The Hype on Wolves
Aug 26 '00
This wily canine has somehow gained a cachet and respectability previously unknown in this country (notable exception, Native Americans respected, even revered wolves). Brought to the brink of extinction in most of the country, wolves are making a successful comeback in a number of states and areas. Yesterday's loathsome killer is todays poster pup. What was considered vicious, cunning and dangerous is now touted as playful, friendly, loving,and loyal. Who in their right mind wouldn't want one? Indeed, there is a boom in pet wolves and wolf crosses.
The words 'dog' and 'wolf' are used as conventionally understood though I think it's a misnomer. I'm convinced that domestic dogs, dingoes, wolves and coyotes are the same species. All wolves ARE dogs, though all dogs are not wolves. Definitions of what comprises a 'species' abound but the most widely accepted centers on reproductive compatibility (natural matings must reliably and consistently produce viable, fertile get). These canines fully meet this criterion. They can and do interbreed with no loss of viability or fertility. Ironically almost all domestic dogs are classified as the same species but could a Pekingese and a Saint Bernard mate naturally? In many ways Huskies and Malamutes look and act more like wolves than most domestic breeds.
Even considered the same species, the wolf is clearly wild while the dog is happily domesticated. Wolves make notoriously poor pets. Failure frequently results in their death and the injury or death of other pets and people.
Huskies and Malamutes are too independent, predatory, and willful for most owners. They're frankly too 'wolfish' even though they possess an abundance of people oriented friendliness and reliability. They live to disobey AND roam. They love to hunt and escape. They're difficult to train, seldom work reliably off lead, and will backslide from training at every opportunity. Farmers shoot 'em, cars hit 'em and rescue organizations have a surfeit of dogs and a shortage of suitable homes. Established, reputable breeders battle escape problems with these dogs.
So why, when experienced, dedicated dog people can't control their Huskies, is there such a clamor to obtain wolves and wolf crosses? Often by people with little or no dog experience (rarely any experience with Huskies or Malamutes)!
Wolves have become 'fashionable' for everyone from macho bikers to nervous suburbanites and self-styled tree huggers. Why doesn't fashion go with something less extreme, say chopping off one arm? What arrogance deems living creatures as accessories to allay our fears, impress our neighbors, or proclaim our 'toughness'?
This has been disastrous for the 'pet' wolves, the families and community. Wolves are, well...wolves. You can tame 'em, you can't DOMESTICATE them. And it's only domesticated animals that make suitable pets.
Wolves are unsuited to housebreaking, caging, or penning. They are suited to roaming and killing. Possessing a strong innate prey drive they will gleefully take out cats, chickens, lambs, goats, geese, ducks, even calves, foals and other dogs. These domestic critters are blessedly easier than raccoons, rabbits or deer. This problem is often more acute in wolf crosses than in pure wolves. A 'natural wolf' is a shy, distrusting animal that avoids people. Those crossed with dogs frequently show some of the boldness and human trust associated with domestic dogs coupled to all of the prey drive seen in a wolf.
There is a myth that you will acquire a 'super protector'. HA! Wolves are opportunistic and adaptable. Real danger threatens and they (wisely) usually choose to flee and/or hide. They will not see it as their job to guard your boundaries. They're not the best deterrent dogs as they're prone to slinking, skulking, and hiding rather than boldly asserting their presence (which you'll get with a friendly Lab, Rottie, Shepherd or MuttDog)
Conversely, they will establish their own boundaries which have nothing to do with your actual property lines. They will dispute that territory with neighboring dogs, even on the other dogs property. These disputes frequently result in the death of innocent pets as they 'protect' their own yards!
Equally dangerous are those warm and fuzzy folks that don't realize the wolf is a WILD dog. Captivated with romanticized versions of the wolf, they want some of this 'Lobo Lore' in their own lives. Explaining that a wolf is inherently WILD gets me typical retorts of "Oh no...They're not mean. It's a stereotype that they're vicious killers. They're friendly, playful, loving".
Within their own tribe that is largely true, certainly MORE true than of we humans within our tribe. But, we are NOT their tribe, and I never categorize them as 'mean' or 'vicious killers', simply 'wild'.
Tragically, these misguided souls have little notion as to what 'wild' is...Until they bring it into their home! Frantic, disgruntled, finally furious that the wolf they yearn to love will not obey or train or housebreak, ultimately they feel 'betrayed'. Their 'pet' is wantonly destructive of not only the house and everything in it, but the landscape, surrounding wildlife and often the neighbors pets. Parting with their 'beloved' wolf they blame 'its' failure on incorrigible behavior...which was behavior any informed person would EXPECT from a wolf or wolf cross. Apparently the wolf, noted for its intelligence, should have informed them!
