The Alaskan Malamute Corgi mix was brought to life as a result of the cross-breeding of the Alaskan Malamute and the Welsh Corgi. Alaskan Malamutes were originally sled-pulling dogs originating from the arctic region in the USA. Welsh Corgis, on the other hand, are cattle-herding dogs that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
The Alaskan Malamute Corgi mix will make the perfect addition to your home if you are in the market for a playful and extremely mobile dog. These dogs are also very affectionate and they would brighten up any home they join.
Here is a closer look at the Alaskan Malamute Corgi mix and all its qualities to help you decide if this is the dog to make your very own loyal best friend.
Physical Characteristics
This crossbreed generally has a wild, wolf-like appearance, and its original look as an Alaskan Malamute has not greatly been altered. They also have a strong and extremely hardy body.
The dogs are put into categories based on their weight: small (9.5 kg or less), medium (9.6-22.5 kg), large (23-40 kg) and giant (over 41 kg).
Since this breed inherits some traits from the corgi, some may tend to inherit the short legs trait, that all purebred corgis have, because they suffer from a genetic condition called achondroplastic dwarfism. The Alaskan Malamute’s fur is predominantly white on the underbelly, parts of their legs and feet and also part of their face markings.
Lifespan
The smaller dog breeds tend to live longer than the larger breeds. The reason behind this is not known, although this could be as a result of the way small animals use their energy.
An Alaskan malamute corgi mix has a lifespan of about 12-15 years in human years, which converts to about 69-73 dog years as calculated by the category of your dog.
Grooming Needs
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix sheds its fur profusely, but females shed more often and for longer. This means that they will need regular combing, usually twice or thrice every week. They also experience an active shedding period twice every year, during spring and fall. This period will need you to employ more thorough combing or brushing and bathing of your dog.
Before you bath your dog, make sure that you have thoroughly brushed his coat. This will remove mats, which are clumps of hair that form and they are hard to remove when the fur is wet.
Dental care is essential for the Alaskan malamute corgi mix since they often have problems with their teeth. There is a couple of things that you can do to ensure that your dog has proper dental hygiene.
You should brush your dog’s teeth one to three times a week to prevent dirt and tartar from building up. You should also invest in professional check-ups once in a while to ensure everything is as it should be.
Your pet will also need you to trim its toenails every 2 weeks or so. If your dog’s nails clack when it walks on hard surfaces or if the nails protrude over the dog’s footpad, then a trim is due. Extremely long nails can make your dog walk differently and they can also strain their muscles.
As you trim your dog’s nails, be sure to watch out for the blood supply vessel, called the quick, that can be cut if the nail is not trimmed properly. This will result in bleeding where the cut was made and this might make your dog dislike grooming time.
Styptic powder or pencils come in handy in case there is any bleeding. If you are not experienced, it would do both you and your dog some good to ask for help and tips from a vet or a professional groomer.
The dog’s ears are also a part that needs to be cleaned frequently. You should check your dog’s ears for redness and a bad smell. You should gently clean your dog’s ears with a cotton ball that has a pH-balanced ear cleaner. This will go a long way in preventing ear infections.
It is also important to note that you should not insert anything into the ear canal. Just cleaning the outer ear is enough.
Grooming can be a time for you and your dog to bond, and you should try as much as you can to make grooming time a fun experience for both you and your companion.
Temperament
Temperament refers to how a dog responds to certain aspects of his environment like other animals, people, and distractions. This is the quality that also determines if a dog likes to cuddle or if he is more standoffish.
Alaskan malamute corgi mixes have an overall friendly personality. They are very good at their interaction with a family, which makes them even more wholesome.
They also express medium-level friendliness with children, and they even easily get in contact with strangers. This makes them great for a family pet. However, the Alaskan malamute corgi mix does not play well with other pets.
These dogs have a loving and affectionate personality. They dislike being left alone and they love to snuggle with their owners. They also have a high willingness to please their masters. This dog can also tend to be stubborn, a trait that he inherits from his Alaskan Malamute side.
Exercise Needs
Alaskan malamute corgi mixes are a highly active breed of dogs. They have high amounts of energy and a lot of exercise is necessary to tire them out. If an Alaskan malamute corgi mix does not get enough exercise, then it is sure to channel all that energy into destructive behavior.
They also have a medium to high strength level, which means that they can comfortably play with the children especially if they are older (10 years and above).
Health Risks
There are a couple of health complications that usually affect the Alaskan malamute corgi mix. Some of the most common diseases are chondrodysplasia (dwarfism) bloating, cataracts and hip dysplasia (when the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball of the upper thigh bone).
As a result of the cross-breeding, your pet might also be susceptible to some of the health issues experienced by either the Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi or the Alaskan Malamute.
Some of these health concerns include epilepsy, cystinuria (cystic stones in the kidney, ureter, and bladder), hemeralopia (blindness) and hypothyroidism. The Alaskan malamute also has several skin conditions that could affect your pet.
To ensure that your Alaskan malamute corgi mix is healthy always, you should schedule regular checkups with your dog’s veterinarian and always take your dog to the vet if anything seems out of place.
Feeding
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix is a slightly big dog and it is very active and energetic. Therefore, it needs a large quantity of nutrients for it to remain healthy. These are the nutrients that your dog will need:
Protein
Proteins are essential for the body-building of your pet. Raw meat is a good source of this protein. You should make sure that you always feed your pet fresh meat because stale meat can be unhealthy for your dog. Apart from meat, other foods that provide proteins are vegetables, eggs, and beans.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin E will help to boost your pet’s immunity. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and minerals such as copper and zinc are essential for healthy bones and joints. A lack of these nutrients can cause abnormal orthopedic development. Vitamins are available in multivitamin supplements.
