WolfDogs
Some Wolfdogs came about through originally breeding wild caught animals (wolves) intentionally with the domestic dog, or dogs occasionally if in a more isolated wild region, such as some old nordic working breed dogs were, breeding on their own with wild canid populations. This has happened historically in different regions, due to dwindling wild pure strain populations in a particular area, this is how they say the red wolf came about.
(Although it should be pointed out, if your domestic female dog, even if in heat wanders off into the bush or you tie her to a tree and she encounters any wild wolves (wolf) they will typically kill her, NOT accept her into the pack, and mate with her. This is one of THE biggest myths going out there to this day still.
Wolves are HIGHLY territorial , and whether a dog is in heat or not they tend to kill all other canids they come upon if given a chance that may be in their territory, such as domestic dogs, and other wild canids like coyotes or wolves. If a male domestic dog wanders off into the bush and *happens* to encounter any female wolf (wolves) they WILL generally tear him apart , and kill him, not mate with him.
Wolves do not like dogs if they are not raised in a captive situation with them period, and domestic dogs know the difference between themselves and wild canids, and will react to them badly as well. This wrong perception was only exaggerated due to so many Disney movies made about such a thing occurring.
Once upon a time this was accepted, until wildlife conservation laws prohibited such things from occurring (intentionally) but how is one supposed to regulate a dog breeding of its own free will with a wild wolf? Then slowly the public started voicing how ethically wrong such a thing was. The fears of the wolf trickled over into dogs that had any wolf blood in them. The stigma attached to pure wolves, transferred over onto wolf like dogs. In the past the majority of wolfdogs came about originally, via crossing captive pure wolves from a select few game farms and zoos, to dogs and other wolf like dogs. In modern times however it is mostly wolf like dogs being bred to other wolf like dogs to produce more of a wolf like look, even though pure wolves may not necessarily be used.
Some breeders have pedigrees and lineage like any other purebred dog breeder does, and they breed for consistency in look, health and temperament. They are dogs that have wolf like looks, depending on the line some are wolfier looking than others. It is not the breeding of a wild animal with a domesticated dog. (Not hybrids)
Here we have one canine (the wolf) that is completely independent, built for speed to catch the fastest prey, built with the largest thickest jaws and jaw strength to be able to rip and slash tough animal hide from bones, and then crush
Wolves are generally very wary and cautious creatures and can become very unsettled around unfamiliar things, objects, and new experiences/ territory, and tend to shy away from humans; in the wild this keeps them safe. Domestic dogs (which are considered domesticated wolves) are canines created to serve human beings various needs and wants, some were bred to be working breeds to pull sleds, others were bred for guarding our livestock and families, some were bred for getting rid of vermin such as rats.
For as many reasons and duties humans could think of there was a breed of canine it seems that was created to assist us. We developed a bond so tightly with the domestic dog some people think it is possible that esp. even exists between the two species. That with us relying upon each other it took our relationship to a whole new level. Through selective breeding of desired traits canines were molded to be able to live among humans in their homes and lives, and be attentive to their every need and wish.
A Wolf's jaw strength designed to crush bones in one chomp, the sharpest hearing to be alerted to the slightest danger or to hear prey, the narrowest of chests that act as snow ploughs through rough deep snowy terrain, Huge paws and claws to dig through frozen ground, the instinct to get ahead and rise in the hierarchy, for it is true that only the strongest will survive to procreate and rule. To vie for that leadership upon maturing is an inherent trait. Everything the wolf is physically and intellectually serves to act as survival mechanisms in the wild.
Dogs look to us for their shelter, for their food, for their comfort the are dependant on their very survival through us, they are for the most part content to allow us to be the leaders in the pack, and it is not advantageous to them to challenge us for that role. We have tamed the wild dog in them for the most part and with that come a great responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.
To Understand wolfdogs we must understand wolves, dogs, and ourselves
To understand wolf dogs and properly care for them both wolves and dogs must separately be examined, for as many similarities that may exist between the two canines there are as many differences one can argue, and the differences may be even more important to consider than similarities.
