By Ed Frawley

Every year there are a certain number of people who are badly bitten or killed by dogs. Every single one of these cases is a tragedy. Every one of these cases involves victims and relatives who are traumatized by the incident. This article is not about dogs bites or the victims of dog bites, its about people who breed or own wolf-hybrids which are much more prone to attacking children than any breed of dogs.

These animals are called Wolf-Hybrids. A Wolf-Hybrid (Wolf dog) is part wolf and part dog. The more wolf in the mix the more dangerous the animals. As a result of my work as a K-9 Officer, German Shepherd breeder and producer of police K-9 videos, I am often asked by local people what I think of these animals. It happened yesterday when a friend was telling me about an acquaintance who just acquired a Wolf dog. I explain to everyone who will listen that these animals are nothing more than kid killers.

Click here to see a list of Wolf-Hybrid attacks in Vermont over a 3 year period
See a list of children and people who have been attacked by wolf-hybrids in the past few years.

We need to start this article by first explaining that there is not one good reason to breed a wolf to a dog, other than for money or ego. While these may be 2 reasons, they are not good enough reasons to justify the disaster that is created as a result of this union.

Here is how the problem begins. A wolf living in the wild is a strong pack animal. It is very territorial and has developed total avoidance to humans. In fact there has never been one case where a wild wolf has killed a human (although wolves in captivity have killed their handlers and others). When a wolf sees a human in the woods it runs away. This is why people who live in wolf country seldom see one. On the other hand, over the past thousand years or so dogs have had their fear of man bred out of them. When we combine the avoidance of a wolf with the forwardness of a dog we end up with an animal in total conflict with its genes.

On one hand a Wolf dog becomes a member of a human family and sees that family as it's pack. Family members are accepted and loved. Like a wolf, a Wolf dog also develops a territorial sense for its living area. On the other hand it is haunted by its genes that tell it to fear man. The result is that these animals are usually very shy of strangers. This is why they make terrible protection dogs. They are usually too shy to do any form of personal protection work. Yet this is one of the big selling points for many of the unscrupulous breeders. These breeders advertise " WOLF DOGS for Personal PROTECTION."

Preventing Dog Bites in Children eBook

Wolf dogs become kid killers when one of 2 things happens.

A Wolf Hybrid - chained to a tree - the absolute worst way to keep an animal - chained animals become frustrated and dangerous,

An unknown child (not from its pack) comes within the area that the animal considers its territory. This does not necessarily have to be the same boundary that the owner considers his yard. A wolf dog can easily consider many neighbors yards his territory in addition to his own. When this territory is invaded by a small child that the animal does not fear (because of the child s small size) they can often attack.

As I said, these animals are very strong pack animals. A wolf pack has a defined pecking order which is often in a state of flux. If a Hybrid feels that a child in the family is challenging it for pack order it will fight, which means attack the child. If the Hybrid feels that the child has a higher pack order than it does, the child is always in danger of being attacked or challenged for a higher pack order.

If a small child (non-pack member) is not afraid of animals and approaches one of these wolf dogs, some will move away from the child. The problem is that children do not recognize this as avoidance. They see it as "LOOK AT THE NICE PUPPY" and go after it for a nice pet. When the wolf dog finds itself in a position that it can no longer move away it will enter the fight or flight mode and attack.

These animals aren't dogs and people who expect them to act like Fluffy the poodle are wrong. Hybrids think differently and the owners have to be prepared to accept that and to accept the responsibility of owning them. There in lies the problem - "THE OWNERS". These are people who buy Hybrids and chain them in the back yard or try and raise them as family dogs around friends of their own young children. They are often a walking talking death trap for small children that is not part of their family pack.

If you are questioning whether this happens, read the first e-mail that follows this article. Its from a lady named Patti Nickerson in Palmer Michigan. Her 5 year old daughter was killed and half eaten by wolf hybrid. She sent me the photos of her daughter after the attack. I have seen my share of dead bodies in law enforcement. The photos of her daughter are haunting. I chose not to put them in this article.

Its important to realize that the higher the percentage of wolf in a hybrid the more avoidance to humans it has. This makes the 50-50 wolf-Hybrid the more dangerous than a 70% dog and 20% wolf.

What the public is often exposed to are breeders who claim that their breeding stock has a much higher percentage of wolf than they actually have. In fact many times there is little or no wolf in the animals that are being sold as hybrids. The resulting customers end up with a dog.

These people think they have a wolf dog and they don't. This results in them not seeing any of the problems of the 50-50 cross breeds. These people then think "my animal acts just like a dog, it loves the family and is no danger at all.". These people think that warnings like this article are all a bunch of hogwash. These are some of the fanatical "HYBRID OWNERS" that become hard core Wolf-Hybrid supporters.

If you don't think this happens, read some of the responses I have posted at the end of article. These responses are only a few of the hundreds of emails I have received. There is a wolf hybrid chat line on the internet. One of the posts included directions on how to trash my computer through the use of attachments to email. Needless to say I am not very diplomatic in my choice of language in how I respond to these fanatics.

I would like to point out that even though the higher the percentage of wolf, the more dangerous the animal, it’s not wolves that are dangerous here. Wolves are beautiful great animals, but they do not belong as pets kept in someone's back yard.

I guess I compare this situation to Timothy McViegh's bomb in Oklahoma City. It wasn't the fertilizer that was bad, nor was the diesel fuel bad. But the combination of the two created a terrible thing. It's the same with hybrids. It's not the wolf that's bad, nor is it the dog that's bad. But combine them and you have a ticking time bomb. When put in the wrong environment it's something terrible waiting to happen. The resulting animals have mental problems that no amount of training or socializing can correct.

I would ask these wolf dog supporters one question: Just because a human is similar in the chain of evolution to a chimpanzee, would it be right to breed the two? If we did allow this to happen, would we expect the resulting animal to act like a normal human? I don't think so.

Well that's what they are trying to tell us about wolf dogs. They will tell you that their sweet little wolf hybrid dog is a loyal cuddly member of their family. They don't tell you or warn you about how important it is that these animals can never be treated like a normal dog because they don't act like dogs.

Most people can't even train a dog much less one of these HYBRIDs. They don't tell you of all the close calls they have had with their animals, of all the scary moments when something almost happened but they were there to stop it. Many times these owners don’t even realize they just dodged a bullet and a kid was almost attacked but for one reason or another it didn’t happen.

I have had hybrid owners tell me "All dogs and hybrids are alike. All it takes is to socialize these animals properly and they will be fine." That's a bunch of crap. No amount of socializing will ever make a 50-50 hybrid safe with strange children in the hybrids own territory.

You can not socialize the genes out of any animal. You can not socialize their territorial pack drive out of true Hybrids. You can not socialize the drive for "pack order" out of Hybrids. Its impossible to do.

I don't have much patience for the people that breed and own these animals. When they contact me they are almost all fanatical idealists. When it comes down to it, almost every single person that I have had contact with that owns a wolf dog has an ego problem of one kind or another.

These people thrive on the image of a WOLF DOG in their home. They will use every excuse in the world to legitimize the existence of their pets. They twist the facts and ignore the truth. They tell you that they grew up with hybrids their entire life and no one was ever hurt. They try and defuse the issue by pointing to all of the dog bites that take place every year. They try and point out that German Shepherds supposedly came from wolf-hybrids (which is totally untrue)

If they were more honest about the danger these animals posed I would probably take a different view. But this would cost them money because they would have to keep them in very secure pens. Pens that would be the same as the type that zoo's have for wild wolves. They would not keep them as house pets in neighborhoods with other people and children.

These people will always point to the many dog attacks that occur every year. They will remind people how bad the dog owners were that owned the dogs that kill people. They are 100% correct in that part of their statement.

These same people turn around and keep these dangerous animals as house pets. This makes them no better than the irresponsible dogs owners whose animals bite or kill people. Keeping a wolf dog in the house is no different than me coming home from the Sheriff's Department at night and leaving my loaded Glock 40 on the kitchen table with a round in the chamber when my son has his 11 year old friends over playing.

I know I am talking to a paranoid wolf dog owner when the first words out of his mouth are "Well look at how many kids are killed by German Shepherds every year." My answer to this is "Thank God there is only a few of these damn wolf dogs around or the percentages of wolf dog kills would be much, much, much higher!!"

I had one wolf dog owner send me a chart of the number of kills by other breeds. His point was that wolf dogs only killed 1/2 as many people as German Shepherds. He forgot to mention (probably didn't even know or care) that the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds of dogs. There are more shepherds bred every year that 95% of all other breeds of dogs. While the wolf dog is the least bred dog every year (Thank GOD). Can you imagine how many people would be hurt if they were bred as much as the German Shepherds?

A consistent theme with wolf dog owners is them telling you that "they would never leave their animals alone with a strange child." Do they know something that they don't want to admit? They counter this by saying they would never leave a child with a dog either. Well, let me tell you that my police service dog is one of the toughest police service dogs in the state of Wisconsin. He has bit a bunch of bad guys. But he can be left alone with children. I would have no hesitation letting him loose in a class room of school kids when I was not around. He would never bite a child. The biggest danger they would be in would be getting knocked down when he licks them. I will take this further. Most of my males do exceptional protection work, yet every one of them can be left alone with children.

I had a few wolf dogs people send me e-mail pointing out that they take their dogs to schools and old folks homes. They use this point to explain how trustworthy the animals are. What they don't understand is the pack drive in the wolf. The handler is the ALPHA pack leader to the wolf dog. In the pack, the alpha wolf is the one who allows the others to fight. If the Alpha does not want a fight its not going to happen. So when a wolf dog goes into a school with his owner (Alpha) the animal is less likely to jump a child. This could quickly change if the animal is starting to mature and wants to challenge the handler for the Alpha position.

I feel that most of the people that own wolf dogs have already sent me e-mails. What they can't seem to understand is that I don't care to hear from them. I do not have an open mind on this issue and I do not care to debate with them. If anyone had seen the photos of Patti Nickerson's daughter they would understand my position. I have no concern what these people think of me. The purpose for this article is not to change the minds of any of the people that own wolf dogs. The purpose of this article is to warn the rest of the general public of the danger these animals pose.

If this article can go to one school principal that is considering allowing someone to bring a hybrid into school to show the children (which I was able to stop last year in my town) then it is worth while.

I have heard these people try and use the old line "This is America the Land of the FREE" or "Can't we agree to just disagree". My response is always the same. THERE IS NO GOOD REASON TO BREED A WOLF TO A DOG !!! People that own these animals are fanatical, weird and crazy or all of the above.

OTHER RELATED ARTICLE:

A list of States and their legal position on Hybrids

A list of just a few recent wolf dog attacks

A 3 year list of Wolf-Hybrid attacks in Vermont

Learn how to break up a dog fight without getting hurt. This information
could also be used on a hybrid attacking a human.

FREE eBOOK on How to Break Up a Dog Fight Without Getting Hurt

This Wolf rescue has an education campaign they are run called "Think Again" campaign, to discourage people from owning wolf-dog hybrids. You can find this at their website, http://www.wolfhaven.org/thinkagain.html

Read additional e-mails on wolf-hybrids

EMAILS On WOLF HYBRIDS

Comment:

I just read your list of hybrid-wolf attacks. My daughter was attacked in the face by my mother's wolf. I asked her to not have the stupid dog around my daughter, but she didn't listen. My daughter was 18 months old. She never "provoked" the animal like my mother claims. The dog just walked up and bit my daughter. My father had to pull the animal off her. I believe that Luna was trying to kill my daughter as they are pack animals and kill the weakest link. I didn't know this at the time. I didn't like the dog and I kept asking them to put it away, but they wouldn't. Once the dog attacked my daughter they STILL wouldn't put it away.

My parents believe, like most idiotic dog owners, that it was the attackee's fault and not the animals. They refused to get rid of Luna, so  I refuse to go back over to their house. They think the attack was a one time incident and it won't happen again. My daughter is scarred for life. She had to have 12 stitches. It was a horrible incident.


Thank you for posting this information online.

Ginger

Ed

Thank you for the information you have published regarding wolf-hybrids. I believe it is biased; however, it’s very informative and I believe has a very good factual basis. Even though I believe your information is biased, it does send the absolutely correct message – Hybrids do not make a good family pet and can’t be treated as such.

I do not believe that the standard person is prepared for the challenges associated with owning a wolf-hybrid. I do have hybrids (and, I don’t breed them). I think that they are good animals; but, they cannot be treated as the domestic dog. I enjoy them. I don’t live in a residential area and I don’t have young children. I definitely don’t “chain” them (that’s evil for any dog). I have a 4000 square foot running area for them that is protected with 30 mile electric fence.

Neighbors “poo-poo” me when I tell them my training methodologies and the fact that the hybrid IS NOT a domesticated animal – they simply don’t believe it. There-in lies one of the major issues of hybrid ownership (as you have pointed out). People don’t understand that hybrid must be treated differently and that they have different rules that have been bred in since their existence.

Prior to my purchase of my first hybrid, I did a fairly extensive research effort over about 6 months. I learned quite a bit (I found reputable sources).

A few little things that make them NOT Pets.

