Wolfdog

From Freepedia

A wolfdog is a fertile crossing of a wolf (Canis lupus) and a dog (Canis lupus familiaris). A wolfdog may also be an animal with wolf and dog ancestry within the past ten generations.

The wolfdog has been the center of much controversy for the past few decades, with laws in many states, if not outlawing the animal altogether, putting restrictions on ownership. This pattern of legislation is due to a mainstream belief that the animal is in some way dangerous. In fact, however, it is quite the opposite; many wolfdogs are terribly shy of people. The danger is only present when the individual wolfdog is put into extreme situations - such as abuse, harassment, etc - situations which would cause almost any "normal" dog to act in a violent manner.

There are, in fact, accounts by some experienced handlers of dogs, wolves, and wolfdogs stating that wolfdogs are less stable and predictable than either of their "pure" parents. This is perhaps due to a "clashing" of physical and mental attributes determined by genetics. It could also be a reflection of the treatment the animals receive, since pure wolves and pure dogs are generally bred more strictly regulated conditions than wolfdogs, and are logically subjected to more standard, correct treatment.

In former times, wolfdogs sometimes were bred accidentally when a domestic dog bitch in oestrus escaped and was mated by a wolf.

Wolfdogs are also often bred for sled racing purposes. Huskies are the descendants of such dog/wolf crosses.

The frequent production of fertile offspring from the mating of the dog and the wolf is evidence that the two animals are, in fact, the same species.

This also gives grounds to the fact that the term wolf hybrid is incorrect. The word hybrid usually denotes that the form in question is a result of cross-breeding two separate species and is usually not able to reproduce. Such is not the case when "crossing" a wolf with a dog, since the offspring are quite capable of carrying on the blood line. The term wolfdog is preferred and causes less confusion.