One of the most common complaints that come across my desk from wolf dog owners are of not being able to train their wolf dogs so they act like their other well behaved dogs. I hear stories of increased aggression with food and possessions, of canines that are bouncing off the walls when indoors and unable to just relax, of canines that cannot be taken to the vets or in the vehicle without the animal fighting it every inch of the way, of fear defecation and urination, of car sickness, of canines that cannot stay in 5 foot tall fencing without escaping, all the things we take for granted as being semi easy things to deal with in the majority of well trained domestic dogs are found that much more difficult in wolf dogs.
This is not to say one cannot find some other breeds that match all the aforementioned criteria either, I am speaking in general terms. Wolves are very vocal canines and use very clear specific body language to speak to each other; even their whiskers can be used to tell a story and serve to signify anger, agitation, submission and more. Dogs as well speak to us using their bodies. So why is it so hard for the majority of owners to understand them?
Through evolution and domestication dogs language became watered down, everything they do is less intense, easy to mold to what we want, basically dogs are domestic wolves with lobotomies.
So why is there still so many people having problems with domestic dog ownership? Why are there still so many bite incidents? We have dogs with floppy ears, cropped tails, droopy eyes, all tools used in canine language to express feelings, and moods but the tools in many breeds appear to be broken or not used in the way they are meant to be used. Many owners often misinterpret and misunderstand what their dog is saying to them, and some dogs may not even understand language between each other and appear confused.
For an example we used to own a purebred collie, everywhere this dog went he made enemies with other dogs he came in contact with, he was very social and loving but it seems he just ticked off every adult dog he met. I started observing the way he approached strange dogs, and it was liken to a human being taking the middle finger to another human being, and expecting to get a warm smile in return. He was quite brass and bold when he would first approach, it was a straight forward approach head on, and his tail would wag, it looked like a very friendly greeting for the most part, but it was the way it was wagging.
A wagging tail does not always mean what most humans think it means. Wagging tails can mean excitement, conflict, tension, fear, agitation, aggression, and sadness depending on the tails position (height), speed, and even direction. It really can speak volumes but to someone unaware of this a tail wag always means a good thing, and this can be a not so good thing.
For another example of this and something I learned the hard way about I present the following story. We had a couple wolfdogs that were raised with a collie from the time they were puppies, no reason to ever believe they would turn on him right? Well unfortunately I have seen this kind of scenario played out many times over the years with this type of canine including with my pure wolves, and you can wind up playing musical pens to shift animals around.
I noticed if I took one wolf dog out for a walk and left the other(s) behind, they would proceed to punish the one who got to go for the walk, once he/she was allowed back into the enclosure. (This of course would depend on whether the one returning was an alpha dominant animal, as typically they did not have to endure the beating upon returning, but they were sure quick to dole it out to their pen mates.) It used to really tick me off and I started to distract the one who was going to be the punisher before I put the other animal back into the pen, so as to lessen the beating he/she got when they returned to their pen mate(s).
I did this through treats, and rewarding the animal(s) that did not beat up on the returning animal. I first get their attention to distract and then throw a treat into the pen clear across to the other side. I then quickly open the gate to release the returning canine into the pen. The wolf dog left behind is then more interested in getting more treats than beating up on the returning animal, and soon forgets to do so, thus once more they would be rewarded with a treat. My initial instinct to cure this was to take both out for a walk at the same time, but being only 5’1 and the animals weigh more than I do, it just wasn’t happening. I had to outsmart them.
I was dealing with pack animals and in the wild such members are rarely seperated
Tail wagging being misinterpreted for meaning one thing and it being another is a common mistake. One day I took the collie that shared the enclosure with two wolfdogs out to visit, this dog had always been dominant over the two pups and they always acted very submissive to him, and still were that day (he did not have to endure punishment once placed back in the pen after a walk) I took the dog out to go and visit with another of the animals as he got along with everyone here WELL. It started when another of the animals that had also been raised by this dog, attacked him when placed with her. He was a fairly lame dog, but lameness all the animals grew up around, it was caused by an injury to his spine when he was but a few years of age. I was shocked; I quickly got him out of there, and brought him back over to his main enclosure that he shared with the 8 and 10-month-old pups.
