The Alaskan Malamute and the Labrador Retriever are no scrawny dogs and since they share a lot in terms of personality, you can be sure their offspring is a good family pet.
The Alaskan Malador is a designer dog that is getting more and more popular among dog lovers everywhere. A large dog with a sweet personality, this hybrid doesn’t shy from showing affection or demanding attention. It soon becomes the center of attention wherever it goes and it laps on the love it gets.
In many cases, it all comes down to how much affection can you handle? And also how much investment you’re willing to make? We’re talking both emotional and financial investments. Because this dog doesn’t come cheap and it needs all your attention and then some.
Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)
Labrador Retrievers are and have been the frontrunners of the popularity contests for the past 10 years. They have captivated the public’s imagination and have taken their well-deserved place in the hearts of the populace. Alaskan Malamutes are contenders for that throne and may take it any time soon.
The spawn of such delightful breeds has the same charm and physical characteristics as its illustrious parents. It’s a medium to large dog with an impressive size.
It can reach 25 inches at the shoulders and weighs anything between 50 and 70 pounds on a good day. This is a hyperactive breed that loves activities both indoors and outdoors.
The designer dog has a short and fine coat which spares it the struggle in hot weather and keeps shedding to a minimum. It enjoys a great physique and has a well-toned muscular body and an athletic bone structure. It takes its body image after the Lab while its face is more Malamutian.
Color-wise, this dog’s coat is as colorful as its personality. It comes in chocolate, gray, dark brown, black, white, red, and silver. This means you won’t have to change your furniture to fit your dog. Just pick the right color for your home decor.
Lifespan
Both parents who put their heads together to make this lovely breed are known for their longevity. That’s good news of course. Because that means the designer dog will live long and watch you prosper.
The Alaskan Malamute lives up to 15 human years while the Labs come a close second with 14 years to their name. You can expect your Alaskan Malador to live anything between 12 and 15 years.
Grooming Needs
This is where it gets tricky. Even though the Alaskan Malador doesn’t have a thick and long coat the way its arctic parent the Alaskan Malamute does, it still has a shedding problem. It’s true, you won’t have to take a brush to its hide to untangle and knots every single day. But you still have all that hair to clean up. A vacuum cleaner will come in handy here.
Then you have oral hygiene to take care of. Dental issues are a persistent problem that this breed agonizes over. Make sure to brush the dog’s teeth 3 to 4 times a week and scrub its gums while you’re at it.
Bathing is another requirement here. These are boisterous dogs and they don’t care what puddle of mud they wallow in as long as it looks like a good idea. So go ahead and give it a bath every time it comes home covered in dirt and grinning from ear to ear.
Nail trimming is another duty you have to do. Make sure the nails don’t get too long and crooked because they might hurt the dog. Also, check their ears periodically and clean any wax pile up.
Temperament
As a very friendly dog, you won’t have any problems with the Alaskan Malador. Unless you can’t handle so much love and affection, that is. It’s a sweet-natured, playful, and active dog that doesn’t like to stay put for longer than it takes it to finish its meal in a hurry.
The downside to this pleasant personality is that they don’t like to be left alone for long. This is not the kind of dog to entertain itself and wait patiently for you to get home from work. When it finds itself all alone, it will freak out, jump up and down all over the place and leave a trail of destruction in its wake.
The Alaskan Malador is an intelligent and loyal animal. It stretches its magnanimous nature to the close family friends as well and just about anyone who visits home. It sees a potential friend in everything that moves and some of the inanimate objects as well.
Exercise Needs
Related to that outgoing personality is a persistent need to go out and engage itself in lots of activities. As we said, this is not the kind of dog to lounge on the couch all day eating your crackers and watching TV with you. No, siree Bob. This is an outdoorsy dog.
Daily walks are mandatory and games are part of its genetic makeup. The Alaskan Malador exudes energy and itches to spend that energy running, jumping and chasing lesser animals. It could be a butterfly, a squirrel or the neighbor’s cat. It doesn’t matter to our Malador. It seems something running and it goes after it. The thrill of the chase propels it forward.
You can play fetch, take it to the park and watch it run itself ragged. That’s when it’s at its happiest. So don’t deny it that pleasure. The upside is you get a dog that is easy to train, obedient, and will go out of its way to please you.
Health Risks
All dog breeds have their own set of health risks. This goes for purebreds as well as designer dogs. When you mix two breeds you get a new one that carries the genetic defects of both its parents or at least one of them.
Even though Labrador Retrievers and Alaskan Malamutes are low-risk breeds as far as their health is concerned, they still have some issues that need to be dealt with. The Malador is no exception and it might struggle with eye problems and joint dysplasia.
Again these are common health conditions that most dog breeds would face at a certain time. As the dog ages, these problems might become more apparent. A regular bi-annual checkup at the vet would be necessary. Just to make sure the puppy is not developing a cataract or a dental problem.
Feeding
Big dogs eat big. It just goes without saying. The larger the dog, the more food it consumes. And when your dog is as energetic and hyperactive as the Alaskan Malador, you know that feeding this gentle beast is not something to take lightly.
