Are you interested in having a wolf as a pet? Or a hybrid wolf? Both can make excellent pets, but they require a lot of effort and a lot of preparation. Before you decide to bring home one of these animals, make sure you are well informed and make sure you understand everything you need to take care of them. Remember that the wolf, in Italy, is a protected and protected animal because it is considered at risk of extinction; If you bring home a wolf for the purpose of making it a pet, you could be breaking regional and national laws, resulting in judicial repercussions.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Welcome the Wolf
Step 1. Learn about the hybrid wolf
Also called "wolf dog", it is an animal halfway between a domesticated dog and a wild wolf. A "hybrid" is defined if one of the ancestors was a pure wolf. You have to go back a maximum of 5 generations to consider it a hybrid wolf. This animal is actually more of a companion than a pet.
- Dogs with 1-49% wolf genes are considered to have a low percentage of hybridization (LC).
- Dogs with 50-74% wolf genes are considered to have a medium percentage of hybridization (MC).
- Dogs with at least 75% wolf genes are considered high hybridization (HC) specimens. These hybrids are almost not recognized by a pure wolf. They can only have 1-3 dog traits.
- Although an LC hybrid does not behave like other dogs, it is still the best choice for those who have never had a wolfhound. It stays outdoors more willingly, it is easier to train, even if it maintains all the stubbornness and independence of the wolf.
Step 2. Find out about local laws
Not everywhere is it legal to keep a wolf. For example, in the United States, the ability to breed one varies from state to state. In some states it is totally forbidden, others prohibit only some exotic animals, in still others it is necessary to have a license, while for others no law has yet been made. In Italy, the wolf is a protected species in all regions and also at a national level; owning a purebred specimen is forbidden. You can look for some dog breeds that are very similar to wolves, such as the Saarlos or the Czechoslovakian wolfdog.
In some American states the possession of hybrids of up to 98% of wolves is allowed; others allow hybrids of up to 75%, 25% or "non-first generation crosses"
Step 3. Evaluate the price
Pure wolves and hybrids aren't exactly cheap. They can cost 1500 euros and even exceed 2000. They are generally more expensive than most purebred dogs. Decide if you are willing to spend these amounts on an animal.
- There is no way to ascertain the wolf's pedigree. Some wildlife recovery experts - including wolves - claim that more than half of the hybrid wolves being kept currently do not have wolf DNA. Other experts claim that most wolf dog breeders are selling hybrids that are actually just dogs.
- When buying a wolfdog or wolfhound, try to have it checked by an expert if you can. This can prevent you from being scammed and spending thousands of dollars on a dog other than the one you want.
Step 4. Remember that wolves are not pets
Dogs were bred to be submissive and to assist humans, so they were specifically trained to be pets; it took 10,000 years to make them meek. Wolves, on the other hand, have spent the last 10,000 years living the wild. Even though people raise wolves as pets by raising them as puppies, they are still animals that follow their natural instincts and cannot possibly be domesticated.
Don't get a wolf in the wild. If you really want to have this mammal, don't get a wild one. Instead, get it at a wolf recovery center. Catching one in the wild can be very dangerous and you could be injured or even killed
Step 5. Talk to an expert
If you are still interested in owning a wolf or hybrid, contact a wildlife rescue center. Many of these centers have both wolves and wolfdogs that you can observe. Before bringing home one of these exotic animals, talk to an expert: he will be able to clarify all your doubts, give you more information and help you understand what it really means, even in terms of responsibility, to own this animal.
- Look for other wolf or hybrid owners in your area. Contact them and arrange a meeting. They can be a valuable source of information, as they already own an exotic animal.
- Some of these recovery centers may allow you to adopt a wolf or wolf hybrid.
Part 2 of 2: Caring for the Wolf
Step 1. Train the wolf
You can't think about buying a wolf or hybrid and hope they already know how to be a good pet. Wolves are not dogs - they need a lot of training to make good pets, and it takes a lot of time and effort from the owner.
- These are unpredictable, cunning and extremely intelligent animals. They pose a much bigger challenge than dogs. Some hybrid wolves can be docile, but others are essentially wild. If you think you don't have the patience or time to train and care for it, don't buy it.
- If you've never had or trained a dog, don't even consider buying a wolf or wolf hybrid.
- Many owners who are unable to tame the animal end up leaving it at the already overcrowded recovery centers or freeing it in the wild. This second option, however, guarantees an almost certain death to the wolf. If you first adopt the wolf and then get rid of it, know that you are doing it irreparable damage. Since it is basically an animal that lives in a group, feeling abandoned by its home and its herd can cause it extreme anxiety, even making it sick.
