Wolves

Does anyone own a wolf? Just curious as to what it is like to have one. My dogs automatically want to hunt things, and being so close to the wolf family, they are good at it. The pit tends to ruin everything with her barking tho, LOL. Anyhow was wondering if in a survival situation, would the wolf teach the dogs to really hunt, like take down a deer or elk? I have often thought about this, I am worried about having one bc I already have an akita and I don't want any problems, I seem to have a happy pack, for the most part, how hard would it be to incorprate a real young wolf pup into the pack and make it work? Since the akita is male I thought a female would work but the pit and the malamute mix are female, but spayed. Won't be getting one unless I have the time, knowledge and money to make them happy and socialized and learn how to become the "pack leader".

A friend of mine several years ago had a Japanese Akita & Timber Wolf mix, it had one white eye and the other was blue and it was a big scary looking beast to say the least.
As far as it's personality as a pet it was smart and loyal but always with a little wild side even with old age did'nt seem to tame.

I think there is a reason wolves generally don't hang around people. I don't think a pure bred wolf would do well. A half and half, or 1/4 dog and 3/4 wolf or whatever, may do better. Just my 2 cents.

A friend of mine had a shepard/wolf mix, I had to take it down and bite it's neck when I was introduced to it so it knew it's standing with me.

As a "pack leader" myself ( I currently have 27 huskies) I'd say don't get one. We humans have spent the past several thousand years of history trying to get the wolf out of dogs through intentional breeding practices. I have had several friends own wolf hybrids and it never seems to work out....and, its not just due to pack dynamics. Dogs and wolves also act very much on instinct...not just learned behaviours. So, all the things that we've bred out of dogs so they can function in our world, will be thrown out the window, and you'll have a creature that may act like a dog for a while, and then kill your neighbors cat or chickens when ever the opportunity arises. Its just not fair to the wolf to ask it to fit in. Trying to get a wolf hybrid to not hunt, is like trying to get a Labrador to not play fetch- darned near impossible.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=7825

Check this out, might change your mind.

If you want a good pot hunter, get a couple of Greyhounds.... the exocet missile of the dog world... silent and deadly, incredibly loyal and good with people.

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Originally Posted by wychwood

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=7825

Check this out, might change your mind.

If you want a good pot hunter, get a couple of Greyhounds.... the exocet missile of the dog world... silent and deadly, incredibly loyal and good with people.

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i have two whippets great hunters and beautiful to watch in action, poor poodles are so confused

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Originally Posted by rebel_chick

Does anyone own a wolf? Just curious as to what it is like to have one. My dogs automatically want to hunt things, and being so close to the wolf family, they are good at it. The pit tends to ruin everything with her barking tho, LOL. Anyhow was wondering if in a survival situation, would the wolf teach the dogs to really hunt, like take down a deer or elk? I have often thought about this, I am worried about having one bc I already have an akita and I don't want any problems, I seem to have a happy pack, for the most part, how hard would it be to incorprate a real young wolf pup into the pack and make it work? Since the akita is male I thought a female would work but the pit and the malamute mix are female, but spayed. Won't be getting one unless I have the time, knowledge and money to make them happy and socialized and learn how to become the "pack leader".

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i had two 93 percent pure wolves when i lived on the ranch in AZ loved em but pain in the arse to aloof and killed every chicken that wandered too close ramrod was not happy with me

i think that it would depend but if you have children then i would not do it. poco and i had a quarter dog. we called them that because they were quarter pit, lab, collie, and wolf. she was a great dog but i would have to agree though that you probably do not want a full wolf pup. you will never know what it is going to do because it will always be wild and could turn on you or even your family. depending upon the situation it could even turn on your other pets.

First I must applaude the fact that you are asking questions BEFORE You get an animal and doing research.Too many people are ROMANTICIZED with this or that notion and never do any research on the subject. When reality rears it's head they are shocked to find out that it ain't what they thought at all. I wanted a Caucasian Ovcharka after I saw an ad for the breed. But then I did a little research and found some things about their temperament That changed my mind. From what I have heard that many people get a wolf or hybrid only to find out that it wasn't the right thing for them to do. This results in either the animal going to a "rescue" or being euthanized. I believe that in the post/link that Nell67 posted someone who replied mentioned this as well.
In regards to what Equus posted about our "1/4 dogs" as we called them, They were good dogs... However I do not believe they had any wolf in them, it could've been a "look alike" breed, huskie akita etc. and someone assumed they were wolves. they were to small for one thing about border collie size, maybe a little larger. wolf hybrids were the current "fad" at the time and I believe it was just something to help get rid of some extra pups. that's all. From what I know now I personally would not want a wolf, full or hybrid. Theres just too much for me to learn about them for me to do "justice" to the animal.Pack dynamics, space requirements, exercise, etc.

