Alaskan Shepherd (German Shepherd and Malamute mix)
 What is Alaskan Shepherd? Alaskan Shepherd is a mix between the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute. This is a beautiful dog with an athletic look, highly intelligent, with a thick double coat that allows Alaskan Shepherd to withstand colder weather in comfort. Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd mix dog that received plenty of socialization during puppyhood tends to be friendly towards other dogs. When it comes to attachment, Alaskan Shepherds are loyal to their families and are often very protective. Alaskan Shepherd dogs make great hunting mates. Although German Shepherd and Malamute mix dogs may look intimidating, they rarely bark unless they are triggered by something or someone unfamiliar. Alaskan Shepherds that inherited the protective temperament of the German Shepherd dog make excellent guard dogs and great watchdogs. German Shepherd Malamute mix dogs require proper socialization and training throughout their life to be well behaved family dogs. Alaskan Shepherds are strong dogs that are full of energy and desire to work - this breed is not ideal as a family pet that is happy to stay indoors and relax all day long. Potential owners need to be aware that Alaskan Shepherds are high energy dogs that need exercise and lots of it every single day. If you like to walk for miles with your dog every single day regardless of the weather and have a home with a large fenced yard as well as time and desire to spend with your big dog - then Alaskan Shepherd may be the right dog for you. Potential owners should ideally have experience in handling and training large and dominant dog breeds. Alaskan Shepherd is not recommended for first time dog owners as the dog can be challenging during training, and requires a lot of time on grooming, obedience training, exercising and having a productive life with a job to do that novice dog owners may not be prepared for.
Being a cross between the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute, Alaskan Shepherd has inherited a sturdy personality from the Malamute and the intelligence from the German Shepherd. You can always tell that this is a hardcore dog with its ability to survive in extremely cold environments. Note that Malamute and German Shepherd mix dog is a not a hypoallergenic dog and it might not be suitable for you and your family if you're allergic to dog's fur. Alaskan Shepherds produce an abundant amount of shedding that can be managed with deshedding tools such as the Hertzko deshedding brush.
However, if you desire to own the Alaska Shepherd, brace yourself in getting some extra work as this dog requires a lot of pursuits, mental stimulation and high maintenance of its beautiful coat.
The combination of the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute was a big success. This is a loyal, loving, active and obedient dog. Ensure that you have enough space at your home to accommodate the big and highly active dog. Start obedience training early on to raise your Alaskan Shepherd as a good companion for you and your family with lots of respect and attachment. Remember, poor training of the German Shepherd Alaskan Malamute mix dog can bring you a lot of issues with the dog, neighbors, children and even family members. Then you will likely blame it to the breed while insufficient training and lack of proper socialization and passive lifestyle are the main culprits of behavioral problems with these large dogs. Therefore, ensure that you spare time to give your Alaskan Shepherd dog the life it deserves and the resources and it shall be a happy dog and a happy owner as well as happy family members.
Just like German Shepherds and Alaskan Malamutes, Alaskan Shepherds need a purpose in life - these dogs do best in environments where they are assigned a work to do. A bored Alaskan Shepherd will look for ways to keep busy and may take on tasks that are not desirable. For example, Alaskan Shepherd dog may start digging in the yard, get overprotective of the property and not let the mailman come close to your home or even start damaging the furniture and other household items for the lack of more productive things to do. This active breed has a lot of energy and needs an owner that can keep the dog active doing productive things and not lonely or bored. Alaskan Shepherds need very dedicated owners who have a few hours per day to dedicate to exercising and walking the dog, otherwise the excessive energy may cause different behavior problems. Alaskan Shepherd puppies and young dogs are even more work as they are more active than older dogs and need more physical and mental activities throughout their day to stay busy and out of trouble.
Alaskan Shepherd Life Expectancy
What is the average lifespan of Alaskan Shepherd? The life expectancy of an Alaskan Shepherd is estimated to be from 10 to 13 years. German Shepherd and Malamute mix dog can live to its maximum years if it is well fed with a balanced diet, and healthy lifestyle. Any health issues need to be checked immediately by the vet to prevent development of serious health problems.
Alaskan Shepherd Size
Alaskan Shepherd can reach from 21 to 28 inches in height, with pointed upright ears, almond-like eyes brown or black, hazel, brown and blue, dark brown/black nose, black mussel, firm and masculine, heavy-boned body with a weight of 64 to 180 pounds. German Shepherd Alaskan Malamute mix dog has a long furry tail and huge cushioned paws that are ideal for walking in snow. There is a reason why Alaskan Shepherd dogs have an abundant fur around their tail - it helps to keep the dog warm as the dog curls up and covers himself with the tail during sleep in cold weather.
