In North America, the wolf hybrid is also known as a wolfdog. It is the subject of much controversy. It is borne of crossing a domestic dog with a wolf, and the name is also used to describe their consequent offspring.

Critics argue that breeding the striking, mysterious wolf hybrids will create animals that do not make good pets, are dangerous and unstable. Another concern they have is that there are no available rabies vaccines for wolves and their hybrids. Those who support the breeding of wolfdogs claim that the wolf hybrids makes an excellent companion pet and that once you’ve gone wolf hybrid, you’ll never go back to owning an ordinary dog.

Wolves and dogs are being increasingly and purposely crossbred in North America and in some parts of Europe, although until recently such hybrids were uncommon. In 1998 the United States Department of Agriculture approximated the US to have the highest wolfdog population in the world. Some polls say the numbers are around 300,000, while others have estimated it to be as numerous as 500,000.

The wolf hybrid has become something of a “fad pet” over the years. This is due to the growing popularity of wolves and their hybrids, mostly due to media exposure. To create the first generation hybrids, gray wolves were crossed most frequently with dogs that also resembled wolves, such as German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes or Siberian Huskies, because the subsequent offspring possessed an appearance that appealed most to owners looking for an “exotic” pet.

The controversy about wolf hybrids centers around breed-specific legislation”meaning there is debate on whether they are to be considered protected native wildlife, and about their perceived danger. The Humane Society of the United States, the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Ottawa Humane Society, the Wolf Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Species Survival Commission, and The Dogs Trust are all organizations that consider wolf hybrids as wild animals and unsuitable pets. There are many U.S. states and municipalities that forbid the breeding, importation and ownership of wolf hybrids, while others enforce regulated ownership”many European countries also follow this policy.

When it is born a wolfdogs physical attributes may be difficult to predict, just as with mixed-dog breeds. Hybrids embody a wide range of physical appearances. In fact, some hybrids may resemble domestic dogs without a drop of wolf blood in them at all, others can look like full-fledged wolves, and others may look like an even mix of the two.

Wolf hybrids have smaller heads than their wolf ancestors. They do not have coats as dense and possess larger, pointier ears. Their fur markings are not as evenly mixed and are more distinctive.

Wolf hybrids are affected by fewer inherited diseases, because unlike most pure dog breeds they are genetically healthy animals. In the Soviet Union observations found that high content hybrids have longer canines than dogs of similar size, capable to biting through the toughest padding like a knife through butter, according to the South African Defense Force. Their outstanding sense of smell rivals those of recognized scenthounds and they show a higher stamina during the hunt.