Malamute or hybrid???

[MushkosMom]

Hello!

I know other people have posted exactly what I'm about to post and I don't mean to waste anyone's time but would really appreciate your opinion. I have a malamute who I adopted from a local shelter a little more than two years ago. At that time, my vet estimated that he was about 1 to 1.5 years old. He's been the same size since I've had him: 30" tall (at withers) and around 95lbs (currently 97lbs). I live very close to a beach so he's ran every day for an hour or so, on average. He isn't a big eater and while I always have food out, he usually only eats once each night. He definitely has the personality of a malamute but because he's so tall (looong legs) and so lean, I wonder if he might be mixed with something (maybe wolf?). I'll love him no matter what breed he is, I'm just curious. I've thought about getting a DNA test performed but have heard many of the DNA tests aren't very accurate. Anyway, I attached a couple pics. Any thoughts/opinions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks!!!

[MushkosMom]

[IMG][/IMG]

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- These are all pics of when I first adopted him. At that time, I believe he was only 85lbs. After having him a couple months, he hit 95lbs and has been around that weight ever since. I'd post more recent pics but most of my current pics have him covered in sand or snow.

[bendyfoot]

Looks like a very handsome mal to me!

[babymomma]

Hes gorgous!!!


Honestly, You got him from a rescue, meaning you dont know a whole lot about his history and where he came from. He may just be a case of "bad breeding" Which gives him the longer legs and leanness. If he is a result of somebody just letting there dogs have pupps for no reason, or a result of a BYB, it means he is not a "well bred" dog. (NO affense, i am sure your boy is lovely).. BYBs dont breed for standard. I know alot of labs around here dont look "full lab" because labs are so overbred around here, people that dont know what they are doing are breeding dogs and selling puppies that turn out to be the size of a small horse. Which is very unfortunate for the labs and lab lovers.

No matter what he is. He is beautful. And im sure he is a great boy!

[babymomma]

Oh and I see no wolf or any other breed. I see mal. lol


He looks like a good dog for skijoring! Or sledding.

[MushkosMom]

Thanks bendyfoot and babymomma!

I tried to post other pics but it looks like the moderator didn't approve them. :sad: I'd bet he was nearly 100% malamute but strangers sometimes insist he's part wolf so I've always been curious. I'm glad both of you said he looks all mal, I personally don't like the idea of owning a wolf. He has a great personality and I know I'm lucky to have him.

Oh, and as for the backyard breeding... I'm almost positive he came from one of those (bad) people. The shelter found him and a similar looking female mal running around the country together. The shelter picked them up and posted their pics and info on the shelter's website. Within a couple hours, someone came in and picked up the female. I'm sure both of the dogs came from the same place (not too many malamutes in the hot central valley of California) but for whatever reason, this (bad) person only picked up the female. I couldn't be happier.

[bendyfoot]

A lot of people think the idea of a wolf/dog X is "cool" and are quick to assume pretty much any husky or mal-type dog is part wolf

He's a very handsome boy!

[hazelrunpack]

Ah, here's where you've been hiding the pictures of Mushko!

He's gorgeous!

I hope you can figure out how to post the rest of the pics soon

[~michelle~]

He's gorgerous!!! He doesnt look like a wolf Hybrid at all. I would say mostly or all Mal. Alot of people think all huskies or Mals are part wolf I get it with my boys ALL OF THE TIME!!! there are alot of people who claim their dogs are wolves to be cool but its really irresponsible to breed hybrid (and difficult for the mostr part molves and domestic dogs dont get along too well!)

But Yes MORE PICS please!! hes a beauty!

[MushkosMom]

Well, since you asked, hehe.... here are a few other pics!

[IMG][/IMG]

[hazelrunpack]

That last one looks like two bar buddies sharing a joke!

He's definitely a handsome bloke! And he does look like he enjoys the snow!

[TeriM]

What a handsome pup . I love that shot on the beach and that last one with his buddy is hilarious .

[growler~GateKeeper]

Aww you've got yourself a very handsome Mal boy I don't see wolf in him.

[Ruby2zDay]

Gorgeous guy! Very clearly no wolf there. Some Mals & Huskies look very wolfy but he looks doggy.

My pb Siberian Husky from some yrs back was much the same...A leggy 27-28", extremely thin, active, athletic, healthy & with an awesome personality...Truly a 1 in a billion kinda guy. People often thought he was a wolf cross. He wasn't & for those that knew what to look for he didn't even look it.

The blunt muzzle, sharply delineated white markings & the head shape with its pronounced stop scream domestic Mal rather than Lobo!

I'm with you. Only a very, very few people should keep wolves or wolf crosses. Rescues are full up with Mals & Huskies b/c people can't handle 'em yet people with little to no dog experience think they want a wolf!!!

