10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Wolamute
The Wolamute is a cross between a gray wolf and an Alaskan Malamute. The result is a dog-wolf hybrid that that can show enormous variation in not just its physical characteristics but also its personality traits. With that said, while the Wolamute is a dog best entrusted to dog owners who know what they are doing, it is perfectly capable of being friendly and affectionate towards its family members. Something that should come as welcome news to those who have been charmed by the breed’s impressive appearance. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about the Wolamute:
1. It Is a Wolfdog
The Wolamute is what is called a wolfdog, which is exactly what it sounds like in that it indicates the product of a union between a domestic dog and one of a number of species of wolf that can be found out there. Such unions can happen in nature, but it is not uncommon for humans to breed dogs with humans for the purpose of creating something more robust.
2. Bred from the Gray Wolf
Wolfdogs can be bred from gray wolves, eastern wolves, red wolves, and Ethiopian wolves. In the case of the Wolamute, it is bred from the gray wolf, which is sometimes called either the timber wolf or the western wolf. For a lot of people, chances are good that gray wolves are the animals that come to mind when “wolf” is mentioned, seeing as how they are not just one of the most studied wolf species but one of the most studied species, period.
3. Bred from the Alaskan Malamute
On the other side, the Wolamute is bred from the Alaskan Malamute, which is related to a number of other breeds found in the Arctic. In fact, it is interesting to note that genetic studies have established that the Alaskan Malamute has relatives over in Siberia, which makes a fair amount of sense considering their ultimate origins.
4. Not Guaranteed to Be a 50/50 Mix
Like most mixes, the Wolamute isn’t guaranteed to be a 50/50 mix. This is particularly important in its case because while dogs and wolves are close enough to have fertile offspring, there is nonetheless a vast difference between them. As a result, there can be huge differences in how a Wolamute behaves depending on the exact degree of gray wolf descent that it possesses.
5. Owners Need to Understand Natural Instincts
Dog owners should always do their best to understand the natural instincts of their dogs, which should provide them with a better idea of how their dogs think as well as how to get their dogs to do what they want. However, this is particularly important when it comes to the Wolamute because their gray wolf descent makes them less dog-like than most dogs out there.
6. Not Good with Kids
The Wolamute can be friendly with its owner. However, it shouldn’t be left alone with children for the simple reason that it can possess the hunting instincts of its gray wolf ancestors. Suffice to say that most predators tend to go after the most vulnerable targets because that provides them with the best chances of success.
7. Not Good Guard Dogs
Generally speaking, the Wolamute is not friendly towards strangers. Furthermore, it tends to be territorial as well, which can cause issues with other pets. However, this doesn’t mean that the Wolamute will make a good guard dog, seeing as how it won’t alert its owner to the presence of strangers.
8. Might Dig and Chew
When left alone on their own for too long, it is not unknown for the Wolamute to exhibit problematic behaviors such as digging and chewing. Fortunately, this can be remedied by making sure that the Wolamute gets plenty of physical as well as mental stimulation, which should help keep it in a happy, satisfied state.
9. Generally Healthy
Generally speaking, the Wolamute is a healthy animal. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how one of the most common reasons that people crossbreed dogs with wolves is to create healthier and more robust wolfdogs. However, this doesn’t mean a Wolamute owner can get complacent about the health of their pet, which is why they still need to make regular visits to the veterinarian.
10. Surprisingly Adaptable Climate-Wise
Since the Alaskan Malamute comes from the Arctic, some people might expect the Wolamute to do its best in colder climates. This isn’t wholly inaccurate, but it is important to note that the Wolamute is perfectly capable of doing well in warmer climates as well because it is quite adaptable.
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