A wolf dog is any canine with both domestic dog and wolf in its recent genetic ancestry and can result from any of the following parent combinations: a pure wolf and a pure domestic dog, a pure wolf and a wolf dog, two wolf dogs, or a wolf dog and a pure dog. Any breed of dog or subspecies of wolf are capable of producing viable offspring, though the chances of a toy poodle-wolf mix is extremely unlikely without human intervention in the breeding process due to the size difference between the parents.
Though it comes as a surprise to many, wolf dogs are almost exclusively a consequence of human manipulation. In the wild, wolves are generally, though not always, monogamous and extremely territorial by nature, viewing most other canines (wolves outside their pack, coyotes, and dogs) as competition for the resources necessary to survive. As a result, most wild wolves would likely react aggressively to a dog entering their territory, chasing them away or attempting to kill them rather than accepting them into a pack or viewing them as a potential mate. In addition, both male and female wolves are only capable of breeding once a year, so the likelihood of a free-ranging dog encountering a wild wolf of the opposite sex alone during breeding season (sometime between January and March) is very low.
So, if this is not a naturally occurring phenomenon, why do people intentionally create wolf dogs? There are numerous reasons, ranging from wanting to control a piece of the wild to mistakenly believing that they are creating a better “guard dog” to simply liking the “wolf look.” There is a misconception that breeding wolves and domestic dogs together will create the ideal blend of wild and domestic traits in the pups. However, these attempts to “reinvent the dog” hardly ever result in the ideal creature that most people are looking for.
WOLF DOG VS. WOLF HYBRID:
It is quite common to hear the terms “wolf dog” and “wolf hybrid” used interchangeably to describe an animal with both wolf and dog genes. While both are technically correct, the term “hybrid” is considered to be the less desirable label for these animals. This is because many hybrids, such as the mule, are sterile as a result of the two parent species having differing numbers of chromosomes. However, since wolves and dogs are closely related genetically (sharing over 99% of their DNA) and have the same number of chromosomes, wolf dogs are an example of an intraspecific hybrid (a hybrid at the sub-species level), which are capable of producing viable offspring. Since they are inherently fertile, “wolf dog” is more commonly used.
WOLFDOG CONTENT:
When you hear people talking about wolf dogs, you will almost always hear the term “content” being utilized, such as an someone claiming that, “My wolf dog is high-content,” or, “That wolf dog is low-content.” But what exactly is “content?” Essentially, the term “content” refers to the ratio of wolf genes to dog genes in a particular animal’s DNA. A high-content individual will have predominantly wolf genes with minimal dog genes. A low-content individual is just the opposite, with the majority of the genes being those of dogs with a lower amount from wolves. Mid-content refers to animals that contain a relatively equal amount of both wolf and dog genes. While the specific ranges of what is considered to be high-content, mid-content, and low-content vary dependent on the source, low-content animals are typically considered to be those individuals whose genome contains less than 50% wolf DNA. The definition of mid-content varies, ranging from 50% to 75% or 50% to 85% wolf DNA, reserving the high-content label for animals that fall above the mid-content range that are not pure wolves.
However, when most people talk about wolf content, there is oftentimes no scientific or biological basis for their assessment. Instead, it is simply a guess or a reflection of what they want to believe to be true. The reasons for these beliefs vary greatly, including secondhand information provided about an animal, the presence of wolves in the geographic location from which that animal came, physical resemblance to a wolf, and destructive or inappropriate behaviors. However, true wolf content is determined by the DNA inherited from an individual’s parents and ancestors, regardless of these other conditions.
While studying the way genes are inherited and expressed is a complicated science with millions of variables, in its most basic form for mammals, one half of an individual’s genome is inherited from each parent. This, of course, holds true for wolf dogs. However, the chances that two gametes (egg or sperm) are 100% identical is exceptionally low, and as a result, it is rare for two individuals to be 100% identical. This is because of the random crossing over of genes between paired chromosomes during the production of gametes. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately predict the wolf content of any one wolf dog pup, let alone an entire litter, based on the known content of the parents, except in one particular circumstance. The only way to know the exact content of a wolf dog is to breed a pure wolf and a pure domestic dog. In this situation, all of the pups will be 50% wolf and 50% dog.
Many people mistakenly believe that using simple math is a good predictor of wolf content for other parent combinations. For example, if one parent is 50% wolf and the other is 100% wolf, most people assume the pups will all be 75% wolf. However, genetics is far from that simple. Between the backcrossing with other wolves, dogs, or wolf dogs and the unique, random genetic crossover that occurs with the production of each individual gamete, there are millions of potential genetic outcomes for wolf dogs. For example, it is theoretically possible that if two fifty-fifty wolf dog crosses were bred, there could be pure wolf, pure dog, and wolf dog siblings in the same litter of pups. While this is a highly improbable situation, the fact that it could technically occur illustrates the complexity of determining exact content of wolf dogs. There will be a range of wolf content in any single litter of wolf dog pups unless the parents are a pure wolf and a pure dog.