[MushkosMom]

Thanks Ruby! I'm so happy so many people have said "no wolf!" As I said, he definitely has the malamute personality. I'm so happy everyone thinks he also has the malamute appearance, too!

[Malahoot]

Hey ...sorry just read your note and saw this thread

He's just a Malamute, nice looking boy! Ppl watch too much TV lol. I often see ppl walking towards me/mal and cross the road with small children

[NoahGrey]

Alaskan huskies look alot like wolves.
Ones of the reasons why they are my favorite breed.

I don't have pictures on my computer...but if you look on the internet for Alaskan Huskys, you will see what I am talking about.

ACO22

[MushkosMom]

Thanks for the response Malamoot!

ACO - I looked up Alaskan Huskies... they're majestic! I fostered a dog that looked a little bit like an Alaskan Husky (she was a mutt, I'm not sure what of). She had quite the personality! She absolutely worshipped me but wouldn't give anyone else the time of day, not even my roommate or roommate's dog! I would've kept her if she would've gotten along with other dogs (I fostered several dogs while I had her). Luckily, I found her a permanent home where she had only one person and zero other dogs to live with. From the pictures I've seen, she sure looks happy! I definitely miss her sometimes.

Here are pics of her (and Mushko):
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[mona_b]

You have a handsome Mal....

Being 30" at the withers is out of standard for the breed.

My sister has 3 Huskies. The one Kellie has the Wolf Grey colour..I can't tell you how many people think he is a Wolf....

Wolf Hybreds are always mixed with Mals, Huskies and GSD's.

Here are some pics of TRUE Wolf Hybreds...They are GORGEOUS.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...4Life/nine.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/GSD4Life/wf6.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...4Life/wf39.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...4Life/wf13.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...fdog-large.jpg

[MushkosMom]

Thanks for the pics Mona. I can definitely see differences between the hybrids and my mal.

[NoahGrey]

http://www.puppypurebred.com/images/AlaskanHusky.jpg

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images7/...sky_Silver.jpg

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images14...Picture068.JPG

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images17...Mixcrossb1.JPG

The 4th and last are one is my favorite.

ACO22

[mona_b]

Your welcome...

What I have researched about Wolf Hybreds is, they will allways take the look/features of the wolf.

[NoahGrey]

Originally Posted by mona_b

Your welcome...What I have researched about Wolf Hybreds is, they will allways take the look/features of the wolf.

Of course, because a wolf hybred is part wolf/domestic. But just because you have a dog that looks/features a wolf, doesn't mean that it is part wolf.

ACO22

[mona_b]

Originally Posted by ACO22

Of course, because a wolf hybred is part wolf/domestic.

Ummmmm I know that....

What I was saying(but didn't get to finish,had to leave) is if you have a Wolf hybrid that is mixed with a Mal, it will take the features of the Wolf. Which means shorter fur, longer nose, ears a bit longer and legs more longer and lanky.

[pwrca]

Mal or not Mal, he is absolutely gorgeous, looks like a bundle of play and joy. Adopting him was your fortune & his.

[MushkosMom]

Thanks Pete, I couldn't agree more!

[Luvmypitgirls]

He's gorgeous!

Now there's another face meant for "squishy squishy"!

[OC_Spirit]

Originally Posted by ACO22

Alaskan huskies look alot like wolves.
Ones of the reasons why they are my favorite breed.

I don't have pictures on my computer...but if you look on the internet for Alaskan Huskys, you will see what I am talking about.

ACO22

Do you mean Alaskan Malamutes?? Alaskan Huskies are Siberian Husky mixes that are bred for the intention of sledding. They are often mixed with Greyhound or German Shorthaired Pointer but really it can be anything so long as the purpose is for sledding.

[NoahGrey]

Originally Posted by OC_Spirit

Do you mean Alaskan Malamutes??

No, I mean Alakan huskies.

The Alaskan Husky is a heavily diluted wolfdog breed which has northern or husky-type ancestry, much like the Siberian Husky.

That quote taken from this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Husky

ACO22

[babymomma]

The Alaskan Husky is often misidentified as an official dog breed, though there is technically no ideal physique or genetic profile. The world's most selective aficionados of Alaskan Huskies—dogsled racers—judge the dogs by very specific criteria, none of which involve appearance or bloodlines: speed, strength and endurance. That said, many Alaskans do share a typical set of traits, including pale blue eyes, pointed ears, medium or short fur, a restless nature and a loud, disruptive howl. These commonalities are a result of common ancestry: most Alaskans are descended from indigenous North American dogs domesticated by Native Americans, as well as Siberian Huskies and wolves. European breeds, such as Greyhounds and Foxhounds, have also been mixed in, in order to add speed and stamina.