The Husky Malamute Mix, or Alusky, is a hybrid breed that takes the striking looks of the Siberian Husky and combines them with the muscle and endurance of an Alaskan Malamute.
The result is a stunning dog with a thick, fluffy coat and piercing blue eyes or warm, friendly brown eyes. They are perfect dogs for anyone who loves active and stubborn but friendly dogs and lots of fluff!
We understand that huskies are unique and require special care, so we’ve created this one-stop shop to help you find the must-have items for your furry friend.
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What is a Husky Malamute Mix called?
A Husky Malamute Mix is called an Alusky.
How much is a Husky Malamute Mix?
Husky Malamute Mixes can cost up to $1,200 from a breeder. However, if you are lucky, you might find one from a shelter at a cost of $200 to $400.
Where to buy a Husky Malamute Mix?
Visit LancasterPuppies.com to search for a Husky Wolf Mix in your area.
Husky Malamute Mix Traits & Characteristics
- Good-natured
- Stubborn
- Friendly
Traits Summary Table
| Traits | Husky Malamute Mix |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Brown, blue and amber |
| Coat Color | Black and white, white, gray and white, sable and white, red and white, agouti and black, silver and white, cream, blue and white |
| Shedding | High amounts of shedding |
| Height | 22 to 25 inches tall |
| Weight | 55 to 85 pounds |
| Temperament | Happy and friendly! |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years |
| Intelligence | Very intelligent! |
| Physical Activity | Highly active! |
| Good With Kids? | Yes, great with kids |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Price | Up to $1200 |
| PROS | Outgoing, fun-loving, friendly and sociable |
| CONS | Shedding, tendency to dig and very vocal! |
Appearance
The Alusky is a medium to large size dog that often looks like a bigger and fluffier husky! When comparing the Malamute vs Husky and their appearance, they are quite similar and often mistaken for one another. Aluskies are often a perfect blend of these two stunning breeds.
Color
It can be difficult to distinguish the parent’s characteristics in Husky Malamute mixes as they share many of the same Malamute and Husky colors. From the Husky side, the Alusky could be all white, gray and white, sable and white, red and white, agouti and black, and the famous black and white.
From the Malamute side, they get much of the same with the addition of agouti and white, silver and white, cream, and blue and white.
In regards to the color of their eyes, from the Malamute side, an Alusky could have various shades of brown eyes. From the Husky side, an Alusky could get shades of blue, brown, and amber. And, of course, they could have different colors in each eye!
Coat & Shedding
Prepare for some serious shedding from an Alusky. Both parent breeds are notorious for being heavy shedders. They both have thick, dense, double coats that help keep moisture and cold out and keep heat in so that they can thrive in cold weather.
As such, an Alusky probably won’t enjoy the heat of summer but will adore the cold weather of winter, especially if you live somewhere that’s cold and snowing!
Size
Aluskies are medium to large sized dogs. The average Husky will stand somewhere between 20 and 23.5 inches and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds, depending on whether it’s male or female.
The average Alaskan Malamute will weigh between 75 and 85 pounds and stand between 23 and 25 inches tall.
A mix between the two can be expected to be anywhere from 55 to 85 pounds and stand between 22 and 25 inches tall.
Temperament & Personality
Aluskies are most often quite happy and friendly dogs who are always up for meeting new people. Though they are high-energy dogs, they are often a bit more laid back than the average Husky.
However, they aren’t quite so laid back if they are left home alone for extended periods. They like to be around their people and can get a bit destructive if they are bored or lonely.
They are also often described as loyal and intelligent, but they also can be obstinate and willful every once in a while.
Lifespan
The Alusky comes from breeds with good health and long life expectancies. The Siberian Husky can, on average, be expected to live for anywhere between 12 and 14 years.
The Alaskan Malamute has an average life expectancy of between 10 and 14 years. Based on this, an Alusky can be expected to have a lifespan of between 10 and 14 years.
Further reading: How old is my Husky in humans years?
