Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix
The Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Australian Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute. The Australian Shepherd has a very strong herding background and instinct and the Malamute has a strong arctic pulling and working lineage. Both of these parent breeds are extremely intelligent. This mix might do best in a colder climate. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Australian Shepherd or the Alaskan Malamute? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Australian Shepherd Mix.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix puppies for sale.
If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.
Here are some pictures of the Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix
Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix History
All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Australian Shepherd History:
The Australian Shepherd has a rather vague past and lineage. For this reason, it’s name is a bit misleading. The Aussie was actually called the following prior to it’s current name - Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, New Mexican Shepherd, California Shepherd, and Australian Shepherd. There are a lot of folks who think that the breed originated from the Basque region in Spain where they were used by shepherds. The thought is that those shepherds emigrated to the West Coast of the United States via Australia and brought their dogs with them. While the origins aren’t totally agreed upon, there is agreement that it developed in western North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. One theory as to where they got their name is that they were named for the imported sheep that they herded.
The Australian Shepherd isn’t as affected by altitude as much as other herding breeds so it became a well known and loved sheep herder in the Rocky Mountains. The original breeders were Ranchers in Boulder, Colorado, who then began to sell and distribute the dogs all over the West.
Back when dogs such as this were used primarily as working stock, shepherds were much more interested in dogs' working abilities than their appearance. As a result, over time, shepherds interbred dogs that they believed would produce better workers for the given climate and landscape. The landscape played a large role in how the dogs looked, In the eastern U.S., terrain and weather conditions were similar to that of Europe. Europe is where most of those breeds came from, so the existing breeds and their offspring worked well there.
However, different dogs were needed In the American West, as the conditions were much different from the East. Spanish flocks of sheep, known as the Churra were introduced for food. The shepherds brought over Spanish dogs that proved capable for their job in the wild and dangerous territory. These dogs were highly valued for their ability to herd and protect from predators on the open range. Selective breeding for many generations focused on aspects of the dog that enabled it to function as an effective stockdog in the American West. It had to handle severe weather; have plenty of speed, athleticism, energy, and endurance; and be intelligent, flexible, and independent; while remaining obedient.
Alaskan Malamute History:
The Alaskan Malamute has a storied history as a utilitarian dog, working, hunting, and living alongside humans as well as pulling heavy sleds over short distances. Aside from being great pulling dogs, they were also great hunters and excelled at getting along with the people in the community. This close knit relationship helped them foster good, longstanding relationships with humans
They became recognized as a breed in 1935.
Awesome videos of Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix puppies
Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix Size and Weight
Australian Shepherd
Height: 18 - 23 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 75 lb.
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Alaskan Malamute
Height: 22 - 26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 70 - 100 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 12 years
Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix Personality
This mix is a very intelligent, devoted and loyal companion. Both of these dogs are very friendly and loving dogs. The Alaskan Malamute will probably offset some of the higher energy from the Aussie. The Alaskan Malamute will also make it a more protective dog. If you are a couch potato or don’t like to be active this isn’t the breed for you. She is calm, intelligent, confident and eager to please. While friendly she is wary of strangers and alert making a good watchdog. She gets along well with everyone and is quite a well mannered dog! She loves to have fun and play too and will need some outdoor space to do this in. She is loving, reliable, brave and warm.
Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The mixed with the Australian Shepherd might be prone to hip dysplasia, various eye diseases, sensitivity to certain drugs, and epilepsy.
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix Care
What are the grooming requirements?
This dog is going to have a higher than average shedding amount as both of these parent breeds are heavy shedders. Get ready to invest in a good vacuum and keep your floors clean anyways. Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.
What are the exercise requirements?
This is a high energy dog that will need that from an owner. As I stated previously, they were bred to work and run all day so they will not be content just laying around. Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. Don’t be surprised if it starts to herd you as the Australian Shepherd has a very strong herding instinct. It also might pull on the leash as that is what the Malamute is ingrained to do. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the training requirements?
This is an extremely intelligent dog that will be easy to train, however, it might be extremely stubborn. It will need a strong, firm handler that is consistent and won’t let this dog take advantage of them. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd Mix Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.