The Alusky is born from the cross between the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute, a mix that originated in Alaska several years ago without knowing with sure when it happened. These dogs were intended as working dogs to pull the sled in those cold areas of the planet because they can withstand the cold quite well thanks to their thick, thick and abundant colored fur mixed with white. It is a pleasant and affectionate dog, although if it is not well socialized and educated it can tend to be more dominant with other dogs. You need a lot of physical activity, a complete and balanced diet and caregivers concerned about your he alth and hygiene to improve your quality of life.
Continue reading this breed on our site to learn more about the characteristics of the alusky, its origin, character, education, care, he alth and where to adopt it.
Origin of the alusky dog
The alusky dog is not a canine breed as such, it is actually a mixed dog, the result of crossing two common breeds: the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. It originated many years ago in Alaska to get a dog that had great qualities as a sled dog.
Of these two original breeds it is assumed that the first appeared before, considering that it is several centuries old, when at the time a tribe called "Chuckchi" bred a canine ethnic group in unpopulated areas of Siberia, since they presented good capacities to resist long journeys, hunt food and transmit heat to people. The Alaskan Malamute, on the other hand, appeared for the first time in the 19th century in western Alaska, being bred by the Inuit tribe for its ability to hunt big game, pull sleds, and its obedient character.
The Alusky has failed to be accepted by the American Kennel Club, but has been accepted by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the International Designer Canine Registry and the Dog Registry of America Inc.
alusky features
The alusky is a dog very similar to the Siberian husky we know, but with certain traits of its other parent, the Alaskan malamute. Thus, it is usually taller and thinner than the Siberian Husky, although it is moderate in size, weighing 18 to 40 kg and height 65 to 72 cm, males being larger than females.
He has a strong and muscular body that offers him a lot of resistance. The alusky's shoulders are broad, the chest is broad and deep with well sprung ribs, and the back is straight, sloping toward the hip. The alusky dog's head is large and broad, with small, pointed ears widely spaced. The eyes provide a trustworthy, protective and affectionate expression, being small, almond-shaped and light brown or blue in color. As in the husky, some specimens may have heterochromia (one eye of each color). The alusky's snout is prominent and conical in shape, with a black nose and outline around its mouth.
Alusky colors
The alusky has a very abundant hair, thick and thick to protect it from the cold of the locations where it arose, the north of the United States States, and where it is very useful for work. The colors that may have mixed with white spots are the following:
- 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 the elderly. However, he is also very sensitive to changes in tone of voice, so he can become very skittish or shy if he is not spoken to respectfully, punished or not properly trained. Having a very strong hunting and working instinct, he tends to be somewhat stubborn, but generally obeys and responds very well to his keeper.
The alusky is also a very playful, active and very energetic dog, which will always be willing to play and perform any kind of of physical activity. He usually gets along well with other animals, although he tends to develop a rather dominant attitude when he lives with other dogs. Even so, it is not a dog that usually develops behavior or coexistence problems.
Alusky education
To obtain an educated, obedient alusky that controls its dominant and hunting instincts, it must be trained and educated from puppyhood. During these first weeks of life, dogs have their socialization period, or to put it another way, it is at this time that they are most sensitive and receptive to tolerating in a future new environments, situations, people and animals so that they are not skittish, timid or unbalanced as adults. Although there will always be a genetic component, the temperament achieved can be one way or another depending on how well socialized you are.
In addition, they should be educated and trained using positive reinforcement, since these dogs are especially sensitive to punishment and yelling or raised voices, so learning that rewards positive behaviors and does not punish inappropriate behaviors will be much faster, less traumatic and more effective in these dogs.
In case of adopting an alusky dog that will live with other dogs, it is essential that the introduction is carried out progressively due to the dominant character that this dog can have.
Alusky care
The alusky is a dog that needs a lot of activity and daily exercise, so it is not a very suitable dog for handlers who barely they step on his house and are sedentary or they would take him out for a 5-minute walk without exercising him. In addition, it is not an ideal dog for very hot environments due to the nature of its hair. With regard to this hair, it needs to be brushed several times a week to avoid the formation of knots and tangles and the accumulation of dirt and debris. In addition, it tends to lose a lot of hair, so in the spring and autumn shedding times, brushing should be even more frequent and bathing is done only when necessary. The hygiene of the ears, eyes and teeth must also be frequent to avoid infections and inflammations that affect these structures.
The alusky's diet must be specific for dogs, whether commercial or homemade, and in the correct quantity so that it can obtain all the necessary nutrients in the correct proportions to maintain its he alth in optimal conditions. The daily amount will depend on the individual conditions of each animal, which vary according to age, size, physical activity, weather conditions or the physiological state of the alusky. Do not miss this other article with all the details about What do dogs eat.
On the other hand, it is important to offer the dog a correct environmental enrichmentat home so that he can also keep his mind active. Being originally a working dog, it needs to be exercised in all senses, so games of intelligence, smell, etc., are ideal for this mongrel dog.
Alusky dog he alth
The alusky is a strong and he althy dog that has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and does not have any specific diseases more beyond the typical ones that large, fast-growing dogs can suffer from, such as hip dysplasia or incongruence of the hip joint between the bones that form it (acetabulum and head of the femur), which produces joint instability, osteoarthritis, pain and long-term lameness. She also has a tendency to be overweight, which is why it is so important to offer her a quality diet and control the amount of food she eats. Likewise, it can develop eye disorders and blood coagulation disorders due to the inheritance of its parent breeds.
Where to adopt an alusky dog?
The alusky dog can be somewhat difficult to adopt, since it is usually more common to find Siberian huskies. If you reside in the United States it may be simpler, but it is not a common dog that you can find in shelters for adoption, since in addition to needing a series of specific care at the level of physical activity, it is not a dog for all public. Adopting an alusky dog is not something that should be done lightly, but you have to think that they are living beings that need respect, affection, care and attention that you must offer them every day, since it will depend exclusively on you.
In addition, it is essential to take into account the climate in which you live before making the decision to adopt an alusky, since, as we said, it is a dog adapted to the cold and temperatures that are too high are not suitable for him. If you meet all the requirements to share your life with an alusky, then we recommend you go to animal protectors, associations and shelters
