Mexican Gray Wolf and Red Wolf
Mexican Gray Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi - left) and Red Wolf (Canis rufus - right)
Both of these species of wolves have been considered critically endangered for a long time. They are federally protected and prohibited from private ownership—including any form of hybridization/wolfdogs, selling or breeding—under the Endangered Species Act. In simple terms, it is highly ILLEGAL to possess, let alone breed and sell any Mexican gray, red wolf or cross/hybrid/wolfdog of these animals. Is it possible that prior to their critically endangered status, there were a few licensed breeders/private owners? Yes, but considering how unlikely and how long ago that would be, any trace of that lineage would be minuscule. Any breeder or owner claiming to have Mexican wolf or red wolf in their lineage, especially if they are claiming a pure parent or a significant percentage, are lying and/or breaking quite a few federal laws.
Both the Mexican gray wolf and the red wolf have very distinct looks. Mexican grays are usually smaller than most North American subspecies, running about 70lbs and 28–30 inches at the shoulder. They have a darker grizzled coloration with a lot of banded browns and blacks as well as notably larger and more rounded ears. The red wolf looks very similar to a coyote overall, but they are slightly larger than a coyote, running closer to 50–60lbs and about 26–27 inches at the shoulder. Their coat is well-blended, consisting of different shades of brown, gray and black with a distinct red tint.