Pets 4 You - Wolf Zone 1 Wolf Dog Website - Raising Wolves since 1973.

"Spooky"

Wolves are exceptional animals. They are not pets....they do not act like dogs. They are too smart, their brains are 35% larger than a dog's brain. Wolves and wolfdogs are more like your family, and your friend. If much planning is made in advance, and proper research is done by the potential family...the wolf or wolfdog can become the best, most exciting animal you could ever have...they are just simply incredible to say the least.

Let me say that these animals are not for everyone. They are high maintenance animals and require a large and extremely secure area of enclosure and fencing. 7 feet tall or taller is best for them. Wolves and wolfdogs are escape artist and can get out easy.
A wolf or wolfdog cannot be allowed to roam free and unsupervised outside their enclosure unless you are with them. They are territorial animals, and are used to roaming huge areas in their territory and its in their genes. If they get out, they are prone to roam for miles, and can get in trouble, ran over, or shot by a crazy neighbor.	"Zeke"

Wolves and wolfdogs are very large and powerful animals and intimidating to some people. Contrary to popular belief, wolves and wolfdogs are not aggressive towards humans. Since they are not aggressive, they do not make watchdogs. It's really a good thing, because they have 1500-1800 psi jaw strength which is the same as a bear. The strongest dog recorded jaw strength is only 750 psi.

Wolves in Alaska and Canada have been documented attacking and fighting bears mostly due to bears trying to eat their wolf pups. All of the pack will fight to the death to protect their puppies. They are the future of the wolf pack.

"Zeke"	A wolf or wolfdog will bond very closely to its new family. It is important to spend a lot of time with your new puppy every day. Everyone in the family should do this. They will love everyone in your family that spends time with them, but will usually pick one person that they adore most, and usually, this is the person that spends the most time with them.
It is important to get the pup at the youngest age possible, at about 4 weeks. If you have experience, you can sometimes get them younger. If you are having the puppy shipped by plane, FAA guidelines requires that the puppy be at least 8 weeks old.

Choosing the right person to purchase a pup from is essential. Try to find someone who has decades of experience with them. Their are far too many people out there that had a wolf for a few years and decided to try and breed them. It takes many years to learn how to do it right. Wolves are like people, they don't always like the mate you put them with. Ask a lot of questions, and stay away from people with less than 20 years experience.

	If you can, its always nice to go for a visit. A good person will have the animals in a quiet country setting outside the city in a stress free environment. Beware of the backyard breeders who have 20, 30 40 or more animals. This would be a puppy mill as there is no way to properly care for such a mob. And how could they spend time with that many animals each day, not to mention proper vet care as well. A seasoned person will have great knowledge of different sub-species of wolves and the differences in the sub-species as well as what part of the world that particular sub-species of wolf is found.

A wolf that lacks quality time being spent with it is living a second rate life, as with any pet. When people call me, I screen them very closely. I try and advise them exactly what it takes to raise the animal. Wolves & wolfdogs are a one family type animal. They are shy of strangers, and this trait is passed down through generations. This is how they have remained for hundreds of years to avoid the persecution of people who would try and kill them as people always have.

Wolves thrive in cold climates. In parts of northern Alaska and Canada, they live in conditions that can be 70 below F and survive in this place. They are very versatile, and can adapt to very warm climates as well. These animals prefer the winter over the summer. In the heat they need plenty of water and shade. They can grow awesome coats of hair in a cold climate in winter. It's best to have a huge water tank for them, 100 gallons or more, as they like to get wet in the summer. They can eat dog food, but it needs to be a high fat, high protein food. It needs to be primarily made up of meat with little or no wheat or corn grains, and absolutely no soy contained in the food. Pinnacle, Solid Gold, and Timberwolf Organics are great dog foods.

Vet care is pretty much the same as a dog. Regular shots and get it on a heartworm prevention by 3 months of age as well. Regular worming just like a dog is best. Given good health care and a proper diet, they can live to be very old. I have heard of them living to be 18. Usually 14-16 is the normal age.

Raising a wolf of wolfdog is a lifetime commitment. They only bond with one family, and if given to someone else, they usually do very poorly and usually do not live very long. It is possible they die of sadness. Make sure you are ready to commit to the duration of the animals life before you think about getting one.

I have several different types of wolfdogs. Alaskan Interior, Alaskan Tundra, British Columbian, and Arctic.

It's no wonder so many people love and admire the wolf all over the world. The Native Americans had it right... They are a majestic creature that can teach us much about ourselves, and of family bonds and courage.

"Snowflake"

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Am I a good candidate for a wolfdog and can I provide a good home?

Realistically, this is something you need to ask yourself before you consider bringing a wolfdog into your life. Raising a wolfdog is a lifetime commitment. Make sure you are ready. Once you raise a wolfdog, it is your family. You can't just get rid of them if it doesn't work out as they will almost never bond with someone else. I have even heard of them grieving themselves to death because they were given away. CONSIDER
THIS BEFORE YOU BRING ONE INTO YOUR LIFE.

90% of the wolves and wolfdogs in a rescue are there because people didn't plan and do research before they decided to buy one on a whim. The poor animal has to pay for that. This is also due in part because the owner failed to properly screen them and explain to them the basics and
responsibilities that go with raising one. Also, you need to take a look at where you live. A wolf is not an apartment dweller. They do not like loud noises and loud neighbors. Make sure the neighbors you have are not going to cause you any problems when you bring the puppy home.

