Siberian Husky x Wolf Hybrid or Wolfdog for sledding?

[dogs4life]

I took Sam to a Middle School soccer game last week to watch the neighbor girls play. There was the most adorable fluffy puppy there. Of course Sam is all over it...."Can I pet your dog?" she chants. People must think she is crazy, dog crazy that is.

Anyways after meeting the pup, who was being walked by a young girl and her mom, we found it was obviously scared of children. So we just held out our hands and allowed the dog to greet us and not pet. After talking with the owners we find out it's a wolf hybrid What!? I could not help myself, but I was obviously shocked and disapproving and they noticed as I am incredibly transparent. The lady just picked the dog up and walked off saying, well it's my husband's dog and he got it for sledding. We live in California and last I checked we don't have a need for sled dogs let alone the appopriate climate for such a breed. Plus they have a wolf hybrid with really young children, that seems like a recipe for disaster, especially since the wolfdog was scared of all the kids at the soccer game. Why are people so stupid???

I know it's unethical, but for some reason I thought wolf hybrids are illegal to own AND breed. Is that right? Has anyone ever heard of sledding with a wolf hybrid...that mix seems way too big for sledding. Maybe it depends on the species of wolf, but I'm used to gray wolves which are considerably larger than huskies.

In Alaska it seems to be illegal, but not enforced.
http://www.wolfsongalaska.org/wolfdo...s_release.html

There is even a breeder site that says wolf hybrids are unregulated in many states...it's like they have found a loop-hole and assume since it's excluded from the county and state regulations that it's OK.

Wolf Park has a great explaination of why you should not consider wolfdogs for family environments.

http://www.wolfpark.org/wolfdogs/chi..._wolfdogs.html

Of Wolves, Wolf Hybrids and Children.
By Monty Sloan, The author is the Staff Photographer, Wolf Behavior Specialist, consultant, and Wolf Park's web site webmaster, at Wolf Park, Battle Ground, IN 47920 www.wolfpark.org

The Anchorage Daily News recently reported that a 4-year-old child was also mauled by a hybrid that was kept on a chain. She was severely bitten on the face and scalp, but did survive. A couple months ago a free-running hybrid in Colorado bit a running child. Last year two chained hybrids attacked children in Minnesota, one little girl was killed. A chained hybrid in New York severely mauled the owner's son. Another hybrid in Florida was adopted from an animal shelter, was not placed in a secure yard or pen and got out. A good samaritan found the hybrid and in ignorance placed it in her yard with her own child. While she was calling the owners (the animal had tags) her child was killed. All these animals, and many more, were killed for their owner's mistakes. Like Michigan, many of these states have or are passing laws prohibiting hybrids. As for you, the owners and breeders out there, how many other states will also ban hybrids? Only time will tell.

Anyone know the real regulations and laws?

[Dogsareme]

Most people that have husky/malamute crosses usually say they are part wolf. But most people are very wrong! In shelters if a dog is turned in that the owners claim is part wolf they have to put that dog down, but because of the normal confusion they send pictures of it away to 'experts' who can find and define features. 95% of so called wolfdogs are false claims. It is more of a status thing. Plus if people actually had wolf dogs I think they would find there behaviors very different.

It is just a status thing to claim 'your' dog as part wolf. The chance that you will EVER come upon someone with a wolf dog is very slim. We have people here forever and a day claiming there dogs are crossed with wolfs and for the most part you just grin and bear it because you know its not true and they have just been misinformed. Guess it just sells them better to claim this.

I also think that new report probably had some false information. Shelters are not allowed to adopt out Hybrid dogs at all. Infact probably most of the cliams are false and those were just dogs and no one ever really looked into it. You can define the features of a true 'wolf' dog to a malamute cross with one. Also maybe people confuse if they are crossed with the Alaskan Husky? They are more wolf looking.

[Camz]

I don't get why anyone would want to own a wolf type dog. Malamutes, Samoyeds, huskies, etc. all have that similar look about them and are good family pets.

Wolf dogs are unpredictable and most vets won't treat them if there is any kind of medical problem, AND most vets won't even vaccinate them.

I can't imagine a wolf mix with a solid amount of wolf in its genes being able to make a good sled dog.

