
If you’re considering a wolf-dog, you need to prepare for the possibility that your new pet may be more wild animal than loyal companion. Wolf-dogs retain these same instincts, which can often lead to problems in a domestic environment. Wild canids are built to travel great distances in search of food. While a hybrid that has a lot of wolf traits may be a challenge for even the most experienced dog owner. A wolf-dog that has mostly dog characteristics is likely to make a fine pet for the right owner. And that has a lot to do with the variability in litters that we just discussed above. Do Wolf-Dogs Make Good Pets?ĭifferent people tend to have different answers when it comes to whether or not wolf crosses make good pets. Some puppies from a direct wolf-dog cross may act more like wolves while others act mostly like dogs, and still others show a good balance between both parents. However, it is impossible to know how the DNA of the two parents will interact to create a pup. Meaning, they can be back-crossed with wolves, other hybrids, or dogs, to create a litter that is more or less wolf-like. The type of wolf used can also vary, with gray, timber, and arctic wolves being the most common.īecause wolves and dogs are so closely related, their hybrid offspring remain fertile. The most common dog breeds used in hybrid crosses are malamutes and huskies, though many large dog breeds have been used. Most of these dogs found in homes today are only a very small percent wolf. Wolf-dogs vary in physical appearance based on the type of wolf and type of dog used in the crossing. The more pure wolf a hybrid has in its line, the more expensive they usually are. Today it is more common to have litters from two hybrids or from a hybrid and a dog. Many of the original wolf-dogs available for sale were 50/50 crosses between a purebred wolf and a dog.

Strictly speaking, a wolf cross is any canine that has a pure wolf predecessor in its traceable lineage. What to Consider Before Getting a Wolf-Dog.
