The Alaskan Malamute Pit Bull Mix, also known as an Alaskan Pit Bull, is a relatively uncommon crossbreed. They are the result of breeding an Alaskan Malamute and a Pit Bull Terrier, but they are not yet recognised as an official breed by the AKC meaning there is lots of variation between individual dogs.
If you are looking to adopt the unusual crossbreed, or are simply curious about the offspring, then keep reading our guide on everything you need to know about the Alaskan Pit Bull!
Contents
QUICK PROFILE
In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown of all the basic facts you should know before adopting an Alaskan Pit Bull. Keep reading for more detailed information on each topic!
Other Names: Alaskan Pit Bull, Pitamute, Mally Pit.
Average Lifespan: 10-15 years.
Average Height: 20-26 inches for males; 17-24 inches for females.
Average Weight: 65-85 lbs for males; 60-75 lbs for females.
Coat Appearance: Straight, short, densely packed fur, a wide range of potential coat colours including brown, red, white, and black.
Eye Colour: Brown (most common), hazel, amber, blue.
Activity Level: High.
Grooming Frequency: Weekly.
Typical Temperament: Energetic, loyal, sociable, confident, independent, affectionate.
Daily Food Consumption: 2-3 cups per day.
New Owner Friendly: Yes.
Suitable to live with cats: No.
Suitable to live with children: Yes.
Suitable to live with other dogs: Yes, if socialised from a young age.
ALASKAN PIT BULL APPEARANCE
The Alaskan Pit Bull is not an officially recognised breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) meaning the crossbreed’s appearance has not yet stabilised. They can inherit any combination of their parent’s genes, and puppies of the same litter can look very different from each other.
Male Average Size: Height = 20-26 inches, Weight = 65-85 lbs.
Female Average Size: Height = 17-24 inches, Weight = 60-75 lbs.
Typically, an Alaskan Pit Bull will be a large dog with a lean build that resembles an Alaskan Malamute. Their facial structure tends to be more dictated by their inherited Pit Bull genes, with features including a square muzzle and a blocky head.
Their eyes will be almond-shaped and usually brown, but hazel, amber, and blue are also possible depending on their parent’s genes. Their ears can resemble either parent breed, with some Alaskan Pit Bulls having erect ears like a Malamute, and others having pendant ears like a Pit Bull.
The coat of an Alaskan Pit Bull is dense and usually short, distinguishing them from many other Alaskan Malamute crossbreeds. The colours and markings of their coats vary significantly between individual dogs, and they can be brown, red, white, black, silver, blue, and fawn. Alaskan Pit Bulls can have the darker facial markings typically associated with an Alaskan Malamute, but it is more common to see brindle, sable, and agouti spots and markings on their bodies.
The Alaskan Pit Bull is a strong and powerful breed. If they are on a suitable diet, it is normal for muscle to be clearly visible around their chest and legs. Their tail will be medium in length and will hang down. They will have large, heavily padded paws that are perfect for adventuring outdoors.
ALASKAN PIT BULL GROOMING
The benefit of having an Alaskan Pit Bull is that their grooming needs are much less intense than the needs of the Alaskan Malamute.
Their coats are short in length and relatively easy to maintain. They shed lightly and owners can stay on top of grooming by purchasing a slicker brush which is a tool that effectively removes loose hairs.
Read our recommendation for the best slicker brush in this article!
The Alaskan Malamute is a double-coated breed meaning they blow their coats during seasonal changes. The Pit Bull, however, is a single-coated breed and so they don’t blow their coats. We’ve found that as a result, Alaskan Pit Bulls tend to be almost double-coated dogs who have very thin undercoats under a denser topcoat. You might find that they shed slightly more during seasonal changes, but it should not be to the extent of a dog that is blowing its coat.
We recommend bathing an Alaskan Pit Bull roughly once every two months, or as required if they happen to get particularly dirty. Bathing them too frequently can dry out their coats by removing their natural oils, so infrequent bathing is preferred for a healthier-looking coat.
As with all dogs, you will need to stay on top of their ear and mouth hygiene. Their teeth can be kept clean with dental chews or with daily brushing. Their nails will need trimming as required, but frequent walks will help to keep them filed down for the most part.
The Alaskan Pit Bull is not a hypoallergenic breed, despite not shedding much fur. They are therefore not suitable to live with pet owners who have dog allergies.
ALASKAN PIT BULL TEMPERAMENT
The Alaskan Pit Bull is a crossbreed that truly encompasses the best personality traits of both parent breeds.
They are known for being a loving family dog that befriends all members of the household, and will happily cosy up with you on the couch or in bed if you’ll allow them to. This comes as a surprise to many, as the Pit Bull has sadly built a reputation for not being a friendly dog. We believe that this is a complete myth, and is the unfortunate result of many people training Pit Bulls to purposely be aggressive for fighting purposes.
