Although the Alusky is not pure they are very well known and recognized by designer clubs. The Alusky is a hybrid dog being a cross between the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. He is an attractive medium to large dog who if trained would do well as part of a family with children. He does have a lot of energy though so needs regular exercise and needs a firm hand when it comes to training.
He is intelligent, loving and loyal and makes a great pet anyone would love. Where does the Alusky come from
The Alusky is expected to live between 10 to 15 years. As stated he is a cross of the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky . When dealing with hybrids you can never be sure how much of one parent over the other a puppy might get. The Alusky has a mix of his parents stamina and endurance, a wolf like appearance and is best suited to climates that are cooler. Both parents are known for their strength too which creates a very vigorous cross-breed. The Alaskan Malamute is a large breed, energetic and intelligent and one of the oldest breeds of dog there are. He needs strong leadership and to be challenged to prevent becoming bored. He is good in cold weather but not in hot weather and was originally bred to pull sleds over long distances and to hunt seal and polar bears. They have a sound temperament and with training and socialization are good in a family and okay with children. The Siberian Husky has beautiful blue eyes, is a medium breed and originates from Siberia. Athletic and intelligent this breed needs a firm hand too when training and he can be difficult. He is good in cold weather and can tolerate hotter weather. With socialization he is great with kids and a family and also good with other dogs and pets. He is playful and needs a lot of exercise and does very well as a working dog being originally bred to pull sleds. Temperament
Alusky's are known to be very loving and loyal to their owners. They are quiet but still outgoing and are friendly to everyone, including strangers which is why they are not great as guard or watch dogs. When they have had socialization and some basic training they are good with children and other animals because they are laid back. It is best to start that socialization from an early age. They are very eager to please their owners but have very long memories which means you always need to deal with them in a positive but firm manner as a harsh tone does not work on them, and they will remember it. They do not do well being left alone for long periods because they are social creatures. This boredom can lead to poor behavior like digging and chewing and other destructive acts. They have a stubborn streak too which means training needs to be handled firmly, though they are capable because of their intelligence. What does an Alusky look like
Common colors for Aluskies are cream, brown, red, light brown, golden, silver, gray, salt and pepper and white. It has a sturdy and compact body that tends to be longer than it is tall. An Alusky can lean more towards one or the other parent breed in looks including sometimes getting those famous blue eyes of the Husky. His eyes are almond shaped and deep set with erect large ears. His muzzle is long and narrow leading to the comparison of looking wolf like. He has muscular legs and a double coat that is dense and thick. His average weight falls somewhere between 60 to 100 lbs and his height can be up to 28 inches. Training and Exercise Needs
The Alusky is very much like his parents in that he needs a lot of exercise as he is full of energy. He would therefore do best with an owner who also enjoys to be active as he would love to run with his owner, when you go for a jog or a bike ride and can also do other things like sledding, pulling weights, carting, racing and so on. Take him to the dog park and play games with him, you will soon see how much agility, endurance and stamina he has. When he is not going for walks or on outings with you he needs access to a yard too where he is safe and he can play. Be aware both of his parents are diggers and wanderers so your Alusky may take on that trait too. Have the right kind of fencing and links down to keep him in! As well as a daily long walk, an additional shorter brisk one and additional play he will also need some mental stimulation. They are fairly intelligent animals so part of their day needs to be spent mentally active as well as physical to prevent them acting out in boredom. Keep in mind that the Alusky does better in cool or colder weather. If you live in a warmer climate or it is the summer months be careful when exercising with your dog. Do not let him over exercise, limit the physical exertion to shorter lengths and make sure he is kept cool and hydrated. In terms of training the Alusky is not so simple to judge. He is intelligent and eager to please which should make training easier. But he is stubborn and really needs a firm hand. You must make it clear to him hat you are pack leader not him. You also need to stay patient, positive and consistent. The Alusky has a long memory and he does not respond well to harshness. Should you try that approach he will remember it and be less likely to respond to further training. Early socialization and training is so important in any dog to ensure you can trust him to respond to your commands and so that he can interact with the world around him in a manner that is safe for him and for others. Use positive reinforcement and persevere and you will be rewarded. Living with an Alusky
An Alusky has moderate grooming needs to keep him in good shape. During the shedding seasons of spring and autumn daily brushing with a strong bristle brush is a good idea to limit how much he leaves over your furniture and clothes! The rest of the year you can brush a bit less often if you want to, it is not a difficult coat to look after but it is not hypoallergenic so he is not good for households with allergies. His coat means he can keep warm outside even in cold temperatures but he is not good in very hot weather. Other grooming needs include bathing when he gets dirty and keeping his ears clean regularly with a damp cloth to prevent ear infections. In terms of food on average a dog his size will need 4 to 5 cups of dry dog food a day, preferably divided into two meals and it should be a high quality food to ensure he gets the proper nutrition he needs to be healthy and live a long life. If he is not getting enough exercise he may get a little overweight because he is a big dog so keep him active. Do not expect him to alert you or the family if a stranger comes by – they are not much for barking and being social they like strangers! He will be loyal and loving to the family though and is laid back enough that with socialization too he can handle even small children. However his size may mean he accidentally knocks them over so some monitoring is still needed. The kid's noise and bustle of activity will not upset them, he enjoys it. Because of that and his need for exercise he would not make a good dog for the elderly or someone in an apartment. Health Concerns
Hybrid dogs tend to actually be healthier than their purebred parents and there is no major health concern with an Alusky. He can be prone to hip dysplasia, can sometimes have eye problems, and his ears can be prone to a build up of debris and wax if not looked after which can lead to ear infections and hearing problems. You should also be careful not to over feed him and to give him all the stimulation physically and mentally that he needs.
