Reptile & Amphibian Forums

taken 4/18/2003

Keona is growing up

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KenC
*SPCA Point of Contact for Stafford and Spotsilvania County VA - wolfdog rescue
*WD rescue assistance to Full Moon Farm Rescue, Blackmountain, NC.
*Defenders of Wildlife
*Keona's (my wolfdog) site: http://www.geocities.com/compwolf2000/keona.html

Hello! I posted this message below in reference of your other picture. However, I will comment again on how beautiful this picture is.

She has beautiful eyes. I love wolves and in a perfect world they should live free and be left alone. Alas, I know this world is not perfect. I do need to ask though, why do people breed wolf hybrids and wolf dogs? How do they get along with other dogs and can they mix well with people/strangers. Are they able to compete in events such as agility or flyball, obedience? I'm not trying to be negative, I really would like more info.
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Charlene

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

There are a few responsible good hearted wolfdog breeders out there..to meet the small demand to those who have owned wolfdogs and feel thats the only type of k9 they wish to bond with ever again........ the rest of the wolfdog breeders do it for money only. The good ones screen carefully the new owners..even to home checks.. and will take the animal back if the new owner so desires on down the road. if they are properly raised... the are very social...... my keona will jump up on you and greet you with a waging tail and liks to the arms and face..... she likes humans..... she trust humans..... and i work hard not to let that trust get destroyed by the wrong move of anyone in her presence.

they would not make good "competitive animals"...because they dont care about things like that.. thats a "dog" thing.........

they get along great with the other animals in your "pack"..family... my last wolf dog lived with our malimute/shepard, akita/husky, and our cat...... we all were one big happy family. Keona now lives with Reno..our 1 year old Golden Retriever... they love eachother..and play like two kids........

wolfdogs are not for everyone........ wolfdogs should be raised by only those who have studied and exsperienced the ways of the wolf and the personality of the wolf...... i studied for 10 years from a great gentleman most knowledgeable in wolves with two packs on his ranch in nevada before i got my first wolfdog. i learned a great deal..........and it was from this ranch i brouoght Nikona back to va .......

there is much controversy on owning wolfdogs..... but truth is.. if you know the animals..and raise them as family..not pets..... you will have the truest, most rewarding animal companion you ever dreamed of.........

kenC
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KenC
*SPCA Point of Contact for Stafford and Spotsilvania County VA - wolfdog rescue
*WD rescue assistance to Full Moon Farm Rescue, Blackmountain, NC.
*Defenders of Wildlife
*Keona's (my wolfdog) site: http://www.geocities.com/compwolf2000/keona.html

>>There are a few responsible good hearted wolfdog breeders out there..to meet the small demand to those who have owned wolfdogs and feel thats the only type of k9 they wish to bond with ever again........ the rest of the wolfdog breeders do it for money only. The good ones screen carefully the new owners..even to home checks.. and will take the animal back if the new owner so desires on down the road. if they are properly raised... the are very social...... my keona will jump up on you and greet you with a waging tail and liks to the arms and face..... she likes humans..... she trust humans..... and i work hard not to let that trust get destroyed by the wrong move of anyone in her presence.
>>

Thanks so much for your reply. I agree that "reputable breeders" are a must. I'm wondering about the personalities? I totally understand about "properly raising" them or any dog, however, since they are part wolf do you have to worry about Alpha, Beta issues? Usually when puppies are born within a few days you are able to pick out the different personalties. I have a deep love and respect for wolves.

>>they would not make good "competitive animals"...because they dont care about things like that.. thats a "dog" thing.........
>>

LOL! I like this statement! You mention that they like to play with other animals, what about fetch or tug?

>>they get along great with the other animals in your "pack"..family... my last wolf dog lived with our malimute/shepard, akita/husky, and our cat...... we all were one big happy family. Keona now lives with Reno..our 1 year old Golden Retriever... they love eachother..and play like two kids........
>>

Do you find that people treat you or your Keona differently? Were your animals raised together since puppy-hood? Is it hard for a wolf/dog to fit into a family/pack when they are older?

