After 22 years of breeding and showing GSDs internationally, and 35 years of training obedience, protection, and rehabilitation of problem animals, I now own wolfdogs and if I were not medically retired I would probably breed them. A standard is only a collection of generally agreed upon goals subject to the interpretation of the individual breeder and as such, results in a wide variety of types, to the point where the more famous kennels can be recognized in the look of their animals.
As late as the early 1900s Shih ztus in the imperial court were bred back to Pekinese to regain desired type as they were becoming more and more Lhasa-looking. So I suppose a breed thousands of years old is only a mixed breed too. All dogs are mixed breeds, period. They were molded by someone's vision of what they wanted in a dog, other people wanted the same thing and, lo, a breed was born. More breeds are being recognized all the time as breeds, but they started out as mixed breeds according to someone's vision--should we govern their right to do so? Next there will be laws saying you can't mix an angus with a limousin to produce a better quality beef animal. This is what breeding is all about, breeding what YOU think will result in a better animal. If you are doing for big bucks, and fame, you are in it for the wrong reasons, period.
There is a great deal of records being kept on hips, and health by all the official agencies. Reputable breeders in wolfdogs guarantee the same things reputable breeders of other dogs do. The guarantee on wolfdogs signed by breeders is better than the one written for Shepherd breeders who sign the parent club Code of Ethics. I know, I've seen both, my own guarantee for shepherds was more extensive than the parent club guarantee and the wolfdog guarantee is very close to mine.
Yes, there is a lot of rescue going on, for all breeds everywhere. I know, I do problem breed rescue, taking in all the breeds other places routinely put down. We keep them, temperament test them, rehabilitate them if they have aggressive tendencies and try to match them up with the appropriate homes. I only have three wolfdogs (I have had pure wolves in the past) and there are approximately 15 other problem breeds here. I have never encountered any problem in wolfdogs that I didn't see in spades in other breeds first. I have never seen the aggression problems in wolfdogs that I have seen in other breeds and my knowledge is extensive. I only teach from personal experience, not from what I read on well-constructed web pages, paid for by agencies with hidden agendas.
I have a major in psychology and microbiology, and a minor in sociology, genetics, and nutrition, not to mention the 35 years as a trainer. I have over 35 years in kennel management, have helped found two humane societies and split from both over differences as to how many animals and breeds were to be saved. I don't routinely put down any animal because it comes from a breed known for unpredictability. My son was raised with protection dogs and a pit bull that I rescued that was one of the smartest, gentlest and most reliable dogs I ever owned. I never took a chance with my son's life with any dogs, yet he routinely went everywhere with her and she saved his life on more that one occasion. I put animals through intense temperament testing before deciding how trustworthy they are, and I have the scars to prove it. I put my life on the line every time I work a big rescue, because I am handicapped and sometimes in a wheelchair. I have never once been perceived as "vulnerable" or "prey" by my wolfdogs. My male even braces himself against me so I can get up easier. I Didn't teach him that, he just does it on his own. He was pack-raised without human contact till he was 10 months old and is fine in the house with my shih ztus and small dogs. Oh, he IS a 98% first-generation arctic wolfdog, and I am qualified to make that distinction since I have seen all the animals in question.
Although low-budget producers do often use mals and shepherds to portray wolves in movies, most top producers use wolfdogs now as they feel the realism of their work is compromised on other levels if they are seen using dogs to portray wolves. I know, because we also have animals available for film work. "Dances with Wolves", "The Phantom", "White Fang", "White Fang 2", and many other movies come to mind where wolves and wolfdogs were used.
Remember, no matter what breed of dog you own, it is still a mixed breed somewhere back down the line. If the government tried to outlaw your breed as being dangerous, I'm sure you would be appalled at such high-handedness. You see, we are not talking about the danger of a specific breed, but the danger of a government out of control and taking away all of our individual freedoms. There is enough dangerous dog legislation on the books to handle any problem dog if it were enforced. The problem is not with any individual breed but with irresponsible owners of ANY breed.
Sincerely,
drgnwlf