Since obesity is a common problem with this breed and considering that hip dysplasia is a recurring issue, you should introduce your puppy to fish oil and food supplements at an early age. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, in particular, are quite effective.
How much to feed your dog depends on how active it is. On a regular day, it would need 3 full meals a day. Don’t be generous with treats unless you’re training the dog. This breed just like its Lap parent is prone to obesity.
Puppies eat less but would need to have food around all day. Once they’ve turned the first year corner, that’s when you can put them on a regular 3 meals a day regimen.
Are Alaskan Malamute Lab Mixes Protective?
Because of their friendly nature and sunny disposition, the Alaskan Maladors are considered too nice of a dog to hurt a fly. Far from being territorial, this dog welcomes everyone in. Its life is one long part and all are invited.
It shares toys and meals and even treats with other pets without discrimination. Yes, it might chase the mailman, but which dog doesn’t? As for the odd squirrel chase, that’s just for sport. Your Malador doesn’t mean anything by it. It’s just for fun and a laugh. You don’t have to be so uptight over it.
It’s for that reason they don’t do well as guard dogs. They wag their tails and expect a pat on the head and a good game of fetch from any human that approaches them. By the time they’d register that the person in a hoodie who just walked out the door with the family jewels is not here to play, the burglar would be long gone.
How Much Does an Alaskan Malamute Lab Mix Cost?
On average you can expect to pay about $550 for an Alaskan Malador. That’s just the first payment in this long term investment. Caring for and feeding the dog will require you to set aside a budget.
Feeding the dog will set you back about $450 a year. If you’re investing in top food brands, that number can climb to $600 or more. Visits to the vet would also cost you considerably, especially if the dog develops a health condition.
You can also tick $400 annually for toys and training expenses. It will go through toys with the same energy it gobbles down its food. So be prepared to invest in hardy toys that can stand to the test of its ferocious teeth and rough play.
Is an Alaskan Malamute Lab Mix Right for Me?
Before you ask yourself that question, you need to know yourself first. We now know a lot about this wonderful breed, but what about your nature and inclination? Remember, that owning a dog is not about acclimatizing the dog to your own needs. Most likely, it’s the other way round.
So if you’re willing to invest in feeding, training, and caring for the dog, that’s a good start. But then you have to be sure you can handle the dog’s other needs. As a sociable dog, it doesn’t take to being alone that well. If you’re the busy type, then a cat might be up your alley than the Alaskan Malador.
In the same vein, you need to be at least as active as your dog. Dog walks, dog exercises, trips to the park, these are some of your duties that you need to fulfill diligently and consistently.
Best Climate for an Alaskan Malamute Lab Mix
Even though the Alaskan Malador doesn’t inherit the long fur of the Alaskan Malamute side of the family, it still prefers cold weather and thrives on snow and chilly wind. It can still tolerate the bout of warmth that summer months are famous for. But if it gets too hot, that’s where this designer dog draws the line.
Hot and extremely hot weather gives this dog trouble. Sun strokes, overheating, and dehydration are some of the problems they have to grapple with. Since they’re built for arctic conditions, summer is not their favorite month and they lose energy and their cheerful disposition.
Caring for the dog during the hot summer requires you to keep them indoors more often, provide them with shade if they have to be outside, and make sure they have enough water all the time.
The Attention an Alaskan Malamute Lab Mix Needs
To put it mildly, this is a canine that thrives on attention, affection, and public displays of love. It doesn’t find it awkward to jump in your arms and curl in your lap even though it’s already a big boy of 70 pounds. Deep down it sees itself as a puppy that needs your constant care.
It’s one of their biggest assets and drawbacks at the same time. If you’re looking for abundant conditional love, the Alaskan Malador has great reserves of it. At the same time, it expects to get a good return on that emotional investment. As much as it shows love, it needs to be fed with love.
The good news is, there’s no strict shape or form as to how that love should be delivered. It feeds on your positive vibes during a long and brisk walk as much as it enjoys a good cuddle at home. As long as you make it an integral part of your life, it is happy as a clam.
Compatibility with Kids
With their natural aptitude to feed on love and perceiving everyone as a potential friend, the Alaskan Malador are your kids’ best companion. Despite their large size, they have a heart brimming with kindness. Even a small child is perfectly safe with an Alaskan Malador in the room without the need for an adult to be present.
Of course, the designer dog needs to be trained from an earlier age. A well-trained dog will look after the child, and not get offended if a small child pulled its ear or grabbed it by the tail.
Compatibility with Other Animals
You can bring the Alaskan Malador to a house full of pets of all shapes and kinds and it will fit right in. Its readiness to make friends and hunger for playmates makes it an ideal pet to have no matter what other animals you have.
This has to do with the fact that both the Labrador Retriever and the Alaskan Malamute don’t have natural enemies and were not bred to be hunters. As such, the Alaskan Malador doesn’t treat other animals, even small ones, as potential prey. Nor does it consider large animals as competitors.
The only exception to this rule is if you show another pet more affection or love than you show your attention-craving Malador. Jealousy is a common problem among pets but much more so with our designer dog here. So distribute your love and attention fairly to ensure peace in your household.
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