In general, any crossbreed between a Wolf and a domestic dog is considered a Wolf-dog. However, most experts believe that such combination is only referred after the mating Wolf with German Shepherd Dog, Alaskan Malamute, or Siberian Husky.
The Husky Wolf hybrid is actually the offspring of two Canis species members. The difference between the two parents is in a historical frame. Gray Wolf is still a wild animal while another parent is a descendant of wolves domesticated 15,000 years ago. Let’s see if such a creature can be a trustworthy family pet.
Everything You Need To Know About The Husky Wolf Mix:
1. History
Husky Origin
Technically, all dogs are Wolf descendants, so Huskies are also related to them. Husky is an athletic, physically powerful, and intelligent working dog that differs from the Wolf by a trustworthy purebred background. Along with German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky is considered a low-content Wolf-dog.
Wolf Origin
The true Wolf’s Evolutionary history is unclear, but biologists believe that its ancestor is miacid, a primitive carnivore type. The first gray Wolf (Canis Lupis) probably appeared in Eurasia before migrating to North America. There are numerous proofs that the Wolf is an ancestor of all domestic dog breeds.
Wolf-Dog Origin
Husky Wolf mix has two entirely different parents. One is a dedicated and beloved Siberian Husky, and the other is Wolf, basically a wild beast. Experts found Wolf-dog remains in Mexico’s central valley in 2021. It is believed that the Teotihuacan civilization’s warrior class bred these animals at least 2,000 years ago. You can also find considerable evidence that people domesticated wolves in Europe and Asia.
Intentional hybridization of those two species started in the 18th century. The British first crossed a Wolf with the old Pomeranian type. In the 1960s, breeders started to crossbreed dogs with gray, red, Ethiopian, and eastern timber wolves. Nowadays, you can find admirers who breed these animals and claim that they can be wonderful pets.
On the other hand, numerous opponents believe that these canines are inherently dangerous, unpredictable, and untrainable. In most cases, breeders combine wolves with particular dog types. Sometimes, breeders cross two Wolf-dogs or that crossbreed mix with other dogs. In rare cases, even force breeding of Wolf-dog and Wolf is possible.
According to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, crossbreeding dogs with wolves counteracts centuries of domestication. That is a primary reason why FCI and AKC don’t classify this mix as a dog breed. Even though these animals carry more dog than Wolf genes, it is unlikely that it will be the case ever.
2. Law Requirements
The big question is if Wolf and Husky mix is a legal family pet. It primarily depends on its phenotype. It is forbidden to keep pure wolves as pets in the US, but the Federal Animal Welfare Act considers Wolf-dogs as pets when they are at least five generations away from the Wolf.
Since each state has its own policy on this matter, it is legal to keep crossbreed puppies in 21 US states. While 16 states have restricted policies regarding Wolf-dog, it is illegal in 13 states, including New York, where you need a special dangerous animal permit.
Part Husky part Wolf dogs are legal in the UK, but you can keep them as pets only if they are at least three generations away from grey Wolf. According to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, you need a license if you want to keep your Wolf-dog at home.
3. Personality
Husky Wolf’s hybrid personality will primarily depend on the percentage of inherited genes. A Wolf-dog that is 85% Wolf will act more like a wild animal and vice versa. In both cases, you will get an intelligent and loyal friend, but with difficultly predictable behavior.
4. Temperament
Even though a Husky Wolf hybrid can look like either Husky or Wolf, its genetic profile is entirely different when it comes to temperament.
This hybrid won’t get used to indoor living and is not a self-entertaining animal, so you need to provide constant company for your unusual buddy.
Remember that Husky with Wolf mix will be loud and with a high prey drive, so that you can forget about other pets in the house. Since it is highly territorial, it can be aggressive toward strangers and other dogs.
5. Size And Look
Let’s take a look at Wolf size compared to Husky first. An average wild grey Wolf weighs about 60 to 180 pounds (27 – 81.5 kg), while its height is 26 and 34 inches (66 – 86.5 cm) at shoulders. On the other hand, Siberian Husky is usually about 20 to 24 inches (51 – 61 cm) tall, but it primarily depends on its age and gender. The average dog weighs approximately 40 to 60 pounds (18 – 27 kg).