Water
Water is life. It is very important to make sure that your dog has enough water because dehydration can make your Alaskan malamute corgi mix weak, and it can even lose consciousness. You should always make sure your dog’s water bowl is full. There are also some wet foods that you could give to your dog if he refuses to drink water. Chicken or beef stock, for example, are healthy alternatives that you can turn to.
Both dry and canned foods will also help your dog. Dry foods strengthen your dog’s teeth and protect them from decay while canned (wet) foods will help keep your dog’s coat shiny and keep it hydrated.
Just like other dogs, there are some foods that you should not let your Alaskan malamute corgi mix near to, for example, avocado, alcohol, caffeine, garlic, milk and dairy products, grapes, peaches, plums, and human food leftovers.
Some of these foods have toxins that are harmful and could be fatal to dogs and some of them are a potential choking hazard.
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix’s feeding is dependent on its size, age, and activity level. It is important not to overfeed your dog. This will only make it obese and pose a danger to its health. A useful tip to tell if your dog is full is to run a hand down its ribs. If you can feel the ribs without a layer of fat on them, then your dog is not overfed, and that is good.
An Alaskan malamute corgi mix puppy requires around 1-2 cups of dog food twice or thrice every day or as required.
An adult Alaskan malamute corgi mix will need a much higher quantity of food due to their size and since they are more active. Normally, the adult Alaskan malamute corgi mix would need 3-4 cups of dog food daily, divided into three meal portions.
If you notice that your dog is still in need of more food, then you should increase the amount of food, while still taking care not to overfeed them. You should talk to your vet or to a nutritionist, to come up with an elaborate feeding plan for your dog.
Are Alaskan Malamute Corgi Mixes Protective?
Alaskan malamute corgi mixes do not have strong protective instincts, and for that reason, they would not make good guard dogs. They also have a highly affectionate personality and they relate extremely well with strangers. This is not an attractive quality when looking for a guard dog. However, they are highly alert and this makes them a good choice for a watchdog.
How Much Does an Alaskan Malamute Corgi Mix Cost?
The average price for an Alaskan malamute puppy is between $1200 and $1700. However, the price varies from breeder to breeder and is also dependent on the breed lines and the pedigree of the dog.
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix is a high maintenance dog, and it is sure to take up a sizeable amount of your time and money. These dogs have a heavy double coat, and this costs on average $85 for a trip to the groomer.
Is an Alaskan Malamute Corgi Mix Right for Me?
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix is a high energy dog. This means that it will require constant walks and playing. They love long walks and hikes while wearing a doggie backpack.
If the dog does not get enough exercise to tire it out, it tends to become bored and destructive, and it expresses this by digging around your backyard and howling. This is the right dog for you if you are looking for an extremely adorable and loving dog since these dogs love and are loyal to their masters.
This dog will also do well with an experienced owner. The Alaskan malamute corgi mix tends to be dominant and independent, and if ground rules are not set while it is still a puppy, you might have trouble with it in the future.
If you have a home with a large backyard, this would also be the perfect place to raise an Alaskan malamute corgi mix. They enjoy large spaces that they could play and roam around in.
However, you should ensure that the space is enclosed by a high fence to prevent your dog from running off because they have a high wanderlust potential. If you have an apartment or you live in the flats, you might want to consider choosing another breed.
Alaskan malamute corgi mixes have a very low tolerance for being left home alone. They usually do well if a family member is at home during the day or if the owner’s workplace is dog-friendly, they can take it there.
Best Climate for an Alaskan Malamute Corgi Mix
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix is a half breed of the Alaskan malamute, whose origin was in Alaska. This means that this particular breed is best suited for colder climates. They have a thick double coat, that retains a lot of heat. They live better in regions with temperatures of below 80⁰F (26.6⁰C).
During the summer months, be sure to provide your Alaskan malamute corgi mix with shade and lots of water. It is also advisable that you avoid exercising your dog during the hot hours. The maximum temperature that an Alaskan malamute corgi mix can exercise at is 70⁰F (21⁰C).
This breed has a thick fur and a double coat and they can survive living outdoors in cold climates. However, you should still provide your pet with adequate shelter.
The Attention an Alaskan Malamute Corgi Mix Needs
Alaskan malamute corgi mixes are a highly social breed and they take delight in being around other animals and people. They don’t do well when they are left alone for periods longer than 3-4 hours. They also give varying levels of affection and some do not bond as closely with their owners as others do.
Compatibility with Kids
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix is highly compatible with children. They enjoy that children have high energy levels and enjoy playing and that they give their undivided attention to the dogs.
Although the dog fairs well with children, you must never leave the child unsupervised with the dog. This could result in unnecessary accidents. It would also do you some good to teach the children how to approach and touch dogs to prevent them from accidentally threatening the dog and thus forcing it to retaliate.
Compatibility with Other Animals
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix is not usually very friendly with other animals, but if it is trained and exposed to early socialization with other K9s, then your dog should get along just fine with other dogs.
The Alaskan malamute corgi mix however usually feels threatened by bigger dogs and dogs of the same sex. It might have to be trained not to respond violently to these threats.
Your dog also sees other small animals like rabbits and cats as fair game, and it may show predatory characteristics when it comes to their interactions. If the animal was not trained against it, then it will show some predatory characteristics; if the small animal runs, the Alaskan malamute corgi mix will chase it.
It is important that if other pets or animals are brought into the household, they are properly introduced. Their interactions should also be monitored, to prevent cases of hostility. Before you bring a cat home, it is also worthy to note that Alaskan malamute corgi mixes are not cat-friendly dogs.
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