Wolf-Dog Introduction

Wolf-Dog Introduction

Wolf-dog ownership is a growing trend that began back in the 1950s, with a few well-intentioned people who, being genuinely concerned for the dwindling numbers of wild wolves, wanted to do something to ensure their survival. They reasoned that if the few remaining wolves could be bred with domesticated dogs, the genetic material of the wolves would be, at least in part, preserved through this line of wolf-dog crosses.

It was thought that at a later date, when the American public and federal authorities had a shift in attitude towards wilderness and the role of predators, lines could be bred back to eliminate the domestic ancestry and the offspring released back into the wild. Although a noble idea for its time, these visionaries lacked the broad knowledge of the many intricacies and problems that a selective breeding program posed in the long term.

Others who came across these part-wild, part-domestic animals became interested and involved. Soon the number of wolf-dogs grew from a few to a few hundred to a few thousand, with each breeder selecting for what they hoped would be the ideal companion for a person who appreciates wildness. For anyone who has owned, spent time with, or simply met, a wolf-dog, the opportunity to experience the intelligence and beauty of such a creature is very special indeed. Some, having come across a wolf-dog, swear they can never own a domestic dog again. But for every successful wolf-dog owner, there are many more who have tried to keep these animals and failed.

Unfortunately, there is currently a conservative estimate of between 250,000 and 500,000 wolves and wolf-dogs living in captivity in the U.S. today. While most will die within a year of their birth, new pups are constantly bred and sold. The wolf-dog business is a lucrative one, where pups can fetch hundreds if not thousands of dollars, depending on the advertised wolf percentage. New pups are sold to people looking for a guard dog, a family pet, a movie star, or a fur source.

What most breeders will not tell the new owners is that these little pups are not what they seem. A wolf-dog pup looks and acts much like a domestic dog when young, but as it grows and matures, it becomes a part-wild, part-domestic, very confused animal. Nine out of ten pups are killed through neglect, abuse, euthanasia, escape, and misunderstanding. The one pup out of ten that does survive usually ends up homeless.

In response to the growing problem of homeless pet wolves and wolf-dogs, refuges and sanctuaries across the country have opened their gates and hearts to these animals. In caring for and getting to know these animals, it does not take long to realize that, in most cases, no matter how hard you try to provide for these animals — giving them large enclosures, raw meat, and canine companions — the animals are still not happy. They often pace incessantly or transfer aggression to other animals or handlers. After a few too many hard experiences, almost all refuges finally come to the decision not to take in any more unwanted wolf-dog pets.

At Mission: Wolf, we receive 2-6 phone calls and letters each week from owners who are having problems and do not want to keep their pet wolf any longer. In total, Mission: Wolf has turned away more than 10,000 animals since 1986. We have reached our limit to provide quality of life to the animals we already care for. Sadly, most of the animals we have turned away are dead, because their owners were either unable or unwilling to take the measures needed to provide an animal of this nature a quality home.

Nearly every refuge in the country must now turn away even the neediest animals. This problem has in turn motivated some individuals and animal welfare organizations to start campaigns to legislate these creatures out of existence. Legislation aimed at addressing this problem — from outright banning, to a system of bureaucratic licensing and permitting — is being debated at both county and state levels. Many municipalities across the nation have begun zoning efforts designed to keep these pets out of neighborhoods.

At present, federal authorities recognize an animal that is 99-100% wolf (with only 0-1% dog ancestry) as a “wild, endangered species.” Those animals with more than a trace of domestic dog (98% or less wolf ancestry) are simply considered dogs, and regulated as such. What does this boil down to? By federal law, it is legal to buy, own, and sell any animal that is 98% wolf or less. Conversely, animal control agencies and shelters are restricted to adopting out only domestic animals. All animals that could have some wolf ancestry are euthanized or sent to licensed sanctuaries.

Unfortunately, problems in the positive identification of wolf-dogs make many of these laws moot and unenforceable from the start, due to the common ancestry that wolves and dogs share. Even with today’s sophisticated DNA analysis equipment, researchers find it hard to tell the difference between a pure wolf and a pure dog, let alone the difference between a 98%/2% wolf-dog and a 100% wolf. To the theorist, it would be convenient to use such percentages for these fine distinctions. However in practice, such percentages amount to nothing more than speculation. Nonetheless, between the animal control agencies and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the term “98% wolf” is commonly used. This so-called “two-percent loophole,” and a lack of legal clarity and distinction on the subject, is what enables professional and amateur breeders alike to make thousands of dollars every spring by selling a “piece of the wild.” Yet, by conservative estimate, 80-90% of these animals will never live to see their third year.

The most unfortunate side of this story is, regardless of state, county, and local laws to the contrary, wolf-dogs for sale are not going to disappear from the papers tomorrow, nor are the unwanted pets who need homes. Human history has shown that people will want most that which they cannot have. As long as the wolf is perceived as a dangerous animal, some will want to “tame” the wild beast and show it off. On the other side of the coin, as we move further and further away from nature in our everyday lives, we will continue to search for and crave a connection with the wilderness. This problem will not disappear overnight; for many years to come, there will very likely be a mind-boggling multitude of homeless and unwanted wolves and wolf-dogs continuing to live in captivity.

So if one educates themselves about the realities of what it takes to care for one of these animals, and still decides that a wolf-dog is what they want, we highly recommend closely reading the other pages on this website, following up with more research, and then take in someone else’s ex-pet rather than giving money to a breeder. Take our questionnaire to find out if you are ready for wolf-dog ownership. To those who already have a wolf or wolf-dog as a pet and find themselves in the problem stage, please read through our page about caring for your animal, and contact us if you have further questions and concerns that we can address — we will do everything we can to make the situation a success for you and your animal.