While selective breeding can increase the chance of some observable traits being expressed more frequently, the overall underlying genetic makeup of an individual is independent of conscious, external control. Therefore, it is important to realize that selecting for certain traits can have unseen or unintended outcomes.
HOW IS WOLF CONTENT DETERMINED?
Assigning wolf content to an individual can be be very challenging. There are three methods with which wolf content can be judged: physical, behavioral, and genetic characteristics. The genetic component will be discussed in a latter section. It is important to note that determining an animal’s content based solely on one of these components is unlikely to yield accurate results.
Using physical characteristics to identify wolf dogs is known as phenotyping. There are dozens of physical features that can be used to distinguish between wolves and dogs including the shape and color of the eyes, the width of the chest, the shape of the muzzle, the length of the legs, the size of the paws, and numerous others. Phenotyping can be a difficult tool to use in identifying wolf dogs if not extremely familiar with how pure wolves look, as many dog breeds can have some features that are similar or even identical to those found in wolves. For example, a golden eye color is not unique to wolves. Thus, a golden eye color does not necessarily indicate that an animal has wolf content. Additionally, there are numerous domestic dogs that have been intentionally bred to resemble wolves, which can cause further complications in distinguishing between the two.
There can be similar issues using behavior to identify wolf dogs. One must have a keen understanding of how wolf and dog behaviors differ from one another to be able to use this strategy, and even this can be inaccurate. It is important to note that both an individual’s genetics and previous experiences contribute to its behavior. For example, a feral or poorly socialized dog may demonstrate cautious or flighty behaviors often observed in wolves, or a well-socialized wolf may be friendly and outgoing like a dog. Just because an animal acts “wolf-like,” does not necessarily indicate that the animal has wolf content.
In general, most sanctuaries and wolf dog experts use both physical and behavioral cues when assessing the content of a suspected wolf dog. As a result, they will not assign percentages to a wolf dog. Instead, they will assign the wolf dog into one of four basic categories: no-content, low-content, mid-content, and high-content.
WHAT ABOUT DNA TESTING?
DNA testing is the third way of identifying a wolf dog and will often, though not always, give a percentage wolf content with the results. While DNA testing is considered by many to be the most accurate assessment, it is very important to understand that not all DNA tests or laboratories are equally accurate, nor do they all use the same methods and techniques to assess wolf content. Some look at the whole genome while others pick only a few genes to evaluate. Some labs use very recent techniques, while others may use older or rapid but less accurate methods. Some use a cheek swab to get DNA, others use blood samples, and some use hair or feces. Many labs also only use their own canid reference data rather than a universal set to which to compare results. It is also important to remember that DNA testing is an ever-evolving science with new advances in sequencing and technology occurring all the time. These variations can lead to large discrepancies in the reported results, and, just like with physical and behavioral assessments, all DNA results should be looked at with a critical eye and the acknowledgement of the potential for error.
When selecting a laboratory to run a DNA test on a suspected wolf dog, it is very important to research the outfit offering the test before submitting one. Do not simply default to the cheapest or most convenient test available. Firstly, ensure that the test looks for wolf DNA, as many consumer dog DNA tests do not. Additionally, research the lab’s test methods and how accurate they are. What type of sample needs to be submitted? How much of the genome is sequenced to determine the content percentage? How are their results are reported? Some DNA labs are not detailed enough to give percentages and will simply respond with the labels “wolf,” “wolf dog,” or “dog” as their results. Finally, look at comparison reviews between the tests available to help determine which is the most accurate.
Phenotyping:
Phenotyping is the observation of physical traits and characteristics expressed by any living organism.
Properly identifying suspected wolfdogs is much more detailed than the few, and oftentimes misleading, “I know my dog is part wolf” traits that the general population seem to be stuck on. While some of these traits can be seen in wolfdogs, they are not “wolf exclusive” traits and can be seen in many different dog breeds as well. This can become problematic when people attempt to phenotype their own animals or animals in rescue situations are evaluated by people unfamiliar with pure wolves and the many wolf-like traits that can be thrown by different northern breed dogs.
Many wolfdogs being sold today have very little to no lineage information available and are usually claimed as being more wolf than what is truly present. The percentage and claimed content is only as accurate as the lineage that is provided and the source of that information. If the lineage of the animal has been misrepresented, a thorough phenotype is going to be the most accurate way to determine if any wolf content is present and estimate how much. Phenotyping is very common in rescue situations, because in most cases, lineage is not able to be provided and/or is not accurate. Being able to break down traits in a case where an animal was mislabeled as a wolfdog could very well save its life.
The behavior of a wolfdog can be unique from that of a dog. Even a low content wolfdog can express certain characteristics of a wild wolf such as being skidish and mouthing. Below are a list of some characteristics and traits of a wolfdog and some points on how to work with your wolfdog on to make their lives and the owners a little bit more loving and safe.
