Wolf Hybrids can be an ideal pet and member of the family. However, they have special needs and considerations that you should know about before deciding on owning one. If you can not provide for these special needs and considerations it is recommended that you do not choose Wolf hybrid puppies for new members of your family. Wolf hybrids need:
Real Meat in Their Diets. Standard dog food diets of dried kibbles will not yield a pet that is as healthy as can be. Hybrids should have a serving of real meat a couple days per week.
More Exercise than Non-hybrids. It is best if you have land or acreage so they can run and have roam space and be able to dig a den. Daily exercise is very important. Wolf hybrids need more space per animal than non-hybrid dogs.
Extra Social Activity – Wolf hybrids tend to be shy and alpha. If not nurtured and exercised properly they can become aggressive. To prevent these undesirable attributes, hybrids should have contact with other people and dogs early in life and frequently (daily). They are very sociable, friendly and loyal but tend to have a bone crushing bite. Socialize them young and often for best results.
Wolf Hybrids are Notorious Escape Artists – Like Huskies, hybrids love to roam and travel. You will need to keep them on a leash in public (they are not car/traffic safety smart). And, you should have a secure outdoor containment solution (6′ foot fence with anti-dig/burrowing reinforcements) that is basically “escape proof.” Or, if you live on acreage adjacent to Forests or widerness, they will love this environment.
Feline Alert! Hybrids tend to see cats and other small critters (rabbits, guinee pigs, etc.) as vermin and have been known to eat them. Always protect cats when your hybrid is around. If there is a cat present in the household while the hybrid is still a puppy and being trained, they will accept cats as part of the pack.
Hybrids Have a Pack Social Structure. Owners must confidently establish an alpha role with their hybrid. Discipline must be constructive, consistent and loving. Also, it is pretty frustrating trying to train a hybrid the same way you would a normal dog; it can be accomplished, but takes extra time and effort. Hybrids are usually not “domestically” smart but they make up for it with super instinct and wilderness intelligence. Owning a hybrid takes extra patience.
Everything is a Chew Toy! Provide your hybrid with lots of “approved” chew items and keep your expensive belongings above eye level and off the ground or they will likely get chewed up. Wolf hybrids should not be disciplined for chewing on things you leave laying around that they can get too. Chewing is very instinctive to them. My hybrid mauled my $300 prescription glasses, yet I knew it was my fault for leaving them on the coffee table and so I did not discipline her over it. If you provide them approved chew items they will soon learn not to chew on other items.
If you understand these special considerations and are able to accommodate them, then a wolf-hybrid may be right for you. They are super loyal, swift, strong and more intelligent in many ways than regular dogs. For some people, hybrids prove to be an ideal companion. For others they turn out to be more than they bargained for. It is very difficult to place a second-hand/unwanted wolf hybrid and unfortunately, abandonment often results in euthanization, so it is imperative that owners are prepared for all of the special needs and are committed to raising these beautiful animals for life at the time they decide to take on the responsibility of ownership.
If you would like to know more about this topic I recommend the following resources:
http://wolvesaspets.blogspot.com/2012/10/training-your-wolf-hybrid-puppy.html
http://www.inetdesign.com/wolfdunn/wolfdogfaq/
http://www.ehow.com/how_6016803_raise-wolf-hybrids.html