Wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and dogs all belong to the Canidae family. It is believed that dogs evolved from wolves when the wolves threw in their lot with the humans during the last ice age. Wolves and humans had a lot in common back then. We both hunted in packs and lived in family groups. Bothe species slowly realized that a grudging alliance will benefit both in the long run. Thousands of years passed and this grudging alliance turned into wholehearted cooperation. The descendants of the wild wolves gradually lost their wild ways and integrated themselves into human society. It could also be that the early humans adopted a wild wolf pup simply because it was warm, furry, and cute as dickens. It was only later that they found out how intelligent, loyal, and useful companions they could be.
These days, when you look at a Chihuahua, you’d never be able to guess it was descended from the magnificent wolf. Heck, if you didn’t already know that Great Danes and Chow chows are both dogs, you’d have a difficult time believing that they belong to the same species. Nowadays, instead of wolves hunting down humans, it is they who are facing extinction at our hands. One way to save the species would be to take them in as pets. This endeavor should not be entered into lightly, as a full-grown wolf have radically different needs from your domesticated dog.
For one thing, they need a bigger living space. One thousand eight hundred square feet per pet wolf should be adequate. Take note that all this space is just for one pet wolf. Wild wolves live in packs and the ones raised and living in captivity should also live in groups of three or more. Living with their own kind will make them more comfortable as well as less prone to stress. Your potential pet wolf will need all this space to exercise and socialize in. Putting a wild animal in a cage has been known to produce psychosis, irritability, and violent behavior.
The other thing you should know if you plan to have a pet wolf is that they’re primarily carnivores. In the wild, they will resort to eating fruit, roots, and nuts during the winter when nothing else is available, but in captivity, your pet wolf will require a steady diet of fresh red meat. You should leave the bones in during feeding time. Wolves have much powerful jaws than dogs and they are capable not only of crushing the smaller ones, but digesting them as well.
The most important thing you need to know about keeping a pet wolf is that you have to establish yourself as the alpha of the pack. If your pet wolf does not recognize you dominance in what it consider its pack, its tendency would be to take over the alpha role and refuse to obey your commands. This will be a problem especially when you’re trying to tell your pet wolf not to bite the neighbor’s leg. Establishing yourself as the alpha can easily be achieved through consistent training.
