Alaskan Maladors are the result of crossbreeding Alaskan Malamutes and Labrador Retrievers. Despite first originating in the 1800s, the crossbreed is not an officially recognised breed by the American Kennel Club and is fairly uncommon to come across.
Their ability to do well in multi-pet households has made them a popular choice for owners who want an Alaskan Malamute without having to give up their existing pets. Maladors are known for being affectionate and loving pets, and owners looking for a new best friend will not be disappointed.
If you’re interested in owning an Alaskan Malador, or simply want to know more about the wonderful hybrid, keep reading!
Contents
QUICK PROFILE
In a hurry? Check out our quick Alaskan Malador profile for all the essentials you should know.
Other Names: Labramute, Malador.
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years.
Average Height: 22-25 inches for males, 22-24 inches for females.
Average Weight: 65-85 lbs for males, 55-75 lbs for females.
Coat Appearance: Dense, medium length, straight, various colourings with black facial markings.
Eye Colour: Brown (most common), amber, hazel, or blue.
Activity Level: Very high.
Grooming Frequency: Daily.
Typical Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent, loyal, playful, docile.
Daily Food Consumption: 2-3 cups of dry kibble.
New Owner Friendly: No.
ALASKAN MALADOR APPEARANCE
The Alaskan Malador is not a stabilized breed meaning there is a lot of variation in their appearance. Malador puppies can closely resemble either of their parent breeds depending on their lineage, or they can look like a perfect Malamute and Labrador mix.
Male Average Size: Height = 22-25 inches, Weight = 65-85 lbs.
Female Average Size: Height = 22-24 inches, Weight = 55-75 lbs.
Most commonly, Alaskan Maladors have the physical build of a Labrador but with the coat and markings of an Alaskan Malamute. They will be lean, wide-chested, and have the drooped pendant ears of a Labrador.
Their eyes are usually almond-shaped and brown, but some Alaskan Maladors can have hazel, amber, or even blue eyes.
An Alaskan Malador’s coat is very dense and medium length. They are a double-coated breed, meaning they have a slightly wiry topcoat that protects a soft, wooly undercoat.
The colour of their coat is where you will see the most variation between individual Maladors. The majority of their coat will be made up of various shades of cream and brown. Scattered throughout you can find shades of gray, black, red, and white depending on the appearance of the parents.
Maladors will usually have the dark facial markings of an Alaskan Malamute and some markings may extend onto the torso and legs.
Maladors have big, heavily padded paws that are perfect for long hikes and have medium-length tails that usually hang similarly to Labradors.
ALASKAN MALADOR GROOMING GUIDE
Alaskan Maladors have medium-length, dense double coats which shed frequently. They blow their coats during seasonal changes and daily grooming is recommended to help keep their coats in good condition year-round.
Owners of Alaskan Maladors will need to invest in suitable grooming tools that do not damage their pet’s coat. Essential grooming tools include an undercoat rake that removes loose hairs to prevent matting from occurring during heavier shedding seasons and a pin brush for daily brushing and coat maintenance.
Check out our recommendations for the best grooming tools for double-coated dogs by clicking here!
It is only necessary to bathe an Alaskan Malador roughly once every 2 months. Their double coats are designed to repel dirt away from the skin and bathing them too frequently may strip their coats of natural oils.
Beyond this, a Malador’s nails will need to be clipped as needed and their teeth should be kept healthy either with daily brushing or daily dental treats. Alaskan Maladors are prone to ear inflammation so regular ear cleaning is necessary.
Alaskan Maladors are not a hypoallergenic breed and are therefore not suitable for owners with pet allergies.
ALASKAN MALADOR TEMPERAMENT
Alaskan Maladors have the endurance and outdoorsy personalities of Alaskan Malamutes combined with the love and desire for companionship associated with Labradors. For that reason, Alaskan Maladors are a very popular crossbreed!
Owning an Alaskan Malador will be like living with your new best friend – they adore people and will happily spend their day following you around and trying to be included in everything. Be warned though, their desire for attention can often lead to separation anxiety. Alaskan Maladors are most suited to homes where they are rarely left alone.
Their desire for affection makes Alaskan Maladors highly trainable. They will relish being able to spend one-on-one time with you and can easily be taught good behaviours as well as tricks! Training is also made easier by the fact that Maladors respond very well to positive affirmations and affection.
Training your Malador is recommended, not only to teach them to behave well but also to keep their mind stimulated. Alaskan Maladors are very intelligent and can become bored quickly if they are not physically and mentally engaged frequently. If their needs go unmet, they may become restless or destructive.
