Hybrid Dog Breeds

When looking at hybrid dog breeds, be very careful. These canines are a combination of wolf, coyote or dingo and a dog, a mix only, not a breed.

Dogs that are bred with the wild animals to produce the hybrid are the northern breeds, such as husky, malamute, spitz, etc. These dogs are the closest descendants to the wolf and, therefore, will carry more of their genes.

These animals require an expert dog owner and can be dangerous if they revert to wild animal behavior.

The most popular hybrid is the wolf/dog. In most states in the U.S. it is illegal to breed, sell or own these animals.

Although hundreds of years ago, wild canines and dogs did interbreed, without help from humans, these days it is not a good combination.

Wolves are beautiful and majestic creatures and, most important, wild animals. They should be treated as such.

Their temperament, socialization, instincts, and pack issues are set in their genetic makeup.

Wolf hybrids are still wild. It may seem they go on for years behaving as a regular domestic dog, but suddenly, after about 4 years of age, the wolf appears. And this can be dangerous.

So if you think it would be "cool" to own a wolf hybrid, think again. Especially when it turns on you, your children or other pets.

There are several wolf rescue shelters in our state and most are inhabited by hybrids that were given up because they reverted to wolf behavior. The owners couldn't handle them.

I'm sure there are quite a few people out there who own hybrids and have never had a problem. That is the exception to the rule.

If you are going to buy a mixed breed dog, ask questions about who its parents were. If it looks "wolfish", chances are one of the parents or grandparents was a wolf.