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The WolfDog is a misunderstood and feared dog I have done a lot of research on the internet and have gathered some information from actual wolfdog owners. Who best to tell us about this breed than the people that have real experience caring for this special needs dog. 
Most people that adopt wolfdogs are people who usually want a piece of the wild. They have a love for the wolf and want
to own it. They are generally good people with good intentions. Of course, there are some people out there that want a
wolfdog because they feel it's a "macho" thing to do... a status symbol.Even with good intentions with the ownership of a wolfdog, the outcome isn't always a positive one. Why do you think wolf hybrid sanctuaries are full? Because of breeders and owners who come to realize that a wolfdog is not always easy work. They find out that they can't care for the dog any longer and have to give it up. If a sanctuary that takes in wolf hybrids can not be found, sometimes wolfdogs are "dumped" in the wilderness or taken to the animal shelter. Once at the animal shelter the wolfdog will be euthanized, they are not considered adoptable dogs. Some wolf dogs are even confiscated due to state regulations and rules that the owner failed to learn or cared to learn. Not all states allow just anyone to own a wolf hybrid. Most owners of wolfdogs have good intentions in their hearts and lot's of wolfdogs make great pets. But there are some wolfdogs that are not as easy to train as others. This might depend on the percentage of pure breed wolf that the dog has in it. Again, even with good intentions... some owners have to give up their wolfdogs due to "blind spots". Wolf hybrids are a special needs dog. Not all owners research these animals to the fullest to find out what is involved in owning one. If you feel you need or really want a wolf hybrid, then learn all you can learn about the breed. Also learn about wolves. You may want to visit: Wolf Park, Guidelines for some important guidelines. I think breeders of wolfdogs should "screen" the people that want to adopt a little better. Then maybe we won't have full sanctuaries. Breeders need to take on a little more responsibility in who they adopt to... make sure that owner has done the research that is needed, make sure the owner knows about the breed and all it's special needs and make sure they have the proper enclosure. Wolfdogs are becoming more and more popular in this country everyday. Like the wild wolf, these dogs are misunderstood, and man's ignorance is killing them. But yet, it's the man that is creating this wolf hybrid. As the wolf hybrid popularity continues to increase as pets, shelters are being faced with animals that can not be put up for adoption. The general public is not equipped to handle these "special needs" dogs. Wildlife advocates fear that recovering wolf populations may be threatened by free ranging hybrids through genetic pollution, or indirectly affected by negative media publicity when a "pet" wolf hybrid injures or kills a child or another pet. 
Wolf rescue organizations are being called daily to take in a wolf hybrid, with most having to turn them down due to
being full already. Then the person is forced to take their wolf hybrid to the shelter where it will be euthanized.
This person thought they wanted a wolf hybrid, then realized they couldn't handle it because you can't remove the wild
out of the wolf.If you feel you must own a wolf hybrid, you are making a 10-17+ year commitment. The responsibility of a wolf hybrid should not be taken lightly, they can be very destructive. You need to research these animals and find out everything there is to know about them and caring for them. You need to know about the animal's needs, the enclosure requirements and all safety issues that may be involved. Don't simply go out and buy a pup because it's a cool thing to do. Research first. Learn about the wolf and wolf hybrid in all its aspects. They need to be socialized and trained... as an ongoing process. You may be able to train a wolf hybrid, but you can't take their natural instincts out of them. Do not train a wolf hybrid with force or fear... that is the wrong way to train the wolf hybrid... they simply need positive methods and encouragement. Identification between pure breed wolf and wolf hybrid (wolfdogs) 
Pure Breed Wolf: The head is larger and more massive. The markings on the face are blended more, and
they have lots of fur in their ears, which are round. They have yellow/golden eyes. There is fur coming out between
the pads of the foot. The pads are not rounded and there's more space between pads. Toenails and pads are black.
Their nose is always black.Wolf Hybrid: The head is somewhat smaller than the wolf. The ears are larger and more pointy with less fur in them. The markings on the face are more distinctive and not blending as much. If the dog is older and is still very black, it's not a pure breed wolf. Wolves lose their black pigment with age. They usually do not have fur protruding between the pads on the paws, except for malamutes. The pads on the paws are rounded and close together. Toenails are marked with white or pink, not black like the wolf. Their nose has pink on it. Some wolfdogs can have black nails and noses. It is difficult to sometimes identify a wolfdog to a pure breed wolf. Some high content wolfdogs can look very much like a pure breed wolf. Dangerous? The wolf hybrid has been shown in a negative eye by the press. The public is given the impression that these animals are dangerous, mean and unpredictable. Sure, some hybrids might be dangerous... but that is because their owners did not or do not socialize them or train them correctly. They do not care for the animal's special needs. BUT, if in the right ownership of someone that is giving the correct socialization and training and caring for it in all aspects of it's special needs, the wolf hybrid can be a very loving and good "pet". But unfortunately, the media only tells us the bad, not the good. And, unfortunately most wolf hybrid owners simply do not know what they are getting into and end up not caring for the animal the way it needs to be cared for. Contributions By Deborah at The Sanctum Wolf Hybrid Links 
Wild Spirit Wolf SanctuaryWolfsong Ranch Foundation The Sanctum Wolf and Wolf Dog Rescue page WolfTown Mission Wolf Dogs In Action Association of Pet Dog Trainers Full Moon Farm Indigo Mountain Nature Center Never Cry Wolf Rescue White Hawk Wolf State Regulations Wolf Hybrid Breeders Regulations Howler Hybrid Wolf The Wolf Dunn United States American Wolfdog Association Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center Wolf Song National Wolfdog Alliance Wolf An Overview of a Controversial Animal Rudelhaus Publishing The Wolf Station SoloWolf's Page Ask yourself "WHY?" Some of the above information is from Wolf Park | Photos copyright © Monty Sloan / Wolf Park |