Long story short when I went to bring this dog back to his pen both pups appeared submissively excited to see this dog, they were whining like they always do, wagging their tails in happiness, the whining and tail wagging appeared on just a glance to be the same as they always were but wolves language can either be EXTREMELY subtle as to be barely noticeable, or outright BOLD. In this case looking back now, I think I just took it for granted everyone got along so well and nothing would ever change I was not looking for any contention between the parties, or seeing the heightened tension I typically notice instantly, not to mention both were so young still.
I am sure there were very subtle posture changes and glances that occurred instantly within those seconds between all the animals, I was just not paying enough attention. But this is why I am sharing this story. Not to mention normally had the pups been older and had viewed the initial attack brought on by the other adult female on this dog, I would have been more hyper aware and probably would not have placed him back into the main enclosure. As I opened the pen door to allow the dog back in, the 10 month old pup flew through the air and pounced on this dominant animal. I could not believe what I was seeing.
The other one stood back, and stayed out of the way, while the male proceeded to drag this poor dog all around the pen by the neck shaking him the entire time, the dog trying valiantly to fight back without success. It was winter time, and I fell down a couple times running all the way to the house after my attempts to get this animal to release the dog failed, his jaws were literally locked solid and he wasn't letting go. I grabbed some meat in the house, hoping to distract the wolf dog into letting go. I yelled the wolf dogs name, and flashed the meat at him to get him to let go of the other dog, which he was trying to kill. He seemed to not want to take the bait.
I finally got an opportunity, and when the animal let go for a second to grab the meat, I grabbed his scruff. I had left the double gated entry area open so I could tell this collie who was obedience trained to leave the pen to go home (which meant to leave the pen go to the house) and he did, limping painfully all the way. I dragged the wolf dog after this dog over to the gate still thankful the other one had not joined in, especially since they are pack animals and they feed off each other’s excitement, which entices others to join in.
(I think her young age at the time helped along this day) I was able to close the double-gated area. I had to get this dog to the vets. I now am overly careful (heck thought I was even then but it goes to show how easy it is to misinterpret simple tail wagging and whining as meaning one thing when it can mean something completely opposite.) A tail wag to me is never just a tail wag.
I Want A Wolf That Acts Like A Dog
If I was given a penny for every time someone told me they want a wolf that looks and acts like a dog, I would be rich several times over. Wolves lets face it are one of the most majestic animals in existence, they stand for so many things to so many people; family togetherness, graceful, spiritual, haunting, beautiful, loyal, strong, wild, and mystical. People want to own this, capture it and connect with it. Northern breed dogs are as wolf like as many people can legally own, (since it is illegal for the average person to own a pure wolf without licensing) but then some found a way to get even closer to wolves through either winding up with a pup that has wolf in it, or deliberate breeding to produce wolf crosses.
Unfortunately most should stick with goldfish, as is testament to the amount of dogs that wind up in rescue many cannot even handlea dog like a collie, let alone an animal that requires extra special care when it comes to containment, feeding, socialization and training. So many have become caught up in the perceptions of what they think a wolf and thus a wolf like dog is, that common sense becomes clouded.
As wolf dog ownership becomes more popular , and more IGNORANT people get their hands on them to breed, rescue stats will continue to rise to be as high as any other breed of canine out there today. It makes sense bite stats and attack stats could also be on the rise in years to come.
Human beings are the only animal on the planet that feel the need to conquer and own every part of the wild and hold it in their back yards, and for every well intentioned responsible good wolf like dog owner there are far more irresponsible ego driven owners. Any one attaining any type of canine as a symbol is doomed to fail as a successful caretaker (owner.) One does not hear owners running around stating, “OH I want a dog that acts like a wolf.” Do we? I can tell you right now and clear up this misconception, there is NO such thing as a pure wolf that will act like a dog! You can get some wolf like dogs that appear wolfie looking, that come from great lines and act every bit as dog as any other Nordic type breed, however you can also get some wolf dogs that can act like a wolf, or can act somewhere nicely in the middle, depending on if more recent wolf blood is used in the line vs. simply a wolfie looking breed bred to retain more of the look, without the more intense behaviors.
Even pure wolves or wolfdogs that have a lot more recent wolf blood that have good temperaments and are more tractable will still not act like a golden retriever. Wolves that are extremely tractable will retain more intensity than the average typical domestic dog. (Now lest anyone confuse that word intensity it does not necessarily mean DANGEROUS) I liken wolves to dogs as souped up sports cars. The average dog runs on 4 cylinders where as wolves, and some wolf dogs have racing engines.
