Everything you need to know about Wolfdogs.

Can wolfdogs be pets?

The question of whether or not to own a wolf/dog hybrid is very controversial. Some hybrids make successful pets. Many do not. The key is to consider the question: When you cross a shy predator (wolf) with an aggressive animal like a dog (most dogs are, to a degree, aggressive or protective), what will you get? One possibility is that you will end up with an aggressive predator. Some people think wolf/dog hybrids make good guard dogs. Most do not. Sadly, most wolf/dog hybrids end up in shelters where they are euthanized. Or the owners turn them loose to fend for themselves

What does “wolf-content” mean?

Wolfdogs are normally divided into three categories: low, mid and high content. The level of content refers to the amount of wolf in the wolfdog and can be a good standard to go by when trying to determine how a wolfdog pup will behave.

• 1-49% is considered a Low Content
• 50-74 % is considered a Mid Content
• 75% + is considered a High Content

Wolfdog Common Behavior

Before seriously considering buying or adopting a wolfdog for yourself, you need to learn about the behaviors of wolfdogs. They are high-maintenance as pets, so it’s a big commitment that needs some preparation. Our list does not encompass all aspects of wolfdog behavior, but some notable things you should keep in mind.

They Can Be Unpredictable

Like we’ve already mentioned once before, wolfdog puppies can differ within a litter. Just because one pup in the litter grew up to be a sweet pet, that doesn’t necessarily mean its sibling will be. Also, you might not know until they reach maturity what their personality is going to be like. Wild wolves are independent and have minds of their own. This can cause difficulty in training, especially compared to a dog. Dogs love to please their humans, which is super useful in training them. Wolfdogs, being part wolf, are not concerned with pleasing anyone, and require some unique techniques to train them.

They Can Be Territorial and Aggressive

This doesn’t just mean that a wolfdog can consider your neighbor’s house his territory if he’s over there a lot. Wild wolves mark their territory with their pee and poop. Since wolfdogs may still have quite a lot of wild blood in them, that means that your wolfdog is liable to do this inside your house, which is also his “territory.” A wolfdog also might get aggressive to protect a potential threat to its territory. More commonly, though, a wolfdog who hasn’t been properly socialized will be more scared than aggressive, and that can lead to biting.

They Dig, Escape, and Howl a Lot

Wolfdogs are not the pet for you if you work full time or are not around much. A wolfdog that is stuck at home is like a bull in a china shop; they will get bored and start to destroy things, primarily by digging. Feeling trapped, they will look for a way out and probably find it due to their high intelligence. Another wolfy characteristic that wolfdogs sometimes inherit is howling. Wolves in the wild howl a lot to communicate, much like the way dogs bark at each other. There’s no exception for wolfdogs; it’s in their genes.

They are Very Active

A wolfdog needs around 3 to 4 hours of exercise a day, making them a highly active dog breed. To accommodate for this, you either need a very large area for them to run with secure fencing, or you need to be with your wolfdog for much of the day.

Caring for a Wolfdog Hybrid

Here are some things you need to know to care for a wolfdog.

They Need Lots of Exercise

Because Wolfdogs are so active, you will need to give them a lot of space with the security of Fort Knox, and/or you will need to be with them often enough to give them all the exercise they need.

They Need Lots of Training

Wolfdogs have a reputation for being unpredictable and skittish. This can be mostly avoided by getting a wolfdog that’s further removed genetically from a wolf, and also with a lot of training and exposure early on in life through adulthood. Even though they don’t respond too well to normal dog training, wolfdogs still love the training process as it helps them stretch their mental muscles. They also learn to love human interaction if they are socialized from a puppy to many kinds of people and situations.

Their Diet is Mostly Raw Meat

Feeding a wolfdog the average dog food will not sustain her nutritionally. Wolfdogs need to eat raw meat. Stick with beef, chicken, turkey, or other small game. Raw pork should be avoided, though.

Rabies Vaccine Considerations

As of this writing, there are no known rabies vaccines made specifically for wolves or wolfdogs. A rabies vaccine meant for dogs can be administered, but it may not be effective, and it could be difficult to accomplish, especially if you live in an area where it’s illegal to own a wolfdog hybrid. If you do vaccinate your wolfdog (which is probably better to try than not), you have two options. You can go to a vet and not be totally honest about your wolfdog’s heritage and get the vaccine like normal. Or, you can sign a waiver saying the vaccine is being administered for “off label” use. Either way, if your wolfdog does bite someone, be aware that some cities will put your dog in the pound and maybe euthanize them whether they are vaccinated or not.

Wolfdogs as Pets

It Depends on Your State

So, is it even legal to own a wolfdog? The answer to that is complicated. While on the federal level it’s legal to own a wolfdog that’s 98% wolf and 2% dog, you will still have to check with your state and local municipality laws to be sure it’s legal where you live. Right now, the states that prohibit wolfdog ownership state-wide are Wyoming, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Georgia.

Final Takeaways

Having a wolfdog hybrid all to yourself seems very cool from a distance. In reality, owning a wolfdog means always keeping in mind its heritage. It can’t be proven how much wolf remains in a wolfdog’s blood, so you must be prepared for wild, sporadic behavior, especially if you’re getting your wolfdog as an adult, or if you know it is not trained fully. Once you understand that wolfdogs are essentially part wild and treat them as such, the experience of owning a wolfdog can be as rewarding as a human/dog relationship. When you’ve gotten on the good side of a wolfdog, you have a trusty and protective partner for life.