This brochure is distributed as an National Lupine Association Verifying pedigrees…. educational publication and is copyright © National Lupine Association (NLA) 2016 in LookingLooking forfor aa Because wolfdogs are mixed-breeds and its entirety. All rights reserved. are not recognized by the American Ken- For reprint permission, contact nel Club (AKC), extra caution and care NLA at [email protected]. WolfdogWolfdog Breeder?Breeder? should be taken in verifying any wolf- For more information on dog’s pedigree. Great care should also wolfdogs, please visit our website be taken in verifying wolf percentage at www.nationallupine.org. The National Lupine Association (NLA) represented on said pedigrees. This can is often asked to refer breeders. While be done by contacting knowledgeable NLA is not a breeder’s club and does not wolfdog owners and breeders, cross refer specific breeders, we do, however, referencing information with them. suggest that buyers purchase animals only from responsible breeders. To that Many wolfdog lines can be traced back end, NLA has provided basic guidelines five or ten or more generations. Those within this brochure that responsible, who claim to have den-robbed ani- ethical wolfdog breeders should abide by mals or descendants of den-robbed when breeding wolfdogs. animals elicit raised eyebrows in legitimate wolfdog circles. Not only The best way to ensure that you are do such animals tend to be wild and dealing with a responsible wolfdog unmanageable, but they convenient- breeder is to ask other wolfdog owners ly allow breeders to avoid the pedi- for recommendations and referrals. gree issue. In other words, den- Word of mouth is an excellent way of robbed animals conveniently tend verifying that a breeder is ethical, legit- to lack the paper trail necessary to imate, and responsible. Also, use this verify information in a pedigree. brochure to cross-check information And more importantly, these you obtain from a breeder. claims are almost always bogus. Prior to buying a puppy, research Additionally, breeders who claim wolfdogs and determine if this is the their white wolfdogs are Arctics type of canine for you. Like many breeds are generally misguided. There of dog, they may be inappropriate com- are very few Arctics in captivity panion animals for some owners, but (and none are born white). Like- National Lupine Association appropriate for others. Although they are wise, those who claim to have P.O. Box 971063 not Labradors, they are also not the wild Mexican wolves or red wolves animals that some maintain. A wolfdog are also misguided. Other than Miami, FL 33197-1063 is merely a dog with more recent wolf in zoos, there are no Mexican or inheritance than is typically found in red wolves in private owner- most other dogs. ship. Website: www.nationallupine.org E-mail: [email protected] www.nationallupine.org  answer any and all questions you have What to look for... about wolfdogs and the particular line their lines: Siberian Husky, Mala- they have produced and you are consider- mute, and German Shepherd. ing for purchase. Regardless of what breed of dog you  ensure that both the dam and the choose as a companion, there are certain  screen you as a prospective wolfdog own- sire are free of any genetic disorders qualities that ethical and responsible er, presenting you with (1) a question- by health testing and/or allowing breeders possess that unethical and irre- naire or application before the purchase, you to view their medical records sponsible breeders do not. Know what (2) a sales contract at the time of pur- and/or speak to their veterinarian. characteristics to look for in a wolfdog chase, if you are approved, and (3) and a BEFORE acquiring one as a companion. pedigree of at least three generations of  never espouse any of the uneducat- the animals in the lineage. ed myths surrounding wolfdog own- There are countless unethical backyard ership: that rabies vaccines will kill breeders who successfully pawn off their  ensure that their buyers have adequate wolfdogs; that wolfdogs are excel- Malamute, Husky or German Shepherd facilities to house and maintain a wolfdog lent guard/protection dogs; that mix puppies as wolfdog pups to the un- and that you are knowledgeable of wolf- they have (and you can have) a pure knowledgeable and unsuspecting public. If dogs’ needs, care, and behavior. or very high content wolf in a house or apartment; that feeding raw meat you know what you are looking for, this  provide you with a contract mandating will make them aggressive; etc. As- very common con will be less likely to that, at any time during the duration of the sertions like these are clues that the happen to you. If you are not well-versed animal’s life, the breeder will take the ani- breeder is uneducated, unethical, in what a wolfdog adult or pup looks like, mal back or find it a new home if the buyer and irresponsible. go to the NLA website and review our can no longer care for it. phenotyping information or contact a knowledgeable wolfdog owner.  ensure that the pup’s parents are not ag- If any of the breeders gressive or improperly socialized by al- you have contacted do The following is what to expect of ethical lowing you to interact with the parents. not do all of the above, and responsible wolfdog breeders. They (Note: When looking at younger pups, use you might want to should common sense on interacting with the mother; many canine moms can be quite reconsider and continue your  have a clean, sanitary breeding facility/ protective of their pups with strangers.) kennel with proper enrichment for search for a  breed animals that will reflect positively responsible their animals. (NOTE: You should verify on wolfdogs; will NOT breed aggressive, this yourself by going to the breeder’s wolfdog predatory-type wolfdogs (e.g., aggressive breeder. facility.) wolfdogs, wolfdogs mixed with aggressive dog types). Most responsible wolfdog breeders use the following dog breeds in