History of The Alaskan Shepherd
The documented history of the Alaskan Shepherd dates back to 1900 although their imposed origin is undocumented. We all know that the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute are diligent working dogs and a hybrid of the two, created an awesome dog which has inherited a lot, ranging from character and intelligence to body structure from the parent breeds. Alaskan Shepherd has earned credit back in 2009 from the International Designer Canine Association.
A Brief History of the Alaskan Shepherd Parents
The German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the Alaskan Shepherd parents is a globally well-known working dog breed. Alaskan Malamute and GSD mix dogs are very faithful to their masters, dependable towards their family. Malamute and German Shepherd mix dog was formed by Max Von Stephanie after breeding quite many shepherd dogs. You must know that German Shepherds were used in the 1st and 2nd World Wars as they were easy to train and loyal. Alaskan Shepherd dogs inherit the strong work drive, high intelligence and a strong built of both parent breeds.
Alaskan Malamute
Briefly looking at the Alaskan Malamute history, he is a huge, strong and very attractive dog that originates from the Arctic. This dog was among the first dogs to be tamed by human beings as a working dog that would then carry heavy loads on sleds for their owners, food hunting in snowy Alaska and keeping away intruders from their masters compound. They made a good companion and a solid working dog.
Alaskan Shepherd Diet
Since the Alaskan Shepherd is a very big dog, he should be fed with a well-balanced diet consisting of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, starch, and foods high in calcium. The proportion of protein foods should be more since this is a very active dog that requires quality energy giving foods and muscle building foods. Ensure to provide the dog with enough of beef, poultry, and boneless fish. Fats are also essential for the proper growth of your dog and health. The Alaskan Shepherd should be fed at least twice a day. Healthy foods such as boiled carrots and cabbage can be added to the diet to provide the dog some fiber and folic acid for overall health. You can also add some carbohydrates such as oatmeal, barley, rice mixed with brawn. Dry grain-free food such as Orijen and Wetlands grain-free food can also be fed to the Alaskan Shepherd dog, which is equally healthy. Just like human beings like snaking, the Alaskan Shepherd likes that bone meal snack too.
Water is also essential for the Alaskan Shepherd hydration and rejuvenation. The dog should always have plenty of clean water available at all times for drinking. If you're raising this dog from puppyhood, you can give the puppy at least half a liter per day for proper bone and teeth formation.
For puppies, ensure that Alaskan Shepherd pups eat puppy food that is free from allergens and also high in protein and fat. After half a year, you can switch their food to adult dog food. Remember not to overfeed your dog to avoid obesity and other health issues.
Additionally, keep in mind that Alaskan Shepherds should be fed in clean bowls that are sturdy to avoid spilling of food on the floor while eating. Make sure that your Malamute Shepherd mix dog eats slowly to avoid chocking and bloating. Using slow eating dog bowls that prevent bloat is recommended for Alaskan Shepherds.
Alaskan Shepherd Exercise Requirements
Since the Alaskan Shepherd is a descendant of very hardworking parents, it's energy levels are very high. This kind of dog requires at least an hour of exercise daily and it makes for an ideal dog for owners who like going for long walks and jogging. Alaskan Shepherds like being outdoors and you can always take the Alaskan Shepherd dog to hikes with you and to parks to meet with other dogs for socialization and dog play. Avoid exercising your Alaskan Shepherd during very hot weather as the dog may overheat easily given the amount of fur it has.
Alaskan Shepherd Relationship With Kids And Pets
Alaskan Shepherd that were raised together with kids can be good family dogs. Always supervise your kids' play with the large dog and ensure they are not pulling its tail or playing rough with the Alaskan Shepherd. Teach your kids how to treat the dog with respect. Also, make strict rules to your children such as to never approach the dog when he is eating or sleeping.
Alaskan Shepherd dog that received enough socialization as a puppy likes interacting with other dogs and pets. Create time to visit your friends who have dogs and take your dog with you so that your pet can socialize with them. Train your Alaskan Shepherd dog to be friendly to other pets such as your parrots and your cats from puppyhood, when the dog is much easier to properly socialize.
Best home for the Alaskan Shepherd dog
The Alaskan Shepherd is a working dog that is very vigorous. This large working dog is most happy when kept in a large compound with ample space for exercise. Before settling to buy this dog, ensure that you have a spacious fenced backyard. This dog is not suitable for big cities, but can be an ideal pet in a rural area, where there is plenty of space for the dog to enjoy. Make sure that you take Alaskan Shepherd out daily for walks and play in the park to keep your Alaskan Shepherd active and stimulated. If you have a swimming pool, even better for the dog since you can let it swim to stretch its muscles and cool off during the hot weather. Don't forget to thoroughly wipe Alaskan Shepherd's ears after swimming to help prevent ear infections.