Huskies, Malamutes and even Alaskan Huskies are all bred specifically for their ability to pull in a pack and pull either very quickly, or pull over vast distances in the artic.

[StephanieandTeddy]

A woman in my neighbourhood got one from Alberta, where I believe they are also illegal. She was told it was 1/2 wolf, 1/2 malamute...but it looks to be 3/4 wolf...huge, yellow eyes...the whole bit...
It's just 7 months old and not a nice animal AT ALL.
We've already called animal control who are VERY interested in finding this woman, but none of us know where she lives.
It's a disaster waiting to happen and she has no control at all.

Owning a wolfdog is illogical.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by Dogsareme

Most people that have husky/malamute crosses usually say they are part wolf. But most people are very wrong!

Also maybe people confuse if they are crossed with the Alaskan Husky? They are more wolf looking.

Gosh, I hope you are right but the way the owner acted, it was if she knew it was wrong. Why else would she have shied away from talking to me about the legality issue.

In the Wolf Park quote I too was concerned with the wolf hybrid adopted out...that did not seem right. But there are lots of private "shelters" who do not act properly so I guess it could happen, theoretically.

ETA

Just found this info on Courteous Canine, Inc website

August 1988 - Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Four-year-old Nathan Carpenter killed by a neighbor's recently acquired hybrid that had been featured as "pet of the week" at the shelter from which it was adopted; Panhandle Area Welfare Society (PAWS) paid a $425,000 settlement to the boy's family.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by StephanieandTeddy

A woman in my neighbourhood got one from Alberta, where I believe they are also illegal. She was told it was 1/2 wolf, 1/2 malamute...but it looks to be 3/4 wolf...huge, yellow eyes...the whole bit...
It's just 7 months old and not a nice animal AT ALL.
We've already called animal control who are VERY interested in finding this woman, but none of us know where she lives.
It's a disaster waiting to happen and she has no control at all.

Owning a wolfdog is illogical.

Having an out of control wolf hybrid in my neighborhood would infuriate me. Sounds like your neighborhood needs to seek this person out. I agree, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

When I was young, my step-grandma had a wolf hybrid...it was huge. I was 7 or 8 and it was scary to me, it was the largest dog I have ever seen in my life, as tall as a great dane but beefy. I was never left alone with the dog, my mom did not trust it, but he was gentle and aloof so we did not want to play with him (he was no fun). I'm not sure what happened him.

[Dogsareme]

There absolutly is a chance that dog could of been part wolf... and the lady probably did know it was wrong.. but she also could of been misinformed and is harboring and worrying about legalities for no reason? Not everyone who thinks they have a wolf dog knows it really is not... The things people do!
I actually know a lady that looks at pictures for SPCAs to let them know if the dog really is part wolf. She runs a Malamute Rescue and gets the story of them being part wolf all the time. She said in her 10 years she has only come across 3 that really were.

And just like that lady in Albert when it really is a wolf dog, they are more out of control. They are not very nice or tolorable of things like our dogs. They are very territorial! Scary to think that people who may actually have these dogs keep them in there homes... I don't think they understand they are not pets!

[Ritz459]

I met a Wolf hybrid once, or at least that is what his owner's claimed he was, and he was a doll. He was the biggest dog I've ever seen, but was very sweet. He could scale a six foot privacy fence, as well get out of a six foot kennel through a little hole in the roof topping.

However, he looked more like a GSD/Mal cross to me. Whatever he was, he was a very good dog.

[oc_spirit]

There is a trapper in the Northwest Territories that uses a team of wolf hybrids to run his trap line. His claim is that the wolf blood brings endurance, health and speed to his team but its bogus Wolf blood will bring health but not anymore speed or endurance for pulling a sled than a properly-bred sled dog already has. PLus too much infusion of wolf blood would begin counter-acting what hundreds of years of breeding sled dogs has already created (like the natural desire to PULL and work for man).

I am willing to bet that not only does this woman NOT own a hybrid (more likely just a poorly-bred Sibe or Mal cross that has had minimal proper socialization) but she or her husband were probably spoon-fed crap about hybrids making great sled dogs and evidently fell for it.

BTW there is actually quite a bit of sledding in CA. Mushers do a lot of dryland training during the cooler months and then head up into Northern CA or the mountains to dogsled in the snow!

