It appears that the recent popularity over new hybrid dog breeds (like Labradoodles) has spawned a more dangerous market for hybrid dog/wolf pups. Animal activists are warning about the potential for attacks. Moreover, the new breeds could still be illegal in some states and may expose owners to strict liability.
In torts, we often discuss the liability associated with the possession of wild animals, particularly wolves (which are popular with many pet owners). State laws not only prohibit such ownership but sometime prohibit half-breeds — animals that are half dog and half wolf.
The hybrids have become the rage in the United Kingdom, which allows ownership if the pups are three generations removed from the wild animal. They sell for £5,000 — creating a serious market for breeders (including some who may not wait for three generations to pass).
They are often cross bred with German shepherds, akitas, malamutes, huskies and other large breeds.
Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today, insists that “[t]o live in a domestic situation with a part-wolf is insane . . . Hybrids are a potential disaster area.”
These owners may find this to be an expense habit in the United States where wild animals are subject to strict liability. Even domesticated animals are held to such a standard if they have known vicious propensities. While many have heard of the “one free bite”rule, it is a bit of a misnomer. You do not get one free bite with a dog if you knew or should have known about its vicious nature or breed.
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“That would mess up Mike’s theory of over compensating by purchasing an expensive car. You could just over compensate by buying a $50,000 wiener. Now that would make for some interesting locker room talk.”
Byron,
you must live in the sticks. Phalangeoplasy is the new Christmas gift of choice in the sophisticated parts of the country. One needs to have both a Phalangeoplasy and a Lamborghini to rate in these parts.
If you drive a Lexus, you’ve missed the nexus.
At every level of human society we seem to want to mess with the natural.
In this case perhaps the troubling legal questions will give some pause, but not all folks will heed.
As for the species we are making extinct every day, there are terrifying scenarios our children will suffer, again because not enough folks will heed.
http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/11/terrified-of-world-my-children-inherit.html
Mike S.,
I was just funna ya.
Buddha,
It is called Phalangeoplasy. It is a Female to Male Sex Change Operation. So yes it is possible.
Byron,
I just read it is possible. No idea on cost, but I’m sure it’s in the exotic super car range. I’m thinking microvascualr surgeons with the gear to do that are neither common nor cheap.
Buddha:
how much is that surgery? So what you are saying is that I could purchase a new penis to compensate for my old one to save money on a Lamborghini which I would have bought to compensate for my old one?
The savings would be tremendous as well as the result.
That would mess up Mike’s theory of over compensating by purchasing an expensive car. You could just over compensate by buying a $50,000 wiener. Now that would make for some interesting locker room talk.
Hey Jack . . .
The Evolution of Racing (from Past to Present)
Foot (Pedius Maximus)
Horse (Holdonimus Maximus)
Drag (Holdonimus Maximus Automata)
Motorcycle (Holdonimus Maximus Dementia)
Rally (Holonimus Maximus Roughus)
F1 (Holdonimus Maximus Maximus)
NASCAR (Holdonimus Redacta Sinister)*
_____
*(Some taxonomists consider the “left hand circuit” an evolutionary deconvergence and a backward or sideways step on the family tree. This is an topic of much debate.)
Mike S:
90 mph for most cars is way too fast. the roads are another story but only for straight stretches such as they have in Texas.
Byron,
Now that you mention it, I’ve never heard of anyone buying a penis to compensate for not having a Lamborghini but I suppose it’s now possible due to advances in microvascular surgical techniques.
AY,
If you are dumb enough, which I know you’re not, to buy a two seater, with no trunk, for $500,000, that can do 200 mph, then to my mind it’s all about your package. I love to drive and I like speed, but where in America does one drive, except a track, at even 125 and not be crazy? I personally would never exceed 90 in any car, although I’ve driven much faster in the days of my stupid youth. There is no car, tire or road that I trust enough to drive extended speeds in the US over 90 mph. As far as drag racing goes if someone buys this turkey car for pickup, been there, done that and it really is the stupidest form of auto racing.
Susan,
No, I was thinking hyenas, but African wild dogs works. I’ve never seen evidence that hyenas can be domesticated. If what you say about them is true, well then, sign me up. I can imagine no better, no more terrifying guard dog than a hyena (even though technically hyenas are not canines but felioformia – more closely related to weasels and civets than dogs). If they are good enough for The Joker, they are good enough for me.
No, no. I kid. That’s one of those ideas that sounds appealing on paper but is probably a disaster waiting to happen. All fun and games until the neighborhood children start vanishing. I’m thinking if hyenas can be domesticated, it takes longer than three generations and anything less than “full tame” on an animal that size and with that bite is intrinsically dangerous. Even tamed they’d be dangerous.
Mike S:
I thought it was because they liked a high performance car.
Actually isnt it the other way around? Compensating for
Mike Spindell,
Some people (mainly men) buy Lamborghini’s to imply that they have big penises,
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Want to see my Lamborghini?
lol, I could not resist. I am not sorry.
Some people (mainly men) buy Lamborghini’s to imply that they have big penises, other people get the same sense from owning a wolf dog. Pathetic and ultimately stupid in both instances.
Animals aren’t status symbols. They have their own life, needs etc. If you take on the responsibility of any dog then you owe them. You need to understand who they are and what environment they need to thrive. If you can’t provide that, don’t get one.
If you have no intention of exercising and training your dog, don’t have one. People seem to think of dogs as toys who can be put away when they’re not interested in being with them. It’s wrong for the dog and you do endanger others by the failure to know both the dog and yourself. Your basic cream puff dog can go crazy if not cared for properly. If you have a wolf/dog then you have to know what you’re doing and have the space for them to live a good life and the training to prevent harm. Don’t have, don’t do!
wolf dogs aren’t so bad, I know a person that has a couple. They are a little different, rather big, but they seem to behave like dogs and no one has been hurt by them.
Susan Simpson,
Dick Cheney to wit…
Buddha, that comparison is pretty unfair to hyenas! Though actually, hyenas are relatively easy to tame. It may be African wild dogs that you’re thinking of — they’ve remain untamed so far.
I took a quick glance at some of the U.S. statutes about wolf-dogs to see how they were defined. In Michigan, at least, anything with a wolf grandparent is a wolf-dog.
I didn’t actually read the UK statute, but if it only requires “three generations from the wild,” that seems a bit nonsensical– for one, that wouldn’t require much wolf content be removed at all, and two, you aren’t actually going to “domesticate” an actual wolf in three generations. Just because you hand raised a wolf’s parents and grandparents doesn’t make it less a wolf.
AY,
That would be because some animals simply cannot be domesticated. I point to hyenas and Cheney as my examples.
Buddha,
I was thinking maybe Dick Cheney with or without a gun would be a worse pet to have that a half breed wolf.
This is not new, merely resurgent. When I was a kid I went to school with a kid from Minnesota via Alaska. His dad had two half-breed wolf-dogs. I will say this: you had to treat them with the same circumspection you would a wild animal. Not fear. No. Never that. They really don’t like that. But you better respect them and express dominance or they are inherently dangerous. The only “pets” worse to own risk wise (IMO) are bears, big cats and primates. Dogs generally see humans as buddies – someone to mooch grub off of and whore out for the occasional big belly rub. Wolves see us as competition. Someone to scavenge off of or kill and eat if we’re weak enough. That’s the difference in wild and domesticated in dogs. (Sorry you snake haters! They are really pretty safe pets of you aren’t a moron about handling them.)