Many years ago I had the privilege of meeting David Mech (pronounced “Meech”), who was then just beginning his ground-breaking studies on timber wolves in Minnesota’s northwoods. At the time, he kept his own personal wolf pack—and was probably the only person in the world who did.
Dave learned a lot from his captive pack about the hierarchical interactions and daily behavior of wolves. Remember, in those days there were no dart guns to anesthetize wild animals and no radio collars to use in tracking. Field research meant many hours in blinds, freezing in winter and enduring black flies and mosquitoes in summer.
He learned about the alpha pair, the male and female who dominate all the other pack members, and who alone are allowed to breed. The other wolves share child care and hunting duties under the direction of the alpha pair.
Dave told me that every day he had to go and wrestle his wolves to retain his position as the pack alpha. Ordinary folks are not allowed to own wolves. But in some places you can own a wolf-dog hybrid.
Before you begin to want a wolf-dog hybrid, you must remember that you will be that animal’s alpha until it dies. You will be responsible for its food, water, shelter and health. You will be its only source of love, affection, approval and discipline.
Wolf-dog hybrids are not allowed to live in the wild. They combine the predatory nature of wolves, who kill to eat, with the aggressive nature of dogs, who are not afraid of people. This combination can be dangerous.
If your location allows you to own a wolf-dog hybrid (and many do not), follow closely the directions of the breeder from whom you purchase the animal. They will tell you about fencing (and it has to be sturdy and deep underground as well as tall, since wolves dig) and feeding, discipline and much more that you will need to know.
My neighbor Jamie, now sadly deceased, raised wolf-dog hybrids. She checked the backgrounds and behavior of prospective buyers about as closely as if she were having a human baby adopted.
Jamie had a manual of instructions for prospective owners that included a whole raft of tasks to be completed before they could bring the pup home. And Jamie would check that the tasks had been done right! She would visit the new “family” over the years to make sure the animals were well-treated.
A wolf-dog hybrid can be a satisfying pet for the right person, but there are certainly not for everybody.