60-100 lbs
26-28"
United States
Although it should be emphasized that all dog breeds require a lot of parents’ attention and effort, it’s even more true of sled dogs — not only are these canines full of energy, but they need constant mental stimulation and affection. Oh, and prepare to see that gorgeously thick coat all over your home during shedding season, too.
The Alusky is a mix between two of the best-known types of sled dogs and they’re likely to inherit some of their ancestors' more demanding traits. However, many parents find them to be joyful companions for their limitless affection and willingness to join in with outdoor activities. Did we mention they’re completely adorable, too?
In this introduction to the Alusky dog, you’ll learn key facts, such as:
It’s fair to say that American-Russian relations have often been fraught, but the Alusky is a joint creation of these two nations — one side of the family tree is Alaskan Malamutes and the other is Siberian Huskies.
The resultant hybrid is one that shares a lot of similarities with these forefathers, both in terms of looks and demeanor. For starters, you can tell from one look that an Alusky dog is well-suited to cold environments and pretty strong, too.
Although they’re more than capable of becoming tireless workers under the supervision of a musher, an Alusky can also be a faithful companion animal, especially for parents with an active lifestyle.
One thing that should be pointed out is that an Alusky can have a strong-willed mentality and prospective parents will need to quickly assert their superiority and leadership if they’re to command any obedience from their pet.
With that in mind, first-time parents might be better off building up their experience with a more receptive pet before introducing an Alusky into their lives.
There are quite a few essentials when it comes to sharing a life with a dog and a solid pet insurance policy is one of them — use Wag!’s comparison tool to find an option that’s right for you.
Like many crossbreeds, it’s unclear as to when or where exactly the Husky Malamute mix first emerged. However, it’s likely to have occurred on a large scale in the latter half of the 20th century when the trend for interbreeding dogs really took off.
What we do know a lot more about are the two breeds mixed together to create the Alusky.
The Alaskan Malamute has a long history in the Arctic region, with the second half of the name coming from an Inuit tribe based in northwestern Alaska that were early breeders of
the dog. Being both large in frame and impressively strong, they could pull heavy loads and hunt animals the size of polar bears and seals.
It was these impressive attributes that led Admiral Richard Byrd to take a number of Alaskan Malamutes along on his second Antarctic expedition in 1933.
The Siberian Husky is quite similar to an Alaskan Malamute and in fact, DNA analysis has found them to be close genetic relations. They’re both well-adapted to extreme weather conditions, but there are some key differences between the breeds.
For starters, Siberian Huskies emerged as a distinct canine variety in northeastern Asia during the 19th century. This fluffy Husky breed tends to be smaller in size than an Alaskan Malamute and this means they’re quicker when it comes to sledding.
They, too, have been behind some impressive achievements. Perhaps the most famous was the ‘serum run’ to the Alaskan town of Nome in 1925, during which a team of Siberian Huskies led by Leonhard Seppola covered more than 1,000km in five-and-a-half days in order to deliver vital diphtheria medication during an epidemic.
Both Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies are still trained as sled dogs to this day, but they’re popular family pets in the USA as well.
As with many hybrid dogs, an Alusky puppy’s appearance depends on which side of the family exerts more influence — some look more like a Malamute, while others take after Husky relations.
These are medium to large size dogs with a muscular build covered in a double coat that’s thick enough to cope with the tough winter months. It’s possible to find Aluskie puppies in a huge range of colorways, including red, brown, cream, white, silver, light brown, gray, golden, salt and pepper or a combination of any of these.
An Alusky usually looks a little wolf-like in the face, thanks to their large erect ears and long, narrow muzzle. Their eyes are deep-set and almond-shaped, and are normally brown or a piercing blue. Noses are typically quite dark.
The first thing you need to know about life with an Alusky is that this is a dog with a lot of energy. This means you need to be ready for a lot of long walks or runs in the great outdoors. You can probably guess that this hybrid takes well to warm temperatures, so consider your local climate before bringing an Alusky into the home.
A large yard for them to run around in is also ideal, as is a sandpit — the Alusky likes to dig and cares not for your immaculate lawn. When not exercising, be sure they have plenty of toys at their disposal to keep their big brains occupied as well.
You’re also going to dedicate a fair amount of time to grooming. Their coat should be brushed several times a week to keep it looking healthy, but this should increase to daily during shedding season. Fortunately, bathing isn’t required too often — only when they get particularly filthy when out and about.
As well as this, there are the essential tasks that parents have to carry out regardless of their dog’s breed. This includes brushing teeth and clipping nails regularly, as well as checking ears for signs of infection — the latter one is especially crucial as the Alusky can be prone to ear infections.
Fortunately, both the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky are comparatively healthy breeds and there aren’t too many health conditions to which they’re more susceptible. However, the two main health risks with an Alusky are:
Pet parents need to be proactive when it comes to finding a healthy Alusky. One of the most important things to do is only deal with breeders who carry out screening and examinations on their animals — don’t be afraid to ask for proof of these.
One of the medical problems more frequently observed in Aluskies is Hip Dysplasia, a joint problem common in larger breeds that like to move around a lot. This happens when the hip bone and joint become misaligned, causing friction between the two and ultimately leading to reduced mobility and evident distress.
Hip Dysplasia can often be genetic, which underlines the importance of only dealing with breeders who carry out screening on their animals. However, environmental factors can also play a role, too — obese dogs are more likely to suffer from the condition, for example.
If a vet believes your dog is suffering from Hip Dysplasia, there are several treatment options available. Maintaining a healthy weight will typically be recommended in order for less strain to be placed on the trouble area, but supplements, physiotherapy and surgery are all options, too.
Another affliction that’s occasionally diagnosed in Aluskies is cataracts. The main symptom is a cloudy or dark eye lens, which stems from inadequate hydration. Sadly, this can lead to partial or even complete vision loss.
Cataracts can be a hereditary condition, but it can also be the side effect of an infection, trauma or another health condition, such as Diabetes Mellitus.
The good news is that many dogs with cataracts can be successfully treated with a low-risk surgical procedure. Full recovery can take up to two or three months.
Many health conditions are more easily treated when caught earlier on — this is where the regular observations and tests that form part of a wellness plan really come into their own.
Aluskies in their prime should be doing a massive amount of exercise and so they’ll need plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals to keep their stamina levels replenished.
Alusky puppies and senior dogs should have recipes catered towards their specific needs, and that changes according to age. You’ll find a senior Alusky dog probably needs fewer calories — but more protein — than Alusky puppies.
If you need guidance on picking the right food, a good starting point is this list of best dog foods for Siberian Huskies — one of the parent breeds of the Alusky — selected by our partner Dog Food Advisor. You can view a full list of the best dog foods available today here.
The Alusky is known to be both intelligent and independent, although they can occasionally veer into stubborn territory. This can make training them a challenge for novice parents, but consistency and firmness will let them know you’re the leader of the pack and not the other way around.
Once you’ve established your authority, the Alusky is usually one of the gentlest and most loving dogs you could hope to meet. They’re normally good around young children, but due to their size and energy, it’s probably best not to leave them together unsupervised.
Again, this sociability can come with a drawback, namely that an Alusky can be prone to developing separation anxiety if they’re left alone for long periods of time.
Written by Wag! Staff
Published: 08/25/2017, edited: 11/16/2023
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