[SightHoundShowDogs]

My bestfriend has a wolf hybrid. He got him as a pup while visiting family in Alaska. Got him from a guy who knew he wasent supposed to have the pup. The dog was literally given to him. He is part wolf part Alaskan Husky. After some tests and such my friends vet pretty much confirmed that it was no hoax the dog is a hybrid. The vet actually suggested he destroy the dog but he refused. He's a beautiful grey and white male with big yellow eyes. His name is Babe and he is one. My friend has had Babe for 8 years with no real problems. He isn't trustworthy with small animals and is shifty with strangers. But has never growled at anyone in his entire life. My friend is knowledgable with strong willed breeds and raised him well.

He is actually friendlier than his purebred Malamute.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I think the laws differ where you live. Here, you may own a wolf hybrid as long as it has enough "dog" in it. How they determine that, I don't know. We had a wolf hybrid come into work. She was very sweet. She was husky/GSD/Wolf. Only one parent was a hybrid, and she's registered through a wolf registry? Don't know the name of it, but I guess they determined she's "legal" to own as a pet because she doesn't have a whole lot of wolf blood in her.

Would I ever own one? Not unless I researched my butt off for what I'd be in for. I don't think they should be kept as pets, unless it's a case where there is very little wolf in the mix.

There was a man who used to live in my neighborhood that had a GSD/Wolf mix. Definetly had wolf in him, as he looked just like one only he had the black saddle like the GSD and the somewhat sloped hind quarters. Not very friendly with other dogs though.

I think I would have been shocked at the lady as well if she said it was part wolf, had kids, yet it was showing fear of its surroundings. That's definetly a disaster waiting to happen.

OC, it almost seems a little like the "doodle" thing. People trying "creat a new breed" or "enhance qualities from a certain breed" just to get extra money for the puppies.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by IceyBlueSibes

I think I would have been shocked at the lady as well if she said it was part wolf, had kids, yet it was showing fear of its surroundings. That's definetly a disaster waiting to happen.

I know, if the dog was scared of my 3 yr old before it's a year old, you can only imagine how it's going to act as it gets more confident. Luckily the dog did not act aggressive though, so maybe they have a chance.

Originally Posted by IceyBlueSibes

OC, it almost seems a little like the "doodle" thing. People trying "creat a new breed" or "enhance qualities from a certain breed" just to get extra money for the puppies.

I don't equate it with poodle hybrid breeding practices. I'd equate it more with the dingo hybrid breeding practices, since it's a wild x domestic hybridization.

OC - I'm sure there are a few people who sled in the Sierras and northern California, but most of this state is not suitable for such breeds. I guess I was trying to say is there doesn't seem to be a need for sledding dogs in California unlike northern regions of North America. I just think it's a shame, a dog that's bred to withstand the arctic and mountain weather has to endure the desert and hot dry weather in Southern and Central California. People just don't think.

[LilacDragon]

The Anchorage Daily News recently reported that a 4-year-old child was also mauled by a hybrid that was kept on a chain. She was severely bitten on the face and scalp, but did survive. A couple months ago a free-running hybrid in Colorado bit a running child. Last year two chained hybrids attacked children in Minnesota, one little girl was killed. A chained hybrid in New York severely mauled the owner's son. Another hybrid in Florida was adopted from an animal shelter, was not placed in a secure yard or pen and got out. A good samaritan found the hybrid and in ignorance placed it in her yard with her own child. While she was calling the owners (the animal had tags) her child was killed. All these animals, and many more, were killed for their owner's mistakes. Like Michigan, many of these states have or are passing laws prohibiting hybrids. As for you, the owners and breeders out there, how many other states will also ban hybrids? Only time will tell.

Let me start by saying that I DO NOT think that wolf hybrids should be anyone's pet.

Having said that - most of the dogs mentioned in the quote above were chained when they attacked. You will find that in most research on dogs of any breed that attak/kill or show aggression issues - chaining is the number 1 common denominator.

[dogs4life]

Like others have posted, the dog we saw might be a hybrid which was bred to look like a wolf. I recently came across the Utonagan which is being bred in the UK which as they is a hybrid of the Malamute, Husky and German Shepherd. Very interesting!