• You can’t ever “rough-house” with them
  • As I was taught, this is a challenge. And, eventually the hybrid will win.
• You can’t get into a “staring down” – another challenge to them.
• You cannot ever let them feel you are not the alfa even in the subtlest way.
  • Many small things can send the wrong signal.
• As you pointed out, they are used to travelling approximately 20 miles/day.
  • They will escape.
  • They will explore everywhere at long distance and they aren’t that good at coming when called.
• They do good on a leash; however, when off the leash, I’ve found that they ignore everything they’ve been taught.
• Hybrids are smart and observant. They use their intelligence to their advantage.
• You MUST know and follow the hierarchical rules all the time. Once you don’t, they see their opportunity for advancement in the pack.
  • Can be dangerous for people and other dogs in the home.
• You can never allow yourself to be challenged.
  • Response must be appropriate and swift.
    • A quick “top-dogging” works well.
    • As with all dogs, never hit them, so you’ve got to understand the proper response methodologies.
• Their diet is a concern and can be expensive.
  • Their metabolism is different than a domesticated dog.
• In general, I’ve found that you must be almost “aloof” and above them at all times.
  • Sort of like an officer and his (her) men (women).
    • You can never get too close.
• There are many subtle issues associated with hybrids; but, that isn’t really the point of my email.

For me, these animals work out well. We have a good dog run area that’s fenced with wire and electric fence. We’ve done considerable research. We’ve even followed all the rules associated with submissive demonstration by them.

It is a wolf and must be treated as a wolf. To do any less is courting trouble. It is a life-long commitment to the rules associated with a wolf. Most people do not do their research and aren’t prepared for the sometimes subtle differences between a domesticated dog and a hybrid.

Again, I agree with most everything that you have stated in your articles. Most people are not prepared for the nuances associated with hybrid ownership, they have done nothing more than trivial research at best, and are not prepared for the commitment.

Thank you for your articles.

Jay Swarthout

Ed's Comments:

Knowing what you know - why would you then consider owning hybrids?

Jay's Follow-up email

ED,

It’s a 2 part answer.

When I purchased my first hybrid (14 years ago), I honestly bought it because it was exotic and “cool.” I had an older Golden Retriever at the time and she did wonders bringing up the hybrid (again, I had to follow the hierarchical rules to the letter to ensure there were no challenges). But, I’d have to say I purchased the animal due to its being exotic.

Now that our hybrid is older, I’ve recently purchased two cubs (they’re a little over a year old now). I bought them at 8 weeks. I wanted the older dog to help train the new ones before she passes.

I have found that for my lifestyle, and the type distance you must maintain, the hybrid works well for me. I am former military (retired Marine) and I guess that I like the rules that must be followed and the way that the hybrid responds to the rules. They are strong, intelligent, and dynamic animals. I wish that I could explain that a little better – I hope that you understand the positive “jest” of my answer. To me, my wife, and my 31 year old daughter, they are the most loving animals (without being boisterous like a Retriever) that I have ever owned.

They are definitely not for most people. In my opinion, out of the 1% of people that think they want a hybrid, only .01% are prepared for the responsibility of properly raising the animals. It’s really too bad that they don’t do their research and understand the commitment. The “chain” for a hybrid is a requiem for disaster.

I wish that everyone considering a hybrid would read your information – they need to know the information and to realize that it’s accurate. I do recommend that you add a section that lists responsible resources for those that are still committed to purchasing one. There is considerable available information that people must know to bring them up properly and safely; from educating the dog to educating people that you are allowing to meet your hybrid and everything in-between.

I hope that I answered your question. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Jay Swarthout

Ed Frawley is the ANTI-CHRIST to Hybrid Owners:

Ed,

I just read your article on wolf-hybrids, as some fanatical pro-wolf-dog mailing list I belong to was ranting about you being the anti-christ or something or other... In any event, I wanted to tell you thank you for the article. While you know the title is a little touchy, and perhaps you've gone a little further than I would like, I'm still happy to read it, and it made me smile to hear all the hate mail you've received over it... :) As you may tell from the email address, I work at Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, a rescue facility dedicated to providing wolves and wolf-dogs with sanctuary when they are abandoned by their egotistical yet irresponsible owners, or after the inevitable bite situation happens... As a person in this position, while I love these animals very much, I completely agree with your article, as does our sanctuary, mostly. While we are a rescue facility, we are at full capacity and have turned our efforts to educating the public. Common motto: Wild animals are not pets. The one thing I did get offended by was your hope that one principle would not allow a wolf-hybrid into his school...

We have an ambassador wolf who goes out into the public constantly, including schools. The demonstration he performs with Leyton, our director, is used in order to show kids that 1) wolves aren't the big bad creatures they're made out to be in stories like Little Red Riding Hood, and 2) they were never meant to be pets... At the beginning of each session, Leyton asks the children who would like a wolf or a wolf-dog as a pet... almost everyone raises there hands... Included in the presentation is a demonstration of ritual dominance. Leyton challenges Raven, and Raven proceeds to growl/snarl, push Leyton to the ground and take Leyton's head into his jaws... Only when he's done is Leyton able to get up again... Raven also typically urinates on random objects, eats things that he shouldn't etc... By the end of the presentation, when Leyton asks how many children would like a wolf or a wolf-dog to a pet, there is generally a unanimous no... After all, who wants a pet that takes your head into their jaws? ;)

In any event... My point of this email, I suppose is, to a) thank you for your efforts against breeding/sale/ownership of wolf-dogs... This is one of our major goals as well... as well as for what made me particularly happy: your discussion of the ego-hungry people who claimed your average German shepherd mix is a wolf-dog and then give the impression that these animals are sweet, lovable, domestic dogs.. and b) to say, sometimes bringing a wolf or wolf-dog into schools is the best thing possible... how better can you educate children than with real-life demonstrations?

-Angel, WSWS

Ed's comment on Taking Hybrids into Schools:

Thanks for taking the time to write this email. I will include it on the web page.

I guess I should make the distinction that there are places like yours that are responsible. My comments were directed to the people who take hybrids into schools and promote them.

Your email will clarify this.

Thanks again.

Regards
Ed Frawley

Nye County woman attacked, killed by wolf hybrids

Oct 5, 2007

73-year-old Nye County woman is dead after her pets turned violent on her. The animals are called wolf hybrids; they look like Huskies or German Shepherds.

In this case the mix was a wolf and Malamute. "The gentlemen who owned these dogs said they've never been aggressive prior to this," Nye County Director of Emergency Services Brent Jones said. It was the mother of the dogs' owner who was attacked. "There were eight in the backyard," Jones adds. "Whether all eight were involved in the attack that's hard to determine. It was rather chaotic."

The 73-year-old woman was taken to a medical center where she died. Jones says this may be the first time these wolf hybrids have attacked in his jurisdiction. "They're normally pretty laid back. They have that mysterious look about them, but we have not found them to be very aggressive."

The attack happened in a home located in the outskirts of Pahrump. Residents there tell News 3 in a rural area like that it's not uncommon for people to own exotic pets. "The key to any type of animal is know your animal," Jones explains. "They should be well trained and if they have any type of exoticness or wildness like this, you really need to make sure you're following all the guidelines."

In this case it looks like the owners were trying to follow some of the guidelines. "The fully fenced yard with a wood fence and a chain link fence - they were well secured," Jones said. It wasn't enough to stop the wolf hybrids from turning violent, however. "We don't know what triggered the attack," said Jones.

All eight wolf hybrids were put down. The name of the victim has not been released. There is no rabies vaccine currently listed for use in wolf hybrids. If someone gets bit by a vaccinated wolf hybrid, the animal is considered non-vaccinated and will be euthanized. Even if a wolf hybrid is socialized or trained, it's predatory. Instincts and behaviors will not necessarily be eliminated.

-8/91 - Lolo, Montana - Three-year-old Elaine Sandvig had her arm torn off after reaching into a kennel to pet her grandfather's hybrid.

As that girl I'd just like to say that the hybrid didn't advance on me. As a kid, I couldn't tell that the wolf-dog didn't want to be pet. There was nobody watching me when it happened, so there was nobody to stop me from petting an angry hybrid. The dogs aren't vicious. They're actually very friendly. Anybody who uses this as an arguement against hybrid wolf-dog pets is silly.

Elaine Sandvig

Ed,

I know that you have ample experience with animals and I do respect that, but I have rescued over 20 wolf hybrids in the past 10 years,abused and tamed, I just think that people have to be aware that they are dangerous, especially when they have been tied up or put in pens simply because the  new owner has taken on more then they bargained for. Please do not breed an animal and let just anyone adopted them or purchase them without knowing their characteristic's( the dogs). Hybrids and most dogs hate to be alone, even worse tied up all day with no companionship.They need a lot of space and attention, they do not like to be by themselves.

I agree that there is a danger, but I live  in the middle of 1600 acres and there are no children or people in danger. All of my animals ware collier's so they do not even try to get out of the 6 acre's they are living in.

Showing them love may not always work , so yes, people need to pay attention and think ahead. I am proud to say I have never had an incident with any of my  hybrids or rescues, I have been luck and proud they have always been great companions to me and my family.

To whomever reads this, animals like love and attention just like you and I , please do not keep them tied up their entire life, just so you can brag about having a wolf, big deal.

That's it for now...

Beckett

Ed,

First of all I would like t say how insulted I was by the way you talk about wolves or wolf hybrids. If you are really a cop you should know by now that people are far more dangerous than any wolf or wolf hybrid could ever be. And in all these stories you have posted you absolutely put no blame on the parents of these little kids. Where were they when the attack was happening? And when these little brats were trespassing on someone elses property?Or when when some dumb-ass parent lets there kid stick his hand into a wolfs cage at a zoo? Does that not seem really stupid to you? Would you let your kid try to pet a crocodile or bear? I think more than anything the blame falls on the parents! If they didn't want the little brat and didn't want to be resposible for them than i guess they didn't need kids anyway. Im sure you guessed by now I own a wolf/ malamute hybrid. And she is aggressive towards little kids. But if we aren't way up in the hills or out on the indian colony(which doesn't have a leash law) she is always on a leash. And it pisses me off when i am at the park with her and some little kid tries to come running up to her! It is not my job to ever have to talk to or discipline someones little bastard. If they really wanted their child than they would be watching them.It sure as hell is not up to me! Now I would like to speak abit on owning wolves or wolf hybrids.It may sound like I am supporting the owning these animals but honestly i don't. Not because they are all out to eat people but because they don't belong in captivity. I have had a wolf for 9 years. I have learned alot. In the first 3 yrs I had her she probably cost me close to 4000.00 dollars. She tore up my bed,my carpet,my clothes. I had to replace my carpet in the living room because she had pottied on it so many times. It took me 3 years to finally house break her. She has bitten me seriously twice. She has bit my grandparents. And i mean serious bites, requiring stitches. Like I said before she doesn't like kids. I haven't had a friend or even a girl friend in 9 yrs because she won't let anyone in the house.Sha is either scared of them( and thats when she is dangerous) or she jumps all over them and pees on them.I haven't been able to have a social life because if I am out to late she gets pissed off and rips my stuff apart. Most of my weekends are spent exercising her(hiking, camping, spending time outdoors). And I do all that to try to keep her somewhat happy because she is not happy living in sociaty at home. Wolves are wild animals and they are not adjusted to living in a home. And the sad truth is most people don't take as good of care as I do. Alot of hybrids end up dying chained to a tree in someones backyard. And everytime a hybrid attacks someone it hurts the people fighting to get wild wolves re-introduced. And people like Ed here just seem to thrive on making all wolves out to be these insane child killers everytime an attack happens. More than anything I would love to see wild wolves where I live. But people like Ed are making it very difficult to re- introduce them, scaring people into believing they are this monster out to get us. If he really is somekind of dog trainer he should realize that education is the key(unless he is not educated enough himself). To get to my point If you are thinking about buying a wolf or wolf hybrid don't.They take more time and work than you can imagine. If you really think you must have one find a hybrid rescue to adopt one. Not only can they tell you about about the work these animals take, they can help you with any issues that WILL arise once you get them home. And if you already have one please get them fixed. Two out of every three puppies bought will be put to sleep before their second b-day. And I myself would not want that on my conscience.Not to mention getting them fixed will calm them down alot. If you are looking for a status symbol or a tough dog try a english bulldog. If you love wolves and want to do what is best for them don't try to own one,it really just hurts the species. I myself will never buy another wolf. And before Ed wants to go off and call me some red-neck owner of a hybrid he should remember this. Red necks are the reason there are no wild wolves left in almost all the U.S. All the good Christian farmers and ranchers poisoned or shot them in their greedy land grabbing. So maybe that should tell Ed something His own species.We have done far worse to wolves(or nature for that matter) than wolves or wolf hybrids could ever have done to us. So now we will see if Ed has the guts to post this letter on his website!

