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]

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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!