Intelligence
Aluskies are very intelligent dogs. They need plenty of mental stimulation to keep their minds active and healthy. However, despite their intelligence, or maybe because of it, they can be a bit strong-willed and stubborn sometimes. The trick is to find out what motivates them, whether it be a ball or a treat!
Further reading: How smart is a Siberian Husky?
Activity Level
Both parent breeds are working dogs, so an Alusky can be expected to have a rather high activity level. They need plenty of activity as well as mental and physical stimulation. Beyond just getting plenty of exercise, these dogs benefit greatly from enriching toys and activities like puzzle games and snuffle mats.
Without enough activity, unfortunately, an Alusky can become quite destructive and begin to chew on things they aren’t supposed to or start digging holes in backyard! They do like having a job to do, though, so you could always try putting them to work digging in your garden!
Are Husky Malamute Mixes good with kids?
Aluskies do make great family pets for active families. Thanks to their Malamute side, they are often quite laid back and patient with children.
Although, from their Husky side, they may lose a little patience and want to get away if the children are particularly fond of tail pulling!
So long as kiddos are taught and encouraged to treat these pups gently, they do great with children.
Speed, Strength & Endurance
Aluskies are both strong and fast, and they also have a substantial amount of endurance. Both parent breeds were bred to pull heavy sleds far and fast.
However, Siberian Huskies are far better at going fast, while Alaskan Malamutes are far better at carrying heavy loads. Some describe the Husky as being a racer while the Malamute is a freighter!
The Alusky often gets the best of both parent breeds and can carry particularly heavy loads fast on long trips!
Further reading: How much weight can a husky pull?
Behavior
Aluskies are energetic, playful, and fun-loving dogs, but they also know when to lay back and relax. They don’t mind a good long snooze on the couch!
However, they do still like to keep pretty busy during the day so it is important that they get plenty of playtime and exercise every day. As mentioned, when bored or under stimulated, these pups can get themselves into a fair amount of trouble with their mischievous antics.
And don’t forget the howling! Just like Huskies, Malamutes love to hear themselves and make a wide variety of howls, barks, and “awoos.” You can definitely expect to have a vocal dog with an Alusky.
To learn more, visit our Husky Behavior hub.
History & Origin of the Husky Malamute Mix
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies come from an ancient line of dogs whose history goes as far back as 4,000 years. They were first bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia. This tribe used these dogs to help them survive in the harsh climate of Siberia.
The Huskies would provide companionship and even help keep them warm at night. But more than that, Huskies helped the Chukchi survive by hauling food and various goods for them as they traveled.
A few hundred years ago, the Siberian Husky was introduced to the rest of the world and quickly grew in popularity from there!
Alaskan Malamutes
Alaskan Malamutes, on the other hand, come from the Arctic. The modern-day Alaskan Malamute is descended from the dogs used by the Mahlemiut Inuit people in northwestern Alaska, specifically, the Kotzebue Sound.
Where the Husky was meant to haul goods fast, the Malamute was designed to haul particularly heavy loads for long distances, usually at much slower speeds because of the added weight.
They also helped carry heavy packs in the summer months and would even help the Mahlemiut people hunt by distracting bears and finding the breathing holes seals used.
Malamutes were even used in World War II to help haul weapons and to help with search and rescue. Talk about a helpful dog!
Husky Malamute Mix
As designer mixed breeds have become more popular, the appeal of the Husky Malamute mix has started increasing as well, although they still aren’t altogether common.
In some cases, they are bred by a breeder with an affinity for both breeds, while other times, they are the result of an oopsie litter when someone with an Alaskan Malamute and a Siberian Husky who haven’t been neutered or spayed get together.
In the cases of irresponsible or backyard breeding, these dogs do sometimes end up in shelters or rescues where they wait for good homes.
How to take care of a Husky Malamute Mix
Nutrition
An Alusky’s diet should be high in protein from various sources like beef, poultry, or fish and contain some healthy fats, both of which help keep them energized and strong.
