Instructions
Review your state laws regarding wolf dogs. You can find a list of the laws in all 50 states on the National Wolfdog Alliance website.
Check with your county, town and village government for local ordinances. Even if your state allows wolf dogs, local ordinances may prevent you from owning any.
Apply for a permit if required. Some states require you to receive permission from the Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before you can own a wolf dog.
Follow local ordinances related to your wolf dog. Some municipalities require certain fencing or pens for the wolf dogs.
Schedule a veterinarian appointment for your wolf dog. Although the USDA does not recognize the rabies vaccination for wolf dogs, no research suggests that the rabies vaccination is not effective for wolf dogs.
License your wolf dog just as you would a domestic dog, through the animal services department in your county. You will need to fill out the paperwork, pay a fee and show proof of the rabies vaccination.
How to License a Wolf Dog
Wolf dogs, also known as wolf hybrids, are domestic dog breeds that have a recent wolf heritage. To be classified as a wolf dog, it must have a pure wolf ancestor within the last five generations. The appearance and behavior of wolf dogs vary drastically depending on the percentage of wolf in the dog. Many states and local towns have banned wolf dogs because there is no USDA-approved rabies vaccine for wolves and wolf dogs, even though most veterinarians agree that the standard rabies vaccine is also effective on wolf dogs.