The Alaskan Malamute Corgi mix is very rare and packs a whole lot of dog into a small frame.
This mix is very energetic and friendly; they love to be around people and are very affectionate. They can become problematic if they don’t receive enough exercise, though, and their coats require a lot of grooming year-round.
Stay tuned for a full rundown of this mix, including the expected temperament, exercise needs, and much more.
Contents
Quick Overview Of The Malamute Corgi Mix
Before we jump into the main details, here’s a quick overview of the Malamute Corgi mix:
- Average Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
- Average Height: 13 to 18 inches
- Average Weight: 30 to 65 lbs
- Coat appearance: Double coated, medium, lots of color variation
- Grooming Frequency: Medium
- Typical Temperament: Affectionate, playful, energetic
- Daily Food Consumption: Low
- New Owner Friendly: Suitable for new owners
- Suitable to live with children? Great with children
- Suitable to live with other dogs? Good with other dogs
- Suitable to live with cats? Problematic due to high prey drive
Appearance
If you imagine an Alaskan Malamute with the body of a Corgi, that’s pretty much what the Malamute Corgi mix looks like.
These dogs are adorable and combine the distinctive features of both breeds into a small package.
They’re super fluffy, with pointed ears and a long snout. Many different color combinations are possible, mainly due to the Malamute parent, and they’re full of energy and love.
Alaskan Malamute Appearance & Background
Alaskan Malamutes are one of the largest Spitz breeds, and their appearance shows it.
They have many characteristics of Spitz-type dogs, such as pointed ears, fluffy double coats, and a fluffy curled tail.
Malamutes have a super friendly expression, but they can be pretty intimidating to those unfamiliar with the breed. You’ll usually find Malamutes in a black-and-white coat, but there are a lot of other possible colors as well.
Malamutes have an extensive history as sledding dogs, specifically used to pull heavy loads.
Corgi Appearance & Background
Corgis are an incredibly popular breed of dog, known for their royal connections and their short but regal appearance.
The history of the Corgi dates back hundreds of years to a settlement of herding dogs brought over to Wales to assist with the carpet and textile industry.
There are actually two types of Corgis – Cardigan and Pembrokeshire – and there are a few nuanced differences between them.
In terms of size, there isn’t much of a difference between them, so we’ll focus on the difference in temperament and coat color and how this affects the Malamute Corgi mix later in this article.
Both types are dwarf breeds with large heads and elongated, short bodies. Their ears are upright, and they have a thick but short double coat.
Average Size
Malamute Corgi mixes are pretty small dogs, reaching 13 to 18 inches in height at the shoulder and 30 to 65 lbs, although they are very often on the smaller end of these ranges.
It’s more common for this mix to inherit the body shape of the Corgi, close to the ground and long in length.
Coat Appearance
The coat of the Malamute Corgi mix is medium in length and quite dense; it has two layers (also known as a double coat), which means that the fur is split into two layers.
The first layer is a short undercoat that is wooly and dense; this provides insulation in both hot and cold weather. The second layer is the long guard layer, which protects the fur and skin below.
Many color combinations are possible for the coat, with white and black markings very common.
Pembrokeshire Corgi mixes tend to add more red or fawn shades, whereas the Cardigan adds black and brindle.
Grooming Guide
Malamute Corgi mixes need to be groomed relatively often.
Once or twice per week, you should groom their coats fully, targeting both layers, and the process for that is outlined below:
- The grooming process starts with a slicker brush, which is designed to target the undercoat and remove loose hairs.
- After that, use a dematter comb, gently removing stubborn tangles with a serrated edge.
- A gentle undercoat rake is then used to target the undercoat further and get rid of any remaining loose hairs.
- Lastly, a general grooming comb removes any loose hair or matted areas.
You should also be aware that Malamute Corgi mixes will blow their coats twice yearly, which is seasonal shedding when they shed most of their undercoats.
During this time, they will require daily grooming and expect fur to end up everywhere.
Bathing
Malamute Corgi mixes don’t need to be bathed frequently as this can cause problems with their double coat, and instead, they’ll only need bathing once every couple of months when necessary.
Temperament
Now, onto arguably the most important thing to consider when looking at any new dog, especially mixes like the Malamute Corgi, where the temperament can be harder to predict.
Friendly & Energetic
Malamute Corgi mixes are very friendly and get their energy from being around other people.
This is a strong characteristic of this mix, as both parent breeds are very similar. Malamutes love to meet new people, and Corgis are much the same, enjoying spending as much time around people as possible.
Pembroke Corgis are more outgoing, whereas Cardigans can take a while to warm up to new people, but once confident, both types are very sociable.
In terms of activity level, they’ll benefit from 1 hour to 90 minutes of exercise per day.
Prone To Stubbornness
Malamute Corgi mixes can be stubborn occasionally, but they’re typically easier to train than their Malamute parent, thanks to the addition of the Corgi.
Malamutes are exceptionally stubborn, and Corgis can be as well, but they’re much easier to train and eager to please, which does benefit this mix quite a lot.
Can Be Prone To Herding Children
Some Corgis can have a very strong herding drive, and they may sometimes try to herd young children.
They’ll typically only show this behavior if they’re not socialized often, but this trait can be passed down to the Malamute Corgi mix.
This is important to be aware of if you have children, and the behavior should be addressed as early as possible to avoid any problems further down the line.
Prey Drive
An important thing to be aware of with this mix is their prey drive.
Malamutes naturally have a very high prey drive, and while the Corgi’s prey drive is slightly less intense, it is still there.
This means the Malamute Corgi mix can be prone to chasing after small animals instinctively and may need to be kept on a leash if their prey drive is high.
They’re also better off being raised with small dogs or cats from a young age rather than introducing them when they’re mature.
Prone To Separation Anxiety
The last important thing to know about Malamute Corgi mixes is that they are prone to separation anxiety.
This is a condition where a dog may develop destructive behaviors if they are left alone for long periods, and it stems from their social natures.
These dogs are definitely more suited for houses where there are people around most of the time, rather than being left at home all day every day while people go to work.
Is The Malamute Corgi Mix A Good Family Dog?
Malamute Corgi mixes are great family dogs.
They’re small enough not to take up too much room, and they love to be around people whenever possible. They are very loyal and affectionate and benefit from an active household.
As long as they’re raised from a young age around children and other small animals, you’ll have very few problems (if any) with them.
How Much Do They Cost?
The average prices of each parent breed can be found below:
- Alaskan Malamutes cost between $1,500 and $3,000 on average
- Corgis cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the type and bloodline
It’s uncommon for people to breed for this mix specifically, though, so you’re much more likely to find them in rescues or animal shelters.
In Summary
So that’s it; hopefully, you’ve got a better understanding of what the Malamute Corgi mix is all about after reading this guide.
These might be small dogs, but they pack a whole lot of personality and will entertain you for hours on end. As long as you can meet their exercise and grooming needs, they’re ideal companions for you and your family.
If you’re interested in learning about more Alaskan Malamute mixes, you can check out some of our recent articles below:
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