First of all I would like to thank everyone for answering with their knowledge and not with crude remarks on how cruel or stupid it is to have a wolf, I understand that way of thinking but this is something that I want to know. So thanks everyone, ya'll are great here.

Next, I went to a hybrid rescue today, I just wanted to see them. And the most of the hybrids, especially the older ones, had problems, especially the geran shepherd mix, like hip problems.

I think I am just going to hang out at this rescue and see what comes of it. O and no I don't have kids anyway. I want one and I know that there is work involved and a lot to learn, but I will probably never get the chance anyway, I am NOT paying a breeder. period! I don't support the breeding of wolves bc people suck and don't understand that wolves are not dogs.

Well again thanks everyone.

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Originally Posted by wychwood

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=7825

Check this out, might change your mind.

If you want a good pot hunter, get a couple of Greyhounds.... the exocet missile of the dog world... silent and deadly, incredibly loyal and good with people.

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I have a pit mix, either a whippet or greyhound, I kind of like the whippets but aren't they real hyper? I can barely stand Allie, she is sooo hyper, she is nutso! And what is the difference between a whippet and a greyhound? Are they good with other dogs? I have never actually looked into it.

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Originally Posted by rebel_chick

I have a pit mix, either a whippet or greyhound, I kind of like the whippets but aren't they real hyper? I can barely stand Allie, she is sooo hyper, she is nutso! And what is the difference between a whippet and a greyhound? Are they good with other dogs? I have never actually looked into it.

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First off great that you'r thinking of a rescue dog!
The main difference between a Greyhound and a Whippet is size. A Whippet is typically 18 inches or so at the shoulder a Greyhound is 26-30 inches. I've not had a Whippet so can't comment on temperament, maybe Wareagle can help you out there.
As for a Greyhounds temperament, I've had 4 myself and known 2 others all ex racing dogs. The Greyhound is a sloth in dog guise! They make first class hearth rugs and can while away literally days in the horizontal position, just getting up to eat pee and poo! However.... out in the field a switch clicks and the rocket engine is fired up and ready to go at the merest sight of anything they think they're in with half a chance of catching. Watching a brace of greyhounds work an area is quite magical. Oh they hunt by sight not smell, and hunt in silent mode. They make great companions and loyal friends, I could wax lyrical forever but won't!:)
Edit- Like any dog as long as the're socialised they get on well with other dogs, ex racing Greyhounds will already be socialised so there should be no probs.

Ya, all my dogs but one are rescues of some sorts. I don't know, I really need to have a puppy to introduce to my pack, my guys can be pretty aggressive towards older dogs and it makes me nervous, don't want anyone to get hurt, but puppies I can introduce into the pack and make it all work. I would love to rescue a wolf cub but...who gives those up, lol. maybe i will look into one of these whippets or greyhounds and see what I find. No more aggresive type dogs tho, geez. I want to be able to take my dog places. My youngest dog is way to protective already. We used to take him to the junk sales out here and he did really well and then all of a sudden he started barking at certain people and then at everyone, no matter what I did to correct him. Dogs can be frustrating at times. But hey, thanks for all your help.

yes i can
i never had a whippet until i met my wife, they are her favorite dog
about their personality they are nicknamed whimpetts because they can act like they are beat all the time if i raise my voice to gemma she will tuck her tail lower her head and start shaking, quite humorous actually, the speed and agility of these dogs is amazing to watch them at full speed then turn on a dime is awesome. then they are asleep in bed for the next 18 hours(kind of like the wife on the weekends) i have come quite attached to this breed. they do quite well in the bush, and am sure the desert would be no problem either.
we have 29 animals here all of them rescues, obviously like animals better than people and have no tolerance for any one who abuses an inoocent critter.

A neighbor of mine a few years back when I lived in a different location had a few wolves, and a few huskies all living together and fenced in (in a rural area). It was funny because the wolves picked up barking from the dogs and the dogs picked up howling from them. They definitely display different personality traits. For some reason the wolves would often sit on top of their little dog houses, and when ANY small animal or rodent would come anywhere near the house, they'd dig their way under the fence and go get it and bring it back into their territory. I've always wanted to raise a pack myself.

