From: jegm@cody.esd.sgi.com (Jim Morris)
Subject: Re: response to rec.pets.dogs FAQ
Reply-To: jegm@esd.sgi.com
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Distribution: alt
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 92 20:14:24 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.173930.6258@newshost.lanl.gov>, srlee@beta.lanl.gov (Stephen R Lee) writes:
|> 
|> I disagree.  I think the warning is fine the way it is.  They are a bad idea.  

Why are they a bad idea? I'm curious to know your reasons for this statement.

|> Leave the wolves in the wild (or, to be more correct, *return* wolves to the
|> wild, don't place them in backyards).
|> 

I agree totally about the wolves.
But why ban Wolf-Hybrids, they are just another breed of dog.

|> 
|> I maintain that wolf hybrids are a bad idea.  I'm not trying to be insulting,
|> it is just how I feel.  Dogs have been domesticated for a long, long time.
|> I fail to see the rationale behind trying to put a wild animal, or some 
|> higher "proportion" of a wild animal in our backyards.  Does'nt this strike
|> anyone as just a little cruel?  Instead of this, why not help out the many

To take your argument a little further, if we never cross-bred wolves in
the first place we wouldn't have Domestic Dogs today. I see nothing wrong with breeding a "better" dog. (Better being completely in the eye of the beholder)

And yes putting any dog in the backyard could be considered cruel, unless
it had some companionship, or you spend some time with it. Just leaving
it there would be a travesty, but then no-one is suggesting that is what you
do with your WH.

|> efforts around the country that are trying to re-introduce the wolf into
|> the wild?  There are several attempts underway right now, the mexican wolf
|> to Big Bend and the grey wolf to Yellowstone are just a couple efforts that
|> spring to mind.  The public has a very narrow minded view of wolves, and
|> *every time* a wolf-hybrid injures someone, it sets back wolf re-introduction
|> efforts, because it re-inforces the public's negative images of wolves.  In
|> addition, the public cannot tell the difference between a WH and an Alaskan
|> Malamute or a Siberian Husky or a few other dogs, and as incidents between
|> WH and humans rise (and I guarantee they will), they have a negative impact on 
|> these breeds as well.  I think that it is far better to get the wolf back in 
|> the wild where it belongs, and stop trying to get it in our backyards.

On the other hand it is amazing what a "Good" WH can do for public awareness.
I have read many accounts (In Wolf Hybrid Times) about owners taking their
WH's to schools and public events, and having people see what a loving animal
they can be. This is one way that the WH can be an ambassador for the real 
wolves. If the public is educated they won't confuse WH's with Wolves, or
with Malamutes or Siberian huskys.

And again *WE* are not trying to put the wolves in our backyards, *WE* are just
trying to KEEP, what we consider, a superior breed of dog that make excellent
companions. Also (the Royal) *WE* also tend to make far more donations to the
various wolf organizations than other dog owners.

Your views a very welcome, and I enjoy the opportunity to try to convince
you that WH's make *excellent* companions. Have you tried sledding with a
WH, I am told they make good sled Dogs!!

-- 
Jim Morris, Email: jegm@esd.sgi.com  Voice: (415) 390-5136
Newsgroups: alt.wolves,rec.pets.dogs