Border Collie

SCRAPS Breed Profile WOLFDOG-HYBRID

Stats

Country of Origin: United States Group: Use today: Family companion. Life Span: In a stable home, about 12 - 14 years, some even longer. Color: Coat colors are pure white, red, sesame and brindle. Coat: Double coated. Harsh, waterproof outer coat insulated with a thick, soft undercoat. Grooming: Wolfdogs require little grooming, however, they should be accustomed to grooming procedures when they are puppies to make veterinary care possible later in life. They will shed heavily during the molting season, this can be reduced by a thorough brushing-out removes the natural waterproofing of the coat. This breed sheds heavily twice a year. Height: Males 26 – 34 inches; Females 25 - 33 inches Weight: Males 75 – 125 pounds; Females 60 - 110 pounds

Profile

In Brief: A wolf’s behavior is typically more permit for ownership. In other areas Wolfdogs socially shy and timid toward humans than that are not regulated, being classified as domestic of a dog. Due to the variability inherent to their dogs. Know your regulations if any BEFORE you hybridization, whether a wolf–dog cross should buy. be considered more dangerous than a dog depends on behavior specific to the individual Description: Hybrids display a wide variety of alone rather than to wolfdogs as a group. In appearances, ranging from a resemblance to addition to innate behavioral tendencies, learned dogs without wolf blood to animals that are often behaviors and environment can lead to (or mistaken for full-blooded wolves. A lengthy mitigate) aggression. Any risk to public safety is study by DEFRA and the RSPCA found several affected by the socialization of each individual examples of misrepresentation by breeders and wolf–dog cross, and the socialization of each indeterminate levels of actual wolf pedigree in individual is affected by training methods. They many animals sold as wolfdogs. The report are sensitive, entertaining and playful, noted that uneducated citizens misidentify dogs independent and aloof. Wolfdogs are slow to with wolf-like appearance as wolfdogs. Wolfdogs mature, 2+ years old before reaching adulthood. tend to have somewhat smaller heads than pure They have remarkable eye sight, an acute sense wolves, with larger, pointier ears that lack the of smell and very good hearing. Their memory is dense fur commonly seen in those of wolves. also excellent. Slender and agile they are Fur markings also tend to be very distinctive and capable of great speed and endurance. A not well blended. Black colored hybrids tend to wolfdog is very alert and aware of his retain black pigment longer as they age, surroundings. Not for everyone, only those who compared to black wolves. In some cases, the have experience in successfully raising dog presence of dewclaws on the hind feet is breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute or considered a useful, but not absolute indicator of Siberian Husky should consider a wolfdog. In dog gene contamination in wild wolves. some states, cities, and counties, Wolfdogs are Dewclaws are the vestigial first toes, which are common on the hind legs of domestic dogs but thought absent from pure wolves, which only have four hind toes Temperament: Wolf-dog hybrids are a mixture Living Conditions: They are inquisitive and will of genetic traits, which results in less predictable roam. They must be kept under control at all behavior patterns compared to either the wolf or times and need a fenced in yard or kennel that is dog. The adult behavior of hybrid pups also secure as they can jump great heights and are cannot be predicted with comparable certainty to diggers. Being bred to look like a wolf has its dog pups, even in third-generation pups drawbacks, if they are caught running free, there produced by wolfdog matings with dogs or from is a likelihood of the animal being harmed. the behavior of the parent animals. Thus, though When building your dog house, keep in mind the behavior of a single individual wolf hybrid that Wolfdogs also like to find a high place from may be predictable, the behavior of the type as which to watch over things (make sure it is not a whole is not. The majority of high wolf-content next to your fencing.) hybrids are very curious and are generally no more destructive than any other curious or Exercise: The Wolfdog needs a lot of exercise. active dogs. Proponents of wolfdogs as pets say It is relatively unhappy permanently indoors and that the higher wolf-content animals are naturally needs a large, enclosed (fenced), and safe area timid and fearful of humans, but that with proper for running around off the lead and so does not human association, training, and responsible do well in apartments, or large cities. ownership nearly all wolfdogs can become good companions, especially if their association and Origins: Early wolves were probably acquired training begins at an early age. Even in cases of as hunters/companions. Through domestication, wolfdogs displaying consistently dog-like we have the dog. WolfDog's have been behavior, they may occasionally retain some intentionally mated to produce a well-tempered wolf-like behavior such as digging dens, canine with higher intelligence, increased chewing up household items, climbing fences, strength, stamina, and greater senses. Wolfdog and, to varying degrees, displaying some fanciers simply desire a canine; that has not lost difficulty in housebreaking in relation to how high its ability to exhibit body language, that is not their wolf genetic content is. Low wolf-content distorted from its original form, and riddled with wolfdogs rarely have these problems any more excessive physical problems such as eyes that strongly or significantly than any other large- pop out of socket. Though mainly bred as a breed dog. companion animal, Wolfdogs have been photographed and casted in movies to portray Health: Wolf-dog hybrids are generally said to the wolf. be naturally healthy animals, and are affected by fewer inherited diseases than most breeds of dog. Wolfdogs are usually healthier than either parent due to heterosis. Some of the established breeds of wolfdog that exist today were bred specifically to improve the health and vigor of working dogs. There is some controversy over the effectiveness of the standard dog/cat rabies vaccine on a wolfdog. The USDA has not to date approved any rabies vaccine for use in wolf-dog hybrids, though they do recommend an extra- label use of the vaccine

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service 6815 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • Washington • 99212 (509) 477-2532 voice (509) 477-4745 fax www.spokanecounty.org/animal