Wolf lookalike breeders Controversial

Thanks very much for your reply.

I do have concerns over crossing the two. If the NI really do have the health issues that have been mentioned - why inflict these upon a cross involving what appears to be a reasonably healthy breed? Epilepsy is one of the conditions mentioned and this appears to be genetic. If so, mode of inheritance isn't known, so the resulting crosses will be at risk of being carriers and possibly sufferers.

I thought that the Saarloos and CWD crossed the bridge that some people want between wolf and dog. The NI dogs seem to be of uncertain heritage and health, if you look at the number of pedigrees that have been held up for question publically, and it would seem that all NI dogs are of uncertain breeding. How can you possibly know what you are getting by crossing these dogs with Saarloos?

Welcome to Dogsey, by the way, and apologies for not welcoming you earlier.

BORDERDAWN

I think this is probably where we are going to have to agree to differ. As I have explained in a previous post the crossing of Saarloos and CZW pedigrees lowers the wolf content and adds more "dog" into the gene pool. This makes them more maneagable in many situations. It has certainly made for a great owner dog relationship between me and my two.
The pedigrees of today are the result of many crosses and the selection of preferred traits. The GSD itself is a "wolfdog" with wolf mated in as late as after the second world war in order to REDUCE AGGRESSION.
I have nothing against pedigrees or crosses. However, many of the pedigrees of today are experiencing severe long term congenital health defects-even with responsible breeding!
The solution is simple-the gene pool needs to be widened. Its basic genetics. The GSD, for instance, is a fantastic dog but it is becoming increasingly difficult to get one that will last 6 years without hip displasia.

Exactly...........

Well I DO agree with that!! Id like as much as anyone to see compulsary health testing and less exaggerated features in some breeds, absolutely.

But if you read accounts by pure Saarloos or CWD owners, they are completely happy with their breed - I don't recall reading about any issues of owner-dog relationship, or them being unmanageable.

So they are 9 months and 14wks now????

Mine had great recall at that age too.. LOL.. but usually it doesn't last

Hi Lucky star,

Thanks for your constructive reply too.

Yes, there are health concerns with the NI. There are also health concerns with nearly every other pedigree in the country. All I can say is that this is the risk we take with all our dogs. i.e. we can get a dog with 2 great hip scored parents and end up with a disabled pup at 6 months-there are no guarantees.
Another way to view it is that there is a "healthy" breed being injected into NI stock.
As far as I know none of these crosses have had major probs-time will tell.

The only "seizures" my two exhibit are during a deep sleep whilst no doubt dreaming of chasing rabbits

I cant speak for others but the Saarloos was NEVER about getting myself a wolf or something near to a wolf. It is a dog with certain wolflike behaviours. A companion dog that can run for miles

I did not say the pedigree breed were unmaneagable I said the crosses were easier to manage in certain situations.

Most Pedigree Saarloos owners are happy with their dogs. As a crossbreed owner I am happy with mine-thats it

LOUISE 13
wel just have to wait and see

My boys recall was spot on till he hit about 10 months old, then all of the work I had put into him just went out the window lol, he is good now but not as good as he was before the hormones kicked in lol. My youngest is now going through the same thing, she is 12months now and to be honest she is prob worse then he was at her age, but we are working on it and I WILL get it back lol

I've had dogs for many, many years and most appear on my website - its no big secret. Would love to see where I've made money though lol

As for JK giving warnings out about these dogs ages ago - during that time we were picking up the pieces of the dogs she was breeding that people were having problems with - it was a full time job talking and visiting people with problem Mahlek dogs.

Where do you get the figure 16 from????

I understand the desire, honestly I do. However, if the NI is so bad, why risk yet another cross? I'm glad you take the precautions of hip scores, etc. but there isn't a test for epilepsy and it is a dreadful condition for dog and owner. It simply isn't worth the risk. My concern is that a healthy breed has now been contaminated with an unhealthy one. I would have preferred to see the unhealthy one put to rest, rather than perpetuate genetic conditions such as epilepsy.

I sincerely hope that you never go through what I go through with my dog but I have horrible concerns for these crosses. A condition like hereditary epilepsy is extremely complex and the only way to stop it is to stop breeding from affected lines - not dogs - lines.

Even if, say, your dog is a carrier, not a sufferer. If, at some point, you decided to breed, how would you know whether he was a carrier and whether the other mate was a carrier? This is what I mean about mode of inheritance not being known. You wouldn't know and would risk producing epileptic dogs and the cycle continues. There is no test for epilepsy in the NI or Ute.

Northern breeds have wolflike traits and can run for miles and are great companions..most are established breeds with history etc

good luck with that

LOL good luck with that too

Please can you clarify for me in which situations are the crosses easier to manage?

Yeh thanks louise13 lol;-)

Do you mean with your Mals?

Mags Sibes have good recall up until about 6 months. My breed seems to get better with age.

LUCKY STAR
I am only now beginning to understand your concern over this issue. I am genuinely sorry to hear of your dog's difficulties and hope things work out for you both as best they can.

I dont speak for others but from my point of view I will never breed from my dogs. As I said before there are no guarantees with any breed but I take on board your points about the hereditary epilepsy. All I would say is that I was given a long list of the breed history of my dogs and was more than satisfied.

LOUISE 13
Yes they both have wolflike traits. Ive met malamutes and Saarloos, Saarloos Xs and they are completely different in behaviour. Its just horses for courses I guess. You like malamutes-I like Saarloos x

It's okay, thanks for your kind words. I truly hope you never have any problems. x

The Saarloos can exhibit extreme caution/shyness in situations with lots of traffic and lots of and/or new people. Often even when well socialised they retain this. They are also extremely independent and as I live in an outer/urban environment the cross seems a better option

And a sammy