If there's one thing that all these wolfy studies and wolfy debates prove, it's that people really love the idea of having the wolfiest dog imaginable. So, then, if people really want a wolfy dog, why not just get a domestic wolf, and raise it as a dog?
Well, here's the thing. Similar as they may be, dogs and wolves aren't the same, and frankly, you probably don't want a real wolf as a pet. Again, keep in mind that dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands upon thousands of years, so even if you were to adopt a wolf as a puppy and raise it like a dog, it would exhibit different natural behaviors once it comes of age. As One Green Planet points out, wolves and wolfdog hybrids (i.e., the child of a wolf and, say, a malamute) probably won't have the instinctive desire to please you, much less snuggle on the couch, as opposed to hunting out rabbits and killing them. That's not to say that wolves are mean or vicious. They aren't. But they do communicate differently with dogs, and this can create problems when it comes to human interaction. For instance, according to Gray Wolf Conservation, wolves often greet one another by "hugging" with their mouths: that's fine if you're a wolf, but if you're a human, you might not enjoy your pet wolf "biting" your face. Also, wolves and wolfdogs aren't easily managed or trained, as explained by Kim Miles, VP of the wolfdog advocacy group the Florida Lupine Association. As she puts it, "A dog is like a 12-year-old child, and a wolf is like a 35-year-old man. The dog will generally do what you want it to, but the wolf will do what you want only if he wants to do it himself." Oof.
Another problem? There are no approved rabies vaccines for wolves or wolfdogs. Not good. So if you want a wolfy-looking dog, get an Alaskan malamute (and make sure you've got a big yard for it to run!), but please let real wolves stay wolves.
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