I have asked quite a few purebred dog owners and breeders why they are so against wolf dogs, their number one complaint is that their chosen breed of dog ie. Alaskan Malamute, Siberian husky, Belgian shepherds and the like are being messed up, & are being used to create mutt dogs. From their view points they have worked hard to create a breed that breeds consistent and true in regards to temperament and physical traits, only to see that breed used to create canines that do not breed true, nor produce the same sort of consistency. This is somewhat true for some wolf dogs out there, however some breeders of wolfdogs have created a breed type, some breeders line breed, so they have created lines of wolfdogs (canis lupus familiaris) that breed quite consistent and true in temperament and looks.
Contents, Percentage, Filial Numbers OH MY!
Wolf dogs come in various sizes; looks, contents & some breeders/owners even break them into percentages. The huge variances of physical and character traits from wolfdog to wolfdog displayed by each canine will depend on which genes are more dominant. All of these things may influence whether you get a more doggie acting wolf like dog, or a more intense acting wolf like dog. Lower content litters due to their being so much more dog in the mix will have a lot more physical differences between siblings than a high content litter which will be more consistent & uniform in looks, if the breeder has been breeding without thought. I have seen mid content litters where one pup may look a lot more wolf like than all it’s other siblings due to what traits that particular pup inherited from it’s parents, even though all the pups are considered and classified as mid-contents. Many breeders break wolf dogs up into several categories of content, depending on look, behaviors, and line background.
How some choose to classify content /percentage levels
Low content. Approx. 1 to 34%
Low/mid content Approx. 35 to 49%
Mid content Approx. 50 to 65%
Uppermid to upper high Approx. 66 to 80%
Higher contents Approx. 81 to 99%
In general and typically, the less wolf in the mix, the more domestic dog like in behaviors, and looks, the wolf dog will tend to inherit, and vice versa if there is more wolf in the canine. Being that there are no absolutes, one can get a more intense acting mid content, as well as a more outgoing, friendly high content, note: (Please keep in mind even friendly outgoing high contents will typically tend retain an intensity that will still differ from a typical domestic dog, like extreme destructiveness due to curiosity, car sickness, or fear defecation & urination tendencies, unable to 100% housetrain, or obedience train, all senses extremely heightened, can be highly reactive to *perceived* threats/objects/certain people, and extreme independence. Over all there will just be a higher sensitivity level than the average well bred domestic dog.
So how does one get the percentages in their wolf dogs?
I would have liked to have skipped this particular discussion altogether, since I personally do not attach percentages to wolfdogs, as there truly is no such thing and was made up by breeders, but since this is how many are sold and represented it is a needed section.
If a breeder just places two wolf dogs of unknown background together, and just breeds, there is no real way to determine content, nor estimate/approximate percentage (%.) One can phenotype and break down the various qualities of wolf to dog, and make a guess as to content but not %. In order to phenotype with some sort of accuracy the person should have literally years of experience under their belts dealing with all types of canines purebred and not, and working with wolves, and wolfdogs of various verifiable filial generations as well.
Some wolf dog breeders have (genuine not made-up) pedigrees, dating back to pure wolves from fur farms and zoos, proving the existence of the wolf blood in the mix, and this is where some will be able to attain more accurate percentages. (That is if pedigrees are not fudged) Some wolf dog breeders do not attach percentages, or filial generations to their dogs. Some have created a breed type like any other specific breed of dog out there but have been able to maintain a uniform look through careful and selective line breeding, without bringing any pure wolves into the line.
I am for the general publics info. Going to speak about how some breeders may breed their wolf dogs, and how they accomplish that. I do not want the public to go away thinking that ALL wolfdog breeders use the same methods. This also can create confusion however between breeders and owners.
PLEASE NOTE: if one has taken genetic coding in school they will also realize that after the first filial generation even, using the following equations will be mere approximation of percentage. Wolf dog breeding can be a crapshoot if there is no plan to breeding!
The F number (filial) number refers to how many generations removed from pure wolf the wolf dog is; meaning an F1 (first generation) wolf dog has one parent that is pure wolf, the other parent can be a certain breed of dog including other wolfdogs, an F2 has a grandparent that is pure, an F3 a great grandparent and so on down the line. However what many people are not aware of is that it can also be that you have two 98% wolfdogs and the introduced into the line.