Richard Montague
Carson City
themaxx138@aol.com

Ed's comments:

Your opinions on hybrids confirm my belief that all hybrid owners are "red neck fools" - only in your case I would add "IDIOT" to the definition as in "RED NECK IDIOT"

Ed,
I just came across your website and wanted to thank you for educating the public on hybrids. I do agree with a few people above that the opionions are a bit biased, but I do believe that people should be educated. I run a siberian husky/german shepherd rescue and I have had several hybrids come through my rescue. They are thrown out by their owners because the owner's do not realize what they're getting into. These wolf hybrids are strongly pack oriented and must be placed into a safe, experienced owner's haven where they are never to be sold or adopted out. They do have a strong prey drive, and that does include children, sadly.  Many people have come to adopt huskies from me, and beg me for the hybrids that may be temporarily staying with me, and I cannot let them adopt them. I feel as though they are a time-bomb, so to speak. I dont particularly feel this way just toward hybrids, but also towards rottweilers, pits and GSD's. I own 2 german shepherds, and a wolf hybrid. The hybrid I own is a low-content, mixed with a husky. She has an entire pack of huskies and a secured fenced in acre to run on. She came to me at 5 weeks almost dead, and so I decided with the experience I had with dogs, I would attempt to keep this one for myself. But she is in a secured, safe, enviornment, around no children *I dont plan on having any children*, and as I had said before, she is with an entire pack. She has been the most well behaved animal I have. She comes inside at night and sleeps just so I know she is not getting out when im asleep, and I stay at home, so she is constantly looked after. I have a GSD that is 150 lbs, and supersmart who I am actually more afraid of attacking someone than she, but this is not to defind the wolf-dog, but to help educate the public also. Wolves and Wolfdogs do not make good family pets. they should not be purchased! They do not like to be alone, and will do anything to get out of their area if they are alone. that includes taking out anything in their path. they have a high, natural, prey drive and that does include anything that moves. it's their natural instinct. we as idiots breed wolves with dogs thinking that the dog-part will tame them, but that drive NEVER goes away. we condemn these animals to a horrible life on a chain, or having to euthanize them because they arent the "wonderful pets we think they should be." We should listen to Ed. He does know what he's talking about when it comes to their prey drive. Kina (my hybrid) is safely contained at all times and is happy, but around no children or people to hurt, and that's the only way she was able to stay. Help spread the knowledge that Wolfdogs do not belong in homes. If you love wolves, as I do, please leave them in the wild. They're much happier and content there. Thanks alot!
christa

An email on Shilo Shepherds (a hybrid)

Ed,

I could certainly use your opinion on this dog. A couple called me to help them with their 4 yr. old neutered (beautiful)Shilo Shepherd (about 110 lbs easy!) http://www.shilohs.com/.

The dog was let to lead the household to a point where it wanted to protect every member and property to a level beyond control. I made a total of 4 trips so far where I OB trained the dog to the level of heel, auto sit, stay, down, come. The owners did a good job of not only training the dog every night with those commands, but practical lessons on making the dog earn everything by doing the sit, and later down.They were even able to get better control with the "planned door bell ringing" exercises. I never seen anything but a great natural watch dog.... until the last visit.

Their little daughter was at the neighbors house, coming toward the dog with her friend following behind. The dog ( maybe thinking the girl was being chased) got out of the down and showed aggression toward the neighbor kid. I finally seen what they were talking about. The owner corrected the dog for breaking the down, and with great effort put the dog in a sit. By then the neighbor kid stopped in her tracks and retreated.

I know this dog is a fine example if its breed. It works great, but the owners of course are uncomfortable as you would imagine. I offered a suggestion that the neighbor girl and her dad walk with the dog owner and the dog in a relaxed stroll as much as possible.Along with the leadership establishment exercises I gave them to do. any suggestions?

My response about Shilo shepherds

I write in my book that hundreds of thousands of people take their dogs to obedience classes every year and after these classes a great many of the dogs are no less dominant than before the classes.

This animal is certainly the perfect example of that.

I strongly disagree that these Shilo Shepherds be called a breed of dog. They are wolf hybrids. Granted the wolf may not be a major part of the current animals but the wolf was used by the guy who started to breed them. My views on Hybrids is very clear and can be read in the list of training article on my web site (at the bottom) You can find these if you go to the list of training articles and scroll down. http://leerburg.com/articles.htm

The animal in question is a dangerous animal. Obedience training is clearly not the solution and you are risking your reputation in trying to solve this problem through training because these people are clearly not competent to handle this animal. If they were the problem would not exist. Your advice to have this neigbor and his daughter walk with the dog is a very very bad idea.

So in effect you are playing with the lives of children. If I were you I would not feel comfortable in your position.

The solution to this problem is to either confine the animal and never allow it off leash or near strangers. Not ever. Frankly if I had control of the situation I would put it to sleep.

Ed Frawley

An email from an owner of a Wolf Hybrid

Mr. Frawley,

I want to thank you for having educational material on your site about the wolf hybrid.

I myself adopted a dog from a rescue organization in New York last year for my 3 yr old son .... The dog's were rescue's from out of state- states like Tennessee. From the first week I adopted this dog I didn't think something was right... she seemed at least 2 months younger than the 4 months she claimed she was. She was already spayed at 4 weeks old and was listed as a Collie/Sheppard Mix... I thought maybe sheppard too as the coat was very fluffy yet she was still young... well we kept our dog for 9 months and she gew into a very long legged dog almost inproportionately... each month newer behavior came out of this dog that 'just wasn't right' I had owned dogs my entire life and usually owned pedigrees, but this time wanted to do a 'nice' thing and rescee a dog. She was always EXTREMEMLY Submissive and would pee at my feet. Her behavior, was always very skittish and she dug holes like you wouldn't believe in the yard... as she grew up and as I trained her, she became more and more disobedient... She then started becoming more alpha to my son. The only reason why she stayed so long in our home was because she was 'gentle' with my child and now that seemed to be changing in very passive ways, not directly to him but she began targeting only my SONS toys.

Also, she only barked outside and at night and behaved better around other dogs, she bowed to males and only showed dominance over females and always ran away. She started getting more afraid of humans as she grew. Then she began eating shingles off the house etc, jumping on the kitchen table and defacating and tearing anything in her path apart when she was left alone for any length of time... Again, she was changing in ways that weren't normal for a dog, she was getting worse behavioraly not better! It bothered me most that she was targeting my sons things... something said to me this was passive aggressive behavior that again could begin to change into something worse as other behavioral issues had with this dog.. Then as her summer coat shed (I exaggerate not), several garbage bags of hair were brushed out.... That doesn't sound like much reading it, but it was enough to say this dog isn't part sheppard it is part something else.

Trying to do a search on female submission in dogs and chewing digging behavior, as well as social status changes within the home not to mention excessive destruction and excessive shedding (I've owned huskies and known chows and she shed more than the 2 put together)... the search engines started pulling up wolf-hybrid. I noticed then it seems to be 'popular' to breed these dogs to border collies!!! Ahh, I thought... there's the Collie the rescue noted she was and the photos looked just like her!!!!!! As I started reading I noticed more and more that my maternal insctincts were correct.... I always knew the way this dog behaved was not just 'gentle'... it ran deeper it was more like passive aggressive behavior with ABNORMAL (as far as domestic dogs go) submission. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop with this dog and as I read on I was going to wait for it to happen. I started reading how hybrids don't emotionally mature until the age of 2 yrs old and can turn on children they grew up with and otherwise payed with at one time if the dog (hybrid) decides to change its social status within the family! Or if someone gets ill they can take that as a sign of weakness and attack.... All I read in regards to behavior made sense to me and there was no doubt in my mind whatsoever what I had adopted was a wolf hybrid. I put the dog up for adoption immediately (I let the rescue know what I thought she was) and I'm hoping she goes to an educated person who understands what they would be getting into with this animal. Thank god she has been spayed!....

Mr. Frawley, I want to thank people like you for taking the time to educate the community about hybrids. This shelter had told me this dog was part sheppard and NO WAY NO HOW WAS IT. I do believe part collie, but it was part wolf. I am a savy dog owner, and know my breeds fairly well for a non-professional... enough to know something was 'fishy' with this dog. There are many others out there who aren't- especially that professor who wrote you and proclaimed himself "expert" and who stated sheppards are part wofl! Maybe several hundred years ago they were, but the wild instincts have been bred out. If you ever own a hybrid vs.a domestic dog you could see the difference in a family pet v.s a wild animal immediately, after you learn what you have adopted you get the sense that a hybrid should never be allowed to be a family pet, it just doesn't feel right. You see that what you own is a very confused animal. Quite franly I would rather own an inbred pit over a wolf hybrid!

I have since replaced her with a pedigree boxer for my son. I've decided as a mom of a little one, I am leaving NOTHING to chance. Thank you once again for your site, it was one of the sites that has helped me make sense out of what my dog was and how to handle it.

Christine

An email from an owner of a Wolf Hybrid

Ed

I wanted to write to you to tell you about bandit. he was the first wolf dog I had. He was also the biggest mistake in pet ownership Ive ever made. When I was 22 I decided that as much as I liked wolves, I would enjoy one for a pet. not true. I brought him home at 12 weeks, and from then on it got worse. He was 160 pounds of trouble. See I've always trained my own animals and thought that if I did it right I would prove everyone wrong.

I could get close to him to pet him, my girlfriend could feed him. That was it. I have a niece that I love very much and when she was 2 angel asked if we could go outside and pet bandit. I didn't think it a good idea, but was a sucker for angels cute little face. We went outside and bandit came right over to me. Angel sat on my lap and bandit let her pet him for a while. He walked away, and all I could think of was how paranoid I was for thinking he wouldn't be o.k.

I got to watching him and when angel wiggled to get down, I let go without thinking. My sister yelled something to me out the window, I turned around to answer, and when I turned back around bandit was in a dead run for her across the yard. Luckily for me, when I yelled at him, he stopped to look at me. Nothing happened that day except I got scared. If I wouldn't have been there, my sister would hate me to this day.

After that I moved and put a 6 foot chain link fence up. I read on another website that "you can not get one of my dogs without a 6 foot chain link pen up."

Let me tell you that he got out of that. The latch was not open and he didn't dig out. He went over the top of it. A wolf dog does not have the love for you that you have for them. They tolerate you because you can beat them when they challenge you. Thats it. That was four years ago and to this day I have not seen him. He never came back.

People say they want them because they are beautiful - they are. However they don't care about you and they will never be able to live outside of a pen. Why take something so beautiful and cage it? The only thing that can happen is that they can get out and hurt someone.

I thought it may be the way I raised him so I contacted many owners of wolf dogs. The only people that say that they are good pets are people who didnt have any experience with them, or people who wish to profit by your buying them.

People who have them cant get rid of them because no one else can handle them, so they keep them til they die or they get out and hurt or kill somebody or something. anyone that is thinking of purchasing a wolf dog, DON'T. nothing good can come of it.

How would you like to try to go to bed at night knowing that your pet killed someones child, or even yours.its not really worth the chance. i speak after research and first hand knowledge.

On another note when angel was almost attacked, i didn't tell many people about it. i was embarrassed of my own stupidity. a friend of mine was at the local wal-mart last year and saw a lady selling wolf hybrids and remembered that i used to have one.

so for Christmas i got another one. tiny as i named her has grown up with me beloved gsd,jack. i take them both with me horseback riding and they are the best two dogs i could ask for.tiny is as good with strange dogs as jack is. by no means do i think just because it worked for me once that it would work for anyone else.

that is just one out of hundreds working. so please keep on telling people about how wrong it is to keep these half tame half wild animals as pets. even if people could live with themselves for their dogs killing someone, could they live with it after they have been warned by people who have been through it?

if you want to have a wolf dog, and want to guarantee that it will never hurt anyone, then there are two things you can do. kill it and have it mounted to put in your livingroom, or move to a deserted island with it.

Jeremy

Child killed by wolf-dog hybrid
Animal tears boy's jugular vein, bites him 100s of times

April 29, 2003

A 13-month-old boy died early Sunday after a wolf-dog hybrid bit him and tore the baby's jugular vein at a Boise home.

Andre Angel Thomas was bitten by the animal “hundreds” of times at the Frederic Street home, Boise Police Detective Dale Rogers said. The baby's mother, Starla Thomas, had been invited there by Brandon Jenkins, 28, who moved into the residence Saturday.

Police were called to the scene about 3:20 a.m. Sunday after Jenkins awoke to go to the bathroom and found the baby on the floor. He said he tried to give the baby CPR as he was instructed by a 911 operator, but it was no use.

Andre was unconscious when police arrived. He later was declared dead at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.

Ada County Coroner Erwin Sonnenberg said the incident is the first death that he can remember from a mauling by a dog since he became coroner in 1985.

No charges have been filed in the incident, but the investigation is continuing. If charges are filed, they likely would be related to child neglect, Rogers said.

Idaho Humane Society spokeswoman Dee Fugit said wolf-dog hybrids can be friendly, but they are much more unpredictable than other dogs. The society kills wolf-dog hybrids rather than adopting them to other families.

“It is basically a wild animal in a dog's body,” she said.

Jenkins lives at the home with the wolf-dog hybrid's owner, Thomas Cleverly, 25.

Detective Rogers said Cleverly had owned the 1 1/2 -year-old hybrid, named Koa, since she was 3 months old. Monday, Cleverly gave ownership of Koa to the Idaho Humane Society, which plans to kill her today.

Jenkins said he recently met Thomas and invited her to the house to watch the NBA playoffs and for a barbecue. She came there with two friends and her baby. After the game was over, the friends left, but Thomas and the baby stayed.

Police said Thomas told them that she put her baby to sleep on a couch at about 11 p.m.

Jenkins said he thought he put Koa in the back yard and chained her before he went to bed but said he couldn't be certain.

Given the nature of the attack, it is unusual that no one in the house awoke earlier, Rogers said. Police said the bites occurred between 12:15 and 3:20 a.m.

Jenkins admitted Monday that marijuana was used during the evening. He called using the drug a “lack of judgment” but said there wasn't much smoked and that it did not prevent him and Thomas from waking earlier.

“There was not even enough to get any benefits from it,” he said.

Jenkins said he had six or seven beers and Thomas had less than one. He added that he was uncertain whether Thomas smoked any marijuana.

Earlier this month, Jenkins was issued a misdemeanor citation for smoking marijuana inside a parked car.

Sunday was not the first time Koa had been accused of biting a person.

Fugit said that in November, Koa was ordered into home confinement for 10 days after she bit a 7-year-old boy.

