American Alsatian

The American Alsatian was developed in California in the 1980s to be a great companion dog that looks like the extinct dire wolf. These dogs are tall and are about 25 to 32 inches in height. They weigh about 100 pounds, and their lifespan is around 9 to 13 years on average.

First known as the North American Shepalute, these dogs are known to be intelligent, friendly, and calm. They are bred to make great companions for individuals and families alike.

These impressive dogs were bred from an Alaskan Malamute and a German Shepherd, creating a strong and dependable breed. In fact, that combination of these names is why they were originally called a Shepalute. Later, other large breeds were introduced into the mix, resulting in the beautiful, calm, friendly American Alsatian we know today.

American Alsatian dogs have to be regularly groomed. However, they do not require a lot of exercise, making them ideal pets for families that may have a smaller yard or no yard at all. They are known to be strong dogs and have a muscular build with long muscles. Their noses are always black, and their ears have slightly rounded tips.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning An American Alsatian

Size And Weight

These are known to be strong, muscular dogs and have long muscles. Males are bigger than females, and weigh between 79 and 120+ lbs, while standing 25 to 32 inches tall. Females are smaller, and weigh between 75 and 100+ lbs, and stand 24 to 28 inches tall. They reach their full height at around 10 to 18 months but continue to fill out and gain weight until they are about 3 years old.

Common Health Issues

Since this breed is barely three decades old, American Alsatians still have health issues that they inherited from their parent breeds – German Shepherds and Alaskan Malamutes. One of the biggest health issues that these dogs often suffer from includes hip and elbow dysplasia. This condition causes the hip bones to form improperly, causing pain.

These dogs have sometimes experienced epilepsy, like one of the original pups from the breed. However, they are at no higher risk for this condition than other breeds.

Panosteitis, which involves inflammation around the long bones in the Alsatian’s leg, is also common. Often referred to as growing pains, this problem can cause limping while the animal walks. It often occurs in young puppies of larger breeds due to the stature that they will eventually have.

Temperament

These dogs make great companion dogs and are equally great with both adults and children. American Alsatian dogs are very loyal and are also accepting of other pets. They are great and playful with the kids in the family.

These dogs are known to be a look-alike of the dire wolf (which was the point of their species) and are always mindful of strangers but are never aggressive or fearful of them. They are calm, loyal, and intelligent, and pick up training commands quickly. They are known to be able to respond to minimalistic sounds.

How To Take Care Of An American Alsatian

Just like any other pet, the American Alsatian also has certain needs that the owner has to take care of. After all, the breed only had its first generation in 1987, as breeders changed it even more with the use of the Great Pyrenees, the English Mastiff, and the Anatolian Shepherd. Therefore, it is necessary to know what needs to be done to take care of the American Alsatian dogs.

The Best Dog Food

These dogs’ diet often includes a lot of proteins and fats because those are the nutrients that they need the most. Mostly, an adult food blend should be used to feed your American Alsatian. These dogs should be fed two times a day.

Their diet could include meat, eggs, and gravy. Puppies can be fed the same. However, instead of two times, they should be fed 4 times a day as their stomachs are smaller and they take longer to digest food. They can only digest smaller quantities of food at one time.

American Alsatians’ protein and fat requirements make raw/freeze-dried dog food an optimal choice for this breed.

Maintenance And Grooming

American Alsatians need a lot of grooming, especially in the seasons when they shed a lot. You would need to brush your dog’s fur twice a week. Their coat also accumulates dirt, which would also need to be removed regularly.

However, they need to be bathed only occasionally, so that shouldn’t be much of a problem. However, you would also need to check their ears for any kind of dirt and would also need to regularly clean them with a warm, wet cloth.

Training

It is relatively easier to train an American Alsatian because these dogs are highly intelligent and love to please their owners. They pick up commands very quickly and go a long way if you keep praising them verbally. They are not bred to be working dogs, but their loyalty and intelligence make them easier to train than some other breeds.

For individuals who have the time to train their pets themselves, there are many instructional videos online that cater to this specific breed.

Exercise

These dogs are energetic but do not need too much exercise. These dogs can thrive best on about an hour of exercise each day. It can also accompany you on your regular everyday walks. However, the dogs might not be very excited about the hiking trip uphill.

Puppies

The puppies need to be taken care of the same way you would take care of an adult American Alsatian. However, the puppies need to be fed about four times as compared to the twice serving of the adult ones because they have smaller stomachs and can digest only a small amount of food at one point.

American Alsatians And Children

These dogs are great with children and are very playful around them. American Alsatians are loyal and calm, and behave great with the kids in the family. They are also great family companions.

As friendly as they may be, it is possible that rough play may not be best for younger and shorter children. The American Alsatian is rather large, so they should be supervised to ensure that their weight doesn’t overpower the child.

Dogs Similar To American Alsatians

If an American Alsatian is not the right match, several other breeds are relatively similar. Check out these options below.

• English Mastiff: These dogs, like the American Alsatians, are tall and muscular and also have long muscles. They have often been used to breed the American Alsatian dogs.
• Anatolian Shepherd: These dogs make great watchdogs and are known to be very intelligent, just like the American Alsatians.
• Irish Wolfhound: These dogs are muscular and are tall dogs like the American Alsatians. They are usually imported from Turkey.