The following is an article I wrote for my regular news paper collumn - and one I also send to anyone interested in the subject of "Wolf Hybrids -Wolfdogs".
I have advocated for wolfdogs for too many years to count - not much has changed - I detest backyard breeders of - those who actually have animals with wolf content and those who use it as a come on- I am in touch with people who own - have owned and rescued these dogs .... and I could write volumes about it. Enough for now hope my writing will at least save one of these animals from the fate most of their kind have suffered.
Obviously SPCA shelters by into the myths of the VISCIOUS WOLFDOG "The Little Red Riding Hood Syndrome" it makes me red hot furious to think about. EK

I have spent many years as an animal advocate/rescue worker, and in that capacity have experienced many human based problems for which dogs have been blamed. The one recurring canine issue, which is rooted in human arrogance, misinformation and romantic illusion, is that of wanting to own a Adds for ‘wolfdog puppies’ are most of the time simply for pups of mixed northern breed parentage. Claims are made that they are half, quarter or even three-quarter wolf. This brings out the mucho type, would be owner or the romantic wolf lover type of person. Most of those pups end up in homes where they will not survive – not because of their aggression, but because they are ordinary dogs who get into ordinary trouble.

Yes, there are true wolf hybrid dogs, but people who in fact understand these canines hardly ever promote them. When someone is told that “I took my dog out into the bush to get bred to a wolf” – it is nearly always an outright lie. Wolfs have a very structured social pack order, and the other females, in the pack would most likely kill a strange female dog.

Anyone considering bringing a true wolfdog into his or her life better do some thorough research on the breed. These dogs take a concentrated, life long effort to have as a good companion. These dogs have retained much of the wildness of their ancestors, and are strong willed, intelligent and have no compulsion to please their human ‘owner’ – they make up their own mind and do as they see fit whenever possible.

Wolfdogs are not inherently dangerous – no more so than breeds like German Shepherds or Rottweilers, These dogs, however, need a different approach than the ordinary domestic canine. They are not a pet “rather they will be a companion, who is very smart and strong willed”. Moreover, they are not “killer dogs” – most of them are extremely shy and are never useful as watchdogs.

So called wolfdogs and actual wolfdogs have suffered from the stupidity of people who wanted such and animal for their mucho image, or other selfish reasons, for a long time. Countless numbers have been abandoned or destroyed – only because of human folly.

Baba was one of those dogs . He was brought into a family who believed the unfounded claims about this pup. Was he an actual wolfdog? Or was he just an ordinary pup owned by people who chained him for the rest of his short life – never realizing that he needed much attention, patience and intelligent care, to live as a life long member of their family. I could not help him – no one wanted him because of his learned bad behavior – he was killed – he was only one year old – and never had a chance – because of the misleading stories circulated about “Wolfdogs”.

Elli Kohnert
Animal Advocate/Rescue Worker
Barriere BC