The Alusky was born from the cross between the Siberian husky and the Alaskan malamute, a mix that was made in Alaska several years ago. These dogs were meant to be working dogs that would have to pull the sled in these cold regions of the planet because they resist the cold quite well thanks to their thick and abundant coat of colors mixed with white. He is a pleasant and affectionate dog, although if he is not well socialized and educated he can tend to be more dominant with other dogs. He needs lots of physical activity, a complete and balanced diet, and he alth and hygiene conscious caretakers to improve his quality of life.
Continue reading this PlanetAnimal sheet to learn more about the characteristics of the Alusky, its origin, its character, its education, its care, its he alth and where to adopt it.
Origin
- America
- United States
FCI Nomenclature
- Group V
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Long ears
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Shy
- Strong
- Smart
- Active
- Affectionate
- Dominant
Ideal for
- House
- The hunt
Recommended climate
- Cold
Hair type
- Medium
- Big
Origin of the Alusky
The Alusky is not a breed of dog strictly speaking, it is in fact a crossbred dog, the result of a cross between two breeds: the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. He was born many years ago in Alaska in order to obtain a dog that would have great qualities as a sled dog.
" Of these two original breeds, it is assumed that the Husky appeared first, considering that it dates back centuries, when a tribe called Chuckchi took the time to breed an ethnic dog in unpopulated areas of Siberia. The Alaskan Malamute, on the other hand, appeared in the 19th century in western Alaska, bred by an Inuit tribe for its ability to hunt big game, pull sleds and be obedient. "
The Alusky has not been accepted by the American Kennel Club, but has been accepted by the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Designer Breed Registry, International Designer Canine Registry and the Dog Registry of America Inc.
Alusky Features
The Alusky is a dog similar to the Siberian husky we know, but it does have some characteristics of its other relative, the Alaskan Malamute. Although moderate in size, they are generally taller and slimmer than the Siberian Husky and weigh between 18 and 40 kg with a height of 65 to 72 cm, with males being larger than females.
He has a strong and muscular body which gives him a lot of resistance. The Alusky's shoulders are broad, the chest is wide and deep with very arched ribs, and the loins are straight, sloping towards the hips. The head of the Alusky is large and broad, with small, widely spaced pointed ears. The eyes offer a reliable, protective and affectionate expression, they are small, almond-shaped and light brown or blue in color. As with the husky, some specimens may exhibit heterochromia (one eye of each color). The alusky's muzzle is prominent and conical in shape, with a black nose and an outline around its mouth.
Alusky colors
The Alusky has a very abundant, dense and thick coat to protect it from the cold of the places where it is native, the northern United States, and where it is very useful for work. Colors that can be mixed with white spots are:
- Reddish
- Silver
- brown
- Gray
Alusky Character
The Alusky has a very balanced temperament and is a very affectionate dog that gets along well with children and adults. However, he is also very sensitive to changes in his tone of voice, so he can become very nervous or timid if not treated with respect, punished, or not properly trained. Because he has very strong hunting and working instincts, he tends to be somewhat stubborn, but he generally obeys and responds very well to his guardian.
The Alusky is also a very playful, active and energetic dog and will always be up for play and any type of physical activity. He tends to get along well with other animals, although he tends to develop a rather dominant attitude when living with other dogs.Even so, this is not a dog that typically develops behavior or cohabitation issues.
Alusky Education
To have an educated Alusky, obedient and in control of his dominant and hunting instincts, it is necessary that he be trained and educated from childhood. During these first weeks of life, dogs have their socialization period, or in other words, this is when they are most sensitive and receptive to tolerating new environments, situations, people and animals. . Although there is always a genetic component, the resulting temperament can go one way or the other depending on the quality of socialization.
In addition, they must be educated and trained through positive reinforcement, as these dogs are particularly sensitive to punishment and shouting or raising their voice. Training that rewards positive behavior and does not punish inappropriate behavior will be much faster, less traumatic and more effective for these dogs.
In the case of adopting an Alusky who will live with other dogs, it is essential that the introduction be done gradually because of the dominant character that this dog can have.
How to take care of an Alusky?
The Alusky is a dog that needs a lot of activity and daily exercise, so it is not a very suitable dog for people who barely set foot outside the house and are sedentary or who would just take him for a 5 minute walk without exercising him. He is also not an ideal dog for very hot environments due to the nature of his coat. As for this coat, it should be brushed several times a week to prevent the formation of knots and tangles and the buildup of dirt and debris. Also, it tends to shed a lot, so during the spring and fall shedding seasons, brushing should be even more frequent and bathing should only be done when necessary. absolute.The hygiene of the ears, eyes and teeth must also be frequent to avoid infections and inflammations affecting these structures.
The Alusky's food must be suitable for dogs, whether commercial or homemade, and in the correct quantity so that he can obtain all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions for the maintenance of his he alth under optimal conditions. The daily amount will depend on the individual conditions of each animal, which vary according to age, size, physical activity, climatic conditions or the physiological state of the Alusky.
On the other hand, it is important to provide the dog with an enriched environment at home so that he can also keep his mind active. As he is originally a working dog, he absolutely must be kept busy, so games of intelligence, sniffing, etc. are ideal for this mixed breed dog.
Alusky He alth
The Alusky is a strong, he althy dog that has a life expectancy of 10-15 years and has no specific diseases beyond those typical that large, fast-growing dogs may suffer from , such as hip dysplasia or hip joint incongruity between the bones that form it (acetabulum and head of the femur), which causes joint instability, osteoarthritis, pain and lameness in the long term. They also tend to be overweight, which is why it's so important to provide them with quality nutrition and to control the amount of food they eat. Likewise, he may develop eye disorders and blood clotting disorders due to the heredity of his parent breeds.
Where to adopt an Alusky?
The Alusky can be somewhat difficult to adopt as huskies are far more common. If you live in the United States it may be easier, but this is not a common dog that you can find in shelters for adoption.They also require a series of specific treatments. In terms of physical activity, this is not a dog for everyone. Adopting an Alusky is not something that should be done lightly, as you have to remember that they are living beings that need respect, affection, care and attention.
In addition, it is essential to take into account the climate in which you live before deciding to adopt an alusky, because, as we have said, it is a dog adapted to cold and temperatures too high does not suit him. If you meet all the conditions to share your life with an Alusky, then we recommend that you contact associations and animal shelters.