A recent mystery transpires in Gatchel, Indiana when a homeowner’s pet dog survives a vicious attack by what appears to be a wolf. The only flaw to this unfortunate scenario…Indiana wolves were eradicated over 100 years ago.
YouTube houses the Channel 14 story and can be seen at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRGDvPVaTIc(Warning: there are a few graphic pictures).
As seen from the video link, a number of wolf hybrids bonded together and likely escaped from their owners. Wolf hybrids are a mix of a wolf and a dog and are very uncommon because almost all of them are bred by humans. Despite common perception, breeding these two genetically similar animals does not usually produce a docile, loving best friend. In fact, mixing the two species can cause a normally tame dog persona to fight with an instinctually marauder persona.
Dr. Randall Lockwood, ASPCA’s Senior Vice President for forensic sciences weighs in on the subject, “I have bred several myself in my research and worked with them. People who seek out wolf hybrids often do it for selfish and egotistical reasons. They want something exotic. It’s a mistaken belief that somehow they are honoring the spirit of the wild. Yet they have produced an animal that cannot usually live safely or happily with humans. It can’t live as a wild animal, nor does it have the adaptation of a dog. Wolf-dog hybrids are not necessarily more aggressive, but they are often very easily frightened and aroused. They’re escape artists—virtually almost every one I have ever known has escaped. They can be predatory. They are not suited to the wild world of companion animals. They are difficult to train. Wolves have enormous control over their aggression—wolves rarely fight other wolves. But when you breed wolves with dogs, it’s potentially a very dangerous combination.”
It’s interesting to note that Lockwood also added that on average, there has been one hybrid-caused fatality a year over the last twenty years in the United States. By comparison, Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People News claimed that there were 345 people killed by dogs between 1982 and 2009; 159 of these fatalities were actually caused by the infamous pit bull terrier or a similar mix.
Unfortunately, given the wolf’s notorious history, the rare occurrence of a bite or fatality inflicted wound by a wolf-hybrid would most likely reinforce its deleterious reputation. The perception of the wolf has long been misunderstood. A predator by birth, one of the most common misconceptions is that a wolf lives to eat…anything. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A wolf, as stated before being a predatory animal, is far more likely to stalk prey that it perceives as a challenge rather than prey it perceives as “available.” This does not preclude that wolf related incidents don’t occur. If an animal (or person) is hungry enough its instincts will kick in and it will find a way to feed itself. This is one of the many reasons breeding a wolf and a dog can be a huge mistake. The wolf’s predatory nature will conflict with a domestic canine personality.
Although ownership of a wolf hybrid is a decision not to be taken lightly, uninformed people taking on this difficult responsibility should keep a few critical ideas in mind: provide extraordinary amounts of space, time, security, and avoid the use of cages. Spend extra time researching the needs of wolf hybrids and consult with an expert on the subject. You can start by visiting the following link through “Wolf Park,” a non-profit research and education center dedicated to behavioral research on wolves: (http://www.wolfpark.org/wolfhybridposition.shtml). Dr. Erich Klinghammer, Director of Wolf Park explained some insightful knowledge on the livelihood of owning such a majestic animal, “The way such animals are often kept does not usually meet the social and behavioral needs of the animals. They frequently languish in small cages, or are tied to chains, with no quality of life to speak of. We are concerned that pet wolves and hybrids improperly kept, when they do cause damage negatively affect the image of the wolf in the wild. Hence, we all should do what we can to prevent this by practicing and promoting responsible ownership.”
Wolf organizations have devoted their talents and efforts to rescue wolf hybrids that would otherwise be put to death. Many of these steadfast organizations can likely attest that wolf hybrids have gotten more negative attention than they deserve and act appropriately in accordance with the amount of expertise and effort owners contribute.
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Hybrids Mistaken For Wolves -Michael Heath Indianapolis Wildlife Advocacy| Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/wildlife-advocacy-in-indianapolis/hybrids-mistaken-for-wolves#ixzz1Cf0CHO4K
The Wolf Preservation Blog 
well I have to say alot i have read in this article I disagree with mainly what Dr Lockwood was saying . I have 4 Wolf Hybrids , 1 being 3 years old and the other 3 are puppies , my Hybrid whom was doing the escape artist from my yard went and had puppies but needless to say she never went far from home and never injured anyone she would go up to people just looking for attention and the 3 pups are the same it takes a very strong hand to handle these pups though and of course it is a struggle cause they are learning first hand about living with cats to a wolf hybrid most small dogs, cats and other species that are small of course are play toys . not something to eat but something to play with they don’t want to hurt them but they do not understand that these little things are not like them so it takes alot to teach them and there dominance and stubborness does not always help in matters . but they are far from impossible to handle and they are not killers in any manner unless provoked
Thanks for responding Samantha. Although I don’t believe people should breed wolves with dogs, I’m glad your experience raising them has been a positive one. Taking care of wolf hybrids cannot be an easy task and it certainly takes responsible pet owners to make it work. Thanks again.