'Wolf cross' is not a uniform crossbreed such as the CockerPoo. What crosses are involved hugely affect the wolf dog that results. Most common are Malamute or Husky crosses, followed by German Shepherd crosses. Malamutes and Huskies are tough, problematic breeds that people frequently fail with because of roaming and predation problems. Wolves crossed to these breeds will be tougher and more problematic. Predation will probably be exacerbated (also true of wolves crossed to Shepherds). Shepherd crosses are a more dangerous combination because the GSD's strong guarding instincts can result in a wolf prone to serious biting and aggression. Wolves instinctively bite frequently within the pack, but not forcefully. Wolf biting involves lots of hard nipping and non-contact snapping used in play, learning and settling disputes. Guard dogs have been selected to bite hard. They are far more prone to 'follow through' with attacking bites intended to seriously injure. I once met a woman that claimed she had a Chow/wolf cross! OUCH! Perhaps the worst breeding decisions I've heard of!
Phantom crosses seem to be the most widespread. Dogs claimed as high percentage wolf crosses LOOK and ACT nothing like wolves. Some Huskies and Malamutes can be difficult to distinguish from wolf crosses. Wild wolves can appear very 'doggy'. What is amazing are those dogs that are clearly ALL dog but are claimed to be high percentage wolf crosses.
A man at my vets' office looked at me like I was insane when I asked about his Siberian Husky. He urgently whispered that she was half wolf. Coloring (distinct markings, pure white base), size (3-4inches shorter than my Siberian), blunt muzzle, small feet, dark brown eyes (round!), and wide, chubby build SCREAMED domestic dog. This dog had no more wolf in her than my daughter.
A young boy jerked frantically on his puppy claiming it would tear my arm off, it was over 90% wolf. 90% Beagle described this friendly little tail wagger!
Another woman claims her intact female is 75% wolf, 25% Malamute. I seriously doubt it has much wolf or Malamute as it never roams (without training!), never marks, never preys (or hunts) even when chickens, ducks and cats are nearby (again, without training)!
Some even urge me to admit Cochise (my Siberian Husky)is part wolf! If you truly know what a Husky looks like versus a wolf you will recognize Cochise as a Husky (actually he looks like a Husky/Malamute cross). He looks wolfish, as any large, lean Husky looks wolfish, and he has big feet. His blunt muzzle, distinct markings, and blue eyes denote domestic dog. An outgoing friendliness, utter lack of shyness, confidence and comfort with people support his very doggy demeanor. When it is so desirable to own a wolf, rather than a mere dog, and legal (in Iowa), WHY would I lie about it? He's AllDog and proud of it.
So many people have claimed their Huskies and Mals to be 'high percentage wolf crosses' people don't realize what a Husky or Malamute looks like! False claims of wolf pets lend erroneous and dangerous credibility to the concept of the wolf as a workable pet. Experienced wolf owners KNOW the time, effort and money it takes to succeed with wolves. All will stress that this success will be done on wolf terms NOT human terms. Rarely can they have the type of relationship most of us treasure with our beloved dogs.
Convinced you want a wolf? Very, verrry cautiously consider a Husky or Malamute. Talk to national breed organizations, Husky or Malamute rescue groups, and experienced owners. These dogs are usually billed as suited to 'experienced owners only'. They're so problematic, so different from most breeds, I'm not convinced that a lifetime of experience with Goldens, Shelties or Labs will prepare an owner for the reality. Even tough guys like Rotties, Shepherds, and Bullmastiffs are far more pliable and inclined to want to please than these Northern nuisances.
Commit to thousands of dollars of highly secure, UGLY fencing. They climb, dig, jump and dismantle fences. Gates, crates, doors and windows are welcomed as a challenge. Wireless fencing usually deters them for only a limited amount of time. Small animals must be safe from the strong predatory instincts often seen in these breeds. Difficult to successfully live with, they are far easier (and friendlier) than their wild bro' the wolf...
Still want a wolf? Gotta have one? Then if you've looked LONG, hard and carefully at what it takes to succeed with a Husky or a Malamute I'd suggest you go for a Phantom Wolf cross...Carefully obtain a Husky or Mal and tell everyone, even convince yourself, that it's a 'high percentage wolf cross'.
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