In December, the society issued Cleverly a warning after Koa was reported to have escaped from her yard.

Jenkins said Sunday's incident came as a shock because Koa was good-natured.

Roman Greaves, who lives a few doors down from Cleverly, said Koa and another dog at the residence seemed calm.

“I just never thought they were aggressive dogs,” he said.

Fugit said it's impossible to know why Koa bit the baby.

“It's hard to comment on what might have been going on in the dog's mind,” Fugit said.

Members of the baby's family declined to comment Monday, a funeral home official said.

A service for Andre Angel Thomas will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Summers Funeral Home in Mountain Home. He is survived by his mother and his father, Raul Lopez.

I stumbled across your site today and almost came to tears when I saw my son's name on the list of attacked and killed children. My son was killed in Jan of 95. Thank you so much for this article. I just hope other people read it and take it to heart. The family that owned the hybrid that killed my son had 4 children of their own. One younger than my son. The dog was in a fenced yard, but there was a 3 foot opening where the fence did not connect all the way to the house. The neighbors said the dog had run loose on several occasions, probably getting out by that gap. I try to educate people on the hybrid as well as making sure a child can not get into their back yard. There could be a hole in the fence, a gap, an easy to open gate. People don't expect a child to wander into their yard, but these things happen everyday.

Thank You,
Christina Batten

A WARNING from an ex-hybrid owner - you must read this

Dear Sir,

I just read your article on wolf hybrids. And have to say I couldn't agree more.
When we were young and stupid (way back in the late 80's)my husband and myself purchased two wolf hybrids. A 73% wolf male and a 46% wolf female. Both animals were as different as night and day. The male constantly challenged my husband. Was extremely high strung and couldn't be trusted around strangers at all. The female we never had any problems with. We were roped into a hybrid group full of people that ran nothing, but puppy mills to rope more people into their way of thinking. I finally got tired of listening to crap. Like how wolf dogs made good protection dogs and could be trained and socialized. And wasn't seeing this at all in our male. Things just weren't adding up. So did some research independently of this hybrid group. And found out a lot of the facts you stated in your article. And that many other hybrid groups were just as clueless and fanatical as the one we were part of. When I brought my findings before an informal meeting. I of course was totally railroaded and black listed in the group for exposing the dirty little secrets about these wolf-hybrids. This group of ignorant people only wanted to show off current puppy photos and push their studs. No one could agree on anything other then to breed more of them, either. The issue of making a "standard" for the "breed" always ended up in a big stand off between those that liked Shepherd wolf mixes VS. those in favor of the Husky breeds mixed with wolf. Percentage was another issue no one wanted to agree on, or the pushing of the rabies vaccination program. Which to this day has not be resolved. As far as I know a rabies vaccine has not been approved for hybrids or wolves. The one statement that severed the tie with us with this group was when the president got up in front of everyone at a meeting. And made the comment that, "wolves are dying out in the wild and that is why we need to breed more hybrids to keep that 'wild spirit' alive." Anyone with half a brain would know that once a hybrid, always a hybrid. And a true statement of an ignorant person in it only for the money.

They are dangerous animals. I agree and most are not handled as they should be. And many people with their backgrounds have no way of ever being able to understand a wolf dog. All the information and books on the subject, in the world won't make a difference with many of them, sadly. In other words have more money then brains. Sure, you get one wolfy looking DOG doing tricks at one of these hybrid shows. That some fool says is 80% something wolf (pedigrees were a big issue then because some people were doing stuff like one pup was said to be 70% on it's pedigree because it looked "wolfy" and another 30% on it's because it didn't, but they both came from the same litter and may of had no wolf blood at all). And brainless morons go out and buy the pups. It's all false advertising and buyer beware.

It totally blows my mind when I read where there was an attack on a child or another animal. And the hybrid (or dog) owner blames everyone and everything else for the attack. And doesn't want the animal put down. If it had been one of our dogs that had attacked someone. I wouldn't have stood there making excuses. I would have gotten my .243 deer rifle and shot the dog myself. I'm not saying it would be something easy to do, but I don't see any other choice in the matter. Instead of risking someone in a Vet's office getting attacked and bitten. Clearly something is wrong with our society when we defend an animal (any) with this kind of known aggressive behavior. When it attacks and severely injures or kills another fellow human being.

We loved our wolf-hybrids dearly and they were part of our family. Both lived to a ripe old age (15 and 13 years) before cancer took them both. But despite this and the fact I have some understanding of what makes a wolf hybrid "tick." I will not own another one. I have two children now and before they came along saw the potential of what our hybrids were capable of. I do dearly love wolves too. But they belong in the wild under our protection as a "wild" animal. Not mixed with our pet dogs. Which most breeds of dog wouldn't survive if left to fend for themselves in the woods. I keep hearing the argument that all dogs came from wolves. They indeed did. But the difference between modern dogs and wolves. Is modern dogs have been in our company for millions of years of domestication (i.e. selective breeding). The modern wolf hasn't. In those millions of years we have bred everything that made them "wolves" out of them. I ask you does, a Bulldog or Poodle look like a wolf? Millions of years ago they may have been and may still have a few characteristics which are the same. But all the wolf-like looks and behavior just aren't there anymore. And despite the two can interbreed and produce an offspring able to reproduce. The wolf and the domestic dog might as well be totally different species. I get really tired of morons trying to argue this point. In my opinion there isn't any argument at all. Dogs are dogs and wolves are wolves. And hybrids are an accident waiting to happen.

Sincerely,
Lynnrae Troples

Later comments from the same person after I told her I was adding the email to this web page:

I seriously think people are ignorant about wolf hybrids and use their ignorance as a crutch and an excuse. And "fanatical" people, especially those that don't have two brain cells to rub together. Are a danger to themselves and to everyone else that crosses their path. The whole hybrid issue can be summed up like "babies playing with loaded guns", there isn't any other way to describe the mentality of these people. And sadly the main class of people that have these animals or aggressive types of dogs in general. Are the ignorant lower class. That use them to (they think) improve their social standing and/or to get extra drug money by breeding them. Many of the members of this wolf-hybrid group we joined were like this. A case in point. We attended a hybrid show (these "shows" were more like a huge joke in reality) and one guy had his wolf dog fall out of the back of his trashy pick-up truck (what it was doing unrestrained in the back of a truck, I haven't a clue?) and really hurt itself badly. He was more worried about everyone seeing him with his new wolf-dog that he drug this injured, bleeding animals into the show ring. Need I say more? It's bad enough they didn't ask to be brought into this world, but then to add this kind of abuse to the mix........ It's not just the animal in question, but the people that own and defend them and their "rights" to own wolf-dogs that need to have a full psychological evaluation. Another thing I would like to mention. Is at these shows these owners would say (to promote their animals to "tourists") that their animals weren't aggressive toward people, and at the shows I found this to be semi-true. But in reality it's a "territory" issue. None of these animals are in their home territories at these shows. And are unsure of the situation so a lot of the aggression to "defend" isn't there. We couldn't trust our male around anyone at home. He would growl and pop his teeth and usually ended up having to be chained. At shows he was a completely different animal. Would actually let strangers pet him. We still watched him like a hawk, but this is why the different behavior was taking place. And one of the reasons why uninformed people are talked into buying a hybrid. I am ashamed to say this is how we got hooked. And a lot of the time someone is injured by a wolf-dog is because they wandered into this "home space" and the wolf-dog attacked them. Having been bred in a human living situation. They see strange people like they were strange wolves entering their territory and in the wild these strangers are either driven off or killed. Children are often considered "prey". Think about it. They're small and "squeal" and slow.

I own now a goofy, afraid of cats, Rott/Lab mix and a mixed Beagle mutt. And after all I've seen and experienced with wolf-hybrids. Would rather have a real mutt from the local shelter any day. That my kids can climb all over and play with all day and not have to worry about it. If you ever should need an experienced opinion concerning this issue. Feel free to contact me.

A Typical Comment from a Wolf Hybrid Owner

As a general rule, the people who own wolf hybrids are people who vicariously live their lives through the illusion of these hybrids. To a man or women they are a very strange lot. I get more hate e-mails from these people than any other group of animal people.

My position is that these animals should be banned. They should ALL be put to sleep. If the hybrid people don't care to listen to this, then they should do their own web site. In the mean time we just had a 6 year old killed in Western WI by a hybrid. There was also a young boy on the other side of the state that was attacked by 5 or 6 hybrids earlier in the summer. He did not die. So the attacks continue.

I will no longer read e-mails from hybrid owners. The fact is I will not debate them. In fact when I get e-mails from people who try and justify what they do I erase them without even reading their e-mails. Many of which are similar to what you will read below from someone named MacKenzie Duvall (mackenzieduvall@hotmail.com). A very strange person:

What is the matter with you, you XXXXer? You post a controversial web site, invite comments and replies and then you don't respond. I think your site sucks. It starts with some truths but then degenerates into a fanatical tirade based loosely on facts and innuendo that you fail to back up. You can't spell worth a shit, either.

Guys like you typically have XXXX problems. You are way too macho for your own good. You were probably picked on growing up and this macho front you present is an effort to overcome that. Grow up!

If you think you are right on the issue then you should be able to find facts to back it up. I don't doubt that there are facts out there. The one thing you are right on is that wolf hybrids are dangerous. I guess you are too fXXXXXX stupid to do the proper research, though. Until then...FXXX you very much, AXXXXXX

MacKenzie Duvall (mackenzieduvall@hotmail.com)

A Typical Comment from a Wolf Hybrid Owner

I have a malamute a hybrid wolf I ahave a few of them all different ages I read your responce to iseehorses guy my wolf dogs are mixed 50/50 yes it does not like for others to come around I dont feel they are kid killers yes I've seen my dogs stalk kids but I've also seen them stalk adult too I agree they to not make good watch dogs etc but they will protect their place so either way people dosnt tresspass nomore yes one dog has killed a pitbull a rott and 1 shepard cause they was running free and they felt my yard was their yard and shyannre didnt like that much so she attacked I've seen the wolf off and on in all of them and they was mean but they are not killers any dog can be a killer not just hybrids thank you for your time.

QUESTION:

December 10, 1998

I was reading your opinion on the wolf dog and I must say, it has to be the most unresearched and uneducated opinion that I have ever seen. I am a Biology professor at the University of Virginia. I have studied canines for over 35 years, and I am a licensed vet. I no longer practice, I feel it would be better to teach. I am unsure what you are teaching other than how someone's opinion can make them sound so ignorant.

Are you aware that all dogs evolved from wolves? Are you also aware that more than half of the dog breeds are man made? There are many dogs that are wolf hybrids. You probably did not know that. The German Shepard is the worlds most popular wolf hybrid. The original breeding of the German Shepard used part wolf. There are many others as well, but being the dog lover that you are you probably knew that. Before you persecute something that you have no earthly idea about, please do the world a favor and READ first.

As for the comment on attacks, on wolf dogs per capita and numerically attack more people than wolf dogs/hybrids. I am not saying that attacks are a good thing. Most attacks from dogs and hybrids are a direct result in irresponsible owners. Always remember what Vaught said. "There are no bad students, only bad teachers." It is up to us to own all dogs and other animals responsibly.

ANSWER:

I do not agree with your comments on wolf hybrids.

I plan on adding this comment to my web site with the purpose of demonstrating that even so-called self proclaimed experts like yourself have their head up their rear on this issue.

The fact is that most vets may know how to treat dogs medically but very few know precious little about dog training. So don't put your butt on a pedestal and think that you are somehow an expert on dog behavior just because you are a vet. I know what they teach about dog training in vet school.

Tell me where biology gives you the right to lecture on behavior and pack instincts or breeding? Now on the other hand - I don't care to hear from you again.

I have trained dogs longer than you have studied them, I have bred over 250 litters of working bloodline shepherds. I have competed in AKC Obedience, Schutzhund, been a police K9 handler for 9 years and produced 50 or 60 tapes on training. I don't need you telling me to read about genetics on dogs. Your arguments about dogs and wolves fall into the category of man evolving from monkeys they are also just about as relevant. The difference is man is a little more than one generation from swinging in the tree.

Dear Mr. Frawley,

I want to thank you for your article on Wolf Hybrids. I have always loved wolves and was browsing the internet for hybrid breeders, I didn't want a hybrid for a status symbol but because it was the closest thing I could get next to the wolf. After reading your article even though I do not have small children I realized the dangers that the breeders don't tell you about.

From now on I will be content to enjoy my 2 German Shepherds and visit wolves at the zoo! Once again thank you; I might have had a very bad situation on my hands had I not read your article.

Sincerely,
Davina Zbiegien

How to Break Up a Dog Fight eBook

Testimonial:

I share your frustration when dealing with pro-hybrid people. I am training a wonderful GSD in Schutzhund now, but many years ago I worked under an unscrupulous dog trainer who advocated not only wolf hybrids, but coyote hybrids and full blooded coyotes as pets! Gordon Monahan of Washington State claims to be a former police officer, police K-9 trainer, an "originally trained by Mr. Koehler himself" dog man. I came to Gordon with a wolf hybrid puppy and I needed help modifying some peculiar behavior. Gordon was delighted to help, saying he hadn't had a good wolf pup to work with in a long time. He even gave me a break on class prices and soon made me his star pupil. The puppy, who I had named Dawson, learned quickly and gave me some hope that Gordon was right that the hybrid might someday be a safe pet. I was wrong.

