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Wolador |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Europe <> Canada -> U.S.A. and Canada | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
| The possession of this animal is not authorized Royal Decree establishing the list of mammals not kept for production purposes that may be kept (M.B. 24.08.2009) |
A brief presentation of the Wolador |
| The Wolador, also known as Wolfador, is a mixed-breed dog that offers an interesting alternative to those looking for a uniquely designed breed mix. It is not a purebred dog and is not recognized as an official traditional breed, but it is recognized as a hybrid breed by design. The Wolador is a hybrid of an Eastern Wolfhound and a Labrador Retriever. The legality of hybrids like the Wolador mix is a major issue. In some states, it is illegal to keep wolf-dog hybrids as pets, due to their wild heritage. In others, they are considered dogs and require the same vaccinations, care and restrictions as any other domestic dog. Finally, other states may require owners to purchase a wildlife permit before bringing a wolfhound home. |
History of the Wolador |
| The Wolador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, but it is by another organization. The Dog Registry of America, Inc. has officially recognized the Wolador as a hybrid breed. This unique combination of dog and wolf is an attractive, intelligent dog and is starting to become a desirable breed for some dog owners, but is not for everyone. There are actually two things people often refer to when they talk about the Eastern Wolf or Labrador Wolf. The first is a subspecies of Grey Wolf known as the Labrador Wolf. This wolf takes its name from its place of origin, Labrador, in Canada. As a wild animal, the wolf is not kept as a pet, but is occasionally seen in Canada. However, due to over-hunting in the 20th century, these sightings are rare. The second thing people think of when they say Labrador Wolf is a mix of Labrador Retriever and Wolf. It's a half-domestic, half-wild hybrid that appeals to many pet owners. However, just because a mixed breed looks cool doesn't mean it's right for every household. And, even with the influence of the Labrador, the care requirements of a Wolador mix are too complex for most owners. |
A little of the Gray wolf |
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| The species has evolved over the course of history to differentiate itself into several subspecies such as the common European gray wolf (Canis lupus lupus), the Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) and so on. Canis lupus was also the first animal to be domesticated by man, leading to the appearance of the Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) at least 33,000 years ago, while the wild hordes continued their evolution to become today's gray wolves. From the dog, the subspecies that returned to the wild are the Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) and the Song Dog (Canis lupus hallstromi). | ||
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| Presentation of the Gray wolf |
A little of the Labrador Retriever |
| The Labrador Retriever easily ranks among the world's most popular breeds, thanks in large part to its general versatility and good-natured temperament. Its history can be traced back to the St. John's dog, a breed refined in Newfoundland, Canada, where British, Portuguese and Irish fishermen often traded their goods as early as the 16th century. As their early functions indicate, these dogs were bred to love water and have waterproof coats, and they still retain these useful characteristics today. In the early 19th century, the dogs were exported to England with fishermen's catches, and it was there that they received their name, Labrador, from the third Earl of Malmesbury, after the Labrador Sea, where they thrived. Over time, they have also been used as companion and family dogs, but remain one of the most popular breeds with the police and military, as well as a service dog, thanks to their high intelligence and obedience. |
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| Standard of the Labrador Retriever |
Appearance of the Wolador |
| This cross combines the popular Labrador Retriever breed with a Wolf. Five wolf subspecies are most often used to create these hybrids: the Gray Wolf, the Grey Wolf, the Red Wolf, the Arctic Wolf and the Ethiopian Wolf. The exact appearance of a Wolfador varies according to the wolf used and the parent it favors. If your mix favors its Labrador parent, it will be tall, with a short, dense coat. Labradors have three standard coat colors (black, yellow and chocolate), but with Wolves, this range is much wider. So a Wolador mix can be gray, black, white or any other color. Wolves' coats are generally longer, so your dog can grow up with a wilder, more wolf-like appearance. But all Wolfador crosses will be large adults, with long tails and long, healthy muzzles. Some may favor one parent more than the other, but others may look like a perfect mix between the two. It's very unpredictable, and often you won't know what the puppies will look like until they're born. |
Temperament of the Wolador |
| The temperament of a Wolador from these two breeds is a combination of the temperaments of the Eastern Wolf and the Labrador Retriever, but the precise blend of the two cannot be predicted. The Wolador may behave more like a Wolf, or have the qualities of a Labrador Retriever. As a Wolador is likely to have more Wolf than Labrador traits, new owners need to familiarize themselves with Wolf behaviors and the dangers they can present. This breed may not be suitable for people with young children. Wolf behaviors are not the same as those of domestic dogs. If you're not comfortable with the extra attention required to own a dog that is part wolf, this may not be the right choice for you. Most wolves are gentle if properly socialized from infancy. Wolves tend to stay away from humans, even when puppies are socialized. The Labrador temperament mix makes them generally friendly and happy dogs. If your Wolador has more wolfish tendencies, it may prefer to keep to itself. |
Needs and activities of the Wolador |
| While Labradors are moderate barkers, the wolf in a Wolador tempers any tendency to bark prolifically. Most Woladors bark from time to time, but it's not their usual response. These are not dogs who bark at puppies. They're generally calmer, although it's rare that you'll have a Wolador who likes to hear the sound of his voice. Each dog has its own personality and temperament, but in general, Woladors keep barking to a minimum. Woladors score four out of five on the intelligence scale. They are intelligent dogs who learn quickly. Most of them are therefore easy to train. It's best to start when your Wolador is still a puppy for best results. These dogs respond best to firmness, consistency and positive reinforcement. It's not a good idea to yell at your Wolador or physically punish him, as you risk breaking his spirit and causing him emotional trauma. Use his intelligence to teach him that there are positive rewards for pleasing you, and this will take you far in the training process. Be patient with puppies, as it will pay off in the long run. |
Maintenance of the Wolador |
| Woladors, like their Labrador parent, have short, thick, straight coats that are easy to care for. Their coat is also very dense and water-resistant, protecting them from all kinds of weather, land and water activities. Woladors are easy to care for. They shed very little, if at all, but still need to be brushed and groomed from time to time to keep their coats looking beautiful. Taking care of a dog's nails is always risky if the person doing it is unprepared and not particularly familiar with canine anatomy. In this case, it's best to call in a professional groomer or veterinarian to trim Wolador's nails, leaving uncertain owners enough time to learn how to do it themselves with quality nail clippers. |
English (United Kingdom)