TERRITORIALITY:
Wolf dogs have many similar behaviors to wolves, which is not always ideal in a home setting. Wolves are territorial, and this means a wolf dog may become possessive of things in a home, which may lead to urinating and/or aggression in the home. It also means that many wolfdogs will likely see unfamiliar dogs as intruders and react defensively or aggressively when encountering a new dog. This is something all wolf dog owners should be cognizant of and take precautions for if exercising their animals where there is the possibility of encountering strange dogs. Some if not all of this behavior can be corrected by being very actively socializing your puppy when you bring it home. You should be sosializing your wolfdog puppy several hours ady with other dogs in your home. You should also have plenty of toys and items that are accessible to your puppy and use them to redirect if they have gotten something that isnt theirs.
MOUTHINESS:
Wolf dogs, like wolves, are very energetic, curious creatures and, if not given proper enrichment, exercise, and companionship, can become destructive. This is because the way that wolves explore the world is with their teeth. As a result, wolf dogs are much more mouthy than dogs, both with their environment and their “human pack”. While this behavior can be trained out of dogs, It is very difficult to train out of wolf dogs but can be done with patience. As mentioned before you need to establish routine, boundaries and who is in charge. If your pup is being to mouthy be sure to be firm, calm and asserting in your correction with verbal and physical redirection. This can be done by telling them with a assertive voice "NO" then giving them an approved toy or item that is noting but theirs.
PREY DRIVE:
Another issue that is extremely hard to train out of wolf dogs is their high prey drive. Though there are many definitions and usages for the phrase “prey drive,” what we are referring to here is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to find, pursue, and capture prey, also commonly known as “predatory behavior.” In wolf dogs, this can lead to issues with the animal hunting small creatures like cats, chickens, squirrels, and birds, and in some cases livestock, such as goats, if given the opportunity. They may also escape, and travel far from home. It is important to note that prey drive is not the same as aggression. A wolf dog can have a high prey drive but not be aggressive towards its owners and/or its companions.
NEOPHOBIA:
After about 6 months of age (or sometimes even younger), most wolves and wolf dogs become increasingly neophobic, or afraid of new things, experiences, and/or people. This means that change is very stressful for most wolf dogs, especially high content wolf dogs and wolves. Unlike most domestic dogs, a wolf dog will often avoid or very cautiously approach new situations. When uncertain or frightened, most wolves and wolf dogs will preferentially choose to run away or hide. If denied the opportunity to remove themselves from the situation, they may react fearfully or “shut down” from the stress, which can not only mentally harm the animal but also potentially compromise the animal’s physical health as well. People owning a wolfdog should be prepared to commit to providing that individual with a stable home for the entirety of the animal’s life, which can easily be fifteen or more years. While wolf dogs can be worked with to overcome their fears, owners must realize that this will be a very slow, time-intensive, and lifelong process.
STRANGERS:
A wolf’s inherent neophobia means that wolf dog owners should be cautious when introducing their wolfdog to new people and should take all introductions slowly so as not to overwhelm the wolf dog. In a study done with hand raised wolf pups from the Family Dog Project, the experiment found that wolves, unlike dogs, would approach unfamiliar people with apprehension, showing behaviors like crouching and tail tucking. It also means that most wolfdogs dislike and fear being forced to leave what they consider their territory and traveling with a wolfdog may be extremely stressful to the animal or even impossible. If owners want a pet that can “go everywhere” with them, a wolfdog is an animal that will require much more time and training to become that pet.
VACATIONING:
Many people enjoy being able to take vacations and travel, which is severely limited when owning a wolf dog. Unlike most domestic dogs, wolfdogs cannot go to a boarding kennel when the owner wants to get out of town. Because of this, owners have far fewer vacation options. Owners may take the animal with them (limiting travel destinations to only places where wolfdog ownership is legal or risking the animal being confiscated by law enforcement), hire a private pet sitter and take the time to socialize the wolf dog with the pet sitter (which is time consuming and quite pricey), or decide to forego any vacation. At Miller's Wolfhaven we can offer to our buyers an option of boarding if we have the space for the time that is needed.
CHILDREN:
Wolf dogs should never be unsupervised around any child for any reason. Wolf dogs are large, energetic animals who play much rougher than many domestic dogs. Also, many wolf dogs are fascinated with, or possessive of, children. This can lead to a child being unintentionally injured by a wolf dog as it tries to play with or care for the “human pup.” It may also lead to an adult or child being injured if the wolf dog perceives the person as trying to take its “pup” away.
Final words:
At Miller's Wolfhaven we encourage our buyers to be aware of all of these traits and personalities and we help them with ongoing support from ourselves and staff. We take every opportunity to educate anyone who is seeking to own a puppy and to anyone that owns a wolfdog that is seeking deeper education on the breed.