mutts. If you do get one though, it may be best to get a mixed breed in which you know at least one of the breeds in it so you know what to expect. It seems like most of your husbands opinions had to do with the looks of the dog, rather than the tempermant. Remember that there are some great dogs in need of a home, even if they aren't the prettiest. And, I agree with sushi, adult dogs are just as great, if not better than puppies. It may be a lot of fun to raise a puppy, but it's also a lot of work, and there are a lot of wonderful adult dogs in shelters that really need a home. Anyways, good luck finding your new dog! I hope you can find a dog that both you and your husband like. Give us updates!

Howdy, Stranger!

...anyone here owned a wolf hybrid? ._.

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