Learn about wolfdogs

Wolfdog education

Yamnuska and wolfdog education

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary currently has 43 permanent wolfdogs, split into 17 different packs. Our wolfdog ambassadors are the wolfdogs that take front and centre stage at events and Sanctuary interactions to help educate the public about their unique nature and the importance of wolf conservation.

The background of wolfdogs

Wolfdogs are the result of people intentionally breeding them. Today, they typically come to be when a wolfdog is bred with another wolfdog or dog, and doesn’t usually involve a pure wolf parent. They are usually bred by backyard breeders as exotic pets in order to make a profit. However, there are a very limited number of breeders who breed them to 'better' the breed and produce an offspring with very particular physical and behavioural characteristics. 

Wolfdog traits can vary dramatically between individual wolfdogs due to the degree of wolf content bred into the animal, the dog breeds bred into the animal, and the kind of socialization the animal received at a young age. Typical wolfdog characteristics, of varying degrees are: fearfulness of humans, high prey drive, high energy, territorial, destructive, extremely independent, and being escape artists.

The wolfdog:wolf relationship

Since wolfdogs are animals that are intentionally bred as exotic pets, there isn’t a need for the conservation of them, rather there’s a huge need around awareness and responsible wolfdog ownership. 

Wolves however do require conservation efforts as they are hunted, culled and generally misunderstood as being something they are not – dangerous and aggressive. We would be remiss to advocate for wolfdog education and protection and not do the same for their wolf counterparts.

More on wolvesMore on wolfdogs

Why Wolf conservation is important

Can wolves and livestock farmers co-exist?

Are wolves responsible for the decline in the caribou population?

Do wolves kill for sport or fun?

Are wolves dangerous?

What role do wolves play in an ecosystem?

The Yamnuska wolfdogs 

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary currently has 43 wolfdogs and any number of wolfdogs available for adoption. Our wolfdog ambassadors are the wolfdogs that take front and centre stage at events and Sanctuary interactions to help educate the public about their unique nature and the importance of wolf conservation.

Meet our wolfdogs