Blogger Pat Miller: Q&A on Wolf Dogs

Courtesy photos/Miller Family.
At far left, Pat Miller with a very young Walela at Orlando International Airport. In the middle, Walela and Grandpa Irwin Miller relax on the couch. At near left, Miakoda poses alone.
 
I was rather surprised to find my last blog with NSBNEWS.net ended up on Wolfdogz@yahoogroups.com, but I felt complimented. Several questions were thrown back and forth on that site and hopefully I can help answer some.
Where did Miakoda and Walela Come From?
Answer: Both Miakoda and Walela were born in Las Vegas, yes, they were born in Vegas but they didn't stay there. At that time we still lived in Las Vegas and I was able to be present for Miakoda's birth. My very best friends have Miakoda and Walela's parents and grandparents. So I do know the lineage. Their lineage is clear, bred with Malamute, which is considered the closest dog to breed with the wolf. We moved to Florida when Miakoda was about 9 months old. Not long after moving here we were informed that they were having another litter and we chose to have a second Wolf Dog. Walela was flown out to us. We had to drive out to Orlando Airport to pick her up and we knew when she was being brought out because you could hear her howls as she was carried in. She arrived wearing a very Las Vegas hot pink collar with fake diamonds on it. As soon as she was out of her kennel she was fine.
Why did we choose Wolf dogs?
Answer: That is a more involved question. When I first heard of Wolf Dogs, like a lot of people, we thought why would you want a wolf dog? Then I got to see my friends wolf dogs. Maicoh and Nashoba. How intelligent they are, how smart they are. My friends even had them trained to use a very large outdoor litter box for their needs. After a couple years of being exposed to these beautiful animals the decision was simple. When my friends lost Miacoh early, they were very heartbroken. They got Skay whom they had hoped would breed with Nashoba. Wolf Dogs mate for life and Nashoba wanted nothing to do with Skay in that sense. Fortunately for them they still had Yona, who was from one of their litters with Miacoh and Nashoba. While Miacoh and Nashoba have the coloring to look like Timber Wolf, Yona and Skay were both white. They had kept her because she had a hip issue, but Yona and Skay bred. During their pregnancy I learned from my friends all about Wolf Dogs. I won't deny that while Yona was pregnant I had hope that maybe some of her pups would be born with the coloring of her parents. They were all white and beautiful looking like baby bear cubs.
Foxes part of Dogs?
Answer: When I wrote about how dogs came about I mentioned that foxes were also used. I got this information from the wonderful Internet. Type in "Dog Origins" and you get a world of sites that will give you the information. The article I found spoke of the breeding of Silver Foxes. The Silver Fox was being used to breed a smaller dog. The Silver Fox had traits that gave a smaller dog with excellent facial features and personality. There was some concern over the title of the article. I write my column for an opportunity to enlighten others who have either never heard of wolf dogs or have heard all the so called ugly stories. I would still say that Most Wolf Dog Owners work very very hard to properly socialize their wolf dogs. It is important to socialize your wolf dog so that you have no problems. Like any animal you want to be able to take them with you and out in public. It is very important to start training your Wolf Dog from puppyhood by showing the Wolf Dog you are the Alpha. Heirarchy is very important in the Wolf Dog and Wolf life. My efforts are to try and let people understand that when wolf dogs are raised by caring people they can be as wonderful if not more wonderful than a doggie dog. While wolf dogs are not for everyone, and a lot of research should be done if you are thinking of owning one. They are a lot of work, a lot of energy and very very intelligent.
Do Wolf Dogs make great watch dogs?
Answer: One thing people say to me all the time is "they must make great watch dogs." I tell them it depends on what they are looking for in a watch dog. If you're looking for a dog that will greet the thief at the door and probably show them where everything is with a simple bribe then you have the right dog. Granted, you can train a wolf dog to be a guard dog, but I don't recommend it. Some states have very strict laws about owning Wolf Dogs. This is something you should look into prior to adopting a Wolf Dog. There was some concern about my comments about breeders, but I stand by my comments. While there are some very good wolf dog breeders out there, just like any other animal that is bred you have the bad ones also. Once again do your research, check with other Wolf Dog owners, see if they have someone they would recommend. Get involved with the Wolf Dog groups to get more information or contacts. In Florida there is the Florida Lupine Association, they will also help you with getting information on the laws on Wolf dogs in your area.
Will Wolf Dogs turn on you?
Answer: There is a rumor that floats around, some people believe that a wolf dog will turn on you. A wolf dog is no more likely to turn on you than a doggie dog. Given that the Wolf Dog is treated well, fed properly, trained and socialized then there is no higher chance of a Wolf Dog turning on you than your friendly Lab. While I did agree with one comment that Wolf Dogs should be exposed to as many different situations as possible, when I said you should know what your Wolf Dog does and doesn't like and be aware. After you have had your Wolf Dog for even a year you start to see what situations make them uncomfortable. The same as a doggie dog you don't want to put any animal you have living with you in any situation that makes them uncomfortable.
Can Wolf Dogs be raised with young children?
Answer: Wolf Dogs can be raised with children, but because a Wolf Dog takes a lot of work, I suggest waiting until your children are older, not because the children will be hurt. Our Wolf Dogs have been exposed to some very scary children who are not used to being around animals. Not once have they snapped or biten any child. What they have always done is walk away from the "problem." This has included children smacking my pups, or squeezing the air out of them with hugs. One thing that I have learned with my Wolf Dogs is that they will let out a very low growl that you can feel. When they do this, I take them out of the situation because they have had all the fun they intend to have. This is why I will hold their collar when they are in close situations. Wolf Dogs are wonderful animals, and they are very intelligent animals.
What type of time goes into taking care of Wolf Dogs?
Answer: Like any animal you choose to bring into your home you need to do some research. Do you have the time for that type of animal? Do you have enough room for that type of animal? Will you be able to work with the animal? It doesn't matter if you have a Wolf Dog or a doggie dog if they are bored and are not stimulated they will cause problems in your home. My Wolf Dogs have been spayed and neutered. This was a personal choice that my husband and I made when they were puppies. One reason was that they are brother and sister from separate litters. Another reason, we didn't get them to make money off of, we chose the Wolf Dog for companionship. The most important reason is this, right now there are far too many unwanted wolf dogs in the United States in rescues (if they are lucky) and to add to that would be wrong in my opinion. Most of the Wolf Dogs in rescues are there because the owner couldn't handle them. The owner moved and couldn't take them. They were seized because they were being abused, basically the same reason other animals end up in shelters and rescues.
 