So Some wolfdog breeders might use the following methods, (Taking the percentage of both parents and adding them together, take this result and divide by two to get the pups percentage. )
pups then be considered once born F2s, if any of those pups are taken bred with another near pure the pups can be considered F3s, and so on. All the while not losing very distinct wolf like looks even though the filial number is rising, and pure wolf is not being used.
So for example, a 75% F1 wolf dog bred with a pure wolf, would result in offspring that would be respectively 87.5 % F1 (due to one of the parents being pure) This resulting pup (87.5%F1) if bred with say a (60% F2,) the pups filial number will follow the highest number of one of the parents in this case, so resulting pups would then be respectively 73.5%. F2.
This 73.5% F2 pup could be quite wolf like in looks, and act quite intense in nature, it has fairly recent wolf blood in it so in *general* you would notice a difference between this pup and say a purebred malamute. This 73.5% F2 could also be very sweet, loving, and outgoing too and enjoy going for a car ride,as opposed to many highs who fear defecate and puke on car rides despite heavy socialization to such. It all depends on what it inherits genetically (more of the wolf or more of the dog genes. (There is no guarantee of what this pup will inherit, if the breeder has not been selective in the breeding program) If you were to take this 73.5%F2 and breed with a 60%F2 pups would be classified as 66.75%F3 pups
An 80% F3, or F4, can differ quite vastly in temperament, and looks, from an 80% F1, all due to the more recent wolf blood.
An 80% F1, will***tend*** to look and act a lot more wolf like, than an F4 in *general* if using the above method and introducing more wolf than dog into the equation, and be classified as a high content due to looks, behaviors and genetic background. F4's have had a lot of dilution due to the breeding away from pure wolf, and breeding wolf*dog* to wolf*dog*, it has watered a lot of the intensities that in general an F1 even an F2 might still retain.
Some wolf dogs may act and even look higher in content than their actual percentage states.
For two examples: You could take an 80% F3, classified in % terms anyways as being an upper mid to high content even a higher content wolf dog.... BUT he is an 80%*** *F3*** keep that filial number in mind here, as this can either subtly or drastically water down the animals intensities quite a bit).
Now lets take a TRUE 50% F1 mid content pup, it has a verified pure wolf parent and pure dog parent, though this animal is only 50% it is an F1 this low filial number could bump it's intensity level up to say an upper mid contents level or even a pure wolfs level due to it's **behaviors**.
The 80%F3 could be bumped down to being called more of a mid content in ***nature/temperament***even though he has an upper mid percentile number. The 50% F1 mid could be classified as higher content in nature/temperament
Please note: Even wolf dogs where the parentage is known percentage wise, as I tried to portray above this does not necessarily nor automatically mean exact wolf content due to the biological mechanisms that will control the inherited genetic material. Which thus results in statistical variances and complexities.
If you have taken basic biology you will know that no two pups in a litter will have the exact same genotype (unless they are identical twins) despite being given the same percentage number. The physically different characteristics in any one pup in the same litter will also reflect genotype differences. Of course the more wolf in the make-up you will not have the variances in physical looks as one might get in a lower-mid content wolf dog litter.
What makes a wolf look different from a dog? Wolves and dogs are very similar they have the same number of chromosomes arranged into (39 pairs) which is 78. However in order for a wolf to look physically different there is also a number of genes located on the wolf’s chromosomes, that are coded specifically for the wolfs characteristics. All breeds and mixed of breeds of dogs have various traits and qualities specific to them, and all of them have special needs and care required to care for them adequately and properly.
Shih-tzus are typically a social breed, and great as family dogs. They are a little hard to housetrain but patience eventually pays off. Shih-tzus are a happy breed always looking to please their owners, their coat requires daily grooming to prevent mats but they do not shed. For a first time dog owner this breed is highly recommended after doing ones homework. Their small size makes them great for all kinds of home dwellings, apartments or otherwise. Containment wise nothing special needs to be done as compared to a wolf dog. Most, minus the climbers out there can stay within a three-foot tall fence and be fine. Their needs and requirements for care are vastly different than say for a Samoyeds needs and care, and their temperaments are as well vastly different.
