The Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute are two of the most energetic and adorable large dog breeds.
If you’re interested in adopting a mix of the two dogs or you’re curious about the results of mating them together, this guide will have you covered with everything you need to know!
In today’s article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Husky Malamute Mix, also known as “Alusky” or “Alaskan Husky”. Let’s dive right in!
History and Where the Husky Malamute Mix Comes from
The Husky Malamute Mix is a combination of two excellent large breed dogs. As the name suggests, the two dog breeds hail from northern cold regions, which is why both dogs share a lot of characteristics, such as the fluffy double hair coats.
Since both parents are pretty similar to each other, learning more about them can give you an excellent idea about the traits of the Husky Malamute mix.
In the following section, we’ll take a closer look at the origin of both parents as well as the hybrid breed.
Husky History
The Husky is an ancient dog breed that is originally from Siberia and was first raised by the Chukchi people.
The dog was bred as a sled dog to transport people and light goods across large stretches of ice. For that reason, Huskies are known for their athleticism, remarkable endurance, and friendliness.
Of the two parents, the huskies are relatively smaller. The average length of the adult husky is around 30 to 34 inches, weighing anywhere between 45 to 60 lbs.
Huskies are known for their goofiness and friendliness. Since they’re highly energetic, they also need plenty of exercise.
In terms of looks, Siberian Huskies are the closest a dog could be to an Arctic wolf, especially when it comes to their strikingly bright blue eyes.
Malamute History
Like the Husky, the Malamute is also one of the most ancient dog breeds out there. Although the dog breed hails from Alaska, the dog’s ancestors reached North America from Siberia by crossing the Bering Strait.
While the Malamute shares a noticeable resemblance with the Husky, it was originally bred for hauling heavy sleds. This gives the Malamute a notable boost of strength and endurance.
For that reason, the average size of the Malamute is slightly larger than Huskies, standing at around 35 to 41 inches, and weighing up to 85 lbs.
Despite being equally loyal, the Malamute is usually a lot more serious and protective than huskies.
Mix History
Since the two dog breeds were pretty close to each other geographically, it’s relatively difficult to trace the history of the combination.
However, according to records, the Siberian Husky was brought to Alaska in the early 1900s as sled racing dog, which might be when people started developing their love for the hybrid breed.
Husky Malamute Mix Quick Facts
The Husky Malamute mix is an adorable hybrid breed that is characterized by striking an excellent balance between being athletic and powerful.
The hybrid breed is also known for being quite independent and a little stubborn. However, the husky genes keep them loving and gentle. The dog is usually friendly towards strangers and excited to meet new people.
Due to the heavy fur coat that it inherits from both sides, Husky Malamute mixes should always live in a relatively cool area with good ventilation.
Husky Malamute Mix Size and Weight
The Husky Malamute mix is relatively large in size, but the exact size can vary significantly depending on the size of the parent.
Typically, the average Alusky will reach a length of 20 to 28 inches and weigh anywhere between 45 to 75 lbs, although some may weigh as heavy as 100 lbs.
The Husky Malamute mix should typically reach its full body length and height anywhere between 15 to 18 months. However, the dog’s body weight and bone density will fully mature at around 2 years old.
Husky Malamute Mix Appearance
Huskies and Malamutes share so many physical and facial features that anyone with an untrained eye may mistake them for one another. For that reason, it’s no surprise that their offspring are also nearly identical to their parents.
The Husky Malamute Mix dogs typically have a sturdy build with thick muscular legs despite being generally slimmer than their Malamute parents.
They will also have long and narrow muzzles, fluffy tails, erect wedge-shaped ears, along with deep-set, almond-shaped eyes.
The color of the eyes can be light blue, amber brown, or one of each (Heterochromia), which is highly dependent on the Husky side.
The dog will also have a thick coat of hair that is usually white and silver with patterns of brown, cream, golden, and red.
Husky Malamute Mix Behavior and Temperament
The Husky Malamute’s behavior is characterized as affectionate, gentle, good-natured, and independent.
Is the Alusky Intelligent?
The husky malamute mix is a very smart and clever dog, thanks to the high level of intelligence of both parents.
However, the dog still needs proper training and care from an early age to learn obedience and socialization.
Are Husky Malamutes Aggressive?
While the Malamutes are quite aggressive and aloof, the Alusky mix is quite gentle and loving (balanced out by the overly friendly nature of the husky).
With that being said, they can still be aggressive if they feel threatened or weren’t trained to socialize from an early age.
Are Husky Malamute Dogs Good Family Pets?
Husky Malamute hybrids are known for being affectionate and loving, which makes them great family dogs.
They’re generally good with children, but you still need to be cautious during first interactions, especially in the case of young dogs.
What Are the Unwanted Behaviors of the Husky Malamute Mix?
Husky malamute dogs are quite vocal with strong pack instincts. This means that they’re big on howling and groaning, especially when they’re left alone.
Also, Husky Malamutes are fairly independent, so they can be a bit on the stubborn side with a tendency to be destructive when bored or annoyed.
Husky Malamute Mix Price and Expenses
The average price of a Husky Malamute mix starts from $1,000. However, there are several factors that can greatly affect the cost of the Alusky.
