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Regardless of what breed of dog you choose as a companion, there are certain qualities that ethical and responsible breeders possess. Know what characteristics to look for in a wolfdog BEFORE acquiring a wolfdog as a companion. There are a countless unethical so-called wolfdog breeders who successfully pawn their Malamute, Husky or German Shepherd mix pups off on the uneducated public as wolfdog pups. If you know what you are looking for, this will be less likely to happen to you.

The following is what to expect of ethical, responsible wolfdog breeders. They should

   answer any and all questions you have about wolfdogs and the particular line you are considering for purchase.

   have clean, sanitary breeding facilities or kennels.

   ensure that you (the buyer) have adequate facilities to house and maintain a wolfdog and that you are knowledgeable of a wolfdog’s needs, care, and behavior.

   screen you as a prospective wolfdog owner, presenting you with a questionnaire/application before the purchase and a sales contract at the time of purchase, if you are approved.

   ensure that the pup’s parents are not aggressive or improperly socialized by allowing you to interact with the parents. (Caution: When looking at younger pups, use common sense on interacting with the mother; many canine moms can be quite protective of their younger pups.)

   ensure that both parents are free of genetic disorders and hip dysplasia (a common hip disorder in large dogs) by allowing you to view the parents’ medical records.

   provide you with a contract mandating that, at any time during the duration of the animal’s life, the breeder will take the animal back or find the animal a new home if you (the buyer) can no longer care for it.

   breed animals that will reflect positively on wolfdogs and will NOT breed aggressive, predatory-type wolfdogs (e.g., aggressive wolfdogs, wolfdogs mixed with aggressive dog types). Most responsible wolfdog breeders use the following dog breeds in their lines: Husky, Malamute, German Shepherd, or Norwegian Elkhound.

  never espouse any of the uneducated myths surrounding wolfdog ownership: that the rabies vaccination will kill wolfdogs; that wolfdogs are guard/protection dogs; that they have (and you can have) a pure or very high content wolf in the state of Florida without having a Class II permit. These are clues that a wolfdog breeder is uneducated and unethical/irresponsible. Do NOT purchase a wolfdog from such a breeder!

For more comprehensive information on the ethical and responsible breeding of wolfdogs, please go to So, You Want to Become a Wolfdog Breeder?. 

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Because the wolfdog is a mixed-breed dog and not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a breed, extra caution and care should be taken in verifying the validity of any pedigree that may be presented to you by a wolfdog breeder. Great care should also be taken in verifying the accuracy of wolf percentage represented on said wolfdog breeder pedigrees.

Since DNA tests, at present, cannot conclusively determine the content/percentage of wolf in a dog, the value of a wolfdog registry lies in its accuracy and honesty of recording ancestors. A reputable wolfdog registry will

• be committed to education.

• be concerned with current wolf issues.

• acknowledge and act on the need for rescue.

• promote ethical and responsible breeding.

• demonstrate honest, true lineage and correct misrepresentations found in any lines.

The leading wolfdog registries in North America are as follows: the United States American Wolfdog Association (USAWA), Iowolfer, LupineAWARE, the Native AmerIndian Dog Association (NADA), and the American Tundra Shepherd (ATS). 

DISCLAIMER: The Florida Lupine Association, Inc., is not a breeder’s club; it neither endorses nor is it affiliated with any of the aforementioned wolfdog registries.

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