Nekomi, what do you think about this? I know you are a strong advocate for wolfdogs, and from reading a bunch of your posts about them it's very apparent that you love them -- but does a part of you still feel like it would be in the best interests of humans, dogs, wolves, and wolfdogs for their breeding to be ended?
That is such a great question! My position on this issue has evolved over time. I guess here are my thoughts, in brief:
1. In the vast, vast, majority of cases, I don't believe they should continue to be bred. I should make that clear upfront... I am 100% for rescuing and rehabbing them, 100% for legal ownership, 100% for education instead of myth surrounding these guys. But, not for the majority of breeding that is being done out there. For example, the breeders who produce low-contents and exaggerate the percentage in their pups, or the breeders who breed random pairings of low and mid contents just as a hobby.
2. Why? Practically speaking, the market, actually society, simply cannot support it. The number of wolfdogs being produced FAR outweighs the number of qualified, competent homes. Because the chances of a particular litter all making it into a good, qualified home, and then being properly socialized and raised into well-behaved, respectable canine citizens is slim-to-none. The reality is, most of them will end up raised improperly, under-socialized, and turned in to the local shelter, and then, if they are lucky, forwarded into our rescue network. If they are not so lucky, they might end up forgotten chained outside for their life, or worse, involved in a bite incident that tarnishes the reputation of all the wolfdogs owned by responsible folks.
3. Add-on to previous point... it is my personal belief that wolfdogs, even low-to-mid contents, are significantly more "aware" and sensitive than domestic dogs. These animals are incredibly intelligent, and from what I have seen, can become emotionally damaged MUCH more easily, and deeply, than dogs. After working with them for so long, there is a level of individual awareness (I want to say sentience, but I know that's a loaded word) present that makes it very difficult for me to believe they are suitable as "pets". They have significant containment and enrichment needs in order to stay mentally healthy (think of parrots, they constantly need to play and use their minds in order to keep from going crazy). Most people cannot provide this level of stimulation (although I know many incredible people who do). I shudder when I think of these animals left to languish on a chain or in a small pen. I would rather they not be bred, than to know that they are suffering this way.
4. Contrary to popular belief, there ARE a handful of actual GOOD breeders out there, that are respected even by the rescue community. They are USDA licensed facilities, generally breed very high-contents, from long-standing domesticated lines of wolves, and sell only to legit outreach and educational facilities. Their animals never end up in the rescue network, because these breeders take them back if they are ever in need. I can count the number of such breeders on one hand. You never hear about them because unlike the hobby/backyard wolfdog breeders, they tend not to advertise - they don't need to. Because I would hate to see them punished unfairly, next point:
5. I don't think wolfdog breeding should be legislated by the government. (But that is another topic, I am generally against legislation for most animal ownership issues, please don't take that the wrong way, I hate puppy mills as much as the next person.) Still, though, the irresponsible, random breeding of wolfdogs absolutely needs to stop. In an ideal world, pressure from the community and boycotting would do the trick, but I know that realistically it will take legislation.
6. OK, rereading your question here is my breakdown -
Would it be in the best interest of humans to end the breeding of wolfdogs? Not necessarily... I don't think they are a sufficiently dangerous animal to say they are a major public health or safety risk. But, if you mean damages to furniture, home, etc. and damages to sanity, maybe it would be in mankind's best interest?
(just kidding)
In the best interest of dogs? Hard to say... I think dogs have so many problems of their own (BYB, puppy mills, random "designer" breeds) that wolfdog breedings are hardly a factor. (Nearly all wolfdogs bred today come from wolfdog x wolfdog pairings anyway.)
In the best interest of wolves? This is, for me, the most difficult question to answer. Wild wolves are actually largely unaffected by the mere existence of wolfdogs, since wild wolves are, to my knowledge, never used in breeding wolfdogs (I doubt that it's legal). Domesticated lines of wolves that have been bred in captivity for decades generally form the basis for wolfdog stock, and even then, these days a pure wolf ancestor is generally many generations away. However, a case could be made that depending on the public's basic view on wolfdogs, their sympathy towards the plight of wild wolves could be impacted. For example, I'd imagine that every wolfdog bite incident covered on the news would have a negative effect on the wild wolf recovery/reintroduction effort. However, every positive exposure for wolfdogs - whether that means at an educational event, or the actions of a responsible private owner - likely improves the public image of wild wolves, and actually aids in their recovery. I know that personally, since meeting and working with many wolfdogs, my feelings towards wild wolves have really awakened much more strongly. I identify with them in a way that makes them feel more like family, and less like just another species in trouble. I know that many wolfdog owners and rescuers feel exactly the same way.
And for wolfdogs? Yes, I believe it is definitely in their best interest for breeding to end. There are many wonderful primitive breeds out there that are infinitely easier to handle but have many of the same "wolfy" characteristics. (Northern breeds of course, but also Canadian Inuit Dogs, Siberian Laikas, Shikoku-ken, Tamaskan Dogs, etc.) When wolfdog ownership is banned in my state (and sadly, it is likely just a matter of time), this is the direction I will go... to the very primitive breeds, where I can continue to use my experiences and knowledge.
OK, sorry for the long post but I hope it provides some food for thought.
