is it ok to keep a wolf as a pet?

[SandEagle]

ok so I love Game of Thrones and saw this picture of Sansa with her direwolf and I was wondering would it be ok to keep a wolf as a pet? I want one, but my real concern is that it may turn on me one day and attempt to go for the jugular. are there domesticated wolfs I can buy? would one rabies shot be enough? can they be declawed, or at least have their ferocious teeth removed or sawed down somehow? would be badass to walk around the park with a wolf. i'd call mine Grey Wind or Nymeria.

 

[IronWing]

It will eat you. Please get one ASAP.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Domesticated wolf = dog

And yes you should find a pack of wolves and steal at least 3 of their young and raise them yourself.

 

[adairusmc]

I have a local customer that has 3 of them in a giant fenced in pen on his property, and he seems to do okay.

He also has two bobcats that just roam around his house that are mostly tame as far as I can tell.

The wolves do not seem overly aggressive or anything, and I have seen him working in the pen with them. I am sure they have that huge 2 acre fenced in pen for a reason though.

Unfortunately we have an invasive species of wolf living wild in the area, and it is too bad more people don't SSS with those. Or maybe they are, and they are actually following the third S.

 

[Nintendesert]

I never watched Game of Thrones, is it a fantasy show like The Hobbit?

 

[IronWing]

Unfortunately we have an invasive species of wolf living wild in the area, and it is too bad more people don't SSS with those. Or maybe they are, and they are actually following the third S.

Where's that?

 

[Meghan54]

First, you'd need to check your state's laws. Many states ban owning exotic or dangerous wildlife, classes of animals in which wolves are typically included.

Second, once you've determined your state actually allows owning a wolf, it usually entails becoming licensed to own exotic animals, another barrel of worms to get through....depending on the state.

Third, you're going to have very good liability insurance. I wouldn't think of owning a wolf without a huge liability policy.

There are dog breeds at least as "intimidating" as wolves and vastly easier to own and train.

 

[SandEagle]

well according to Animal Planet it may be possible to live with a wolf

http://www.animalplanet.com/mammals/living-with-wolves.htm

 

[surfsatwerk]

Wolves yes, dingos no.

 

[Nintendesert]

And according to your wife it's not possible to live with you.

 

[Meghan54]

Here's a link to whether it's even legal in your state....at least a starting point.

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_summary.php


And also remember, just because a state deems it possible to own one doesn't mean your county/city/town also deems it legal.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Wild animals are just that, wild animals. So, no.

 

[nickbits]

no
but i think pets should be limited to things that are kept in cages like fish, hamsters and birds. everything else is a nuisance.

 

[Ken g6]

well according to Animal Planet it may be possible to live with a wolf

http://www.animalplanet.com/mammals/living-with-wolves.htm

You might be able to live with a wolf, but you can't make a wolf live with you. Dogs pay attention to what humans want in a way wolves either can't learn or refuse to learn. So wolves just do their own thing, and domestic wolves might attack anyone who gets in their way - even you!

 

[MixMasterTang]

You need to step your game up and get an ocelot!

 

[nageov3t]

Domesticated wolf = dog

And yes you should find a pack of wolves and steal at least 3 of their young and raise them yourself.

domesticated dogs are a few hundred generations of breeding away from their wolf cousins, though.

I'm sure it's perfectly possible if you raise the wolf from a baby, but I'm not sure I'd ever let my guard down around one (and I'd certainly never leave one alone with a child like I'd do with a dog)

 

[bignateyk]

Wolves and Wolf-dogs make terrible pets, and a huge percentage of them end up euthanized.

If you were to even consider it, I would suggest having at least 5 acres of land with an 8' fence above ground and an additional 2' fence buried underground.

Even with incredible socialization from day 1 most of them end up very destructive and un-trainable.

It's just a terrible idea all around.

They've done studies where they take a wolf pup, a wolf-dog pup, and a regular dog pup and raise them the exact same way from day 1, and the difference is striking.

 

[Fritzo]

"When trying to determine why the pet wolf attacked its owner, authorities found it was because IT'S A WOLF."

 

[bignateyk]

domesticated dogs are a few hundred generations of breeding away from their wolf cousins, though.

I'm sure it's perfectly possible if you raise the wolf from a baby, but I'm not sure I'd ever let my guard down around one (and I'd certainly never leave one alone with a child like I'd do with a dog)

They've shown that even if you take a wolf pup and give it 24/7 human contact from day 1, they still end up very destructive, unpredictable, and untrainable.

There are genetic differences that no amount of socialization and training can overcome.

 

[Sulaco]

ok so I love Game of Thrones and saw this picture of Sansa with her direwolf and I was wondering would it be ok to keep a wolf as a pet? I want one, but my real concern is that it may turn on me one day and attempt to go for the jugular. are there domesticated wolfs I can buy? would one rabies shot be enough? can they be declawed, or at least have their ferocious teeth removed or sawed down somehow? would be badass to walk around the park with a wolf. i'd call mine Grey Wind or Nymeria.

Is this guy really this dumb? Or is this a bad troll attempt? Honest question, I know he's been banned before for being an idiot, but this is like a new level of stupid.

 

[Ventanni]

Wolves can make decent pets, but they are not dogs. They're wolves. Most people don't even fully understand dogs, so trying to keep a wolf as a pet is bound to end in disaster for most people.

Wolves respond to different stimuli, need significantly more space, have higher exercise requirements, and due to their predatory genetic make-up must always be treated with caution. They are not cute, cuddly animals you can watch a movie with. They're wolves, and domesticated wolves see humans as wolves. They need more consistent reminder as to who is pack leader compared to a dog, and may act violently if they determine there's an opportunity to raise themselves in the overall pack totem pole.

Long story short, they are wolves, not dogs. They also tend to be a bit bigger and stronger than most dogs, which makes their feral tendencies much more dangerous.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

It will eat you. Please get one ASAP.

That's just a terrible thing to say. He needs to get more than one ASAP. Preferably a whole pack.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I know someone who has a Timberwolf, the thing is a total people dog. Comes to say hi with tail a wagging.

 

[zinfamous]

"When trying to determine why the pet wolf attacked its owner, authorities found it was because IT'S A WOLF."

 

[smackababy]

Wolves can make decent pets, but they are not dogs. They're wolves. Most people don't even fully understand dogs, so trying to keep a wolf as a pet is bound to end in disaster for most people.

Wolves respond to different stimuli, need significantly more space, have higher exercise requirements, and due to their predatory genetic make-up must always be treated with caution. They are not cute, cuddly animals you can watch a movie with. They're wolves, and domesticated wolves see humans as wolves. They need more consistent reminder as to who is pack leader compared to a dog, and may act violently if they determine there's an opportunity to raise themselves in the overall pack totem pole.

Long story short, they are wolves, not dogs. They also tend to be a bit bigger and stronger than most dogs, which makes their feral tendencies much more dangerous.

Pretty much this. I know someone who raises wolves out in West Texas (he also raises snakes) and they require far more attentiveness than a "normal" dog. If you have never had a dog before, or never had one that as actually well behaved, your wolf will not be a good pet. They will see themselves as the pack leader and that will cause problems.

Also, OP, the "dire wolves" in GoT are I believe a husky bred with a German Shepard. They aren't wolves. You are probably better of getting any of the spitz breeds of dogs and just pretending. Based on your posting history, an actual wolf is a bad idea for you.