In this article we will talk about a very interesting phenomenon – the mating of wild wolves with dogs. We will also reveal the reasons why these seemingly different animals mate, and find out how it happens and what breeds of dogs it is inherent in.
Historical Facts
In general, there have been many instances of wild wolf-dog crossbreeding. Once upon a time, Indians during the mating season of wolves would tie up female dogs in the woods for several nights to mate with them. Male dogs, on the other hand, were not tethered. This was because both wolves and she-wolves generally did not leave the males alive.
The mating of a wolf with a dog is practically impossible and is extremely rare. The reason for this factor is that wolves win the favor of the she-wolf by fighting each other in grueling duels, even with fatalities. It is clear that wolves surpass dogs in strength and size, so only a few dogs manage to survive such duels. Then they become members of the wolf pack and deserve the favor of the she-wolf.
Very rarely, but there are also cases of mating of she-wolves with domestic males. The reason for this is that the she-wolves in the pack may be the weakest, cowardly or have no mate, and the dogs, in turn, are left without their master’s supervision or without their home.
It also happens that a dog puppy may be mated by a pack of wolves. Then this adult dog can act as a babysitter for wolves when both parents or only the she-wolf go hunting.
It should be noted that wolves and dogs have completely different behavioral patterns with regard to raising offspring. The overwhelming majority of male dogs do not participate in the upbringing of pups, while male wolves are actively involved in the care of cubs. This is how they try to keep their mate close to them.
Features of crossbreeding between wolves and dogs
Specialists believe that crossing a wolf and a dog is not so difficult, but the consequences of this can be very unpredictable. Puppies obtained from such parents can actually acquire various health problems and some congenital defects.
More often than not, they have an extremely unstable psyche, namely: they can be withdrawn and afraid of animals and people around them, or their behavior can be very aggressive.
Such puppies are predominantly untrainable, are quite ugly in appearance and do not look like wolves. Often these hybrids have congenital abnormalities, for example: the skeletal structure and limbs from one parent do not match the shape and length of the ligaments and tendons from the other. Or the upper jaw develops in one type and the lower jaw in another, and then the animal has an incorrect bite.
Dog-wolf hybrids are called wolf-dogs or wolfdogs. Another name for them is wolfdogs or half-wolves.
Causes of wolves mating with dogs
Most often wolves mate with dogs where the wolf population is small and there are not enough mating partners. It also happens when ecosystems are disturbed, causing wolves to move closer to human settlements. Because of this, they become somewhat isolated and reduce their caution. This is what allows wolves to later become accustomed to dogs and mate with them.
So, the main reasons for wolves and dogs to mate are as follows:
- Lack of partners. If wolves find it difficult to find a mate because of the small number of congeners, they look for partners among dogs.
- Ecosystem disruption. Mass shooting of wolves, environmental changes, and deforestation cause these wild animals to get closer to people and their settlements. This increases the likelihood of wolves mating with dogs because, by frequent visits to human habitation, wolves gradually become accustomed to dogs and no longer show aggression towards them.
- Social isolation of wolves. Young or solitary wolves that have lost their pack leader may become less cautious and more prone to contact with dogs. Young wolves, for example, lack life experience, they have no fear of humans, and without a pack leader it becomes very difficult for them to hunt. Therefore, such wolves more often look for food near villages, and this factor also contributes to their mating with dogs.
- Genetic affinity. Despite the difference in lifestyle, wolves are genetically close to dogs, so much so that they can produce viable offspring. They interbreed easily, so hybridization between them is indeed possible, and their offspring, in turn, continue to breed. In such hybrids, breeders try to combine the obedience of a dog with the strength of a wolf.
How mating takes place
In general, it is male wolves that initiate the pairing between a wolf and a female dog. They come close to human settlements, sensing a bitch ready to mate. Sometimes large and strong breeds of dogs can also compete with wolves and even mate with she-wolves. However, this is extremely rare.
Usually, a female dog may stay with a wolf for a period of a week to two weeks and then she may return to her master. But it also happens that she stays in the wolf pack forever.
Dog breeds with which wolves are usually paired
Wolves usually prefer large pedigree dogs, more often they are huskies and German shepherds. Wolf mating with mongrel mongrels, but of a larger size, is rare.
Outwardly, hybrids can be similar to both wolves and dogs, but usually their appearance is something between the former and the latter.
Some of them gradually dissolve into the wolf population and others into the stray urban dog population. There are also hybrids that live in or near suburbs, remaining between wildlife and civilization.