How can you tell Wolf Dog percentages?
Answer: This is an issue with many sides. One important thing about knowing the percentage of your wolf dog would be where your living. Some states will allow low percentage wolf dogs while other states require licenses for a high-percentage wolf dog. Another reason for research. Some breeders will tell you that they have 99% Wolf in their Wolf Dogs, it might be true, but then again probably not. One thing I have learned is full wolves do not have blue eyes. So if your talking to a breeder and they are telling you that they have either high content for full wolves and your looking at some beautiful blue eyes, you know your breeder is not being honest. This is one of the many reasons that you should do your research before you get your wolfdog. You really wouldn't want to put out the expense for a license that you don't need.
Is it true that Wolf Dogs are pack animals?
Answer: Yes, they are a pack animal so once they are with you, you become part of their pack. Wlf Dogs are beautiful and highly intelligent animals. To me, living with Wolf Dogs is like having the best of both worlds. The best part of a Wolf and the best part of a dog. Yes our wolf dogs howl, we call it singing it is one of the most beautiful sounds to hear. Whenever the theme from the TV show "Cops" comes on, our two will start singing immediately. No sirens are required. Ours will come up and ask us to sing by making short sounds. Their intelligence is amazing, you can actually see their minds working. I also still stand by the statement that a Wolf Dog should not be considered unless you are willing to be in it for the long haul. They do best when they grow up in one family the same as in a pack.
For more information on Wolf Dogs, author Nicole Wilde has written two very good books on Wolf Dogs. "Living with Wolf Dogs" and "Wolf Dogs A-Z."
Howls.