Buying a Wolf Dog Cross - (split from Mahooli's standard thread) Controversial

Good post!

why's that a good post?

They're not yappy, hyper or doing an impression of a 10y.o on E numbers who has drunk too much fizzy pop and been let loose on a pogo stick

Calm, loyal, intelligent... The list is endless

Sorry i misconstued what you said sc i thought you meant just pure breds were not for the novice owner!!!! I would not sell a cuddly toy to half the people that ask me about my dogs. In fact even some that have still dont listen to what i say.....change food, leave them out of the crate, let them off the lead etc etc and then go "oh well i dunno why they done that!"

I have only just started this cross but already I am seeing differences between NI litters and the crosses.

NI pups are very demanding - seeking attention all the time. My cross pups are very well adjusted - ok they will run up for attention, but if they don't get it then then don't make and song and dance about it - they sort of shrug and settle down again.

All the pups that have gone to new homes have settled quickly into their new environments and so far as I know haven't suffered separation anxiety. They are very calm and laid back. One lady emailed me today to say "Its like she's always been here" - which is nice to hear.

Going back to my full Czech - I was very impressed when I got her - I expected the normal wails when she was left in the kitchen - but no. I have NEVER heard a peep out of her at night. She knows when its bed time and takes herself off and doesn't stir until I come down again next morning. She can be left at home or in the car without any fuss.

Oh you've met Shila then have you
You've just described her perfectly

what was it i said? oh yeah the way their raised or the owners!

I think the 'destructive streak' and the SA would be one and the same problem.

Thats ok Rach.

I too have had some very unsuitable people wanting my pups but I wouldn't sell to them.

Those who do get my pups get a folder full of instructions - all the do's and don'ts. I don't know if they ever get read but I hope so.

so what would you say are the main differences between saarloos X, and cwd x, which cross would be better for a pet home?

Ah navajo but sometimes dogs like to destroy things as part of their fun and play time. So sometimes SA and destruction can be different and also can be done out of spite or boredom rather than "OMG THEY LEFT ME!"

pmsl at the chewed up yoghart pots on the living room floor!

I presume these are hard questions to answer?

To be honest I don't feel qualified to answer that yet - I have only lived with Saarloos cross and full Czech - I have met Czech crosses but thats not the same as living with them - maybe Rach can answer that one. I won't know until I have bred a litter and kept one for a while.

I do believe though that the Czech x would be bolder and the Saarloos x more laid back.

What you want the obvious explained to you? Why do people want a wolfdog cross? Bit like saying why do people want a husky cross? The idea of crossing most breeds of dog is to produce something that perhaps show the looks of one breed but the characteristics of another and visa versa. The original plan behind most wolfdog crosses was to improve a breed that is failing from a small gene pool and health issues and for the money i would of thought! Secondly i think sc was referring to my good post as a reflection on you suggesting you were going to get yet another dog! When it seems you have little idea about dealing with the ones you have! you still have them dont you?

I have little idea about the ones i've got are u serious? PMSL
and yeah im pretty sure i still have them

Oh and read it properly i never said i was getting another!

The problem is, you do not know what each dog will contribute.

Really? You kept the NIS forum going with all your my dogs done this, my dogs done that, or perhaps i am mistaken?

...not really.

The plus points of a wolfdog cross (from my point of view as an owner) are:
1) horrendous post dinner tripey farts which act as a burglar deterant
2) the odd baleful expression and behaviour which keeps one's ego in check
3) an excellent foot warmer whilst on the laptop

The negatives are:

One finds oneself contantly being asked the same questions on certain forums which clearly have no beginning and no forseeable end

But then when one doesnt really give a monkeys, one can chill with one can take it all in one's stride with a bit of a chuckle