Dawson's story is sad from the start--he was given to me because the owners were going to shoot him. I was inexperienced and this fuzzy little puppy looked so innocent.The puppy had been raised by his 50/50 wolf/dog mother without any human intervention until he was three months old. The owners bred their hybrid bitch every year to another 50/50 male and sold the puppies for drug money (such a nice class of people...) This little puppy had been hidden from them by the bitch until he was as wild as she was. The owners told me I could have him if I could catch him. I was naive and dangerously stupid. I crawled into the bitch's den and hooked the puppy out. The owners were holding the bitch back with two sets of tow chains to keep her from tearing me to pieces. She screamed and wailed, snarling viciously as they held her back. Later, the husband of the dope-dealing pair told me he had never seen her act like that, that normally she was a calm, shy creature.

Dawson was pathologically shy from the start. It took me two weeks just to get him to eat in my presence. He was very tiny, so I could take him everywhere with me. I tried to socialize this puppy, but it just seemed like endless trauma to him. He piddled all over himself frequently and huddled in a terrified ball on the floor of the truck's front seat. After a month of this, I decided to get some help. That was when I met Gordon Monahan.

To make the long story short, Gordon's training was intense and Dawson very quickly learned what to do and not do. He passed basic obedience with flying colors and learned that snapping and growling at friendly strangers was not allowed. Gordon told me this meant Dawson was starting to accept that the world was a friendly place. I know now that all we'd succeeded in doing was teaching Dawson not to let his fear show. Dawson was still afraid, terribly so, but he knew that expressing it brought consequences.

Gordon told me that Dawson needed intense socialization and I had to get him out in public as often as possible. I followed Gordon's advice, but as Dawson grew, so did his attitude. No longer did he have to huddle on the floor of the truck, now he was 100 pounds and could just lean back on the leash and keep me from extricating him from his beloved truck. Gordon's assistance was called on again and he told me I needed to be more "firm and disciplined." I needed to "look Dawson in the eye and tell him who's boss." Yeah. Oh boy. Great idea, Gordo. I started getting more forceful and looking Dawson in the eye and Dawson started staring back. Gordon said that this was good, that I had Dawson's attention. Mr. Frawley, I'm certain you know, as I do now, that I not only had Dawson's attention, but also a full blown challenge of authority. Gordon warned me that Dawson might "act up" once he got to be about 9 months old or so and might make a jump at me. If that happened, I was to "choke him out" with my hands, with a chain, with whatever I had at hand at the moment. I was not to let up until Dawson relaxed. In spite of my name, Zak, I am not a man. I am a girl and at the time I weighed only 120 pounds and had NO experience with dominance-related discipline. Dawson packed on 20 more pounds of muscle and made his jump one day when I was disciplining him for piddling on the floor. (Like most hybrids, Dawson was not well housebroken.) He lunged at me without a growl and I barely had time to throw my arms up to protect my face. Luckily, he did have a chain collar on with a leash attached. I was able to somehow throw him off balance so that he slipped on the linoleum. I put my knee on his neck and drove my elbow into his chest as hard as I could. Dawson stopped moving suddenly and looked up at me with something akin to surprise. I stood up, he stood up, and we both walked outside. He was as meek as a lamb. I called Gordon and Gordon CONGRATULATED me for "winning the fight" and "ending this messy dominance issue."

I didn't think this was over, but Gordon assured me it was and he told me to get back to taking Dawson out for visits in public. I didn't feel comfortable with this at all, so I bought Dawson a muzzle. Gordon bullied me constantly about the muzzle, telling me what a mess I was making of thing by embarrassing my poor dog this way. One day, I relinquished and took Dawson out without his muzzle. We were at PetSmart. I told people that he wasn't friendly and shouldn't be talked to or petted, so the other customers left him alone. Dawson was crouched in his usual "I'm very uncomfortable with all this" pose and I stood beside him. Suddenly, a little girl came running down the aisle at us, shouting "Puppy, puppy, puppy!" Dawson leapt at the girl, but I caught him, ramming my fist down his gaping maw.  Blood ran down my arm where Dawson's teeth punctured my skin as I lay over the hybrid, holding him on his side. The mother ran after her daughter and smiled, "Can she pet your puppy?" Then she saw the blood on my arm. "He's NOT FRIENDLY," I gasped. The mother rebuked me for having such a dangerous dog, then gathered up her baby and left.

The next day, I had Dawson put to sleep. Dawson's grave gathers moss in my backyard.

Five years have passed since then and I have learned so much. I would have taken the puppy Dawson from the dope-dealing pair who bred him, but I would have put him to sleep immediately. There was and is no place in the world for him or for the thousands of other hybrids. They have the fear and power of the wolf, yet the lack of inhibition from the dog. They are probably the most dangerous canids in existence.

I try to tell my story to others, especially those how insist on keeping hybrids, but for the most part, I'm wasting my time. Those who have hybrids love them until the hybrids kill, then they tend to blame the victim for taunting the dog, running from the dog, baiting the dog, whatever. It saddens me to hear about the exhaustive efforts some hybrid owners will go to to keep their dangerous pets.

Maybe people will listen better to you. I hope they do. Thank you for your controversial and uncompromising stance on the hybrid issue.

Mr. Frawley,

I logged onto your web site via an internet search on wolf hybrids. I have always been fascinated by wild canines -- wolves, coyotes, dingoes,etc. -- but I can't honestly say I'd ever want to own one now that I know what I know. By far, the best, safest place for these animals is in their natural habitat, away from people, undisturbed by us.

But to be fair, that doesn't necessarily mean that a wolf hybrid cannot be owned with a reasonable amount of safety by the right people. By the"right people," I mean an experienced person; living out in the boonies; with no kids or other pets; and a large, securely fenced yard or preferably a covered, dig-proof kennel. At any rate, they should be treated with caution and very much responsibility. They should never be allowed to "run" with other dogs at a park, or accompany their owners to family reunions, or anything like that which would put the animal in a situation where it is off-leash (and therefore out-of-control) around strangers. It just shouldn't be done.

Having owned a succession of Pit Bulls for the last 10 years -- as well as one Pit Bull/Akita mix -- and a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd before that, I always tend to defend the "underdog;" the misunderstood or the maligned. I know how biased people can be against certain types of animals. (Once, while taking my last Pit Bull and Pit/Akita mix to the vet, we were greeted by a Peekapoo owner who cooed at my dogs, thinking they were "Boxers." When we corrected her, all the color drained from her face, and she grabbed up her little dog and left abruptly.) I know how people can be frightened and alarmed by sensationalized news reports. And I also am woman enough to admit that some of these stories are true.

I had to get my Pit Bull and Pit/Akita put to sleep a month ago. Why? They bit a child. There was certainly a lot more to it than that, but that is what it boiled down to. We had to surrender them or face a lengthy court battle against the County, during which time our girls would have to stay in a shelter, and I didn't want to do that to them. Again, St. Louis County decided to prosecute us not because we were irresponsible owners or because the dogs were vicious, but because they were shocked by the pictures of the little girl. No thought was given to the amount of care we had given these dogs, or to the fact that they had gone to obedience school, or to the fact that this was the first incidence of them ever biting a human, or that they were adequately confined and controlled, or that the little girl had a lengthy history of tormenting the dogs. The pictures were what mattered and the pictures were all that was taken into consideration. Not that we were infallible, but I don't believe that they deserved to die for their transgression.

That is beside the point. I am usually against any kind of writing which attacks a certain breed of dog -- or really, any certain animal --while not putting the emphasis on educating the public. I think that your page could stand a little more informative material and a little less bashing, but this is your page, so you do as you like. However, I would really like to see a section on how to avoid getting bitten. Many people set off a dog's protective or defensive instincts and don't even know it. At the time the girl had been bitten by my dogs, she had been screaming loudly and running up behind a member of our family, which she should have never done around protective dogs who were leery of her anyway.

In a way, I enjoyed your page. I guess it has to do with my desire to hear all viewpoints on a subject. I think you are brutally honest, if a little bit biased, and that's how to get people to listen to what you are saying. Still, I think you would do well to put more emphasis on educating people about how not to disturb a dog, and about how to react when you're being approached by a dog, etc.

Thank you for your time.
Lindsay

ANSWER:

There is no middle ground for compromise on hybrids. Wolves are wolves and they should remain either in the wild or in a zoo. There is NO PLACE for them to be bred to dogs.

Obviously you have not researched my web site. I have an excellent article titled PREVENTING DOG BITES IN CHILDREN.

Your attitude toward the child that was bitten by your dogs is typical of my experience with others whose dogs bite kids - blame the child and not yourself. To not blame yourself is irresponsible. It's the same as leaving a loaded gun laying on the table when the neighborhood kids come over after school. What happened to this little girl was YOUR FAULT not the girls fault!

ED FRAWLEY

Muzzles

QUESTION:

Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997

I have a wolf hybrid, it is almost 1 year old now. My wife has been telling me that it’s a dangerous and wild animal. I told her that I would train the dog and if she ever attacked anyone I would have her disposed of. Well during this past week she attacked my 6 year old daughter. Last night she attacked my 5 year old son who had tripped over the dog. She bit him on the face. I have been upset that my own children have been attacked and the fact that I will be losing my dog. I just can't have the dog put to sleep. I don't know if you can help me but do you have any suggestions as to where I can take my dog to live? So I don't have to be put the dog to sleep?

Phil

Answer:

Phil, to begin with this animal is not a dog. So you are making a mistake to relate to it like a dog. It's also not a wild animal. I don't know what people should call these things - "kid killers" would be a better choice of words.

You are losing sight of reality here. This animal just bit your 2 children. You are only kidding yourself if you think that it will not attack another child if put in a similar situation.

I know that it will be difficult to take your pet to the vet and have it put to sleep. Unfortunately that's what has to be done.

ED FRAWLEY

Subject: hmmm Kid Killers

You for one thing, are full of it, they aren't kid killers, and second, the ppm the breed and raise these type of dogs, tell everyone that they aren't good for protection, they very shy of humans... and the owners have to protect them... You need to get your facts straight...

Sincerely, KW

ANSWER:

I am glad that you visited my page and read my article. I am always impressed with people who don't sign their name. I assume from your e-mail address that you are one of the people who deal with these animals. You are either ignorant of canine temperament or you are just plain ignorant if you think that these animals are not a threat to small children.

My facts are 100% straight. This article is not to convince you or people like you of anything. The article is intended to expose these animals for what they are.

ED FRAWLEY

QUESTION:

Hi Ed. I own and breed Belgian Malinois as well as own Wolf Hybrids. I have a problem with you putting down the wolf hybrid. All of my dogs get along with kids, but I would not leave any of them unattended with them. I would not leave any dog unattended with children, for the dogs safety as well as the child’s. The majority of wolf hybrid breeders screen the owners and tell them they are not good guard or protection dogs. I also do protection work with my Malinois. My wolf is just as loyal if not more so than my Mal and they won't leave my side. They have all been trained and are a joy to be around. I would be more concerned about a poorly trained attack dog then a wolf/hybrid... A poorly trained attack or guard dog will attack with no reason where as a wolf/dog will leave the seen. I am not against attack work as I have a 3 year old trained protection and a puppy just starting. I just do not like having people put down such wonderful animals. Just my two cents.

Otherwise I happen to like your page, and would have recommended it to others interested in training, but seeing how you feel about some close friends of mine I can't. I almost considered purchasing some of your videos, but again do to your view I am unable to contribute to your ideas... I would hope you would reconsider your opinion and do a little research before you pass judgment again.

Thank you for your time.
Born Free, Share the Faith, TimberWolves

ANSWER:

I really an not concerned about hurting the feelings of anyone who breeds or owns these animals. I also have not tried to endorse poor dog breeding, or dogs that attack and kill kids. These are 100% totally different issues. I am not talking about dog training here. I am not talking about dogs that kill kids here. I am talking about breeding 2 different species for God knows what reasons and how the result is often a very dangerous animal. Lets not cloud the issue with side tracks and unrelated issues.

I have a friend that competes in Schutzhund with a Malinois. Her husband owns wolves. He knows more about wolves that you people ever hope to know. I respect what he is doing. He has adequate enclosures and does not sell these animals to the public. He also would never consider crossing them with a dog.

I am unconcerned with the fact that you would not purchase my training tapes. If my information on training were to be used on these hybrids I would rather you not buy the tapes.

Comment:

Hello Ed,

I'm the co-founder of the Inuit Sled Dog International <www.mts.net/~toadhall>, a true dog who has been used for over some four thousand years in the Arctic by the Inuit people. After finding your excellent website, I am writing to you because we have a problem. A number of wolfdog organizations have taken the name of our breed as well as its history to hide behind. The two principal ones are The Northern Inuit Society in England, The National Esquimaux Dog Association(NEDA) in the US. Our breed is registered by the Canadian Kennel Club as "Eskimo Dog", the word Esquimaux is the original French name. However, our organization broke away from the CKC because they refused to change the name of the breed to Inuit although the term has been officially adopted by the government in 1977, and the aboriginal people themselves not only want to be called Inuit but they have adopted this sled dog as their emblem in the Nunavut Territory (Arctic Canada) and called it: Canadian Inuit Dog (eskimo whether in French or English is pejorative). We are also adamant this is a working breed, not a show one.

We have been very vocal in denouncing these organizations - see the article, They don't get It..., in the newsletter on our site - and we've discovered some people also felt like we did about wolfdogs. Our campaign against NEDA resulted in them moving out of one state, but unfortunately they found another with less stringent laws.

