in the U.S.

[saschia]

Originally Posted by wolfdogs16

In prior definitions of the term "hybrid", fertile animals were part of the scenerio, but with the change in term to "hybrid = a mating of two difference species" infertile comes into play.

This is mostly true, but as far as I know, crosses between wolves and jackals, although there is no doubt that those are two separate species, are fertile. Infertility is not a result of speciation, but mostly the reason. It is mostly due to different number of chromosomes, which cannot recombine properly and therefore not create functional gametes.

Originally Posted by wolfdogs16

... and when the dog and wolf were determined to be the same species, USDA stated a cross between a wolf and dog is not a hybrid...

Funny, why is then the rabbies vaccine not accepted for wolfs and wolf/dog mixes? As far as I know, this is the major problem in keeping wolf/dogs in some states...