Alaskan Maladors are often described as ‘friends to all’ and can do very well in multi-pet households and homes with children. They will happily make friends with other dogs and owners they meet on walks and are truly lovely pets to own.
ALASKAN MALADOR HEALTH
Note: If you have any health concerns about your Alaskan Malador, please consult a registered vet.
The average life expectancy of an Alaskan Malador is 10-12 years.
Alaskan Maladors are more likely to develop or be born with certain health conditions than other dog breeds. This is no different to any other dog breed, but owners should be aware of them to identify them early on.
The most commonly seen health conditions in Alaskan Maladors are listed below:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – A skeletal condition that causes the hip and elbow joints to deteriorate over time. It is commonly seen in large dog breeds and the first signs usually appear in the later years of a dog’s life.
Chondrodysplasia – An abnormal growth of cartilage that results in disproportionate dwarfism. Typically appears as excessively shortened front limbs. For more information on chondrodysplasia in Alaskan Malamutes, we highly recommend reading this article provided by the AMCA.
Epilepsy – A chronic neurological disorder that causes a dog to have repeated seizures. Seizures may cause an Alaskan Malador to lose voluntary control over their body (recognised as jerking or muscle twitching).
Gastric Torsion – Also referred to as bloat, gastric torsion occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention to save a dog’s life. Please read our detailed guide on how to spot the first signs of bloat, what to do if your dog gets bloat, and ways to decrease the risk of bloat occurring.
Obesity – Alaskan Maladors are prone to obesity due to their large appetites and tendency to eat anything and everything that is given to them.
Osteochondritis Dissecans – An inflammatory condition that happens when diseased or damaged cartilage separates from the underlying bone. It is most commonly seen in the shoulder joint and can cause lameness or a limp in the affected leg.
The recommended health tests for Alaskan Maladors are:
- Elbow and hip evaluation
- Internal Imaging
As with all dogs, we recommend you get your Alaskan Malador neutered at the appropriate age and ensure they receive their vaccines as needed. You will need to take precautions to prevent your Malador from getting fleas or worms.
ALASKAN MALADOR EXERCISE NEEDS
Alaskan Maladors need a lot of exercise – much like their parent breeds! They are only suited to homes that can provide them with around 1-2 hours of physical exercise every day.
This exercise can be broken up, usually into a long walk or hike (around 1 hour) and several smaller play sessions. Maladors are not picky when it comes to exercise – as long as they are with their owner they will find enjoyment in a wide range of activities.
We usually only recommend adopting an Alaskan Malador if you have a large, enclosed yard for them to play in. Maladors are known to get the ‘zoomies’ and trust us when we say you’re going to need a lot of space when that happens!
Their intelligence means that Alaskan Maladors enjoy learning and performing tricks and commands, as well as playing with suitable toys. We suggest investing in both toys that can be used with another person (balls, ropes, fetch toys, etc.) and toys that will occupy them alone (snuffle mats, chew toys, etc.).
Maladors typically enjoy playing with other dogs so it’s worth checking for any dog parks in your local area.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s hard to see why Alaskan Maladors aren’t as popular as their parent breeds, especially as they appear to combine the best aspects of both. One thing for sure is that owners of the hybrid are guaranteed a life full of love, adventures, and companionship.
Do you own an Alaskan Malador? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment about your experiences below or send in your story to themalamutemom@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on our site!
Mine was a joy to have. I never thought that he was to expensive to have and I live on a limited income. We did everything together, if we weren’t outside walking or playing we were just enjoying life. He was so full of love, it was just natural to love him back. He passed away a few years ago, I do miss him, I have my days of lonely moments, but then, he left me with so many good memories – that puts more smiles on my face than tears. He gave me the true meaning of the quote “Life is Good”.
Hi Lori! Thank you for sharing your experience with Boomer, it sounds as though you were made for each other! We know how tough it is to lose a best friend, just remember how wonderful it is to have loved someone who only leaves you with good memories. Wishing you all the best!
This is Lori, forgot to say something important –
My dog and friends name is : BOOMER 💕
My girl Loretta looks more like a Lab than a Malamute, But her personality is exactly as you have describe. She is now 8 years old (80 lbs) and still full power when she wants to play, yet also calm and content to just walk politely by myside. She loves kids and is very gentle around them.
Seperation anxiety is a thing. She howels when she is alone, so I don’t leave her alone for more than a couple of hours at a time. As a young dog she would try to open doors and windows to get out of the house. Sometimes sucessfully and also distructive in the process.