What else can we do to get them to drop the names Inuit and Esquimaux? We obviously don't have the funds to go to court - if that was even a solution. I fear that one of these crosses will kill someone and the Inuit Sled Dog will be lumped in with the wolfdogs and possibly be banned as a dangerous dog (it is not an easy dog to handle and it is not a pet, but a hundred percent working dog, people oriented and predictable, including the prey drive instinct for anything smaller than it. In the Arctic and in Greenland, there has been deaths by these dogs, blamed on the conditions the dogs are being kept and the behavior of the unfortunate victims who had every time wandered in the middle of the picketed dogs).

In the meantime I wonder if a link to your site would help give more teeth to our front page warning. You sure don't mince your words. I'll pass your URL to Sue Hamilton, co-founder in the US and Editor, and I imagine she'll contact you too.

Genevieve Montcombroux
ISDI co-founder
Author of The Canadian Inuit Dog: Canada's Heritage

COMMENT:

Dear Ed,

I am a private service dog trainer who specializes in the “harder” breeds. I am also disabled by a brain disorder and use a rottweiler service dog that I trained for myself as a medical service dog. I ALSO am a trained disability advocate with a specialty in service dog law.

There has never been “several Wolf dogs have been accepted as handicapped dogs?” (Anne Lambert)

There is no large agency who would even consider such a thing. No one with half a working brain cell and a smidgeon of common sense would ever consider it.

Under law, disabled persons can train their own service dog. There is no official certifying agency recognized by federal law. A service dog must be individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. Owner training of service dogs is on the rise. I support this, as a rule, for those who are dedicated and serious and capable- this allows one to get a dog one likes and make the decisions concerning all aspects of the dog’s life as well as what it is trained to do to best assist you. The problem here is there is nothing stopping someone who is a nutcase from choosing a wolfdog as a service dog or potential service dog. I have heard of wolfdogs being used in public as medical service dogs ….but that’s not hard to accomplish from the legal end( it has been hotly debated by the pro wolfdog people in the service dog circles I run in whether or not they are valid to use for service work- and the consensus is that it is lunacy to use a wolfdog as a service dog). Individually train the dog to assist you (presumably a qualified disabled individual) and to behave (until it flips out one day) in public, it qualifies as a service dog technically under the words of the law…doesn’t mean it’s actually safe though, under the spirit of the law it should be. This concerns me greatly as those of us who use service dogs responsibly hold that right dear to our hearts, allowing us to live more normally then would otherwise be possible. Should one of these wolfdogs being used as service dogs suddenly flip out and attack someone, it would backlash on all of us so fast our heads would spin- especially those of us using breeds that are already targeted by the media as viscous, our right to have our service dog with us in public could very quickly be eliminated. My guess is that “officially” they are claiming these service dogs are shepherd or malamute mixes to anyone who could get them in trouble.

In any case, I am sure they ARE being used for service work, but I am sure under the guise of being a regular dog (who knows if they are even really a hybrid- they could be a regular old Shepherd or Malamute mix that someone lied about). By the way I can take a dog poorly suited for service work and get it enough up to speed to minimally function in public…for awhile….but it will eventually go over the edge. Pardon me, but I don’t really want to be around to see a wolfdog being used for medical service work go into a thermal meltdown in public….nope I’m outta there.

Paula

Dear Mr. Frawley,

I agree with every fact you stated in your article. Wolves are wild animals that should never be kept as pets. In my line of work it is the same as people that keep pythons, gators, and monitor lizards and then one day come home and find there toddler in the snakes stomach. But the issue is how to deal with these people. I am offering advice because I feel for you cause. You can not attack people for there views! You lost much credit with me when you let your opinion get in the way of the facts. If you don’t want negative feedback then don’t put your email address on the page. That is your option, but when you attack these people you are only making yourself look like an idiot as well. In fact you are a fanatic as that is what is driving you. In my area it is ban the bull breed dogs cause they are killers. I own two American Bulldogs that could do far more damage to a human then a wolf I am sure but they were raised with love and dominance. The male has challenged me on two occasions when he was young but only me not my wife or the other puppy and both times was put in his place. That does not make him a bad animal he was just following an instinct that was clearly still present from the time of wolves. He has never bitten any one and is very relaxed and tolerant of children and strangers. But that means nothing to the people that want my babies dead and if ever I get a knock on my door from someone like you telling me you are taking my dogs I will be the one attacking the human. I think the reason why people hate you is because of the way you proved your point not by the facts. But you had to take it to the next level and just like a cop be a dick. So why don’t you go back to writing parking tickets and serving the public instead of pissing them off!

Matt Tabor [matttabor123@yahoo.com]

Mr. Frawley,

I was just reading your Wolf Hybrid, Dumb & Dumber and your opinion on Halties/Do-Good trainers.

I wish you had some type of flyer to put up in every PETCO and everyother pet store. Maybe you'd be able to save people alot of heartache & money!

You're 100% right about hybrids being kid eaters. I've owner'd 2 and didn't have sucess with either. I got them from the guys that started that shit here in Kansas. Frank Cantan & Earl Newland. They even told me that I was wasting my time working with Malinois'.

On your Dumb & Dumber section, I had a client ask me if feeding his Pit gunpowder would make it mean? I told him not to kick it or get gas because it'd blow-up! He beleived me.

I train with a guy that has met you a couple of times and he has nothing but respect for you. Have a good day,
Robert Baska

An email on hybrids:

A.K.A KID KILLERS? Take it easy Ed. Tell me this how many people are maimed and killed by Pitbulls every year as compared to "Wolf Dogs"? People like yourself add to the paranoia that these animals are killers. What is the statistic of people killed or maimed by German Shepherds that are pure breed?

Firelupe [firelupe@wideopenwest.com]

Ed's comment on hybrids

This is a typical approach by hybrid owners. Its called redirect and change the subject. The answer to this is found in the book on "Fatal Dog Attacks." I should put their emails in the Dumb and Dumber section of my web site.

Dear Ed,

Just to let you know up front I am not a "redneck" (I leave that to my fiancee...he's a true redneck and has the Redneck stickers all over his rig to prove it--go figure a redneck, former marine, truck driver). Anyway, I do own a Wolf/ Malamute/ Labrador cross. He is my first one that I have owned (not the first experience with the hybrid) however I have owned a number of coy-dogs (not by choice, they just kinda showed up and them seem shadier than the wolf hybrids I've been around). Anyway Xander (the wolf cross) is 2 years old and the sweetest dog you'll ever meet. I also have 2 German Shep's, a Dalmatian, a Shep/Dal cross (unfortunately), a beagle/retriever cross (who works as a therapy dog at our local high school), and a fox terrier/ chihuahua cross. My fiancee has a lab/shep cross and a pitbull. I am far from being new to dogs. I have also worked very closely with a trainer whose name you may know-Joel McMains: Former Law Enforcement Officer/ head of K-9 training in Wyoming some years ago, written a number of books published by Howell? Anyway, he helped to train my wolf cross as well as my Shep's. in basic obedience, intermediate obedience (distance/ off leash control), and eventually in the advanced which is tracking and so forth, and hopefully I can get one of my GSD's into schutzhund training with him. As far as my dogs are concerned (including the wolf cross) they are the best mannered, most loveable dogs you would ever meet. Surprisingly the wolf cross is the best behaved (most reliable) and most loveable out of any of them. Raised around people/children of all ages (newborn and up). Honestly I would worry about my German Shep's biting someone LONG before I would my wolf cross. You know I have found two similarities in some of those articles posted about the attacks of wolf hybrids.

1. They were chained...you put any dog on a chain and they are become VERY protective of their territory (their chain length). They have lost the fight or flight option leaving just the fight response resulting in bites and attacks on all people. Unfortunately people do not educate their children so a lot of times it ends up being children who get attacked. Because people no longer educate their children I, at one point, had to result in putting up an electric fence (very low voltage/ pet safe voltage) around my fence so kids would not stick their hands in the fence. Personally, I would rather have a child receive a mild shock than go sticking their hands in my fence and get bit and lose an entire arm. Anyway, practically any dog will become aggressive and bite, and in some cases, kill for "protecting" that territory. It's very common in any breed of dog, especially ones that are chained.
2. The person being attacked was running...think about it. The drives that a dog has...one of those is the pursuit/ chase and in most cases results in the kill. It's a natural drive that a dog has. Think about it when you train a dog, especially for protection/ schutzhund you use 2 forms of training. One is force (the pinch collar/ shock collar whatever method you prefer) the other is drive. You get the dog excited and all worked up about the chase, you do it in agitation all the time. The assailant runs, the dog chases and the dog bites. The bite is the dogs reward. Unfortunately these dogs did not have the training to teach the release like protection dogs do.
That's the difference. It is part of any dog not just wolf hybrids.

Honestly I personally feel that a lot of people deserve to get bit by a dog...not mauled, not killed just a good bite or two (just like a lot of people need a good swift kick in the ass too in order to get the brain cells circulating again). If that's the only way the person is going to learn then let the dog teach them the lesson that desperately needs to be learned--don't screw with the dogs!!!

Oh yeah, did you know that there are some interesting similarities between wolves and GSD's. The GSD carries a specific gene found in only one other animal--that animal being the wolf. They are probably one of the closest (genetically) related to the wolf considering they are the only one with that specific gene (unfortunately I don't recall whether it had a specific name or not. It's been a while, sorry).

I'm not trying to be rude or anything like that. I'm not claiming to be a "know-it-all" just voicing some opinions, observations, and information that should be known. I was just writing to say every one is entitled to their own opinions of each individual breed...but you should judge each individual dog, like you do people, not the overall breed. Also keep in mind that you would find just as many attack articles on Pitbulls, GSD's, Rottweilers, Dalmatians, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Malamutes and just mixed breeds in general and so on. Also small breed dogs are more notorious for biting, the difference is they do less damage is why it's not reported as often. However working in the local Humane Society most bite cases and rabies tests that we had to hold/ send off for were from small dogs (terriers and the sort).

It takes a lot of research to own a dog and a lot of work. A lot of the problems with these attacks are not the breed, it's often times the pet owners and even the parents of the children that are bit. I had a neighbor kid (10-11 years old) who decided it would be fun to sneak up on one of our dogs while he was sleeping in the tree line and try to scare him. Well, she succeeded and got herself bit. It's just like teaching you child table manners or respect for elders or whatever, you have to do the same thing with teaching them about animals because if you don't the dog will. Well, that's enough for now. Thank you for your time and please keep this information in mind.
Ashley

Ed's Comments:

You have a lot to learn about dogs, genetics and training. Besides the fact that you have been lucky with your animals

You and I disagree with your opinions on people getting bit. I dont agree that some people need to get bit. That's an irresponsible statement. People may deserve not to own dogs, they may deserve to go to jail or get sued, but they dont deserve to get bit.

Ed

Hello

i am michelle whalen.i have just read the article on hybrids and how many children they have killed form the ages of 2 -12 years old.i also saw the picture of the little boy the cop had posted also.i feel really sorry for the parents of that child.this is to all the idiots who wanna raise their so called hybrid wolf dogs.HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THAT WAS YOUR CHILD THAT WAS ATTACKED BY ONE OF THESE DOGS AND BRUTALLY KILLED?????? how do you think these parents feel knowing these dogs still get bred and are distributed around the world??how do you know what they are feeling when their child dies??have you been in their shoes??and for all you who dish out the shit on german shepherds well guess what i own a shepherd husky and let me tell you all she is the best dog i could have asked for.i have had her since she was a puppy and since my son was 2 and not once did she think of attacking any child or stranger.she has more social skills than those so called hybrids.my husband raised our dog kita and trained her to the point where she obeys,does not jump bark or bite.

To those parents who have lost their children to these dogs me and my husband feel deeply for your loss and stand behind you one hundred percent against these dogs being bred with wolves and we also say all these dogs should be destroyed.the people who raise these animals are not no better than the animals the raise meaning the hybrid child killers.anyone owning these dogs should have to have them caged or destroyed.
I am really upset with what i read about those dogs killing children. I have two kids and would absolutely be devasted if i lost one of mine to a wolf dog hybrid. so before you decide to breed these dogs you idiots think about what they can do when they get free and what they do to kids.alos do not put the humans that were attacked by these animals at fault.it is your fault for breeding this kind of dog and not keeping it caged

WILD DOGS ARE MEANT TO BE KEPT IN THE WILD.THEY ARE NOT MEANT FOR PETS. THEY ARE KILLING MACHINES.THEY KILL TO SURVIVE.ALSO THEY ARE PACK ANIMALS MEANING THEY LIKE TO BE DOMINANT AND WILL KILL AT WILL.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS
MICHELLE AND BRAD WHALEN
ALBERTA,CANADA
PROUD OWNERS OF GERMAN SHEPHERD/HUSKY-KITA

Ed,
The audacity of you to ridicule and demean others over the subject of Wolf-Hybrids is unbelievable. Your writing makes places you below what you are trying to defame. You obviously do not have any practical knowledge of the canine species! I myself, unfortunately, was like yourself on the subject of Rottweilers. I believed that they were one owner dogs and not to be trusted around kids. My wife wanted one badly and I broke down. I am VERY HAPPY THAT I DID! She has turned out to be one of the best dogs I have owned or seen. It just goes to show that it is the owner that makes the dog and it is the owner that is the responsible party to any negative incidences. The owner must make sure that they are aware of what they are getting into and knowledgable about how to care for the animal. Most of the cases nthat you post on your site, the animal is caged or chained and it seems, and I could be wrong, that they may not have been socialized and given the time and maintanence that is needed to properly care for them. My wife and I are now looking to find a Wolf-Hybrid and are planning a child. We are not in the least bit worried about potential dangers as we will be well informed and will take the time that is needed to have a loving Wolfdog! I will be interested in seeing if you post this e-mail on your site as I am obviously not a Red Neck, nor do I have problems with spelling and have had a proper upbringing and therefore you do not have any of your standard degrading remarks to place.