THE LAST THING THE WOLFDOG NEEDS IS NEGATIVE PUBLICITY. MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS IN THE WOLFDOG COMMUNITY WERE CAUSED BY PEOPLE WHO FAILED TO PROPERLY PLAN.

Wolfdogs and Other Dogs

Another important question people like to know is how will the wolf pup be around my other pets? You have to remember that wolves and wolfdogs are social animals. They have a very complex social structure within the family. This is a good thing because they need to fit in. If you already have a pet, slowly introduce the new puppy to your dog or cat. The puppy will usually want to go right up to your pet and start showing affection. The wolf pup will usually flop over and submit to your pet. This is a natural instinct of trying to fit in and be accepted. The wolfdog will almost always grow up seeing your other pet as part of its family. They are however territorial towards neighbor's dogs, or strange dogs.

Jake's pups.

Wolfdogs and Children

You have to remember, wolfdogs are not aggressive towards people, and they are usually not even aggressive towards strangers, unless cornered and given no other option but to snap at a strange person.

They are strong, and have sharp toenails and play rough, so don't leave them unsupervised around a small child. Include the children in the socialization, but supervised, as they play rough.

DOES A WOLFDOG MAKE A WATCHDOG?

This is a question many people want to know.
The answer is NO! It is not in their nature to be aggressive even towards strangers. They usually just keep their distance from them. But remember, they are very large and intimidating. Usually just one look at them is enough to keep someone from trying to come into your yard .

WolfZone 1 pups.

Sleepy "Jake"

CAN THEY LIVE INDOORS

The answer is no and yes. A wolfdog will never be a full time in house pet. They enjoy being
outside more than being inside. They can be taught to come inside, but they have to be taught from a very early age. Many people have purchased pups from me and reported to me that they have taught their friend to be inside and outside. With patience, you can accomplish this ...it takes patience, motivation, and an open mind. They can also be taught to ride in the car, some like it, some don't. The key to doing anything with them is to start out very early teaching them. NEVER GO AWAY AND LEAVE A WOLFDOG IN THE HOUSE UNSUPERVISED AS THEY CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE. Crate training is also a good idea.

WOLFDOG BEHAVIOR AROUND STRANGERS

Wolfdogs are very loving around their family, but they are different around strangers. You have to
remember they are a naturally shy animal. If you have them out, always have them on a leash, AND LEASH TRAIN EARLY. If you want the puppy to be more social, you need to take them out to public places all the time so that they feel more comfortable being in strange places. Let a lot of people hold the puppy when it is young so that
it learns not to fear strangers as much. Let them get used to different people and different sounds as this reinforces their confidence level as they grow, the more socialization...the better the friend!

"Cody"

"Zeke"

CONTAINMENT...FENCING

Wolfdogs are escape artists so a tall fence at least 7 feet or taller is best. Also something at the base
of the ground so he can't dig out. They love to dig, so they are going dig holes, so get used to it. Always have them on a leash if outside your fence, so he doesn't run out into the street and get run over. Usually, if you have another pet for them to play with, they are less prone to try to escape your fence. Wolfdogs hate being alone
and its best to raise them with another canine.

COCCIDIOSIS

Coccidiosis is a microscopic parasite that most wolf pups are born with. Dog puppies can have it to but it shows up more in wolfdog puppies, because most wolfdog puppies are take from their mother at a few days of age and placed on a bottle for socialization. This can occur because pups are taken early off mother's milk and the antibodies in the mother's milk that usually fights off the coccidiosis is gone. It gives them a bad
case of diarrhea and dehydrates them. It is easily cured with a sulfur based drug called ALBON SUSPENSION that you can get from the vet. It comes in pill or liquid form. I keep a pint of Albon on hand when I have puppies. It's a good idea to have your vet check for this during the pup's first checkup. COCCIDIOSIS comes from the dirt and is common everywhere. It's easily cured and is mostly a nuisance.

Jeanna with Gracie

"Zeke"

"Zeke"

THE PURPOSE OF BOTTLE FEEDING WOLVES AND WOLFDOGS

One of the most important aspects of early socialization of a wolfdog pup is that it should be separated
from its mother at a few days of age and put on a bottle. The puppy should be taken from its mother before its eyes open and be bottle fed every 4 hours around the clock. Its important for the first thing a pup sees when it opens its eyes is people. This puts an imprint on the pup of humans. Bottle feeding is a must for socialization. Never buy a pup that wasn't bottle fed as its almost impossible to socialize. The puppy replacement milk has to be a close copy of the mother's own milk. I also put my pups on a regimen of vitamin supplements as well.

IF YOU TAKE ALL THESE THINGS INTO ACCOUNT, AND PLAN AHEAD, HAVING A
WOLFDOG IN YOUR LIFE CAN BE VERY REWARDING, FULFILLING AND A FUN ADVENTURE!!

"Jake"	Wolf kiss - "Jake" and "Snowflake"
Smile for me Jake!!	Big Jake trying to help me up.

"Jake"	"Jake"
"Jake"	"Jake"