Adoption usually comes at an adoption fee of $300 to $500, but the quality of an adopted Alusky will vary significantly, unlike buying from a reputable breeder.
For example, since the size of a Husky Malamute dog varies, its price will also vary. The larger the size, the more expensive the dog will be.
The color of the coat also has a huge impact on the price. Ideally, the black/white and black/silver/white varieties are the most common, so they’re the least expensive.
On the other hand, unique coat coloration, such as brown/white and red/white, is usually the most expensive and may cost you up to double the price.
Husky Malamute Mix Annual Expenses
The initial vet visit of your Malamute Husky dog might cost you up to $400 to $500, including all the necessary checkups and vaccinations required.
You’ll also need to buy your dog a relatively large house with comfortable bedding as well as toys, which start from $80 to $100.
Also, as a heavy shedding dog that requires continuous grooming, you should expect your dog to cost you anywhere between $300 to $500 in annual expenses.
Husky Malamute Mix Life Expectancy
The Husky Malamute Mix’s life expectancy can vary significantly because genetics play a huge role in determining how healthy the hybrid breed can be. The average lifespan of the Alusky is 10 to 14 years.
Huskies’ lifespan is between 12 to 15 years. However, Malamutes’ lifespan is slightly shorter at 10 to 12 years due to various hereditary health issues.
Husky Malamute Mix Health
The Husky Malamute mix comes from two relatively healthy dogs. However, they’re still prone to various problems, including:
- Hip dysplasia: This condition affects the configuration of the dog’s legs and causes inflammation and arthritic pain. Hereditary conditions like Chondrodysplasia increase the risk factor of this disease.
- Eye problems: Conditions like Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts (cloudy lens) are two of the major concerns for Husky Malamute dogs.
- Von Willebrand disease: A relatively rare genetic blood disorder that causes the dog to bleed excessively.
- Ear Infection: These infections are common but not as serious as the previously mentioned conditions.
Important Tests for Husky Malamute Mix Health
Monitoring the health condition of your pooch is very important for early treatment and providing your dog with the highest quality of life. Among the most essential tests to perform regularly on your dog are:
- X-Rays to screen for musculoskeletal conditions like Hip dysplasia
- Eye and Ear tests whenever you notice the symptoms of infections
- Blood Work tests for adult and senior dogs
Husky Malamute Mix Rarity
In general, the Husky Malamute mix is not considered a rare breed. The two parent breeds have been around each other for decades and the complementary traits of the two parents make the hybrid breed highly sought after.
With that being said, some Husky Malamutes are considered rare, especially when it comes to their fur coat coloration, body size, and the traits of their parents.
How to Care for Husky Malamute Mix
Caring for your Husky Malamute is essential to develop a healthy and happy dog. Generally, Husky Malamute dogs are considered high-maintenance dogs because their care routines are frequent, although not varied.
How Much Exercise Does Husky Malamute Mix Need?
Husky Malamutes are very active dogs. Ideally, you should give them at least one hour of exercise every day.
These exercises should involve both mental and physical stimulation, such as running, agility training, ball training, and sled racing if possible.
Your dog should also have plenty of chewing and chasing toys to keep them engaged, as they get bored easily.
How Much Does Husky Malamute Mix Shed?
The Alusky mix is considered heavy to intense shedders. The shedding intensity is affected by seasons and weather, as they shed the most in summer and warmer areas.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Husky Malamute Mix?
You’ll need to brush your Husky Malamute on a daily basis to keep the dog’s coat healthy and fluffy.
Additionally, you should aim for a professional grooming and de-shedding session every 1.5 to 2 months.
These dogs require a bath whenever necessary and you should keep their nails clipped twice a month.
An optional tip here is to also brush their teeth and check their ears for infections once a week.
Husky Malamute Mix Training
Husky Malamutes are intelligent but they still require a lot of training to be responsive and contain their extra energy.
They also need to be trained to socialize from an early age so that they don’t develop behavioral issues.
Since they’re smart, positive reinforcement training is very effective for them. Always keep a bag of their favorite treats on and reward them for good behavior rather than punishing them for bad behaviors.
You should start house training your Husky Malamute as early as 7 to 10 weeks old. You can also incorporate commands and socializing training during the first few months of their life.
Husky Malamute Mix Diet
Since the diet of Huskies and Malamutes is very similar, their offspring should also have the same type of food.
Puppies should have 2 to 3 small meals a day while full-grown adults should have 2 large meals.
Ideally, the daily diet of a Husky Malamute should be a balanced one that is composed of 30% proteins, 30% complex carbs, and %20 fats.
Micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are also necessary, which is why you should maintain variety in your daily meals (as long as they’re dog-safe)
The carb content should be made up of fruits and vegetables rather than grains to avoid digestive problems.
How Do You Buy a Husky Malamute Mix?
Lastly, if you want to buy a Husky Malamute mix, your best bet would be from a breeder or through adoption.
Breeders are more expensive but reputable ones that work on designer hybrids offer a much better guarantee of a healthier dog with more desirable treats.
On the other hand, adopted Aluskies’ health conditions and traits can be more of a gamble, but they’re much more affordable.