Mike

Mike Quick [mikesboatdetail@yahoo.com]

A very Stupid Approach to Hybrids;

Upon visiting your website I was rather startled by your very strong opinions on hybrids.

It appears that the Hybrid should be the focus of all of these BSL fanatics, not Pitbulls according to you. Parallel - euthanize every male child under age 10 - after all he may grow up to become Hannibal Lecter, Ted Bundy, Unabomber.

The human species does like to pontificate on subjects it knows little about. Every few years a different breed becomes a "CHILD KILLER" or labeled a "VICIOUS" breed that should be eradicated. Each time this happens we are inundated by self righteous, arrogant imbeciles who pass judgments based on incidents that are by large the fault of we humans. Why, Denver officials have hopped on the fanatic bandwagon by confiscating people pets from their homes and euthanizing them in compliance with their "ordinance" that all Pitbull, and Pitbull types are killers.

First and foremost, one should not be permitted to own a dog unless they have successfully completed some kind of test (for lack of better word) indicating a basic understanding of canine behavior, an understanding of canine behavior as relates to adults and children, understanding of breed specific characteristics and how it applies to owning such an animal and YES they are ANIMALS...not humans in furry coats.

Second, a qualified trainer MUST be contracted to assist in training the human to facilitate the integration of said ANIMAL into their specific environment.

Fact: Children should NEVER be left unattended around ANY animal.
Fact: Any breed of dog has the potential to bite AND kill.
Fact: No child should be allowed to approach a strange dog PERIOD. And I see this one A LOT. Irresponsible, stupid parents are at fault. But of course most people cannot be bothered to discipline their children.
Fact: Dobermans, Chows, GSD's, Pitbull, Staffies, Akita, Rottweiler among some breeds that have ALL been labeled "vicious killers" at some point in some geographic areas.
Fact: ALL dogs should be contained in a safe manner appropriate for the dog's size, breed and temperament by the owner/handler.

Why bother teaching humans how to coexist with animals? Best to simply behave like radical Hitler and if a species does not fit in to our ideal world we simply pass a law or post inflammatory web pages condemning the creatures.

You make some valid points. However your perspective is flawed in the respect that we humans refuse to institute controls as mentioned above but feel completely justified in condemning a species.

Arrogance is very prominently apparent in your dissertations.

Ed's Comments on Hybrids

Fact is I have dedicated my life to studying and training dogs. This is not a hobby for me – its what I do. I have owned and trained dogs for 45 years. I forgot more about dog training that most people learn in a lifetime – so if that’s arrogance its arrogance.

It is very obvious you fall into this category too.

The difference is my opinions are based on experience and yours are pulled out of books and you rear end. Your opinions on owning dogs is STUPID – it make work in in Russia but not in America.

If you don't like my opinions on hybrids I suggest you start your own web site.

Regards,
Ed Frawley
Leerburg.com

I was not sure if I should post this email on "Emails that make me laugh" or "DUMB and DUMBER"

I stumbled across your website in researching some statistics of child/wolf-hybrid relationships, and I though I currently do not own and will no time in the future own a wolf-hybrid dog (based on my research), I would like to say I feel you, sir, are the "redneck". Information that I located in my search indicates that there are 4 "Purebred" breeds of dog that have higher fatality rates than a wolf-hybrid (information obtained from Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association) , 3 of which are rated a 1-2 in reliability with children according to www.dogbreedinfo.com. Though I personally feel that having a wolf-hybrid would not be a wise choice as the mother of 3 children, I feel it would be no worse a decision than owning, say a German Shepard, which is rated a 2 in reliability with children, but had 17 related fatalities between 1979-1998. American Pit Bull Terriers are rated a 1 in reliability with children, however there were 66 deaths by Pit Bull types between 1979-1998. More recent statistics, so far in 2007, there have been 4 fatalities directly related to dog attacks, 1 by a Pit Bull type, 1 by a German Shepard, and 2 by Rottweilers. Though I'm sure you will call me a redneck also, perhaps because I'm a woman named Sarah, or perhaps just because of my  defense of  "redneck" wolf-hybrid owners. We live in America and have the right to choose, and again, there have been less deaths associated with wolf hybrids than there have been with other "purebred" breeds. I'm insulted and appalled that you would call someone a redneck for their choice of pet, just because it doesn't meet your qualifications, which apparently aren't completely up to par. I saw your picture with 3 of your dogs and in the picture were German Shepards, reference my previous statistics regarding German Shepards if you aren't sure what I'm "hinting" at...again, sir, I feel you are the "redneck".

Sarah Smith [willyoucallmearednecktoo@yahoo.com]

Mr Frawley

It's amazing to see people this ignorant in this day and age. What a shame and more than that, what a loss.

Your lack of education and close mindedness on this subject will definitely lessen your experience and horizons in this life. But maybe in the end it will actually protect a lot of the hybrids from people like you. In any case that is your loss... and your ignorance will be your prison cage.

The real truth is that, yes there are some wolf dog attacks. But the burden of this falls on PEOPLE not on the animals. It is usually 99.9% the fault of an uneducated breeder who thinks it is a novelty to just irresponsibly cross a wolf with any dog... or an owner who thinks it is a novelty to possess a hybrid and does not have the first knowledge of what he is getting into and does not have the facilities, or education to become a companion to the animal. For that is all any of us can hope to be.... a companion. We do not OWN any animal, dog or otherwise. We are guardians and caregivers, companions and we get companionship and unconditional love in return.

A beautiful animal like this needs plent of acreage, room to run so as not to build up nervous energy. They do not belong in cages or small
confinement areas any more than we do. Take yourself and lock yourself
up in a 8 x 8' cage or even a 20' run and spend 24/7 for the next 15 yrs of your life and see how angry you get. Again, the burden falls on people ... not on the animals.

For the right kind of owner who possesses both the knowledge and circumstances to coexist with such an intelligent thoughtful and loyal creature, the experience can be one of the most rewarding educations of your life. They are far more intelligent than any dog. And therein lies a lot more work. They are not 'command' animals, who perform on cue and are present only to please you.

To make a blanket statement that all hybrids are dangerous, aggressive and kilers-in-waiting is a truly highly ignorant statement. It is the equivalent of saying that every single person on earth is a murderer simply because they have the potential and the means if they choose to, to kill someone. Also, we think nothing of a person who kills someone if they are defending their life or someone around them, and in actually a lot of dogs are put down because of one bite or a lot less, under similar circumstances.

But then, like I said, it would take someone with an education and the willingness to look at ALL the facts ... someone not hindered by a close minded simple opinion to figure that out.

But then, your opinion doesnt really matter in the end. The facts do.
And people who are ruled by their opinions rather than fact will agree with you. You may influence ignorant uneducated people. And people who have experience and education on this subject will know better.

In fact, I will have to thank you for actually doing a service to all hybrids in existence. By influencing ignorant uneducated people, you will do at least some small good for the hybrids, weeding out ignorant owners. You will leave the more educated people to become caregivers.

So thankyou Ed. Regardless of your ignorance on the subject, you are in fact unknowingly and most assuredly without intention actually doing much in a positive way for the hybrids all over the world. We all appreciate that greatly.

Ed's Comments:

I was torn between adding this email to the hybrid page or the dumb and dumber page or emails that make me laugh page

I read your article that you have posted on your site, and would simply like to remind you that not all people who look to take in a wolf dog/hybrid are fanatics or crazy. There are some of us who do the proper research, and take the appropriate measures before adopting one. While I personally do not agree with the breeding of wolf dogs, I feel it is unfair for all of them to be grouped as "kid killers." That would be similar to grouping all Pitt Bulls as "people killers" or all GSD, bears, or exotic cats in the like. Granted those two breeds of dog just mentioned have been bred and adapted to human expectations.

While yes it is always a risk when dealing with an animal that is not designed nor adapted to being in human society, the owners should take responsibility and care of the animals as well as educating themselves about them and being sure that they can handle them. If this were done, then I believe that many of the wolf dog caused deaths could be avoided.

My fiancee and I were considering adopting a wolf dog, but now that we have done some research, have decided not to, simply due to the nature of the animal, the area we live in, and the fact that we wish to raise a family. Wolf dogs are ovbiously (I would hope) not meant for city life nor life in suburbia, which it seems is where they are being placed in some cases. This is just irresponisble on behalf of the owner. I believe that education is the key here in this circumstance sir, and while I disagree with the stereotype that you have placed on this unfortunate breed, I do agree that these poor animals are not meant to be pets nor meant for cohabitation with humans.

Thank you for your time,
~Jessica Reeck

hi

i have read your articles on what you call wolf hybreds its a pity some people confuse them with the domesticated breeds of wolfdogs in europe, i can also see that you use the alstation wolfdogs as police dogs, in 1899 the alstation breed started the exact same why as do any wolfdogs and in the club stud book which my friends grandfather has in germany as he was part of the development of the breed in the first two pages there are 4 PURE WOLVES so your dogs are also wolfdogs and up to the end of the 2nd world war they were knowen as the ALSTATION WOLFDOG, bit of history on your breed, here in uk and europe we have the legaly paperwork to show that the modern alstation or german shepherd is a wolfdog and is only some 15 years older than the saarloos wolfdog of holland,, you may train dogs but your lack of knowledge on wolfdogs is very obvious and has been noted in our breed clubs i willl be putting an article together for a major uk and european dog mag to condem your article, keep the high percent wolfdogs in USA, we dont need them in europe and we dont have them,,,,,

mr r. winder - ronnie winder [czechwolf@ntlworld.com]

Ed's Comment

What a pile of BS. A standard argument for the people who own hybrids is your screwed up view of the foundation of the German Shepherd (GSD), which is a complete crock of crap. I have dedicated my life to breeding GSD's and have bred over 350 litters of them in the past 30 or so years. All of them are German working bloodline dogs. The fact that some of the earlier dogs were grey sable dogs has allowed fools like you to make unfounded comments on the breed. The fact is nothing could be further from the truth.

Ed

Ronie's Reply:

ill be in your area in 2 days you can then say all you want to my face talk on the net is very cheap

ronnie winder [czechwolf@ntlworld.com]

Ed's Reply

Now this one made me laugh.

First you have to get by our outside dogs. All 10 of them.

Then you have to get by our door locks.

Then you need to come through our house dogs (all 5 of them).

Then you have to dodge what my Glock tosses at you.

And finally you have to get past CINDY and thats going to be the toughest part of the entire episode.

I suggest you stick to typing on the computer and not get involved with the tactics of an assault because you're out of your league.

Ed

I just read your web site and was happy to read about what you said about hybrids. I just lost to old age-my 14 yrs, Hanna, who was a Wolf and German Shepherd mix. When I got her as a puppy, I didn't know that she was half wolf. As she got older and bigger, I realized something was wrong and went back to the people who I got her from, and after a lot of questions, they finally told me, she was a hybrid. That's when our life changed. We worked together to put her through obedience training, and it took a lot of love and patience for her to finally come around and become a trusted member of our family. Please keep telling people not to breed hybrids, because not all of them become good family dogs. We were very lucky, but I would never get another Hybrid. And shame on the people who bred these puppies, and give them away.

When I thought about writing you about our Hanna, I was going to tell about all the furniture, rugs, shoes, etc. we went through and other funny stories, raising her. But I think getting across to people not to breed these dogs, is more important. They are dangerous and unsafe in the wrong hands of stupid people. Just because you breed a wolf to a shepherd once, doesn't guarantee you'll get a lap dog. Keep telling people, and thank you for listening.

Barbara Eureka, Calif.

How do you build a site that focuses on human attacks, the last time I checked according to the USDA the term wolf hybrid no longer applies as all wolfs and dogs are the same species and have the ability to inherit docile or aggressive gene’s.

As an animal lover, dog owner, and father of a 7 year old boy. I am disgraced to share interests with people of your demeanor; I am proud to own 1 Wolf, 1 Doberman and 1 long haired Cat.

It has been proven time and time again that its not the animal as it is the person raising the animal. So in conclusion if you chose to defile dog lovers everywhere with your rhetoric about wolf/dog attacks, then please mention on your site that all of the information is your opinion and that you only like certain kinds of dogs. And please do us all a favor and do your research about a topic before you proclaim to be knowledgeable and to be an information source. Its called responsibility.

david letsch [mailto:davidletsch@gmail.com]

Ed,

Thanks so much for your article on the wolf-dogs, there are so many people who think it is macho to own one and not realize the incredible danger that they can be.

I had owned a full timber wolf for 8 years prior to his death (vet said from a stroke) and at no time would I allow anyone to have contact with him after he was 6mos old.

The only reason I took him was to save his life and I built a special pen (900 sq ft) for him that was escape proof and was locked 24/7.

A few people wanted me to allow their german shepherd females to breed with him and I always told them no, that the animal would be a loaded gun waiting to go off.

I never had a problem with him but then again I understood their behavior and was always aware that this was NOT a dog but still a wild animal.

Dear Mr. Frawley,

I have been reading the articles on your website with great interest, especially those stressing the risks of wolf-hybrids.

It is in this respect that I ask for your support

What I am about to write may seem contradictionary but is the truth actually.