Your most welcome , I myself do not believe in breeding Wolves and Dogs , granted they are both of the Canine family , they are still different in alot of ways cause you do not pick a Wolf they pick you . and once they do pick you then you become part of a pack and you have to realize they do not think like your average canine , you have to be very responsible in more ways then a person could ever imagine , you are talking dogs that are very energetic , they are very intellegent and very loving in every manner of the word. they are not aggressive . if a hybrid for instance comes across a group of wild dogs though or even a pack of Wolves a hybrid does not have the experiences that these others have had and they are going to play follow the leader . so in other words these poor creatures do not really have much of a chance in life . so far alot of states are pushing to outlaw them and then you have so many that want to breed them and then sell them mind you ( without a warning label mind you ) people get these beautiful animals and have no idea that a few months down the line they are going to be saying they can not handle them . then they take them to a shelter cause they either don;t know about rescues or the rescues just have to many to take care of and what happens to them at a shelter they are put down because the shelter will not reach out and try to place them with a family that can take care of them and give them a loving home. mind you anyone that says a wolf hybrid can not be a family dog is completely and utterly wrong . the 4 that I have are family dogs they live in the house , they sleep in my bedroom and they live with 2 cats as well . so basically I myself will call out any aspca or mspca that wants to say otherwise cause I know first hand . as well I do not have them anymore but I had raised 2 grey wolves years back from cubs they were brought to me by there mama when I lived in Oklahoma and those were full Wolves they were the loves of my life and nothing can change that glorious experience I had with them .
Unfortunately, the article is referencing something that occurred 2 1/2 years ago. Dog owners are responsible for their animals – for socializing them, training them and restraining them as needed. Don’t blame the dog. Any dog not well socialized and turned out to fend on its own has the potential to do that same amount of harm – which again, goes back to irresponsible ownership. I’ve had aggressive boxers and collies charge me on a walk – and I thought they were coming at me to do damage. Blame the owner – that is where the true issue begins and ends.
The term hybrid is no longer accurate – they are not two disparate species inter-breeding. Wolfdog is the correct term. To be labeled accurately a wolfdog must have within 5 generations a pure wolf ancestor (g-g-grand parent) – less than that and it is a dog. Mutt. Heinz 57 unless AKC papers exists. Unfortunately, many breeders mislabel northern breed dogs as wolfdogs. Northern breed dogs (mals, huskys, akitas, etc.) do have wolfy looking characteristics and an untrained eye and uneducated buyer can be easily duped. The elkhound suddenly becomes a wolfdog and a lie begins.
There is no one-size-fits-all dog. Each breed comes with its own issues and needs, some dogs just need more than others. Some owners are more willing to go the extra mile required to own certain breeds – pits, malamutes, huskys, bulldogs, beagles, boxers, chihuahua’s – you name it. Some dogs have higher prey drives than others, others have breathing issues – both issues need careful monitoring.
Wolfdogs are intelligent – and require the same responsible ownership as any other dog deserves. They can be walked on leash, play in bark parks, love small children and tolerate cats. Yes, they take more time – but why have a dog if you don’t want to spend time with it? They are after all, man’s original best friends.
Good points Susan. While it is difficult to determine the wolf content in each wolfdog, how accurate do you feel “phenotyping” is? Wolfdogs seem to be singled out just by the “wolf” term and may get more attention if an incident occurs. In any case, your point of responsible ownership plays the most important key role with any dog. Do you feel like any breed may have a pre-determined disposition with aggression? Great input Susan!
Phenotyping can be a useful assessment tool when both physical and temperament traits are studied by those with real experience. There are a few individuals that are able to phenotype and that I would rely on their assessments. I study study study but confess I still can be absolutely wrong in phenotyping – so I defer to the hands-on, experienced mentors and try to learn more. The typical back-yard-breeder can’t accurately phenotype and probably is breeding animals of dubious content.
Keep in mind, breeding one northern breed with another northern breed can make a very wolfy looking DOG with NO wolf ancestry. A physical only phenotype by a novice will most likely mislabel the dog as a wolfdog – when the truth is – it is a mutt. Many many dogs in shelters and rescues are mislabeled as wolfdogs, and then condemned to die. Many shelters have an immediate euthanasia policy for ‘wolfdogs’ but the reality is that many huskies, malamutes, akitas and other northern mixes are determined to be ‘wolfdogs’ by their looks only – big paws, furry capes, angular heads. I’ve seen some huge paws on lab shepherd mixes that have a cape and are all mutt.
When phenotyping temperaments, I think that too is best left to knowledgeable individuals. Poorly socialized animals – those poor animals stuck in kennels, on chains, left alone once the puppy cuteness wears off – have poor temperament scores no matter what the breed mix.
Is it cool to say you have a wolfdog? Sure, but unless you have documented lineage – you really only have a mutt. The shepherd as a breed is only 100 years removed from wolf heritage as the foundation stock. I suppose one could call them wolfshepherds or shepherddogs.
Regardless of what an individual animal phenotype result is, because it is really only a base line – loving, interactive and responsible ownership is the key. Don’t the rehabilitated pitt bulls removed from Michael Vick prove what responsible dog ownership can accomplish?
i was smelling and thawht(thought)i percieved a wolf nier the ft. wayne nier a. river huw migrated tward(toward)minnesota.smelling isn’t an perfect exactscience but animal creatures are behter than humans but can make errors too.the time i was sencing was about 1960s but during the time 2000s.All states awt(ought,awht)tu have wolves.wolves have average i.q. about 53 hounddogs(hunddogs)have average i.q.s about 40.1/50 humans about are 33%about smarter .if 1/50 wolves are that smart then i.q. 71 about that uf less smart humans but with much behter(better)sences; 100x estimated a hunddogs sence uf(of)smell.animals and insects are more cleverthan meny believ and have abilitys and deserve respect.