Dogs and wolves mature at different rates. This makes it difficult to predict how Training a Wolfdog will develop in terms of their mental and physical development. Sexual maturity in wolves is a sign of hormonal imbalance and a shift in hormone balance. This hormonal shift is often accompanied by behavioral changes in the animal.
A wolf’s sexual maturity is when they become an adult. The animal’s status becomes more important and may start testing their packmates in order to attain a higher rank within the pack. When wolves are kept in captivity, they can challenge their packmates or test them. This can lead to the animal being seen as bold, stubborn or aggressive.
Domestic dogs mature earlier than wolves (6-8 months). However, the difficult behavior is less common in domestic dogs than wolves. Hybrids can display any combination of dog and wolf maturation rates as well as behavioral changes.
The territorial instinct of wolves to protect food sources by setting up a home area through defecation or urination can be transferred to their home. A couch, corner or other part of the room could take the place for a rock or tree. Dogs, however, are easily trained to eliminate in designated areas after being domesticated and have lost the instinct to urinate or fecate wherever they feel comfortable.
Hybrids are a mixture of these two behavior patterns. They may exhibit any level of territorial or testing behavior, from one end to the spectrum.
Hybrids as pets
The biggest debate is whether hybrids make good pets. There is a hybrid animal that inherits genetic traits from several dogs, and also has the contribution of another animal.
Wolves are social creatures by nature. They expect a lot of interaction and attention from their pack. When a wolf is in captivity, this expectation will be passed on to the owner. Potential hybrid owners often overlook the importance of understanding the nature and behavior of the wild wolf as well as the domestic dog. They become overwhelmed when their “pet’ exhibits unpredicted and unpredictable behaviors.
Wolf Park is an organization that educates the public on hybrid and wolf ownership. Wolf Park explained that although many people make an effort to learn about the possible consequences of owning a hybrid wolf/wolf, some do not. The animals are kept in conditions that do not meet their behavioral and social needs. These animals are often kept in tiny cages or chains with very poor quality of living.
Human safety is at risk when any wild animal is kept in conditions that are not suitable for their mental or physical needs. This is almost always avoided by proper preparation prior to purchase and continuing responsible care throughout the animal’s life.
Each year thousands of pet wolves and hybrids are left behind, rescued, or put to death by people who bought an animal they weren’t prepared to care for. There are a few places that will take in unwanted dogs, but they are often very small. Human and animal can avoid hardships by learning about the health, behavior, and confinement of hybrid wolves and wolves as well as about the laws governing their ownership.
Myths about Wolf Hybrids
MYTH: A wolf-wolf hybrid dog will be a better guarddog.
FACT: Hybrids are often poor protection dogs due to their shy nature. Hybrids can exhibit aggressive tendencies, if any. These tendencies may be fear-induced. They can also be unpredictable and difficult to control.
Myth: A wolf-wolf hybrid will live longer then a dog.
FACT: A wolf’s life expectancy in captivity is 12-14 year. This is the same time span as a large domestic pet dog.
MYTH: Hybrids have a higher health than dogs and are more resistant to diseases.
FACT: Both dogs and wolves are susceptible to the same diseases. Some question the effectiveness of standard dog vaccines against wolves, and others for hybrids.
MYTH: Huskies, malamutes, and part wolf.
FACT: Huskies, malamutes, and other breeds of dogs are all dog breeds.