I am the secretary of a Dutch breed-club (FCI recognized) looking after the interests of a breed called Saarlooswolfhond (www.saarlooswolfhonden.nl). In short this breed was created by mr. Saarloos by experimenting (no other words) in the '30's with interbreeding GSD and European wolf. Mr. Saarloos had a very unorthodox breedingpolicy (which is not acceptable by todate's standards) but in the end resulted is lets put it as some-kind-of-dog with normal dogbehaviour. Since this dogbreed was recognized as a dog-breed bij the FCI in '75 we have put massive efforts into health and character turning the breed in to a trustworty companion with 100% normal dogbehaviour. (some kind of the same happend in Czechoslovakia where they created the Czechoslavkian Vlack (being GSD x Karpat wolf, this dogbreed was created during the cold war to patrol the east west border and these dogs are actually schutzwork-dogs (because they inbred heavily on GSD working lines).

It is the opinion of our club that one should never ever again interbreed wolves with dogs because of the high risks involved in terms of "unpredicatble"behaviour and the plain fact that wolves belong in the wild and dogs should be dogs.

We are aware of the hybrid problems in the US and because of the loonies mixing wolves with dogs have never exported our breed to the states since we do not want to fuel this mall-practice. All enquiries of wolfdogfanatics we kindly reject.

To date we have been made aware that US-wolfhybrid breeders have started exporting to Europe (The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and so forth) exporting those hybrids as the "american wolfdog" claiming its some kind of domesticated dog. Which is just a misleading name for risky hybrids. Importing wolves and hybrids is prohibited under the CITES treaty.

It is our fear that wolfdog fanatics will start interbreeding those hybrids with our dogbreed and the nett result will be that a trusthworthy breed will end up as a dangerous breed; this we want to prevent. As a result we are in close contact with Belgium and other authorities pushing additional legislation to end this hybrid import stuff which poses a threat to the public and our breed in particular.

Could you provide me with contacts and data we can refer the authorities to in order to convince them that it is absolutly neccesary to put a direct ban on importing hybrids / wolfdogs from the US. For example states that have banned the hybrids and can tell governements over here about the need to do so, injuries, death and so forth; it would be of great help if authorities can talk to authorities.

Your help is, in confidence, well appreciated.

Kind regards,
Gosling Mast

secretariaat@saarlooswolfhonden.nl

Dear Mr. Frawley,

Thank you so much for all the informative information on GSD/wolf cross. Recently my beloved german shepherd passed away, and I have been looking for another GSD. Yesterday I came across an ad selling a rescued GSD/wolf. I admit, I was intrigued and very interested in this dog. I arranged to purchase this dog this coming Sunday.

Tonight I thought it prudent to investigate this "breed," and fortunately came across your article. Thank God! I completely agree with your possition that these two animals should never be bred, and it had not occured to me the implications of the "pack" mentality of the wolf. I think you are right on with your assesment of what happens when someone breeds these two animals together. I for one will not purchase this animal, and shall now go back to my origional quest to find a quality, trustwothy german shepherd. Once again, thank you for your efforts in making this information available, and you can have satisfaction in knowing that there is one more person who is not in the market for this type of animal.

Sincerely, John Zeldin, Ontario, Canada

Ed,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for your website re: wolf hybrids.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading your email section, and thought that I might sit down and throw in my own two cents.

First off, I would like to say that I think wolf hybrids are UNBELIEVABLY gorgeous.  Yes, yes, I know, it's shallow. For years I dreamed of owning a wolf hybrid, for a variety of reasons.  I haunted the webpages that offer hybrids, drooling over the photos and dreaming of the day when I would finally have my own.  I would get my own land, and my wolf hybrid and I would frolic freely in the woods, bounding over fallen trees, etc, etc, etc. 

... And then I grew up.  It was hard to do, but I did it. During college I was offered work on a horse breeding ranch, and when I took the job, I was unbelievably thrilled to find out that the alpha of the pack of dogs that ran around (there were six) was a GSD/Wolf Hybrid named Arrow.  Good heavens, he was gorgeous.  He was, hands down, the smartest "dog" I've ever been in contact with.  He was also the most dangerous (and I've had a lot of very dominant GSDs in my life.) 

Of course, in retrospect, I'm not sure I can call him a dog or a wolf.  You're ENTIRELY right when you say that wolf hybrids are a breed unto themselves.  Why do I say that?  Every wolf hybrid I've come into contact with, including Arrow, has behaved in exactly the same way-- they seem to base their responses to whatever mood they seem to be in.  With Arrow, you could never really be certain when you were dealing with his "wolf" side, or when you were dealing with his "dog" side.  And even after I established my dominance, it was always a struggle, always stressful, trying to figure out when he was going to go "wolf" and try me again.  I could take his food away, order him around, even order him away from a deer he had JUST finished killing... but then he would FREAK out if I tried to pick a tick off of him, or if I was carrying a weird tool, or whatever.  He was sweet, and loyal, and friendly, great with kids and animals alike...unbelievably obedient to my every whim, and incredibly sensitive.  We romped twenty acres and took care of the horses together... and he only bit three people in the six months I was there!  What a great "dog"!  He was the most well-behaved "dog" I'd ever been around..... except for the few times he just plain snapped.

The problem was that Arrow decided on his own who was allowed home, and who wasn't.    Family after family could visit the ranch, and he was completely happy with that, loving the men, women, and children alike, acting like a big, regal labrador... except for the time he started stalking a four year old girl (Trust me.. he meant business).  Ooops!   He had his own set of rules, and they weren't quite normal.  I'm sure I could have figured them all out given time, but oooooh the consequences of making a mistake.  Like when the horse trainer dropped off my horse... because I was there, the guy was allowed by Arrow to come freely onto our property, drop off the horse, etc.  Arrow didn't have a problem with that.  But once the guy started driving off the property and accidentally hit something with his trailer, and once he got out of the truck to walk back towards my house (he was only about fifty feet away from where I'd said goodbye) ... Well, that was against Arrow's "rules", and he ripped the guy's forearm from elbow to wrist before he was able to beat him off and get back in his truck.   Like I said, if I think about it I can understand Arrow's "rules"... but figuring them out was a b****.  Infractions were punished by a serious set of teeth.  Who wants to play with odds like that?  I've seen bites from dogs that are annoyed, and I've even been bitten by a dog before (he escaped out of the house while the owners were on vacation), but let me assure you---those bites and the bites done by Arrow?  Entirely different.  They were scary, and there's no doubt in my mind that if the horse-trailering guy hadn't gotten lucky with one of his kicks, he'd be dead.   And this is from the most normal, most socialized, sweetest wolf hybrid I've seen to date.

I still get a little sad that I'll never be able to own one, because if I'm honest with myself, I still think they're gorgeous, and I like their intelligence.  I may sound like I'm advocating wolf hybrids, but let me assure you, I'm not.  I'm saying that I can understand WHY people would initially want one of those dogs.  What I don't understand is their sheer selfishness.  Because you know what?  Every rebuttal that anyone ever gives as to why owning a hybrid is a good thing, well... it's selfish.  Because, when it comes down to it, it's not really their lives that are at stake.  It's the lives of people who aren't in their pack.  It's the lives of the strangers when the hybrid suddenly "snaps", like every hybrid I've ever met eventually does.  Usually it's just cute, when they suddenly freak out--- they're suddenly terrified of a mop, when they've been fine with it for years...but sometimes they're not so cute.  They're suddenly aggressive to children, when they've been fine for years.  It's like the wolf part of their brain suddenly combines with their dog side in an incredibly explosive manner.  Of course, they can "snap" right back just as quickly, but what owner would willingly decide that their selfish desires (My hybrid is so pretty!  He's so obedient-most of the time-... He's got the most intelligent eyes!) are more important than the safety of their neighbors?  You can socialize till you're blue in the face, but you've still got the same basic, underlying problem--- they may be well-behaved, but their nature is unpredictable. Who would leave a bomb in their front yard?  "Oh, it's perfectly safe.  It's never gone off in the past... Of course, bombs of this make and model are known to suddenly explode for no good reason every once in awhile, but this one's been good as gold thus far!"    Even if you wanted to argue that the things that set a hybrid off are to be expected--- like kids coming into the yard or strangers  approaching without asking permission... Well, how many of those people leave loaded pistols sitting on their fence?  Even if you keep a very close eye on the gun to make sure nothing happens, eventually you'll be distracted one day when someone comes by and looks at the gun.  Don't worry, though... People aren't SUPPOSED to touch other people's property, so of course people will respect the gun and not touch it!  And kids are taught that guns are dangerous, so of COURSE none of them are going to pick up that gun....In fact, if they do end up shooting their little brother, then it serves them right.  Their parents should have taught them better.  If their parents had done their job, then there wouldn't be a problem....

It's idiotic reasoning.  And it's selfish.  And the injuries and deaths are pointless--- do the math.  Yes, the number of bites/deaths from wolf hybrids is smaller than that for other dogs... Ahhh, but percentage-wise?  Like I said, do the math.  The percentages don't lie.

Okay, I'm done.  I don't know why I'm writing this, because most  people will do what they're going to do, even if all the evidence says that their decision is a bad one. 

Thank you again for your site,

Becky D.

PS:  You can include my email address. 

Question:

Hi Leerburg!

I am trying to figure out where to start.  I have 3 dogs, 2 shepherd/wolfdogs (5yr old female/4 yr old male) and a husky/malamute (male 3 yr old).  The wolfdogs are both 7th generation and I have had no issues with them in that respect as I know many people do (I have had them from puppy); they husky from 6mo.  We have done general pack leadership training basic obedience; we use tri-tronics collars for off leash walks, as they all love to chase rabbits or anything that move including leaves :-).  There is a clear pack order under us of: female WD, male husky, male WD.  We travel with them and take them places a lot.  Several months ago we started doing flyball training with them.  They are all people friendly and I would say dog tolerant.  I have brought several fosters in the home and things can get out of hand very quickly if I don't watch things, especially if outside off-leash together which I learned the hard way I can't do (wish I read your "new dog policies" earlier).

They are all house dogs.  We have a doggie door that goes out to a small yard that can be opened to a large 4 acre yard.  We both work 8 hour days and by time we get home, a total work day can be 9-10 hours.  The dogs have had free roam of the house for probably a year and a half now, along with free roam of the 4 acres.  Ocassionally we will find a rock in the house they decided to bring in, but for the most part they mind the house well. 

They are exercised religiously every morning, to include long bike rides at least once a week, but always something; also in the evenings they usually get to play fetch or do training for flyball.

Here are some things I have noticed though:  1- if I leave food on a counter that could be reached...the male WD will get it.  2- the female and husky run up and down one length of fencing that borders the neighbor who has a Jack Russel.  She sometimes gets pushy with the husky as if the fence-line is "hers."  Similarly, the male WD will not run the fence-line because he is low ranking and the other two have made that clear.  He will stand back and run around, but does not approach the fence.  We have not tried to do anything about this because we know we will not be able to do anything when not home, which is often.

I only recently started reading the info on Leerburg.com and I have the GW and Marker Training DVDs.  Based on what I think I'm reading/seeing, I think we are giving them too much freedom and the female has taken ownership of the fence line.  We started confining them to the small yard (still all of them together with no access to fence with neighbors dog).  They have access to the house through a doggie door into the laundry room, but not the whole house.  Although I have crates, I think 9-10 hours is too long, right?  My biggest question is...should I restrict their freedom even more and find a way to separate them from each other while I am gone?  If yes, would it be ok for them each to have their own dog run in which they would have see-through fences...or should they not even be able to see each other?   That would be much more difficult!

Bridget

Answer:

I would definitely separate these dogs when you can?t be there to supervise.  Many multiple dog families have problems because they leave the dogs alone together and have no idea of what?s going on between the dogs when they aren?t home.  I got an email last week from a lady with 3 small dogs (pugs) and when she came home one had been killed by the other two.  These dogs were all between 6-10 years old.

I would separate these dogs when you can?t supervise to prevent the fence running and other behaviors. These can quickly escalate into aggression and obsessive behaviors.  I think you've been lucky so far.  When you are home and let them out, I?d use the Tritronics collar to interrupt the fence running and any other behaviors that you don?t want.

I think using kennel runs will be fine, time will tell if allowing them to see each other is a problem or not.

Cindy

Thanks:

Cindy,

I just want to say thank-you for answering my question.  After I sent this question to you, I read on Leerburg.com how Ed feels about wolfdogs and I appreciate you answering the question still.  I actually agree with Ed, even though I love my dogs/wolfdogs.  I will never do it again, not because I've had any problems with them (yet), but because I don't want to support this type of breeding.  We should let wild animals be wild. 

They were my first dogs...and honestly I am not afraid to admit it, wanted them because I thought they were beautiful.  I was looking for a walking/hiking companion and I do not have kids, loved German Sheperds and somehow on the Internet I came across these beautiful shepherd wolf mixes.  Thankfully they are 6 and 7 generation wolfdogs and I have not had containment problems.  I am unwilling to put them down because of their heritage, but I tell everyone who says, "oh they are so beautiful", that I would never do it again and believe we should outlaw the breeding of them.

Thank-you again.  I love your website full of training information and DVDs.

Thank-you again.
Bridget

See additional e-mails on wolf-hybrids

See a list of wolf dog attacks

See a list of wolf dog attacks in Vermont over a 3 year period
Click here to learn how to break up a dog fight without getting hurt.

This information could also be used on a hybrid attacking a human.

A list of States and their legal position on Hybrids