the call of the domestic

So there I was, at the mall with a couple friends. As we weaved our way through hordes of prepubescent Abercrombie models we found ourselves standing outside "the exotic pet store". I call it "the exotic pet store" but don't let the name deceive you. It's not like they sell zebras and rare african lizards with names you can't even pronounce, but compared to your average pet store it's definitely a lot more unique. Actually, the owner does have a big custom made cage in the front of the store where he keeps his pet Ringtailed Lemur but unfortunately it's not for sale. I have however seen, hedgehogs, skunks, pot bellied pigs, short tailed opossums, and a fox all for sale at this particular store, not to mention the hodgepodge of new dog breeds they're coming out with like Choweenies, Puggles, and Bullshepamutes. Okay so I made up the last one, but you get the idea. Can you see now why I refer to it as "exotic"?

I'm used to seeing all kinds of crazy dog breeds at this store but this particular day I saw something that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. I was walking past the cages and noticed a rather large gray "puppy" that I could immediately tell was no normal dog. It had the most amazing, piercing blue-gray eyes I've ever seen on an animal. It was technically still a puppy so it goes without saying that is was cute but at the same time it seemed uncharacteristically mature, like he was too cool to be hopping around the cage and licking the glass like his hairy little cohorts. I approached it's cage, read the sign and I was right, it wasn't a normal dog. It was a wolf hybrid; 90% Timber Wolf and 10% German Shepherd...and I wanted it.

I immediately thought of the books "White Fang" and "The Call of the Wild" and imagined how awesome it would be to own a Wolfdog. What could be more macho and masculine than having a wolf as a pet?! I know a couple of people that have those little annoying yappy rat-dogs and I've joked that when I do get my own dog, I'm getting something that EATS things like that. A wolf definitely falls into that category.

Obviously the next move after seeing something you want is seeing how much it's going to cost you. Yeah, that was a bit of a shock: 800 bucks. That's a hard pill to swallow for someone who's had strays as pets his entire life. However, that still seemed a fair price to pay for such an awesome animal. As much as I wanted to whip out my credit card right then and there, I managed to peel myself away from the glass and leave without making any impulsive purchases, but I left with a firm resolution to start my Wolfdog research as soon as I got home.

And that's what I did...then wished I hadn't. The research I did turned up some very fascinating things about them but also made it clear that it probably wasn't the best idea to get one at this particular time. One website actually repremanded people who impulsively purchase one because it's "macho" or "masculine" but aren't ready to take on the responsibility of caring for it properly. Phew, glad I didn't whip out my credit card.

Turns out wolfdogs make wonderful companions but terrible pets. My observation of the little guy at the pet store being "more mature" than the others was right on the money. Wolves and Wolfdogs are around 30% more intelligent than your average dog. Because of that they require special care and attention and can't be treated like a normal dog. Special methods must be used to train them because the whole bribe-them-with-a-treat method doesn't always work. Violence can never be used in training because they remember it and hold grudges. Once you've lost its trust it becomes very difficult to ever regain it.

Since they are used to digging for food outside, Wolfdogs are very destructive when kept in a house all day and are impressive escape artists when kept outside (I read stories of them jumping over 8 foot fences or digging underneath them in order to get out). They also become destructive when left by themselves. Wolves are pack animals and therefore very social creatures, requiring constant companionship to keep them from getting bored. The pack nature of the Wolfdog also adds another challenge to training them: Dominance. A Wolfdog will constantly be challenging its owner for dominance and requires constant and habitual reminding of who the "Alpha Male" in the household is. Because of this, they make terrible watchdogs. Since you are the pack leader, your pet will bark once to let you know something is up but then expects you to deal with it. You should also not expect them to come running to your aid if under attack because they consider you perfectly capable of fending for yourself.

Amidst those negative aspects, all of the websites agreed that if cared for properly, Wolfdogs make extremely loyal companions. They aren't like a silly dog that will be mindlessly loyal to you even if you treat it like crap, but more like a human in that they require attention and effort to maintain the relationship. It was a fascinating bit of research on a remarkable animal and I'm more convinced than ever that I want to get one some day...especially if I don't get married.