>>wolfdogs are not for everyone........ wolfdogs should be raised by only those who have studied and exsperienced the ways of the wolf and the personality of the wolf...... i studied for 10 years from a great gentleman most knowledgeable in wolves with two packs on his ranch in nevada before i got my first wolfdog. i learned a great deal..........and it was from this ranch i brouoght Nikona back to va .......
>>

Yes, I agree that these special animals are not for everyone. I envy the experience you have had and your knowledge. I can only imagine how awesome it was for you to study under such a great person. I have often dreamed of something like this.

>>there is much controversy on owning wolfdogs..... but truth is.. if you know the animals..and raise them as family..not pets..... you will have the truest, most rewarding animal companion you ever dreamed of.........
>>

I agree! As I mentioned, I have dogs and I do a lot with them. They are wonderful and well socalized. Thanks again for your info I appreciate it greatly. I will continue to admire and respect this beautiful animal and wish you the best with yours and your endeavors. By the way, I love your web site and tribute to Nikona.

>>kenC
>>-----
>>KenC
>>*SPCA Point of Contact for Stafford and Spotsilvania County VA - wolfdog rescue
>>*WD rescue assistance to Full Moon Farm Rescue, Blackmountain, NC.
>>*Defenders of Wildlife
>>*Keona's (my wolfdog) site: http://www.geocities.com/compwolf2000/keona.html

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Charlene

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Posted by: CharStuff at Tue May 6 11:13:05 2003 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Thanks so much for your reply. I agree that "reputable breeders" are a must. I'm wondering about the personalities? I totally understand about "properly raising" them or any dog, however, since they are part wolf do you have to worry about Alpha, Beta issues? Usually when puppies are born within a few days you are able to pick out the different personalties. I have a deep love and respect for wolves.

**the alpha, beta, mega, etc plays an important role, especialy in the higher content wd's. i am alpha male.. and she does test me. she will sooner or later displace Reno, the golden retriever...if he does not keep his guard up... she' tests him too.. thats the way they are.. but its not a hassle.. and to me..kinda neat ;o)

LOL! I like this statement! You mention that they like to play with other animals, what about fetch or tug?

she will fetch...but only to bring it back...not turn it over to me..tease me..and dare me to catch her.. if i try and take it away.. a "growl" will be emitted... then im faced with "take charge and rip it away from her"...or letting it go... i prefer to let it go..why ruin a fun time ? ;o)

Do you find that people treat you or your Keona differently?

**not really. i never play the "macho...hey...i got a wolf...aint i macho" role.... i try and make her an interesting thing to look at..and use her to rid folks of the wolf fear bred into them by Lil Red Riding Hood tales of woe....

Were your animals raised together since puppy-hood?

**Reno was 1 yr old when we brought keona into the family. that was perfect..for Golden Retrievers stay puppies for 1.5 years.

Is it hard for a wolf/dog to fit into a family/pack when they are older?

**the pack being older or the wolfdog? depends... i had no problem introducing Nikona to ginger and bandit when they were with us..... they were both over 3 and 5 when i did that.. now wolfdogs... when older..sometimes can be "testie"... depends gr8ly on the personality..some will be very submisive..even to dogs half thier size.... others... dominant..

Yes, I agree that these special animals are not for everyone. I envy the experience you have had and your knowledge. I can only imagine how awesome it was for you to study under such a great person. I have often dreamed of something like this.

**It was an experience i cherish and shall never forget.

I agree! As I mentioned, I have dogs and I do a lot with them. They are wonderful and well socalized. Thanks again for your info I appreciate it greatly. I will continue to admire and respect this beautiful animal and wish you the best with yours and your endeavors. By the way, I love your web site and tribute to Nikona.