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Originally Posted by wareagle69

yes i can
i never had a whippet until i met my wife, they are her favorite dog
about their personality they are nicknamed whimpetts because they can act like they are beat all the time if i raise my voice to gemma she will tuck her tail lower her head and start shaking, quite humorous actually, the speed and agility of these dogs is amazing to watch them at full speed then turn on a dime is awesome. then they are asleep in bed for the next 18 hours(kind of like the wife on the weekends) i have come quite attached to this breed. they do quite well in the bush, and am sure the desert would be no problem either.
we have 29 animals here all of them rescues, obviously like animals better than people and have no tolerance for any one who abuses an inoocent critter.

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Well it's not just body shape and sleeping they have in common then! I forgot to add, Greyhounds a very wussy too, and do the same thing when you raise your voice! I could never tell mine off because I'd be laughing in seconds at their grovelling.

I think I read or heard somewhere that the rabies shots we give dogs don't work on wolves and wolf hybrids. I was thinking of getting a wolf hybrid, but with 4 small kids and not knowing if the rabies shot works, I decided against it. Then we found someone giving away their 4 year old malamute, and we got her instead. She has been a great dog so far and great with my 3 and 4 year olds.

Ok, the rabies thing is total BS! They also say that they don't work on wild mustangs until they are green broke. What does being ridden or not have to do with the way a rabies shot works for the animal. On top of that, the game and fish often go out and drop oral rabies vacc for wild animals in food form. Why do that if it don't work? Some moron came up with that so that they didn't have to have them done. And most vets won't administer them to them either so you have to go around it and buy them online and give them yourself, or find an exoctic vet. I have a malamute cross and she hates kids, especially dark ones, (like mexicans). I swear she is racist! I had nothing to do with it, I swear... But she only likes me and david. If my friends are over she will leave them alone but they can't pet her. Might actually have a bit of wolf in her, she sure acts like it.

Hmmm...well maybe I will see what I can do about finding a rescue for whippets. Thanks for all your info guys!

TwoAttachment 8605, a pit and two cats Attachment 8606Attachment 8607. Caveat, I have dealt with these creatures most of my life. This is not a yuppy whim. Under me, the pit (a rescue as an abandoned infant) is a beta, and the girls are inherently alpha and omega. The cats figured out their status in the very beginning ;) but know when to steer clear just in case. When we go on walks the cats go also, following within 50 ft (cats are like preschoolers, they keep a distance then hurry back to check in, repeating often). Now, about wolves as "pets", and pack behavior...

Why on earth would you want a hybrid wolf? Wolves (and all hybrids, because you NEVER know as a pup what temperament you will get in a hybrid) require a lifetime of hard work, special containment, patience, tolerance, frequent replacing of walls/tables/sofas/doors/floors/windows/fencing/door handles (and sometime jurisdictions and neighbors). Wolves are not dogs!!! Dogs, conversely, have only a dim cellular memory of being wolves. They are two distinct beings only sharing similar bodies. Both Pits and wolves are smart...and will instinctually agree to work in a pack environment (only if YOU can be an immovable alpha). That being said, when push comes to shove, my pit will always submit to the wolves. That includes being put in place when she gets too barky. An Akita male would not work with a wolf, sorry. Their tendency to be alpha would be in dangerous opposition to almost any wolf or hybrid.

Wolves wil be lazy whenever possible. That is to say that YOU will hunt and they will eat your leftovers. As I said, they are SMART. In the wild, "your" wolves would run off so fast your head would spin, so do not think of them as survivor buddies. There is only even a small chance they would stay close enough to see if you would provide carcasses for them to scavenge while you were asleep. Your pit is more likely to be your hunting partner. The akita would likely bolt, also, given the chance. Malamutes are much more dogs who look like wolves. They form strong attachments with their people. Ultimately, WE are trained to live with wolves (and even hybrids), not the reverse.

Please do not make the fatal error of adding a living variable into your life that you cannot control. The price would be so hefty, resulting in death to some creature you quickly grow to love (be it ANY of your pets or a wolf you might bring into your space).

Thread was started 3½ years ago.

I wonder if Rebel Chick got a wolf or two and if so, how'd it work out?

S.M.