Alaskan Pit Bulls are not completely dependent on their owners, however, and also enjoy their independence. This means that they can usually be left alone in the household without developing anxiety (so long as their activity requirements are met!).
You may occasionally find your Alaskan Pit Bull asleep in a quiet spot of the house but don’t worry, they are simply recharging their social battery.
The crossbreed’s affectionate nature extends to children and they will happily live in a home with them. Remember to take the standard precautions you would take with any large dog and children to ensure the safety of everyone. As long as they have been properly socialised, Alaskan Pit Bulls can also live with and befriend other dogs.
We do not recommend having an Alaskan Pit Bull in the same home as small animals such as cats.
The Alaskan Pit Bull is an independent and oftentimes stubborn breed, so their owners will need to be firm with them. The crossbreed will quickly think that it is the boss of the household if it doesn’t have an owner to remind them of whose really in charge. It can be hard to withstand their puppy-dog eyes, but it’s essential to prevent destructive behaviours forming such as excessive barking and furniture chewing.
Overall, the Alaskan Pit Bull is a breed that will be loyal to your family until the end. They strike the perfect balance of being affectionate but not too clingy, making them ideal for owners who work during the day.
ALASKAN PIT BULL HEALTH
Note: If you are concerned about the health of your Alaskan Pit Bull, please speak to a registered vet.
The average life expectancy of the Alaskan Pit Bull is between 10 and 15 years.
The most commonly seen health conditions in the Alaskan Pit Bull are listed below:
Hip Dysplasia – A skeletal condition that causes the hips to deteriorate over time. It is common amongst large dog breeds and usually occurs in the later years of a dog’s life.
Chondrodysplasia – A developmental disorder that causes abnormal growth of cartilage. This can result in disproportionate dwarfism characterised by a shortening of the legs. It is linked with the Alaskan Malamute breed and for more information, we recommend reading this article by the AMCA.
Cataracts – Clouding of the eye lens which may look like a white disc behind the dog’s iris. Causes worsening of eyesight and may lead to blindness in the affected eye if untreated.
These conditions can be screened for by a registered veterinarian. The recommended health tests for the Alaskan Pit Bull crossbreed are:
- Hip and elbow x-rays (if dysplasia is suspected)
- Ocular examination (eyes)
We ask that you get your Alaskan Pit Bull neutered at the appropriate age and that they get vaccinated against preventable diseases. You will also need to regularly de-worm and de-flea your Alaskan Pit Bull using readily available treatments.
ALASKAN PIT BULL EXERCISE NEEDS
Both the Alaskan Malamute and the Pit Bull Terrier are very energetic dogs that were bred for endurance, so it’s no surprise that their offspring are the same.
As a result, the Alaskan Pit Bull will require at least one hour of vigorous activity per day but they will happily enjoy exercise for longer periods. This makes them a great breed for taking on long hikes and runs over difficult terrain. We’ve found that the Alaskan Pit Bull is not fussy about what exercise they receive.
The Alaskan Pit Bull is a great breed around other dogs, as long as they have had the right socialisation training. This means that taking them to the dog park for a run around is another great exercise opportunity that will tire them out both mentally and physically.
Alaskan Pit Bulls can be tricky to train due to their independent personalities, but they do tend to enjoy training sessions and find them mentally stimulating. As for toys, it really depends on the dog. We’ve known Alaskan Pit Bulls who become obsessed with any toy they are given, and others who don’t seem to care at all.
We don’t recommend adopting the crossbreed unless you have an enclosed outdoor space, such as a yard, for them to safely run around in. Alaskan Pit Bulls are known for getting sudden bursts of energy (the ‘zoomies’) and trust us when we say you’ll be glad to not have them bulldozing into all of your stuff!
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, the Alaskan Pit Bull is perfect for people looking to own a Malamute without the grooming commitments, or those looking to own a bigger Pit Bull. They make wonderful family dogs who will stay loyal to your family, and also make the perfect hiking partner.
Do you own an Alaskan Pit Bull? We’d love to hear about your experiences with them! Leave a comment below, or send in your story to themalamutemom@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on our site.
I have a an Alaskan malamute pit mix he actually look like the malamute he had blue eyes a fawn color and his tail curls he is so full of energy and loves play. His favorite toy is a bottle with a cap on it does really good around out two other dogs he lives to smile as well and smiles like a pit bull does which he uses to get what he want he has been sliced with cats and thinks they are part of the family as well all though the cats don’t like him we do have probkem sometime with him chewing on things but he does alright for the most part
I have 2 alaskan pit ( as I think sounds better XD), they are complete different , one of them is like a black alaskan and the other is more like a pitbull with husky aparience… I think they are such amazing dogs, one of the best cross I have ever seen. let me know if u wanna me to share some pics.
Hi Carlos!
Thanks for your comment. If you’d like to send us some photos of your Alaskan Pits please send them to themalamutemom@gmail.com.
Joe – The Malamute Mom Team