Wolf dogs require all the basic things that any canine does, attention, good containment for the type of canine they are, appropriate nutrition, love, good vet care, understanding of that particular type of canines needs, and good training.
The difference between a wolf dog and a typical domestic dog breed, can be similar to the differences between two different breeds of dogs such as a poodle and a Rottweiler. What you put into any canine is what you will get out of it for the most part, that includes wolfdogs.
The one thing that sometimes sets purebred dog breeders apart from some wolfdog breeders is that purebred dog breeders prefer to breed and focus on selective breeding for one kind of look and consistent characteristic for their choice of breed. With so many different content levels of wolfdogs there also comes with that vastly different temperament traits, and physical characteristics. This is not to say some breeders do not also breed for uniformity, like any responsible purebred dog breeder strives for, as this is happening in a few lines out there, but sadly this train of thought has not been heavily embraced by the majority.
The increased variability of looks and temperament in one litter occurs the most in lines where the breeders give virtually no thought to their breeding program, they are breeders whom do not select for specific physical and temperament traits. This is why so many wolf dog breeders are considered as simply breeding mutts. This does not help boost wolf dog breeders reputations in an animal responsible animal community. But this is of course but one hurdle when it comes to breeding wolf dogs, the stigma and political prejudice is of the biggest obstacle to over come for all owners.
Wolf dogs, and any canine that has even a little wolf in them, are increasingly being targeted, and labeled, as a dangerous canine and being banned, without there being actual; studied & scientific proof of such. The Authorities may only hear the wolf word and jump to erroneous conclusions and labeling. Thus wolfdogs are either falling under BSL (Breed Specific Legislation, if they are considered a dog, or they are falling under the radar and being banned under wildlife laws and classified as an exotic and wild) Unfortunately many German Shepherd husky crosses can appear VERY wolf like in appearance, and get mislabeled, or sold as a wolf cross or even a pure wolf by an ignorant breeder. This breeder will then pass erroneous information onto unsuspecting buyers.
All canines have the potential to be dangerous given the right set of circumstances, environment, and perceived threat. Due to the political bias against wolfdogs, Rabies is not approved for use in dogs where the person admits the animal is a wolf hybrid. Instead of getting the automatic quarantine period, most domestic dogs get if they bite, or scratch someone, wolf dogs are in most cases seized immediately. They are then euthanized, and their brains sent away to be tested for rabies, even if the wolf dog has been vaccinated against it. To get across this Dilemma, many are advised to call their wolf like dogs, husky crosses, for the very safety of the animals life, but this should not be a recourse owners should have to take, and hopefully one day this prejudice will change. Under the new classification for domestic dogs linking pure wolves and dogs as members of the same family, one can also use this to their advantage.
Wolf like dogs can be a loyal and good companion, but only in the right environment, where the animals needs are met. I liken them to cats that are very graceful in movement, slightly aloof but at the same time loving, deep and affectionate. They form very tight bonds with those they consider family, and are HIGHLY intelligent. However a potential owner must consider if they purchase a wolfdog, and the breeder follows the aforementioned methods of breeding, buyers need to be aware of what they may be purchasing, just as with any other type of canine breed/mix)
Wolves evolve via natural selection not via mans lab experiments, they are more primal in all aspects of their behaviors, they are creatures that take a long time to fully mature but when they do they surpass a domestic dogs maturity level. Whereas a domestic dog one can say is more like a two year old toddler at maturity, wolves are more like a 5 or 6 year old in maturity. Anyone with human kids know how cranky, agitated, destructive and hyper a 2 and or 5, 6 year old child can be when bored, yet are surprised when they do not know why their wolf like dogs are doing the same things.
Can you imagine if all you had to do in your life was sit in a pen all day, watching people come and go, no new experiences, nothing to do but sleep? Heck you would be cranky, jumpy, and needy too! Wolves, and all dogs including wolfdogs love to explore, they love to climb, chew on objects, dig, play chase, testing, speaking through body language and vocalizing with each other and us.
