Malamoodle

by Mary Simpson

Published: November 30th, 2017

About Malamoodle

Weight

65-120 lb

Height

25-28 inches

Lifespan

8-12 years

Group

Not Applicable

Best Suited For

First time dog owners, families with older kids and other pets, home owners with large yards or acreage.

Temperament

affectionate, intelligent, energetic, playful

Comparable Breeds

Poodle, Alaskan Malamute

Malamoodle Basics

The Malamoodle delivers love and affection in a great big dog format. He brings the highly intelligent nature of the Standard Poodle together with the family-pack oriented Alaskan Malamute to produce an active family dog who thrives with kids and other pets alike.

The Malamoodle combines the intelligent poodle and the pack-oriented nature of the Alaskan Malamute.

Origin

The Malamoodle likely originated in the 1980s when breeders first began crossing various breeds to develop dogs that were smaller, hypo-allergenic or simply gentler variations on some of the more popular breeds.

Pedigree

Because he is not a pure-bred, the Malamoodle does not qualify to join the American Kennel Club (AKC) however both parent breeds are members; the Alaskan Malamute joined the club’s “working” group in 1935 while the Poodle became a member of the “non-sporting” group in 1887.

Food / Diet

The Malamoodle is a large, active dog who will require nourishment that is specifically designed for his size, age and activity level. Look for a nutrient-rich, top quality kibble that will support his need for protein and plan to feed him 2 to 3 times daily versus free feeding. The Poodle’s propensity to bloat means overeating is a big no-no and that any exercise be scheduled at least 2 hours after eating or before.

The affectionate Malamoodle is an excellent family pet that once socialized, gets along well with kids and other pets alike.

Training

The Malamoodle will be a handful when it comes to training. While the super intelligent Poodle side of this big boy makes him quick to pick up commands, the Alaskan Malamute side brings a more stubborn dog who will require patience alongside a firm, consistent approach to establish pack leadership. If you aren’t getting the results you want, bring in a professional but never side-step this important step in raising an obedient, friendly dog. As with most dogs, a rewards-based approach with lots of verbal praise and treats will go a long way in getting the results you are seeking.

Weight

Malamoodles are big dogs that can weigh between 65 and 120 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

This affectionate pooch is an excellent family pet that once socialized, gets along well with kids and other pets alike. He’s known to be a friendly, loving dog who enjoys being part of a family and for that reason, doesn’t do well when left alone for long periods. Because of their “working” background, this dog needs regular mental stimulation and a job to do to keep him from becoming bored and potentially destructive.

Common Health Problems

Though Designer Dogs are typically healthier than their purebred parents, it’s important to be aware of what your new pup could inherit. For the Malamoodle, that can include bloat from the Poodle side, joint issues from both parent breeds and from the Alaskan Malamute side, a disease called Polyneuropathy – a progressive loss of nerve function.

Life Expectancy

The Malamoodle has a life span of between 8 and 12 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Malamoodle comes from two highly active breeds and will require substantial daily exercise to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated. If socialized, a trip to an off-leash park will be a great way for him to burn off energy, meet other dogs and augment a rigorous walking routine.

The Malamoodle is a friendly, loving family dog.

Recognized Clubs

The Malamoodle is recognized by the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

No surprises that the Malamoodle has a thick, course double-coat that will require brushing 4-5 times per week to keep shedding in check and his coat looking its best. Shedding may be more pronounced in warmer climates and require daily brushing. Although he won’t require professional grooming, as a floppy eared dog he can be prone to ear infections so cleaning should be done weekly.

Puppies

If your Malamoodle comes from a breeder, request DNA testing for Polyneuropathy prior to falling in love with your puppy. As this dog is prone to joint issues, exercise and obedience training should be progressive and not over-tax tiny joints and limbs. As bloat may be an issue later in life, get him set up on a feeding schedule that will help avoid him becoming used to overeating and subsequently obesity.

Photo credit: Eric Isseleec/Shutterstock.com; Clement Morin/Shutterstock.com; Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock.com

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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New Study Reveals Dogs Can Sniff Out Neurodegenerative Diseases

