Wolves in dogs' clothing

I wrote a long letter to the reporter, outlining all the inconsistencies between what the woman said, and what the man said. There are many errors. I wish to drive the point home that USDA - APHIS considers wolfdogs DOMESTIC ANIMALS - as evidenced here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/manuals/dealer/exemptions.pdf Also, wolves and wolfdogs can be trained, as evidenced here: http://vimeo.com/13348015 - one of these animals featured is a rescue of Full Moon Farm that was placed with the Gentle Jungle. Mr. Knight got his license as a facility AFTER having animals seized by FWC. Check the records for July and August, 2006. There is a lot of GOOD , TRUTHFUL information out there for the looking. Start with www.floridalupine.org. Nancy Brown www.fullmoonfarm.org

John Knight does have lots of knowledge about these animals. His energy is spent on providing them with natural habitats with three story platforms, reinforced dens and proper nutrition so that they may live their lives in a happy, healthy environment instead of chained to a tree. So what if he uses the term "hybrid". That was a term that was accepted for many years. It was the accepted term when John and Debra first fell in love with and go their first animals many years ago. Instead of worrying about "pheno typing", classifying and all the other egotistical BS that's out there in the wolf dog world, he made his focus the animals and their well being. He recognizes that each animal is an individual and that it is easier to reason with these intelligent creatures than to train them. Once again, people, it would be nice to lend a hand to someone that is trying to help these animals instead of pointing all those self righteous fingers.

The news anchor said "they're called wild for a reason" and then mentioned people breeding them, then you go footage of a malamute mix and what looks like a white shepherd mix - if it was such a slow news day that you could do this story, one would think you could also take the time do do some research before you put it on the air. John at Big Oak says these 'hybrids' are wild and can't be trained? Looks like he just keeps them contained and fed (not that they're not happy and healthy) but you have to spend time with them, and yes, they can be trained to keep from jumping and putting those 'retractable claws' (WHAT??) into you. I hope that this story gets a second shot, after talking to someone at FL Lupine or FMF. I hope Raven not only finds good homes for her misrepresented dogs, but that she uses some of the money she (hopefully) makes to get hers spayed and neutered and some decent containment so that male doesn't have to stay on that horrible chain. To Murphette88 - from what I have read here, the majority of posters know more than the people who were involved with the story, as many are wolfdog owners and speak from experience.

to kreig and misscleo, if John knows so much about wolves and wolfdogs, why is it that he can't even properly phenotype non-wolfdogs? Why can't he use the term that has been declared as the taxonomical classification of dogs crossed with wolves as wolfdogs? the one that was established as the correct name in 1993. Test the teory of an "Oops" litter, offer to pay for the spaying of the female for a reduction of the price. I mean we ALL know she'd never accept that deal even if you offered to pay for the full vet procedure and only took 100 bucks off the "asking price". What happened to actual reporting? Checking your references, getting several if possible, representing BOTH sides of a story and the most important, a catchy line or hook to the story. This story screams "lazy attempt at news filler"

The dogs can be trained the problem is they play very very rough. You have to understand that. Additionally if they get angry they are going to revert to instincts. This more about getting rid of animals under the snake problem than actually addressing that issssue, pun intended. I bet if you walked into snake shops all over Fla you could still get pythons that grow into excess of 18 ft. Everyone is using that issue to pass laws against other pets.

I have never seen so many know it alls in my life.

Wolfdogs can be a serious problem for idiots who have no idea what to do with them. John Knight will tell you that he does not know everything there is to know about them, but he does provide a safe forever home for many full blooded wolves and wolf dogs. The animals at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary are certainly in better shape than when they came to live there.

Where the hell is the wolf in these DOGS??? o.O

The animals that your source had are NOT Wolfdogs, the male is a Malamute mix and the female a German Shepherd Mix. This woman is grossly misrepresenting them, and obviously because of the condition and housing of the animals, she should be instead of interviewed by you, instead should be investigated by animal control for cruel confinement and inadequate shelter. You put no effort into finding good quality sources for proper information. Go to the Florida Lupine Association, to Full Moon Farms in NC (Nancy will happily phone interview with you), with Wolfdog Alliance (an informational and rescue organization with members nationwide including Florida), etc. Instead you got John Knight, who actually said on camera that wolves have retractable claws. No, cats do. This is an expert? And the bloody nose from "kisses"? A LAB will do that if you don't train them not to jump. My RESCUED Wolfdog regularly goes out in public with us and is well mannered. He is shy of strangers, but otherwise friendly, safe around people and animals, and is a housepet. Why couldn't you find people like me and not that disreputable and uneducated backyard breeder. You unfairly slanted the information because of lack of proper journalism and instead opted to go with sensationalism. SHAME ON YOU.

John does an amazing job at Big Oak. His animals lead a SAFE, enriched life and he gives them everything! As the readers and viewers can see by the comments made, sadly, the wolf dog rescue world can be more vicious then any wolf ever will be. Its about education, and respect. If someone uses the term hybrid, help to teach that it is an old term that is misused. The even sadder thing is that the puppies which were stated to be wolf mix, by looks of their parents are nothing more then mislabeled overpriced dogs from another backyard breeder.