I have lots of potential owners that contact me wanting a wolfdog because they know nothing else about them other than that they are beautiful, and they are inexplicably drawn to them. Growing up I wanted to have horses, I was always pretending I was riding the black stallion, (my all time favorite movie) gee I still dream about having that horse, and look to the day when I have my own, for now it’s still a dream, as I do not have all the right set-up to have them yet. I wanted dogs, and cats, and hawks, snakes, and frogs, and well name an animal and I without a doubt, wanted it, and some I actually got but not without the research to keep them alive and thriving.
But I also found if the research was not done, I wound up or rather the animal wound up paying for it. I’ll never forget catching frogs with my father bringing them home designing what I thought was a spectacular terrarium with a little island, water, and I was catching live bugs to feed them. I came home from school one day and one of the frogs was dead, I burst into tears the other was still alive, but he died the next day. I could not understand why they died when I thought I had done everything to keep them happy. I should have contacted someone who was considered a professional in captive amphibian care to truly understand a frogs needs. But I knew of noone to contact. The same can be said about ANY type of animal
Date Of Birth: for Dogs Of More Recent to Less Recent Wolf Heritage
When a wolfdog pup is born, will be dependant upon whether the dog has more recent wolf in it's line or not. The more wolf a dog has in it's lineage (true mid content, to true high content) the pups will be born only in the early to late spring ...not the summer , fall months or winter months.
Any offspring that are truly mid content, meaning one parent being a wolf, thus the pup being an F1 could not be born at any other time of year other than when pure wolf pups are born as well, even if one of the parents is a dog, and cycles like a dog, for breeding will still be goverend by the wolf parent.
Wolves and dogs with a LOT of wolf (high contents) ONLY EVER come into season ONCE a year, NOT twice like a dog does.
There are VERY specific breeding months when a male wolf can mate, his testicles will inflate during this time period (Jan-March)*Mech* from peanut sized, enabling breeding. Once breeding season is over the male wolf's testicles will once more shrink to peanut sized as to be barely noticeable.
Female wolves and dogs with a LOT of wolf (high contents) come into estrus ONCE a year to correspond with the males, giving birth (depending on latitude, thus also subspecies of wolf) in the early to late spring months (Late March to Maximum later May) *Mech* in the case of Arctic's or Wolves that are of a northern subspecies like Alaskan wolves they typically are born throughout the month of May, due to being in the high arctic. (Higher latitudes)
The Dates for breeding and whelping are but one biological rule that make a wolf a wolf. Anything with enough wolf in it, (high content) or any dog that has a wolf parent, the offspring will also be born according to the same rules as pure wolf pups are. Captivity does not change these rules.
If a wolf in captivity is born in Texas this will NOT throw out their biological clock of when to breed, and give birth, it will not make them come into heat twice a year like a dog. A dog whom is more removed from the wolf in it's lineage will tend to inherit more dog traits physically, (looking more dog like and biologically) meaning no hard fast rules when it comes to mating, or birthing times for young. That wolfdog pup born in the summer, fall or winter said to be a high content simply is NOT!!!! Biologically it is just not possible.
Conclusion
As more people attain a wolf dog (DOG), and get into breeding them responsibly and unfortunately irresponsibly, more becomes known from the mistakes made from the past of how to better care for such animals. One cannot conclusively ID (phenotype) a wolf dog via physical or behavioral characteristics alone, Although wolves and some wolf dogs (depending on the line) tend to be more sensitive to environmental stimuli than the average dog, and display other exaggerated behaviors of shyness around strangers and new situations, and spooking more easily, if looked at in and of itself apart from all the other traits the animal has, any domestic dog (breed) that has simply had a bad upbringing or was simply badly bred can be mistakenly ID, all due to an increased shyness, or hyper sensitivity level brought on by it’s own genetics and possible bad upbringing. The same thing can be said if only the physical characteristics are taken into account. Wolf dogs percentages (if one uses such methods in breeding) as pointed out are not 100% accurate and in fact can even be misleading.
When a person puts the time, research and homework into truly understanding what it takes to share their lives with a wolf like dog breed both animals human and canine will wind up happy. One does not practice medicine to become a doctor without going to school and doing a lot of homework, do they? And when people are going to have a human baby do they not read as many magazines as they can? Talk to as many people as they can, try to be as prepared as possible. So it really boggles my mind that people think they can take any living being as complex as wolf dog into their lives and just hope it all turns out.