How to groom an Alaskan Shepherd
The Alaskan Shepherd dogs feature a thick double coat which is suitable for its adaptation in cold-weather places. Apart from being thick/dense, the dog's coat is straight with a medium length. Alaskan Shepherd's fur does not tend to tangle and needs to be brushed and maintained daily. Do Alaskan Shepherds shed? Malamute and German Shepherd mix dog shed a lot especially during the fall and spring seasons. Be prepared for a lot of dog hair around the house and get a nice dog friendly vacuum cleaner that will help you dramatically to keep your space clean from the shedded dog hair as there will lots of it especially during the heavy shedding months.
The Alaskan Shepherd's coat comes in an array of different colors which are inherited from the parents.
Alaskan Shepherd's coat needs systematic brushing with a solid bristle brush, especially during the shedding season. This can be done a few times in a week to remove the shedded hair. Apart from brushing, Alaskan Shepherds need to be washed as needed with canine shampoo and dried properly to maintain good hygiene and for that clean dog odor. The dog's teeth should be brushed at least once in a day for that fresh breath and healthy gums. You can buy dog brushes and enzymatic canine toothpaste from dog stores or veterinary clinics.
Trimming of Alaskan Shepherd's nails is also part of grooming and should be done at least once every couple of months or whenever the Alaskan Shepherd has long nails that can dangerously scratch you and your family members or even tear fabrics around the house. Notably, dog's nails have nerves and veins which tend to be painful to the extent of bleeding if cut too short. As an Alaskan Shepherd owner, buy a dog nail cutter that is sharp and firm enough for proper cutting of your dog's nails. You can even go to the extent of filing the nails to keep the edges smooth and shapely. Grooming a large dog such as the Alaskan Shepherd needs to start early, while the dog is still a puppy and can be easily trained to accept grooming.
Moreover, when grooming the Alaskan Shepherd, always check for redness on the dog's feet, eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Be cautious enough and always visit a vet clinic in-case of any flaws such as rushes and unusual tenderness that may indicate infection signs.
Alaskan Shepherd training
To ensure a solid foundation is grounded, ensure to start obedience training your pup early. You could also enroll your Alaskan Shepherd pup in a Puppy Kindergarten for obedience training to falicitate a smooth training process. Here as some tips you ought to follow when training your Alaskan Shepherd:
Start training your Alaskan Shepherd from puppyhood as puppies are easier to train thal adult Alaskan Shepherd dogs.
Don't be too harsh to the dog when it fails to obey, and praise it when it does something positive.
Establish leadership over your dog early on. The Alaskan Shepherd has a dominant personality and need to see a leader in their owner.
Show your Alaskan Shepherd love and affection and take good care of your Alaskan Shepherd and the dog will love you right back and learn to respect you as well as protect you.
Alaskan Shepherd Potty Training
Potty training is essential for the Alaskan Shepherd for a more pleasant family pet. As a dog owner, you should take measures to potty train your Alaskan Shepherd dog from puppyhood. Use the correct procedure, proper reinforcements and be patient with the potty training process for good results.
Start with crate training as the first lesson towards potty training. This is because crate trained dogs like crates as they make safe space where the dog can rest and sleep. Dogs also dislike using their crate as a toilet and they tend to wait to be taken outdoors or to the potty area to relieve themselves. Never lock your dog in a crate for more than a couple of hours as that may create different behavioral and psychological problems. Keep in mind that young Alaskan Shepherds have smaller bladders and can't wait for hours to use a potty and they will have to relieve themselves in a crate if there's no other choice. Alaskan Shepherd puppies should be taken to the potty area every time they display potty readiness by sniffing the floor. They may need to use the potty as frequently as every hour or couple of hours. Typically Alaskan Shepherd puppies need to relieve themselves after a meal, after waking up from sleep or every few hours.
Once you get the ideal crate for your dog, identify a perfect spot or corner outdoors that can serve as the dog's toilet. Watch your Alaskan Shepherd's behavior closely. If your dog starts sniffing the floor or moving around in circles, take the Alaskan Shepherd puppy to the potty area immediately. Once your dog has gotten used to visiting the potty area, always reward it with a small healthy treat every time he relieves himself there and use some verbal encouragement as well. Potty training shouldn't take more than a couple of months for your Alaskan Shepherd dog. By this time you should have achieved success and the dog should be doing it alone without any supervision.
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