In Tuscon, Arizona a young man responded to a sign advertising a free puppy. He instantly fell in love with the pup’s amber eyes and pointy ears. Only, this wasn’t a regular puppy, this was a wolf dog puppy, a hybrid breed that’s part domesticated dog and part wild wolf.

The story
When the pup, who was named Neo, was first brought home his unusual behavior, such as acting nervous and attaching only to his owner, could be chalked up to typical puppy antics. But as Neo grew bigger, his behaviour grew odder. 

Neo was often left alone in the backyard because his owner was a full-time college student and held a full-time job. Obviously, being too busy for dog ownership is never a good thing. But it’s especially harmful when your new dog is just a puppy - and even more so when your new dog isn’t a dog at all, but a wolf dog. Outside in the backyard, Neo would escape by digging under or jumping over the fence to join the neighbors’ dogs next door.  Even after his owner built a higher fence, Neo managed to chew his way through.  His wolf instinct telling him to find his pack was too strong to control.

At first, Neo’s neighbors were fine with his visits and allowed him to play with their dogs.  But once the visits became a disruptive norm, they decided enough was enough and that it was time to bring Neo to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.  Maureen O’Nell, who was the CEO of the Humane Society at the time, immediately noticed Neo’s odd un-dog like behavior.  She confirmed with the neighbors who brought him in the news they had suspected: Neo was not a dog.  

Wolf Connection
Unfortunately, Neo was unable to stay at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.  O’Nell contacted Wolf Connection, a wolf dog rescue center and sanctuary in California, who agreed to take Neo.  O’Nell called Neo’s owner to explain the situation to him and, in the end, the owner also agreed that sending Neo to Wolf Connection was going to be the best thing for Neo.

At Wolf Connection, Neo was placed in isolation until he could be properly examined by a vet.  But, as was Neo’s forte, he escaped isolation and immediately sought out the pack he had been so desperate to join.  Neo joined the habitat of Wolf Connection’s alpha female, Maya.  That night, he joined the pack in their nightly howl.  Neo was finally home. 

Wolf Connection rehabilitates many dogs like Neo and provides them with a safe space to be the wild animals that they are.  Over the last seven years, Wolf Connection has rescued over 50 wolf dogs. 

Laws on wolf dogs
One of the reasons Maureen O’Nell had to call Wolf Connection instead of housing Neo at the Humane Society is because of the laws in place in Arizona.  Legally, only Native Americans or those with special permits can own wolf dogs.  Across the rest of the United States, wolf dog ownership is under strict regulations or prohibited entirely.

Giulia Cappello, the Lead of Programs at Wolf Connection, believes these laws are a good thing.  She has one thing to say to anyone who seeks out ownership of a wolf dog: check your ego.  Cappello explains that wolf dogs are not an animal that belong in the home.  And despite good intentions, 70% of wolf dogs are euthanized in the United States every year largely due to forced domestication of a breed that is meant to run wild. 

How to spot a wolf dog
If you think you know a dog that might be a wolf dog, there are a number of behavioral characteristics and physical traits to look out for.  Physically, most wolf dogs have amber eyes, a coarse coat of fur and long skinny bodies.  They also have fur inside of their ears and on the entirety of their bellies, black claws, and diamond shaped scent glands on their tails. However, not all wolf dogs will have all of these physical traits. Behaviorally, wolf dogs can be spotted due to their urge to find their pack, just like Neo would escape to play with the neighbors’ dogs, avoidance of other humans outside of their owner, and a disinterest in dog treats, which most domesticated dogs cannot resist.  If you think you’re dealing with a wolf dog, contact your local animal rescue for more information and safe next steps.