In general wolf dogs are exceptionally healthy animals. They do not have any common genetic health problems such as hip dysplasia, etc, but can of course be bothered by common canine ailments such as fleas, ticks, heartworms (if not treated with preventative); canine diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, rabies, etc which should be vaccinated against like any other dog; and other illnesses such as kennel cough, coccidia, giardia, etc. Note that some veterinarians will not treat wolf dogs of mid and/or high content, so be sure to call your local clinics to check before adopting.

 

 

Height and weight can vary. The lower content wolf dogs tend to be on the shorter side, while the higher contents tend towards the taller side. Wolf dogs' average adult weight goes from 60 to 120 pounds, but getting that high is fairly unusual and tends to be males in winter coats.

 

 

Wolf dogs of all content levels require a lot of mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Much of this can be done in their enclosure by playing games with them. Most are able to be walked on a leash like any other dog, and should be walked every day, ideally. High contents can sometimes be fearful in some walk situations and may do better in rural walking areas vs suburban. It is not recommended to have a wolfdog in a city-type environment. A wolf dog's enclosure must be very big (minimum 20x20' for 1-2 animals) and should have places to hide and take shelter, objects to climb on (not close to the fencing!), toys, etc. Frequently bringing in new forms of enrichment is key to keeping a wolf dog happy and healthy.

 

 

Wolf dogs have a double coat which becomes very very thick during winter months. This allows them to be comfortable outside just as their wild relatives are. They "blow" their winter coat (lose all the under coat) in spring and at this time a lot of grooming is needed. "Rake" style brushes are very useful for this. Otherwise general brushing every couple of weeks is usually sufficient. Keep a closer eye on tail fur and fur behind the ears as these areas are the most likely to become tangled.

 

Diet

 

Wolf-dogs do well eating diets like those of wild wolves.  Wild wolves survive on sporadic meals of deer, elk, moose, bison, and other natural prey.  Even captive wolves and wolf-dogs are capable of, and benefit from, digesting pounds of raw meat.  Their bodies do not need all of the carbohydrates and preservatives that are found in normal dog food.  Raw, whole bones serve as a source of calcium and other vitamins, as well as strengthening teeth and jaws.  Don’t worry about feeding your wolf-dog uncooked bones… it is only when bones are cooked that they become brittle and splinter.  It can be difficult to find elk and bison to feed your wolf-dog, so you can rely on raw chicken, turkey, beef, ect.  Don’t forget that your wolf-dog also needs access to fresh grass and vegetation to help with digestion.

Some nutritional supplements help the animals stay healthy.  In particular, glucosamine (for arthritis and stiffness), vitamin C (for infection and the immune system), fish oil (for skin and coat problems), vitamin A, B, D and E (for various conditions), alfalfa and wheatgrass (for internal parasites), pumpkin (for digestion), and garlic (for internal and external parasites, as well as the immune system) are very helpful when needed.  Any supplement can be given as needed in a small ball of ground meat.

Another thing most people do not immediately realize… wolves and wolf-dogs will eat, and often enjoy fruit.  Many captive wolves and wolf-dogs have been known to go crazy for watermelon.
 
A word of caution - do not change your animal’s diet suddenly. If your wolf-dog has spent its life eating dog food, it would be a shock to the system to change completely over to a raw meat diet.  Every animal has different nutritional needs.  Some wolf-dogs require a diet of pure, uncooked protein, while others need some dog food, rice or oats to digest everything properly.  I have even known an elderly captive wolf that needed cat food, goat’s milk yogurt, beef broth and salmon.  Talk to your vet, don’t be too afraid to try something, keep your eye out for holistic and organic alternatives, and pay attention to what it is your wolf-dog really needs.

All animals must be provided with a constant source of clean water.  A horse or cattle water trough secured to the fence is suggested.  Wolves and wolf-dogs are capable of tipping over, shredding or burying metal tubs.  Most wolves and wolf-dogs greatly enjoy swimming and wading in ponds, pools, streams or large tanks.  During hot weather, it is necessary to provide the animal(s) with water deep enough to lie down in, as they cannot sweat and have very thick coats.