F.A.Q.
F.A.Q.
Whenever people have questions about wolves or wolfdogs, we try to answer them as honestly and factually correct as we can. We’ve put together this list of the most frequently asked questions in hopes that we can provide some insight.
As always, if you have further questions or want more elaborate information, please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to point you in the right direction.
Wolfdog Specific Questions
Wolfdog Specific Questions
What do they eat?
If you ask 100 different wolfdog owners, you will get 100 different answers on what they eat. Thankfully, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums has put together a Large Canid Care Manual that covers the nutritional requirements of large canids like Grey Wolves. It is worth noting that this manual was designed for the husbandry of captive animals that are not domesticated in any way. While we each may feed our animals a bit differently, we do believe that adhering to recommendations of the AZA should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind for the benefit of the animal itself.
Are they aggressive?
In short – no. The long-winded answer is that “aggression” is often mislabeled in these animals due to human error. Wolves, by nature, often communicate with their mouths, and that mouthy behavior is often misconstrued as aggression. They are also very prone to resource guarding, which can also be mistaken for violent behavior due to human error.
Do they make good guard dogs?
Absolutely not. Wolves are inherently skittish animals and they like to avoid any situation they would find scary or uncomfortable. They have no natural instinct to protect you or their home, their inclination is to run away from the danger versus facing it.
Is it true that if they taste blood or eat raw meat then they will turn on humans?
Is it true that if they taste blood or eat raw meat then they will turn on humans?
Again, no. This myth seems to have been around as long as wolves have and it is just that – a myth.
Where can I get one?
This is a tough question to answer, not because there are not wolfdogs readily available but because of our moral stance on this issue. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of individuals that want these animals because ‘they look cool,’ or think that they look cooler by owning one, and do relatively little research on how high maintenance these animals are. We advocate for responsible ownership and that means researching their needs, the challenges owners face and finding breeders who are breeding their animals responsibly. Our suggestion, if you really want to dive into getting a wolfdog, is to look first at the legality of owning one in the area you reside; while they may be legal in your state, your county or local municipality (city/town) may have outlawed them. Next, find a rescue/sanctuary/breeder that will let you be around these animals – there is no substitution for hands-on experience and we encourage everyone to get that under their belt before making the decision to invite a wolfdog into their home.
