Most "real" high content animals are very destructive, they chew your house apart continuously; they don't listen well (think "cat"), they are spooky and often afraid of new people or situations. For example, you'll be walking him and the garbage truck lumbers by...he freaks and hauls you off down an embankment or into traffic...assuming he didn't yank the leash from your hand first. (They are extremely strong.) He may pee all over himself when you take him to the vet...and he'll probably throw up in the car on the way there. Sound far-fetched? Talk to some genuine wolf owners sometime. Most are not good with small children, for a variety of reasons. They test you very hard as pups, and will be glad to take over the "pack" if you let them...some will growl or otherwise threaten you to get their own way, & you have to teach them that that is unacceptable (it takes a LONG time!! They're stubborn). Many are food aggressive, and/or possession-aggresssive. They CAN be trained out of that, but many folks believe a "wolf is a wolf" and aren't willing to push the issue...if you wait too long to start teaching them that this is unacceptable, they will be *very* big & scary, and you will probably decide that it isn't worth it. Some wolves get what's called "winter wolf syndrome"--usually only the intact/breeding animals, but not always. They get growly & disagreeable in the fall, and will "protect" their chosen mate, even from YOU. Some owners cannot go in the enclosure with their hormonally-charged wolves until the breeding season has passed. If nothing else, this is a FINE reason to get your high-content animal fixed!! So why do we keep them? They really are wonderful animals....amazingly intelligent, clever, creative, fascinating to watch, gentle and lovable and affectionate if properly raised. They're intense and very aware of their surroundings...and SO much personality!! They enjoy being with their humans much as dogs do, BUT not necessarily as eager to please ;) They do have a mind of their own...there are lots of good reasons to have them, but there are lots of BAD ones too. I'm not down on wolf/high content ownership, and my own guys are a BLAST! I just think that it's only fair to the ANIMAL to fully disclose their downsides to folks *before* they adopt one. |