I worked with wolves for 2 years in college - mostly with pups, but also got to see the experienced handlers with the adults in an educational park. They are not dogs. I have had many experiences with "American" wolfdogs. They are more difficult than CSVs - not always aggressive, but some are, and as stated above, even if not aggressive, most high contents have high prey drive - not unlike many dog breeds, but in combination with the impossibility to train like a dog, it's where danger comes in for unfamiliar people, especially those who don't have good judgement (like small kids). So okay, they are their own entity, I feel neutral to this in some ways. A big problem for me living in the US is that many wolfdogs are bred illegally - frequently in very cramped confinement, so the authorities don't detect them. They are bred only for profit and as hobby/pets, since they have no kind of working purpose. There is no standard to aim for with breeding. I seriously doubt there are any high contents that have earned obedience or working titles. I currently have a Czech bred GSD staying with me...he is hard, dominant, drivey, and with very high prey drive - difficult to handle if you aren't experienced. He is much more similar to my CSV than the grey wolves were. But he is fine as a pet with the right family - he understands people, even with no food to work for. He can live indoors, and understands things such as voice inflection. Here are some experiences of people who spend a lot of time with all kinds of American wolfdogs - but a few of the many rescues here. Notice, they say "full/waiting list". Ordinary shelters/rescues are often obliged by law or policy to euthanize wolfdogs, and it's always the case if they bite someone. It's a sad situation here...
http://www.nevercrywolfrescue.com/media.asp
http://www.texasblessings.com/WOLF_DOG_RESCUE.html
http://www.wharwolves.org/adoptionreality.htm
14-11-2010, 21:53
Threaded Mode