It has been a while since my last blog.  My 3 hybrids are now 5 years old.  I wanted to share some tips as my followers start to decide what type of hybrid to bring into their home. Yes, this is a long read, but I hope you take the time to read this before bringing a hybrid pup into your home. I will reference the famous phrase from Forest Gump, “A wolf hybrid is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”.
Remember, wolf hybrids are Mutts. The only difference is wolf hybrids have the DNA of the wolf still in their genetic makeup. Most wolfdogs have Shepherd, Husky, or Malamute in their DNA, for those are the most popular domestic breeds to breed with a wolf. Knowing what domestic breed your hybrid is mix with is also extremely important for this hybrid will take on the domestic traits as well. A Shepherd, Husky, and Malamute each require a different environment setting to thrive and be happy.

It is very important to understand that wolf hybrids are mutts, because each pup born in a single litter could pull different genetics/DNA. Just like you and your siblings. If you had your family DNA tested, most likely your DNA will be slightly different from your siblings. For example, if you father was Italian and German and your mom was Irish and German, then any one of your siblings could pull a variety of different percentages from Italian, German, and Irish. This will be the same with a litter of hybrid pups.
This is why it is important to understand the content and lineage of your breeder. Although Embark does provide DNA percentages, most good wolfdog breeders will refer to their hybrids as Low, Mids, and High Content. Yes, I have 2 DNA certifications at Timber Ridge Wolfdogs, UC Davis and Embark. However, I always tell my new puppy owners, that your pup you are bringing home could pull a number of different genetics from our hybrids. My hybrids have Gray Wolf, Siberian Husky, Malamute, and Shepherd in them. Wolf Hybrids, especially Mid Content hybrids, are like a box of chocolates. You never know what content/genetics you are going to get.

So please make sure you understand the content of your breeder’s hybrids. This is important for the new pup to be a successful member of your family. Let’s Review so as you search for your future pup, you know what to look for and expect.

Low Content Hybrids will not look like a wolf. They are more dog than wolf. Low content hybrids can be raised indoors in a typical suburban setting. They are easier to train. They will eat kibble as a main source of food. Low contents will more resemble a domestic breed; however, they will be very unique looking. They will have a couple wolfie features with a mix of mostly the domestic breed. Most will ask, what type of dog it is because it won’t necessarily resemble a full-blooded domestic dog. I have had some of Maheegun and Diesel’s pups look like Diesel and pull the more mid content trait, and I have had some look more like Maheegun and pull the low content trait. Statically with my litters, if I have a litter of 8 pups, only 2 of the 8 will pull the more mid wolf hybrid traits and the other 6 will pull a low wolf content trait. The box of chocolates example with low content hybrids becomes more predictable on what you will get when picking your pup from a litter. Low contents are great for typical suburban families who want a unique breed that want to raise the hybrid around kids and family without the stress of what a mid and high content hybrid will bring.

Mid Content Hybrids will have the most variety in features and looks. They can range from a little more wolf than dog to a little more dog than wolf. Some Mids will look more wolfie and some could pull the domestic trait. This is where the box of chocolates scenario becomes the greatest mix of options. This is very important to understand. From the same litter you can get a pup that pulled more wolf than dog and also a pup that pulled more dog than wolf. Not all Mids are created equal and folks need to be prepared to take on this challenge and have the correct environment to raise such a breed, especially if the pup you picked from the litter pulled a higher wolfiness markers. Mids are more challenging to raise indoors. They do not like to be tightly confined at all. House crating is not an option. So, if you work all day, an outdoor enclosure is a must. If not, your hybrid will self-destruct and the merge into your family will fail. Mids can make good indoor/outdoor companions. Many mids are raised indoors with the understanding outdoor stimulation and proper outdoor enclosure is a must. They are challenging to train, but it can be done very successfully with the right patience. If your mid takes on more wolf traits, this pup could be even harder to raise. So please keep this in mind when considering a mid-content hybrid.
​
High Content Hybrids are not recommended for a typical suburban family. They are more wolf than dog and will look like a wolf. They will also act like a wolf. Most high content hybrids end up in sanctuaries because folks do not know how to properly raise them. Actual meat will need to be their daily diet. They cannot survive on kibble alone, for their stomachs cannot tolerate the kibble and it will go through them like water. Just like low content hybrids, the box of chocolate scenario is more predictable. The high content hybrid is more wolf and needs to be raised as such. Although high content hybrids are not known for being aggressive, they are timid like wolves, so having kids running around or guest coming in and out of the house, especially kids from the neighborhood running in and out of your house could cause a problem. Note, high contents want to live like wolf not like a dog. So, if you don’t have wolf accommodations (land, enclosure, afford all meat daily diet, proper training, and wolf environment inside and outside your home) then this breed is not for you.
Please remember the parent’s actual DNA percentages won’t necessarily match your pup, so the most important thing to understand is what content your pups parents are -low, mid, and high content when searching for a wolfdog

