Our ancestors started domesticating wolves 15-40 thousand years ago. Since then, we’ve selectively bred them into hundreds of dog breeds. But even with our modern-day canine companions, something about the wolf still captivates our hearts and minds.
Different States, Different Laws
Many people want wolf-hybrids, and because they are considered domestic animals, no U.S. Law prohibits their ownership. Unfortunately, many states have different laws about owning a hybrid. Over a third of all the U.S. states have laws against owning a wolf-dog. Public opinion on the breed is divisive.
Misunderstood
Wolf dogs are severely misunderstood animals. Part of the problem is that no clear definition of a wolf dog exists. For the most part, a wolf dog is considered to have a pure wolf as its ancestor no more than five generations back.
Divisive Opinions
Many people who have experience with hybrids say they are well-tempered and just as loving as any domestic dog. On the other hand, other people say hybrids are unpredictable and not entirely domesticated.
A Difficult Animal To Identify
Part of the reason wolf dogs are so misunderstood is that they are so hard to identify. Many owners make claims about their pet’s heritage, and without a DNA test, they have to be taken at their word. Many wolf dogs may not possess much wolf DNA at all.
States Where A Wolf Dog Is Illegal
Local laws in 12 states dictate that wolf dogs are illegal. These states are Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wyoming. However, in Michigan, a wolf can be grandfathered in.
States Where a Wolf Dog Is Legal
In these states, it is perfectly legal to own a wolf dog hybrid: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Unique To Care For
Despite it being hard to sometimes see the lineage in a wolf dog, they are different from dogs and unique to care for. Wolf dogs need a lot of exercise and space to roam. The minimum recommended height is six feet high if a property has a fence. Depending on how much wolf a wolf dog is, they may not need the carbohydrates and preservatives found in dog food and can be fed raw meat, although this diet is expensive.
They should get all their vaccinations just as a dog would, but unfortunately, the government doesn’t consider the rabies vaccine to be “reliable” as they aren’t 100% dog. If they bite someone, they won’t be considered vaccinated and may have to be put down.
Often Misidentified
With the vague definitions of wolf dogs, breeders often take advantage and sell what they claim are wolf dogs. Unfortunately, according to Wolfdog Rescue Resources president Ken Collings, these breeds have no wolf lineage.
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