A Dire Choice
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, Dec. 30, 2024
Imagine the scenario below.
You’ve just brought home your dream dog.
His soft paws click on the floor.
His happy tail thumps against your leg.
His warm eyes light up each time he sees you.
This is what you’ve always wanted—
companionship, loyalty, and love.
But what if this dream slowly unraveled into a nightmare?
What if your dog developed a crippling disease, suddenly lashed out without warning, or chewed their way through your home like a tiny tornado?
What if the breed you chose brought with it a lifetime of heartache and stress instead of joy?
Let’s take a walk down that road for just a moment—not because we want to scare you, but because we want to show you why the American Dirus Dog is the choice that spares you all of this heartbreak.
Because there is a real price to picking the wrong dog.
The Price of Picking the Wrong Dog
1. Degenerative Myelopathy: Watching the Light Fade
You’re throwing a ball for your dog when you notice their back legs seem unsteady. Over time, they lose the ability to run, then walk, and finally even stand. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a devastating condition that leaves your beloved dog paralyzed. Caring for them becomes a full-time job—lifting them into a cart, helping them to potty, and witnessing the spark in their eyes dim.
Luckily, American Dirus dogs are free from this crippling disease.
2. Screams of Pain: Chiari-Like Malformation
For Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lovers, this is a grim reality. Picture your sweet pup crying out in pain because their skull is pressing against their brain. You’re rushing to a neurologist, facing bills for MRIs and surgery, while your dog’s world is consumed by agony.
Luckily, American Dirus dogs do not have skulls specifically bred to be smaller than their brain capacity.
3. The Fear of Rage Syndrome
Cocker Spaniels are beautiful, but some harbor a dark secret: rage syndrome. One moment, your dog is loving and calm. The next, they’re snapping without warning. How would you feel living in constant fear, unsure if your dog might harm you, your children, or your other pets?
Luckily, American Dirus dogs are bred with genetically inherited companion dog temperament in the forefront - above looks.
4. The Nightmare of High Prey Drive
You’re walking your dog when a squirrel darts across the street. Before you can blink, you’re yanked off your feet, dragged into traffic, and left struggling to regain control. High-prey-drive dogs make even the simplest outings an exhausting challenge.
Luckily, American Dirus dogs are bred as gentle, mellow companion dogs with low prey drives.
5. Cancer: The Thief of Time
Large breeds like Golden Retrievers and Great Danes often face cancer early in life. Imagine celebrating your dog’s third birthday, only to find a tumor that takes them before they reach five. The heartbreak of losing them so soon is almost unbearable.
Luckily, the Dire Wolf Project tracks all reported health issues in the breed, and have done so going all the way back to the beginning of the breed, so you can see exactly what health issues we’ve been dealing with and how prominent it is.
6. Struggles to Breathe: Brachycephalic Breeds
Bulldogs and Pugs are adorable, but their flat faces can make breathing a chore. You hear your dog snorting and gasping for air after a short walk, and surgery becomes the only way to ease their suffering. Even then, they’ll never truly breathe freely.
Luckily, Dire Wolf Project breeders understand that breeding for extreme looks to fit some fanciful unnatural ideal goes against everything we stand for.
7. Hip Dysplasia: Pain with Every Step
Your dog hesitates to jump on the couch, then to climb stairs, and finally, even to walk. Hip dysplasia is a thief, robbing your dog of their mobility and leaving you with the heartbreaking task of deciding whether to pursue expensive surgery or manage their pain with medication.
Luckily, American Dirus dogs have only experienced this crippling disease in very rare instances, less than 1% over the last 10 years.
8. Destruction and Chaos
You come home to find your couch shredded, your backyard resembling a cratered battlefield, and your neighbors furious from constant barking.
High-energy dogs without proper outlets for their instincts can wreak havoc on your home—and your sanity.
Luckily, American Dirus dogs are bred to be calm and gentle. Every puppy is formally tested using our standardized genetic temperament testing protocol at birth and again at 2.5 weeks old.
It’s true that not every dog will face these challenges.
There are countless healthy, loving dogs in the world.
No one breed, and no single breeder, can guarantee that every dog will be completely free from health issues.
Life is unpredictable, and even the best intentions can’t shield us from every possibility.
However, there is something you can do to minimize the risk.
When you choose an American Dirus Dog, you’re choosing a breed uniquely designed to prioritize health and temperament above all else.
The Dire Wolf Project offers something no other breeder or breed can:
1. A 100% Lifetime Genetic Health Guarantee
We DNA test every single puppy born into our breed. This isn’t just a promise—it’s our commitment to transparency and trust. By testing for genetic diseases and maintaining a diverse gene pool through our Strongbred™ Breeding Concept, we’ve created a breed with unparalleled health and vitality.
2. Perfect Pairing: The Right Puppy for the Right Family
We take the time to get to know you and your family. Our goal is to match each puppy with the perfect home, ensuring a lifelong bond based on compatibility, trust, and love. When you adopt an American Dirus Dog, you gain not only a companion but also a partner in us. We’re here to guide you, answer your questions, and celebrate your journey together.
3. Peace of Mind Like Nowhere Else
While no dog can come with a 100% guarantee of a perfect life, the American Dirus Dog comes as close as possible. Our breed avoids extreme looks that harm health, opting instead for natural beauty and a focus on temperament.
American Dirus Dogs are gentle giants, calm and intuitive, with hearts full of love and loyalty. They don’t destroy your home, bark incessantly, or create chaos in your life. They bring balance, joy, and companionship without the baggage of extreme health or behavioral issues.
This Is Your Chance to Get It Right!
Your dog is more than a pet—it’s a family member, a confidant, and a source of unconditional love.
With the American Dirus Dog, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve made the best choice for your family and your future.
Why risk the heartbreak of unknown health issues or unpredictable behavior when you can choose a breed built for health, temperament, and love?
Don’t wait.
Visit our Puppies for Sale page today and find your perfect companion.
Your dream dog is waiting.
And I am ready to help you find the perfect one.
https://direwolfdogs.com/dogs-for-sale/puppies/
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Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.