Subpacks
Subpacks are smaller packs inside a large pack. In terms of evolution, they were created to essentially divide and conquer.
In modern times, subpacks are very common in large packs that have over 50 people. Typically, subpacks range from 3-10 people. They form for a multitude of reason including but not limited to:
creating a stronger bond between pack mates that spend more time together.
If part of the pack moves away from the pack’s primary location.
Allowing the pack leader to more easily keep track of their pack and organize them.
If some members of the large pack want to distance themselves from the main pack but still be apart of it. (For example, if a small town is an entire pack, it may be less stressful to have a few strong pack bonds and very loose, barely noticeable ones to the rest of the pack.)
Split responsibilities.
Although there are many positive aspects of subpacks, there are negative ones as well including:
Infighting
Isolation that leads to bond breaking from the large pack.
Jealousy
Resource guarding from their non-subpack pack mates.
Subpacks must be petitioned to and approved by the pack leader. The pack leader does not always say yes, especially if they think it will hurt the overall pack. Getting a subpack approved can take days to weeks depending on the pack leader’s methods of approval. Some just require meetings with each individual or the group petitioning to be in the subpack, others give the subpack a trial run to not only make sure it is a healthy, beneficial change for the members of the subpack but to see how it will affect the greater pack as well. Pack leaders almost never allow the subpack to pick their own pack lead and make that decision themselves.
Subpacks can also be disbanded if the pack leader deems it doing more harm than good to the greater pack or if the subpack themselves want to integrate fully back into the greater pack. For example, if a subpack that moved away, moves back to the greater pack, they may disband.
Subpack terminology:
Pack Lead: The pack leader of the subpack. Often just referred to as “lead” unlike pack leader, which is rarely shortened.
Heart pack: Used by subpack members to fondly refer to their subpack.
Greater pack: Use to refer to the pack the subpack belongs to.
Packling: Used to describe a subpack mate. Packling is informal and not typically used when speaking about subpack members to others though may be used among the subpack themselves.
Note: Packling has a double meaning, one to refer to subpack mates and the other to refer to pups in a pack that grew up together but are not biologically related.
Root, Great: Used to describe a greater pack member. Not all packs use a specific term for it, some just say “greater pack mates."
