Alaskan Shepherd

Alaskan Shepherds were bred to have a wolf-like appearance.

The Alaskan Shepherd is a hybrid crossbreed dog that blends together two hefty breeds: the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd. The breed most likely originated in the United States in the early 1900s, when both of its parent breeds were popular. The Alaskan Malamute is a big, intelligent working breed, bred as a sled dog in the Arctic. They have a confident, dignified demeanor and a loyal bearing. They descended from the wolf dogs that came across the Bering Strait thousands of years ago.

Alaskan Shepherds are characterized by a long muzzle, erect and pointed ears, a long and plumed tail, and large paws with heavy padding. The straight, dense double coat of fur can come in a variety of different colors, including black, brown, white, silver, cream, blue, gray, red, and sable. Eye colors can be blue, hazel, or brown.

Size And Weight

The Alaskan Shepherd is a big, muscular dog with a strong work ethic and drive.

Common Health Issues

The Alaskan Shepherd has a lifespan of some 10 to 13 years. Based on the health profile of its parent breeds, this dog may be prone to diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, cancer, congenital heart defects, bleeding and clotting disorders, a bone inflammation disorder called Panosteitis, and various skin conditions.

Another potential problem to look out for is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, in which the dog is unable to properly digest some food. A good breeder will strive to reduce the risk of many health conditions, but it will still need regular examinations and tests at the vet to catch problems as early as possible.

Temperament

The Alaskan Shepherd is a friendly, loyal, brave, protective, and hard-working dog. It tends to become attached to a single person at a time, but it has an indifferent and even slightly aggressive attitude toward new people and dogs. Proper training from an early age can help dispel some of this bad behavior.

The Alaskan Shepherd does require an engaged owner who can give it plenty of tasks to do. Otherwise, if it becomes bored, this dog might become anxious and destructive. The Shepherd’s personality and traits make it well-suited for use as a watchdog or service dog. It also enjoys performing tricks, exercising with its owner, and engaging in general playtime and companionship. Keep in mind that as a crossbreed dog, every Alaskan Shepherd may have a slightly different temperament.

How To Take Care Of The Alaskan Shepherd

Due to its size and physical needs, the Alaskan Shepherd can be quite a difficult hybrid to care for. It needs plenty of space, lots of exercise and attention, a strong trainer, daily grooming/maintenance, and a lot of food. You do not necessarily need to be an experienced owner, but it helps to have some idea of how to handle this type of dog. If you have any other questions or concerns about your dog’s care, then you should talk with your vet.

The Best Dog Food For Alaskan Shepherds

The Alaskan Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food per day. The exact amount will depend on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. However, they tend to gain weight, so do not leave out any more food than is necessary. To rule out the chances of your Alaskan Shepherd suffering from diabetes, heart problems, cancers, and eye problems, find quality dog food with a complete nutritional profile.

Maintenance And Grooming

The dog’s dense double coat of fur will need frequent grooming based on the time of the year. During the summer and winter seasons, the Alaskan Shepherd will require weekly brushes with a pin or slicker brush and a de-shedder. During the heavy shedding seasons of the spring and fall, however, it will need to be brushed almost daily.

Dental hygiene is another important aspect of its care; you will need to brush their teeth every single day with high-quality canine toothpaste. You should also trim the nails and clean the ears with cotton whenever necessary to maintain good health. Finally, a bath should be given whenever the dog starts to become particularly dirty.

Training

The Alaskan Shepherd is an intelligent working dog that will enjoy the process of learning complicated new tricks and tasks. Keep in mind this is an independent and strong-willed dog with its own thoughts about how things should be done. The Alaskan Shepherd will therefore need a strong and respected leader with a firm and consistent hand to guide it. Do not be too harsh or aggressive; a positive attitude and training methods work best. If you are struggling to come up with a workable routine, then you might want to visit a professional trainer.

Exercise

As the product of two working breeds, this dog is a high-energy and high-endurance dog that will demand a lot from its owner physically. It needs at least an hour of exercise every day, from basic walks and playtime to more strenuous hiking and runs. A large yard, dog park, or other large space is definitely recommended to let it roam freely. Keep in mind that the Alaskan Shepherd, with its thick double coat, will need plenty of shade and rest in hot weather.

Puppies

From the moment of their birth, the puppies are big, energetic, and enthusiastic dogs that will need plenty of early training to curb some of their worst instincts. Puppies will benefit from exposure to new people and situations, as well as crate and house training, in the first few months of life to produce a well-behaved adult. Obedience training should probably begin after about three months of age. However, even after they undergo proper training, these dogs may not truly mellow out until they have fully matured after the first two years.

Alaskan Shepherds and Children

This dog is loyal and protective of children. However, parents should be careful about letting it interact with smaller kids since the dog’s large size and bold temperament might be intimidating.