Wolf-dog is a Wolf and Husky offspring, so you can expect it to be large-sized. However, it is possible to find cross breeds smaller or larger than an expected average, depending on the number of generations your pet is away from the Wolf. So, your Wolf Husky hybrid will weigh anywhere between 75 to 155 pounds (34 – 70.5 kg). It will be approximately 25 to 33 inches (63.5 – 84 cm) high at its shoulders.
| Wolf-dog | ||
| Male | Female | |
| Height | 26 to 33 inches (66 – 84 cm) | 25 to 32 inches (63.5 – 81 cm) |
| Weight | 85 to 155 pounds (38.5 – 70.5 kg) | 75 to 130 pounds (34 – 59 kg) |
The Husky Wolf mix color can vary, but it is almost always dark.
You can expect its thick coat of medium length to be:
- White (rare)
- Tan
- Grey
- Brown
- Black
Keep in mind that the coat color will change after your Wolf-dog turns a year. Its eyes are typically golden or brown, and it is unlike to get a puppy with Husky’s multicolored eyes.
6. Grooming
Wolf-dog has a dense and thick double coat, making it a heavy shedder, particularly during shedding season. I can’t imagine anyone trying to brush and groom this semi-wild animal daily, but it is possible if you start at an early age. It is a self-cleaning dog, so there is no need for bathing.
7. Exercising
Wolf mixed with Husky is a brilliant animal that requires high levels of mental stimulation and plenty of physical exercises. This demanding creature requires at least 3 to 4 hours of activity a day. Otherwise, you will probably face destructive behavior.
8. Training
Be prepared that grey Wolf Husky mix doesn’t have an eagerness to please like an average domesticated dog. So, it can become aggressive when the owner insists on negative training methods.
9. Diet And Nutrition
Wolfhusky is a hunter, so you can expect your buddy to go for prey if it is dissatisfied with its diet. Be aware that there is no space for negotiations or vegetarianism policy since this creature demands meat and can’t survive by eating regular dog kibble.
You need to provide at least 2.5 to 4.5 pounds (1 – 2 kg) of high-quality raw meat and bones for your semi-wild furry friend daily. Otherwise, it will get sick and die. Remember that pork can be harmful to your Wolf-dog and cause digestive issues, so you should avoid it at all costs.
Like in nature, your Wolf-dog will need fresh grass occasionally, and some of them enjoy fruit, but it is required to find strict organic. As you can see, this diet is much more expensive than a typical dog diet, so you should check your budget before adopting one of these magnificent animals.
10. Possible Health Problems
Siberian Husky Wolf mix is naturally healthy, but it can face a few inherited diseases like other mixed breeds. However, most Wolf-dog varieties are bred to improve the working dog breed’s health and vigor.
Once you decide to adopt half Wolf half Husky dog, you may face one specific issue. It will be hard to find a vet willing to check your Wolf-dog when necessary. It can be pretty unpleasant since you need a qualified person to help with vaccinations and checkups.
Warning!
The standard rabies vaccines effectiveness on a Wolf-dog is questionable since its impact on this mixed breed is not precisely determined. The USDA hasn’t approved any existing rabies vaccine for use in this hybrid, so you should be very careful when thinking of it as a pet.
Lifespan
It is not an easy task to determine Wolf hybrid Husky mix’s lifespan. Wolves typically live 6 to 8 years in the wild, but they can live approximately 16 to 20 years in captivity.
Since Husky parent lives 12 to 15 years on average, you can expect your Wolf-dog to reach at least 13 to 17 years. However, this estimated lifespan will primarily depend on inherited genes.
Conclusion
Husky mixed with a Wolf is among the most questioned and controversial hybrids nowadays. Mixing a domestic dog with a wild animal and adopting one sounds exciting, but you should be aware of the problems you will face once you take this step.
This majestic predator will be intelligent and loyal but unpredictable, so it is not an option for an inexperienced owner. You need to position yourself as an alfa male and pack leader, or there is no chance to control this semi-wild pet.