**thanks!! i have a potrait of Nikona tattoo'd on my left uppper arm. and a small one of her actual paw print over my heart. im not much on tattoos..never have been.. but i wanted this to stay with me. her spirit lives within my heart...forever.

regards
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KenC
*SPCA Point of Contact for Stafford and Spotsilvania County VA - wolfdog rescue
*WD rescue assistance to Full Moon Farm Rescue, Blackmountain, NC.
*Defenders of Wildlife
*Keona's (my wolfdog) site: http://www.geocities.com/compwolf2000/keona.html

>>**the alpha, beta, mega, etc plays an important role, especialy in the higher content wd's. i am alpha male.. and she does test me. she will sooner or later displace Reno, the golden retriever...if he does not keep his guard up... she' tests him too.. thats the way they are.. but its not a hassle.. and to me..kinda neat ;o)
>>
Just a bit more about me. I have 3 dogs of my own. . .there is Sid-an intact male Pomeranian who is 14 1/2 years old, Carson-Chesapeake Bay Retriever, he is 4 1/2 years old, neutered, and Reata a 1 1/2 year old spayed Border Collie. Quite a mix eh? I am not a breeder, I leave the breeding to the experienced and hopefully reputable people. I spay/neuter my pets because I compete with them and don't want any accidents. . .there are too many unwanted pets out there. Each of my dogs has their own story on how they came into my life. I have always had dogs and before getting a dog I do research into the breed so that I could understand them. I am pet-sitting my parents 4 year old female/spayed Doberman. Unfortunately, she has been with us longer than anticipated. My parents are building a house and have run into some problems. So, I was afraid that the Doberman would cause problems here. I love to study my animals' behavior and I find it very interesting the Carson is pack leader, no surprise there, however, I was afraid that my BC gal would become the lesser female and therefore more timid. Imagine my surprise when she was about 10 months old, she took over the Beta role! I heard what I thought at the time was a dog fight and ran outside because I thought the Doberman was getting the better of my little BC gal and it was just the opposite! With these 3 dogs, their behavior resembles, from what I have seen, a wolf pack.

I'm curious as to spay/neutering wolfdogs? Is this something that shouldn't be done because of the personalities? This is interesting, what is your view?

>>she will fetch...but only to bring it back...not turn it over to me..tease me..and dare me to catch her.. if i try and take it away.. a "growl" will be emitted... then im faced with "take charge and rip it away from her"...or letting it go... i prefer to let it go..why ruin a fun time ? ;o)
>>
My Chesapeake will fetch and bring it back and drop on command, he will also play tug and drop when I say release. My BC gal, on the other hand, will fetch and sometimes bring it back to me and drop it, and sometimes she runs 10 feet or so from me and won't release, I'll go over to her and pretend to try to take the ball from her and she turns her head, if I try to tug the ball, she won't release it, if I give up and start to turn, she will drop it. Sometimes when she brings the ball back she will put her chin over it so I can't get it and other times she will stare at the ball intently until I pick it up and throw it. Yup, all fun and games!
>>
>>**not really. i never play the "macho...hey...i got a wolf...aint i macho" role.... i try and make her an interesting thing to look at..and use her to rid folks of the wolf fear bred into them by Lil Red Riding Hood tales of woe....
>>

Oh, this must drive you crazy! It makes me so angry that people misunderstand this wonderful intellegent breed!

>>**thanks!! i have a potrait of Nikona tattoo'd on my left uppper arm. and a small one of her actual paw print over my heart. im not much on tattoos..never have been.. but i wanted this to stay with me. her spirit lives within my heart...forever.
>>

WOW! Thats awesome! I have a tattoo that means something to me, but the tribute you pay to your beloved companion is more touching that words can express. BTW, I am attaching a picture of my fur-family.

>>regards
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>>KenC
>>*SPCA Point of Contact for Stafford and Spotsilvania County VA - wolfdog rescue
>>*WD rescue assistance to Full Moon Farm Rescue, Blackmountain, NC.
>>*Defenders of Wildlife
>>*Keona's (my wolfdog) site: http://www.geocities.com/compwolf2000/keona.html

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Charlene

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-