Additionally, it will be important to choose a high-quality diet for these dogs to keep them in excellent condition.
Because they are medium to large in size, Aluskies need to consume a fair amount of food each day. A general recommendation is between 3 and 5 cups a day. However, the best thing to do is to refer to the feeding guidelines that come with the food.
To learn more about nutrition, visit our Husky Nutrition hub.
Exercise
Aluskies are large and athletic dogs who require regular exercise. They were bred for their speed, strength, and endurance, and as such, they need plenty of exercise and play! Daily walks or runs will be essential for their health.
Additionally, playing fetch or chase in the backyard can be good exercise for them as well! Even activities like obedience and agility training, as well as playtime with other dogs in the house, can help provide Aluskies with the exercise that they need.
Another option would be to send your Alusky to a doggie daycare with plenty of room to run around and play with other dogs to get its exercise in! You could also try going for a bike ride with your Alusky since chances are they’ll have a bit more endurance and want to go for further walks or runs than you are willing to go!
Further reading: How much exercise does a Husky need?
Grooming
Regular grooming is especially important for Aluskies due to their especially thick double coat. At the very minimum, they should be brushed once to twice a week, however, brushing once a day will yield far better results.
A comb, a slicker brush, and a deshedding rake are the best options for brushing them out. Additionally, though not needed frequently, a bath with deshedding shampoo and conditioner, along with a good blow-out and brushing session, will help keep heavy shedding at bay.
But no matter how often you brush, you are going to want to invest in a good vacuum!
Training
While they are intelligent, Aluskies can also be equally stubborn, so consistent training early on and throughout their life will be important. You’ll need to be kind but firm and remember to be patient.
The trick is finding what motivates them and using that to reward and praise them for a job well done or for good behavior. Start with the basics, like coming when called and staying put on command. Once those are mastered, move on to commands like “sit” and “stay.”
Also, include socialization with other dogs and people in their training. And, of course, if getting an Alusky as a puppy, start on crate training and potty training your husky puppy right away!
Crate training might just save your furniture from being chewed up one day. With consistent training, an Alusky can become a good canine citizen. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help from qualified trainers too!
To learn more about training, visit our Husky Training hub.
Alusky Puppies
Aside from being the cutest puppies imaginable, Alusky puppies are lots of fun, too! Of course, you don’t want to let them play too hard, so make sure they get plenty of naps in between play sessions!
Start crate training and potty training right away, and do your best to keep your puppy on a regular schedule, as this will help decrease the chances of accidents in the house.
General Health
Overall, Aluskies are quite healthy dogs. However, they do sometimes face some inherited health concerns from their parent breeds. These can include hip dysplasia, retinal atrophy, polyneuropathy, hypothyroidism, and gastric torsion, among others.
Regular visits to a veterinarian will help prevent serious health conditions and keep them in check when they do occur so these beautiful dogs can live long and healthy lives.
To learn more about health, visit our Husky Health hub.
Husky Malamute Mix Price
Aluskies are not commonly bred dogs, so their pricing can be a bit unpredictable depending on where or who the breeder is. In the case of oopsie litters, an Alusky pup may only cost as much as is necessary to cover the mother’s vet bills, so maybe $250 a pup or so.
From a breeder, however, the price could go as high as or even higher than $1,200.
As mentioned, these dogs can sometimes be found in shelters or rescues, so the pricing there would be closer to the $200 to $400 region.
To learn more about the maintenance cost of Huskies, visit our Husky Price hub.
Alusky Pros & Cons
Pros: Outgoing, fun-loving, friendly and sociable
Cons: Shedding, tendency to dig, howling/vocal
Husky Malamute Mix Alternatives
Here is a list of similar looking Husky mixes:
Recommendation
So long as you are willing to put in the time into training them, Husky mix breeds like Aluskies make the perfect dog for anyone who loves the outdoors, being active, and big fluffs!
Do you have a Husky Malamute mix?
Share your experience in the comments section below.
