The Alaskan Shepherd is a lovely loyal dog that forms a great and courageous companion. This dog is a beautiful breed that is quite smart and playful. This breed can be a bit demanding as they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation daily.
The nature of their coat is such that it requires special care and attention. These dogs will become the most active and excited members when it comes to outdoor activities. They make a perfect pet for those families ready to go the extra mile to take care of their puppy.
Alaskan Shepherd History
The Alaskan Shepherd is a hybrid breed produced by a crossing Alaskan Malamute and the German Shephard. These two dogs are famous for their exemplary traits and characteristics. German Shephard was the companion of the soldier during World War I. These dogs are brave, courageous, fearless. The Alaskan Malamute is known for its hunting skills and speed.
A combination of these two breeds gave rise to a beautiful dog that is loyal and highly obedient and a great playmate for children and other pets. This breed takes the best from both the parents and comes as a blessing for a family that decides to adopt it.
Alaskan Shepherd Characteristics
As mentioned earlier, the Alaskan Shepherd takes all the good traits from the parent breed. These big dogs are loyal, faithful, obedient, playful, and full of energy. They can be a bit too much for a family laid back or super busy to devote time to this breed.
How Big to Alaskan Shepherd Get
Being a dog from the large dogs’ category, you can expect this breed to grow big. Their size can reach anywhere between 22 to 25 inches. The length stays proportional to the height. They are quite heavy. The males can weigh up to 85 pounds, while the females can weigh up to 75 pounds.
How Long Does Alaskan Shepherd Live
The Alaskan Shepherd has a life expectancy of an average dog. With proper care and nourishment, these dogs can live for about 10 to 13 years of age. Pet parents should keep a close eye when the doggo gets older as it will become more prone to diseases.
How Much Does an Alaskan Shepherd Cost
Depending on the breed’s purity and the type of breeder, an Alaskan Shepherd puppy can cost you $400 to $1200. It can be quite expensive for a few; therefore, it is necessary to visit the breeding center before making the purchase properly. If you are looking for adoption, you can contact some large dog rescue groups for the same.
Alaskan Shepherd Temperament/Personality
An Alaskan Shepherd is a great family dog. It can stay involved with children and other pets. But sometimes, this breed might want some alone time and become aloof. Because of their ancestry, they can turn out to be aggressive with strangers and other pets.
Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize and socialize them with different people, sounds, and scenarios at a young age. These dogs are brave and pretty strong-willed. They need training at an early age, or else they can become stubborn and troublesome for the owner.
Because of their superior level of intelligence, you can train them to perform relatively complicated tasks, which might be difficult with other pets. Investing quality time in training these pups can turn out to be satisfactory.
This breed tends to pick a favorite in the family, usually the “pack leader.” They shower their owners with affection and bring in a lot of positivity. These dogs are pretty vast and heavy, so traveling with them can get quite tricky.
By and large, you will enjoy the company of this adorable designer doggie!
Caring for Alaskan Shepherd
When it comes to caring for this breed, you will have to put in some extra effort. These dogs have special needs regarding grooming and physical activities, which need to be catered for their well-being.
Alaskan Shepherd Nutrition
These dogs are quite active and energetic, so they need a highly nutritious diet to maintain the same. It is essential that you load up their food with a fair amount of protein. 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dog food can fulfill this breed’s nutritional requirements.
How to Groom an Alaskan Shepherd
This breed has got a very dense fur that requires a lot of care and attention for maintenance. They have a double coat that sheds aggressively during changing seasons. They need to be brushed every week. Proper inspection of the coat is required to avoid any debris deposit resulting in skin infection. Bathing twice a month is also recommended to keep the fur fresh and odor-free.
Alaskan Shepherd Activity Levels
This breed is high on energy as well as endurance. These beasts are a big fan of the outdoors and love to let loose and run around. They make exceptional companions for long hikes, runs, and even long calming walks. Their brain works terrifically, making it relatively easy to train them to do simple tricks. Because of the thickness of the coat, this breed enjoys a colder climate. This hybrid is apt for a super active family that owns a house in the suburbs with ample space to run free.
Caring for Alaskan Shepherd
As mentioned in detail above, this dog requires special care and attention because of their energy and grooming needs. If you are a family of relaxing and laid back people, this breed can be troublesome. If the Alaskan Shepherd feels bored, they become destructive and tend to break or chew off things.
Alaskan Shepherd Health
This hybrid is one sturdy dog that remains fit and active. However, these canines are not immune to the fundamental problems that every dog faces with age. Because of a dense and heavy coat, they are also prone to skin infections.
Breeds Similar to Alaskan Shepherd
Best Dog Food for Alaskan Shepherds
The best dog food for Alaskan Shepherds is Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food. This dog food is made using high-quality proteins along with a blend of other nutrients that helps support your Alaskan Shepherd’s food sensitivity issues. It is made of live prebiotics and probiotics that support healthy digestion.
- Contains real salmon as the base ingredient
- Contains omega six fatty acids and vitamins for healthy coat and skin
- Crafted without any fillers
Best Puppy Food For Alaskan Shepherds
The best puppy food for Alaskan Shepherds is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe Dry Dog Food. It is made with nutritious and wholesome ingredients like real chicken and oats to nurture your Alaskan shepherd. This product is made in US facilities following all food safety guidelines.
- Contains antioxidants and vitamins that support healthy immunity
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy muscles and joints
- No corn, wheat, soy, or any fillers
Best Dog Crate For Alaskan Shepherds
The best dog crate for Alaskan Shepherd is EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate. It is a perfect home for your Alaskan Shepherd; it can be collapsible for easy storage and transportation. It has a strong build with lightweight and durable steel tubing.
- Easy to assemble and collapsible
- Provides adequate airflow and ventilation
- Has a removable cover that is easy to clean in a washing machine
Best Dog Bed For Alaskan Shepherds
The best dog bed for Alaskan Shepherds is FurHaven Wave Fur & Velvet Cooling Gel Deluxe Chaise Dog & Cat Bed. This bed is a chaise-style bed filled with cool microgel beads that cools your Alaskan Shepherds making this bed a perfect place to sleep. The bed is designed to support your pet’s joints and bones.
- Has bolsters in an L-shape to provide support to the dog’s neck and head
- Features a removable cover that can be easily machine washed
- Helps support the dog’s spine alignment
Best Dog Harness For Alaskan Shepherds
The best dog harness for Alaskan Shepherds is PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness. This harness helps prevent pulling and lunging in your Alaskan Shepherd, making your walks more comfortable and stress-free. It does not cause your dog any discomfort as it features adjustable straps that add to its comfort and wellbeing.
- Offers a comfortable and snug fitting along the chest so you can have better control over its movements
- Ideal for training sessions
- Comes in attractive colors and sizes
Sources:
Recommended Reading:
- Best Dog Food
- Best Dog Bowl
- Best Automatic Dog Feeder
- Best Interactive Dog Toys
- Best Dog Playpen
- Best Outdoor Dog Kennel
- Best Dog House
- Best Dog Crate
- Best Dog Treat
- Best Automatic Fetch Machine
- Best Dog Activity Monitor
- Best Dog Food Container
- Best Electronic Dog Door
- Best Dog Ramp
- Best Dog Cooling Vest
- Best GPS Tracker for Dogs
- Best Dog Bed
- Best Dog Cooling Pad
- Best Indestructible Dog Bed
- Best Dog Training Book