 

I created this chart to help explain proper wolf hybrid identification. I did this to help future buyers understand what they should be looking for when buying a future family member. It's unfortunate, but most folks do not understand what upper, mid, and low content hybrid means. There are a lot of folks out there buying what they think are high content hybrids and really they are F4 + low content hybrids. This gives a false ownership of owning wolf hybrids.  Timber Ridge Wolfdogs has 2 DNA certifications.  The first DNA certification came from UC Davis which verifies F1-F3 lineage of your hybrid.  I also had my hybrids DNA percentages verified through University of Cornell, Embark.  These types of test are important so future puppy owners understand what content of hybrid they are bringing into their home.  Raising a high, mid, and low content hybrid are not the same.  I always like to say, hybrids are like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you are going to get, but DNA certifications do help.  The end goal is to have new owners love their pup and understand what they are bringing home to insure it becomes a successful member of their family.  Please ask questions to whichever breeder they buy from. Make sure you trust your breeder and do your homework. And most importantly love your pup.

5ll About Diesel:  Age 4 weeks to 12 weeks

Diesel was my first hybrid.  I brought him home at 4 weeks old.  He, like other hybrids, was very timid.  He always walked slowly upon approach with his head down.  I spent the first 3 months holding him and making him feel comfortable and safe in his new environment.  I would have close family and friends come and visit him often to help with the socialization.  Socialization is very important.   

I noticed within the first month, Diesel was very possessive of his food and treats.  I started leaving his kibble out 24 hours a day to reduce the anxiety and aggressiveness with his kibble.  This worked wonderfully.  To this day I can approach his kibble with no issues.  Now, with this said, when it comes to special deer meat feedings and treats, the word "wait" for food is meaningless to this hybrid.  I have over 20 years experiencing training huskies.  One of the most hyper, stubborn dog breeds.  No matter what I try, the food possessiveness is a trait in this hybrid that will not be broken.

Another thing I experienced with my new pup is the stool issues.  Diesel had diarrhea.  Now, I did a lot of research on proper food intake with a hybrid prior to bringing Diesel home.  I did all the things I read, no grain, soy, corn kibble.  Add extra protein to the diet.  I was still having diarrhea.  I was talking with my vet about my issues with Diesel and she said, he may be a hybrid, but remember he is still part dog.  She said, I should not remove grain from his diet.  Puppies need grain to help them grow.  She also said to try pumpkin, rice, and or chicken.  So with her recommendations, I hit the internet searching for the right kibble.  I found a brand called Nutro for large breeds which consist of Chicken and Oatmeal.  It has grain, but no Soy or Corn.  I started mixing this food with Taste of the Wild, no grain, soy, and corn.  This seemed to help.  We also started feeding him egg and deer meat along with his meals 3 days a week.  This new food routine got the stools to a soft manageable level.    

The one thing I have learned with Diesel in the first 3 months is that we need to learn to respect the traits of the breed.  Although, I have been very successful in socializing Diesel, teaching him basic "dog"' commands.  He sits, heels, walks wonderfully on a lead, loves attention, great with kids.  I have also learned that we also need to respect him for who he is as a wolf hybrid.  These traits I will discuss in months 4 through 11 in my next blog about Diesel.  

I researched wolfdog ownership for 2 years before bringing one into my home.   I wanted to see if I wanted to start raising wolfdogs and if their temperament and care would be something I would want to endure.  While doing my research, I learned a lot about wolfdogs.  I took 2 solid years researching these beautiful animals before ever making the decision bring a hybrid into our family.  This is most important.  I not only did researched, I contacted breeders, veterinarians, and sanctuaries to further my education.  I am so glad I took the time to do my research. 

I will not use this blog in any negative manner towards falsely advertising breeders.  I will only say that Buyer Beware!  Please do your homework.  There are breeders out there that are falsely advertising the content of their hybrids.  This will lead to false ownership.  In these breeders defense, they are probably just advertising what they too were told when they bought their pup.  But if they are going to take on the responsibility and start breeding their wolfdog, then it becomes their responsibility to educate themselves and not falsely advertise their pups.  I just want to let the buyers know to please do your homework on what to expect with the breed and what characterizations to look for in a wolfdog to validate it's authenticity of content percentage if DNA certifications are not provided by the breeder. 

I am a proud owner of 3 wolfdogs, wolf hybrids.  This blog is about my personal experience with raising wolf hybrids, not things I have read on the internet.  My goal is to educate others through my own personal experience.