Step 2. Remember that affection can be confused with aggression
Wolves show their positive feelings differently than dogs, and you may interpret their actions as an attack. These animals greet each other with great enthusiasm, but, since they cannot hug each other, they use their mouths. Wolves nibble on their packmates' faces as a greeting or show of affection.
- Your specimen may do the same to you. Most of the time, the animal will approach you, touch your nose with his and lick your teeth. However, if you withdraw frightened and push him away, the wolf will grab your face with his teeth and bring you down to show you his affection.
- Wolves like small children but they can fidget, jump on babies and try to carry them by grabbing them by the head or arm with their teeth. All this causes damage and injuries to the child, even if it is not the intentions of the animal which, on the contrary, only wants to show its love.
- This behavior is easily interpreted as an attempted aggression.
Step 3. Build suitable structures to accommodate the wolf
This animal likes to roam and is able to jump over fences, break chains and dig its way out of the garden. This is very dangerous, as a lone wolf dog could be confused with a wild animal and killed; or he himself could kill the neighbors' animals. Never allow your specimen to wander around alone.
- The LC and MC hybrids can live within a fenced area without trying to escape. The fence must be at least 180-240 cm high and must include other safety measures. There must be no supports that allow the wolf to climb, because it could climb over the fence.
- In addition, you must surround the perimeter with an "excavation-proof" area to contain the animal.
- Some LC hybrids escape while other HCs remain quietly inside your property … It all depends on the animal's "hunger" for freedom, how bored it is and how much the world beyond the fence excites it.
- A large fence inside the wolf enclosure is the ideal solution. Wolves and hybrids need a lot of space to run and play.
Step 4. Socialize with your new friend
The wolf is a social animal that lives in packs, so it needs friendships. The important thing is to introduce him to contact with people and certain places when he is still a puppy. This is the starting point for teaching the wolf or wolf dog to live in a home setting.
- The wolf must be taken from the mother when it is 2 weeks old and must be fed with a bottle. She needs to immediately socialize with humans (both women and men) so she can get used to their presence for the rest of her life.
- Furthermore, wolves need another canine friendship to satisfy their emotional needs. You must make sure that he can associate with a dog of the opposite sex and of similar size. That way he won't feel alone.
Step 5. Become the alpha of the pack
You must be the alpha wolf for your pet. When he's just a puppy, start training him to show up on command. This does not mean that as an adult he will run to you every time you call him - wolves are indeed very independent and self-confident animals. However your wolf (or wolf dog) must know that you are always "the boss" in command.
When training a puppy, never hit him, don't bite him, don't yell, don't poke him, and don't shake him by the scruff. His birth parents would not have punished him for biting or chewing on objects; wolves are tolerant parents. Refrain from physically dominating your pet, you will ruin your relationship
Step 6. Feed him the right food
Wolves are carnivores. Purebred or HC hybrids cannot eat dry dog food. Most need to consume about 1-2.5kg of meat per day.
Game is excellent for wolves. For example, if you are able to get hold of a freshly run deer on the road, know that it is perfect wolf food. However, you must obtain permits to be able to recover the animal's body
Step 7. Make the wolf have fun
It is an animal that tends to get bored quickly, and as a result you will have to face many attempts to escape from your property because the wolf will look elsewhere for some entertainment. Build objects / structures that keep your specimen active, such as platforms. The wolf must be regularly stimulated in the brain.
- Make sure there are trees in his enclosure, and hide treats in the old logs.
- A good idea is to create areas where he can swim, such as an artificial stream, swimming pool, creek, or pond where he can soak and dive.
- The sand pits and mounds of earth allow him to vent the instinct to dig.
- Train him on a leash when he is a puppy, so you can take him for a walk. You should use two leashes with a wolf, one at the collar or harness and another as a choke. You should go out with the wolf every day.
Step 8. Provide all appropriate veterinary care
Most doctors don't know how to treat a wolf or hybrid, and many may refuse to treat this mammal. Make sure you know a veterinarian who can look after your wolf's health before purchasing one.
Advice
- You shouldn't keep a wolf if you live in the city. Wolves should only stay in rural contexts because they need very large enclosures, in addition, HC hybrid specimens become very nervous if the surrounding environment is busy and hectic.
- Remember that wolves and dogs are very, very different. Some breeds, such as Huskies and German Shepherds, are more wolf-like than others, but they are still different animals. Don't get a wolf just because you've already had dogs and plan to handle it the same way.
- Study a lot about these animals - not just how to care for them. You need to know how they behave, how they live and how they survive in nature.
- Obedience training is essential. Your wolf dog must learn to follow you and not his instincts. This process could be quite complex, which is why only those who are already very experienced in dog training should own a wolf.