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Are you searching for a tasty treat to keep your pup occupied? Have you heard the warnings made by experts about the potential dangers of rawhide chews and are struggling to find a healthy alternative for your dog? A newer type of dog chew is gaining popularity in the pet world, beloved both by pets and their parents alike. Let’s discuss the benefits of collagen chews and why this would be a great option for your dog. What Are Collagen Chews? Before we get into the benefits, we’ll start with the basics. What exactly is a collagen chew? Like rawhide, a collagen chew is a dried animal product. However, it is made from the inner layer of a cow's skin instead of the hide. This may seem like a minor difference, but it makes the product much easier to digest, making it safer for pet parents concerned about the risk of obstructions associated with rawhide. Collagen chew products are available in various forms, including flat chews, sticks, traditional bone shapes, and rings. Each variation of the chew ranges in size, thickness, and, therefore, chew difficulty level. Do Vets Recommend Collagen Sticks? Yes! Many veterinarians recommend collagen chews as a healthy alternative to rawhide. This healthy and natural chew option offers many health benefits, including joint issues and dry skin. Most collagen chews are made from all-natural ingredients and are free from fillers, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, making them a healthy replacement for your dog’s favorite rawhide bones.Is Collagen Better Than Rawhide? While both collagen chews and rawhides are long-lasting chew options, collagen chews address many of the health concerns related to rawhide. If your dog loves rawhide chews, this is a great alternative. Like rawhides, collagen chews are long-lasting. However, if your dog swallows a portion of the chew, its digestibility makes it less likely that you will find yourself at an emergency vet paying for surgery to remove an obstruction.

Chubby Kitties Are Helping Study Obesity in People

Chubby kitties might be as cute as it gets, but that doesn’t mean that their extra fluff isn’t leaving a mark on their health. Coincidentally, it seems that the effect obesity has on feline health can be compared to humans dealing with the same condition – a recent scientific study claims that fat cats can help researchers better understand the way gut bacteria influence conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.The study focused on food-related changes in the gut microbiome of chubby cats. The results showed that there are striking similarities in the way diet affects the gut of humans. The study’s results were published in the journal Scientific Reports, and are revolutionary in many ways. In fact, the researchers say that it is cats that could be the ideal source of information about the human microbiome, and whether changes in gut bacteria can help fight obesity.“Being able to see changes in cats that come up in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes in people makes them a really good model to start looking at more microbiome-directed therapeutics for obesity in humans if we’re seeing a similar shift,” said lead researcher Dr. Jenessa Weston, an assistant professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University.“Animals share our beds. They share our ice cream. There are all these things that people do with their pets that highlight they are a naturally occurring disease model with similar environmental exposures as humans,” she added.During the course of the study, the scientific team fed seven obese cats a specially crafted diet for 16 weeks. Gradually, the diet progressed: from free-feeding of commercial cat food to feeding a special weight-loss diet, and finally to a calorie-restricted feeding on the special weight-loss food. It was subsequently discovered that a short-chain fatty acid, called propionic, increased significantly in fecal samples of cats who were losing weight on the calorie-restricted diet. It was shown that propionic acid can help regulate appetite in other mammals, and reduce fat accumulation, as well as protect against obesity and diabetes. The team concluded that the increase in propionic acid was connected to the increase in the gut bacterium Prevotella Copri. “When the cats are on the special diet formulated for weight loss, propionic acid goes up and stays high, and then goes back down when they’re put back on the maintenance diet. So, it really is a dietary change,” Winston said.“This paper highlights that when we calorie-restrict cats that are obese, we can alter their microbial ecosystem - and those community shifts that we see likely correlate with some metabolic outcomes,” she added.What these results show is that the observed changes in the gut bacteria of fat cats can provide important insights into how diet affects the human gut microbiome. “Microbes we saw in this study also come up again and again in human studies - and clearly, people aren’t eating cat chow, right?” she said.

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How to Get a Dog to Take a Pill

For most dogs, taking some form of pills – be it a supplement for preventing health issues or a medicine to treat existing ones – is a part of their daily routine. Sadly, that doesn’t mean that most dogs are used to the process and that they take the pill without protesting. Even though in most cases pills are not optional, our doggos often stubbornly refuse to ingest them. They’ll whimper, run, or straight out refuse to open their mouth. So how do you go about it and give a pill to your dog? Here are some useful tips and tricks that can make this task simple and quick!How to Get a Dog to Take a Pill – 5 Simple Tricks You Can Try Right NowOne of the best tricks you can use is to hide the pill in food. As we all know, most pooches are voracious and will gobble up anything you have in your hand. Any tasty treat will be quickly gulped down, with the hidden pill as well! In case you have a smart doggo on your hands, you can trick them by “accidentally” dropping some food with the pill hidden inside it and try to fake – prevent them from taking it – that works wonders for my spoiled poodle who’d eat anything if she thinks it’s forbidden. You can also try peanut butter, as it is sticky and flavorful, making it hard for the dog to detect the pill. Meat is great too, as dogs love it and it can hide a pill easily. If your dog is a picky eater or simply finds a way to get the pill out of the food every time you try to sneak it, you can also utilize  the specially designed pill pocket treats for dogs, which have a special hiding place for a pill. They’re irresistible too!

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