Traits of Hybrid Pet Wolves

When most people think of wolves, they think of blood thirsty killers who travel in a pack.  These facts describe wolves that live in the wild.  These facts do not always pertain to a hybrid wolf that is raised as a pet. 

Hybrid pet wolves still have some of the same traits as wolves who live in the wild.  Hybrid pet wolves still have a pack mentality with ranking in their pack.  There is an alpha, beta and omega in the group if there are three or more members of the pack.  Owners of the hybrid pet wolves should always take on the alpha role in order to maintain control of the pack.  The beta, omega, and any additional roles will develop on their own as the pack develops.  There are sometimes two of the same roles if the pack has a male and a female who act as leaders within the pack.  Pack rankings can be complicated if you have a large number of hybrid pet wolves.  Pack rankings can also change with age and growth of each individual animal.

Hybrid pet wolves will also meet and greet each other similar to wolves in the wild.  One greeting is to place a paw on another pack members head.  Another greeting is to nibble on another pack member’s cheek.  Other greetings will show pack member rankings.  This is done when an alpha or beta growl at a lower ranking member such as an omega.  The omega will then lay on their back in a submissive posture with their tails curled under. 

Hybrid pet wolves also have a close family bond as do wolves in the wild.  Wolves in the wild are very loving and protective of their family.  This holds true for hybrid pet wolves but their family also includes humans.  Wolves like hugs and so do hybrid pet wolves.  Humans can give hugs much easier than wolves can though.  Hybrid pet wolves, just like wolves in the wild, protect their territory.  The difference is the size of the territory.  Wolves in the wild may cover ten to one hundred mile radius while hybrid pet wolves can cover one half acre and up.  This trait in hybrid pet wolf makes a great pet to own that will guard your property very well.  

Some differences in hybrid pet wolves and wolves in the wild are how they interact with humans and other animals.  Wolves in the wild think of humans as an enemy.  Hybrid pet wolves think of humans as the alpha member of their pack.  This statement holds true if and only if the owner of the hybrid pet wolves has established their rank in the pack as an alpha.

  Wolves in the wild think of other animals as a food source.  Hybrid pet wolves should not be feed raw meat so that this trait of eating raw meat and hunting for their food source does not come out.  The hunting instinct is still in most breeds of dogs today and will probably be there in the very distant future.  Owners of hybrid pet wolves should be very careful with feeding habits of their pups early on to prevent problems later.  Once an animal develops the habit of hunting and killing their food source, there is no going back to a previous state of eating regular dog food.  In many cases, the animal will have to be put down or returned to the wild if this trait is acquired by the hybrid pet wolf.

I would love to have feedback from other owners of hybrid pet wolves.  Any photos and comments you have are welcome.