There has been much written about some large breeds of dogs being vicious and dangerous. The dog-wolf hybrids have especially been the subject of controversy. Various combinations have been bred as guard-dogs. Due to their training and handling some are very dangerous. Its like having a loaded gun around.
However. I had a dog-wolf hybrid that died recently of a heart attack in his sleep when he was eleven years old. He weighed close to 130 pounds and was the gentlest and most loving dog that I have ever known. His name was "Lupus Magnus" . That is large wolf in Latin. We called him Lupus or Loops for short. His mother was wolf-Rottwieler and and his father's parents were wolf-German Shepherd and wolf-Malamute.
The wolf part of these combinations is family oriented. Wolves in the wild live in families or packs They look out for each other and share in the keeping of the pups in the family. Unlike many other wild animals, they never attack humans. They kill for food but not for fun. Actually, they are timid and run away rather than than confront people.
We kept Lupus with us all the time. He was completely house-broken in a little over a week. He was raised as one of the family. We never struck him or were rough with him. We expressed our displeasure with him when necessary with a loud NO or in more serious cases with DAMN IT LOOPS. He got the message quickly and responded accordingly. You must understand that large dogs like to be treated with dignity. You ask them to do something and do not tell them to do things. It doesn't hurt to say "please" or to say "thank you" when they have done something you asked them to do. Like, "Please get me the flashlight" and "thank you" when he brings it to you.
Lupus was a large and bumptious puppy and was very disruptive to Mrs. Merkel's puppy training class. He wanted to make friends with the other puppies in the class and was hard to hold back. He did learn the basic commands,however, but was slow to react to them. It was hard for him to pay attention. Large dogs like Rottweilers and Malamutes react slowly to commands and you seldom see them in obedience contests. Some of the medium and smaller breeds are more eager to please, react quickly to commands and do well in obedience contests but this response should not be expected of large breeds.
Lupus loved to have company come to the house. He.was particularly pleased when our grand children came to stay with us. He loved them all and they loved him too. He was very gentle and good with them and could be trusted even though one of them might accidentally step on him or hurt him. Little dogs, on the other hand, often have trouble with children because being small, little dogs are more easily hurt. They often snap and can not always be trusted with children.
Generally, very large dogs don't belong in the city. They need a lot of space and places in which they can be taken for a walk. They should never be tied out all day to a dog house with a chain or kept in a 4 by 10 foot cage for long periods of time. Dogs get lonesome and get crazy under these conditions and might bite a child or stranger that approaches them.
It takes a lot of loving to make a good dog! Owning a large dog can be very rewarding if you are situated so that you can take care of him properly. A large fenced in yard in which dogs can play is very helpful. It should be attached to the house so that the dogs can be let out easily. Large heavy breeds will not jump over a 4-foot fence but some medium size dogs might. Small dogs tend to dig under a fence. The fence should be built accordingly.
Lupus was a wonderful companion for eleven years. He was with us day and night. We didn't leave him alone for more than an hour or so. We have two cats and a Shelty dog. They all loved him and he was fond of them too. They were part of his family. There was no jealousy between them. It was amazing to see one of the cats go up to Lupus when he came into the house and lick him on the ear or nose. It has been a pleasure to have them all. We sure miss our big Lupus.
Robert W. Smeaton
Lupus Magnum will always be remembered as a very loving dog by all that knew him. Mr. Smeaton wrote about big dogs so that other people could
understand that proper handling can bring out the best in large dogs and make them more responsive and loveable.
MAY 3, 2002