Have you ever wondered what a Wolamute is and if it is a wolf-mix? I never considered it until I stumbled on an image of one online. After that, I made some inquiries, and here’s what I discovered.
A Wolamute is a dog breed crossed between the Gray Wolf (or Timber Wolf) and the Alaskan Malamute. The combination makes the Wolamute a wolfdog hybrid. One thing that makes Wolamutes so loveable is their size and unique look. The big wolfdog grows to incredible heights and can be as intimidating as a wolf.
But a Wolamute is not only interesting because of its size. Indeed, the big dog fascinates in several other areas. In this article, I write about the lifespan, care tips, common health concerns, temperament, and more. Read on to learn about this enigma of a wolfdog, starting with their physical characteristics.
How Big Do Wolamutes Get?
Though hybrid’s physical characteristics can be unpredictable, Wolamutes typically weigh between 75 and 180 lbs and reach heights between 22 and 36 inches.
Nature And Breed
A Wolamute is the product of a Gray Wolf mating with an Alaskan Malamute. Due to this hybrid combination, the dog often functions as a guard on farms, protecting domesticated animals or livestock.
Physical Appearance
This Fido boasts heavy bones, powerful shoulders, and a deep and robust chest, making a sturdy frame that can weather storms and other harsh conditions.
A Wolamute is a formidable dog, bred for its power and endurance. Its eyes are almond-shaped, feet solid, and ears erect and perked while listening. The dog’s well-furred tail keeps it warm in all conditions. It has a deep muzzle with a black nose and gums.
Coat Colors And Patterns
The canine beast comes in different colors and patterns. Its fur is thick, dense, and weatherproof. Primarily, you will find Wolamutes in gray-white or black. Though if you look closely enough, you should see a light color also.
Hybridization
As a blend of two creatures, a Wolamute can have the color of a wolf rather than a dog and vice-versa. The dog can have white markings on its coat. Most Wolamutes have pointy ears and dark markings inherited from wolves.
How Long Do Wolamutes Live?
A Wolamute lives between 10 to 15 years. Several factors, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and health conditions, can influence and extend the lifespan of a Wolamute beyond the said number of years.
A Wolamute’s health depends partly on the inheritance of health conditions from the dog’s parent breeds. Conditions common to Wolamutes include:
Hip Dysplasia
This condition occurs when your dog’s hip doesn’t grow normally in the manner it should. It’s a common health problem for large dog breeds like Wolamutes.
If untreated, this condition can severely impact your dog’s mobility, leading to serious health concerns, such as obesity and muscle atrophy, because of lack of movement.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is vital to the health of your dog, as this gland regulates its body’s metabolic rate. When a Wolamute suffers from hypothyroidism, it experiences a slow and unhealthy metabolic rate. As a result, your canine friend starts losing hair and appetite, and its coat becomes thin and dull.
When untreated, it can lead to a loss of life. Early detection of this disorder can help save your pooch. Seek treatment right away if you think your pooch exhibits the aforementioned symptoms.
Cancer
Cancer is common to older dogs, and Wolamutes are no different. On average, dogs with untreated cancer can survive for a month or two. Vets often propose chemotherapy as a treatment method to prolong these dogs’ lives for up to another 12 months.
Signs To Look Out For
Your Alaskan Malamute Wolf Mix can live a better life if you pay more attention to its well-being. Here are some signs to look out for as the plausible indicators of its poor health status:
- Abnormalities in behaviors and personality traits
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid weight loss
- Unwillingness to exercise
- Deteriorating physical appearance
How To Take Care Of Your Alaskan Malamute Wolf?
To administer better and proper care, the aspects to consider for your Wolamute include regular exercise, diet and nutrition, and oral care.
Exercise And Training
The Wolamute dog has incredible stamina and a desire for exercise. So, it would help if you exercised your wolfdog daily and put it on a lead. The beast will also appreciate some recreational toys to keep it busy and less bored.
Health, Diet, And Nutrition
Good food keeps your Wolamute healthy. An average wolfdog puppy requires meals anywhere with 2 to 3 cups of dog food every day. You can split the food into two portions and offer them once in the morning and the remaining in the evening.
Also, it would help your Wolamute if you considered incorporating multivitamins into its diet. Multivitamin supplements are beneficial to your canine buddy in keeping its bones strong and its coat healthy.
For this purpose, as well as the ease of convenience, we recommend Pet Plate and its meals. Rich in protein, the recipes combine all nutrients your dog needs into freshly made meals shipped frozen to your doorstep.
The recipes also come in four different healthy flavors, ranging from beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey, all of which your doggie will certainly love.
Dental Water Additives
Your furry friend requires regular bathing and brushing. As they are prone to dental issues, you should also give them proper dental water additives to prevent problems. Dental care keeps their teeth clean and their breath fresh.
Are Wolamutes Aggressive? Temperaments Of Wolamutes
Wolamutes are naturally aggressive, but you can train them to be social. Half-dog and half-wolf, they’re predominantly bred to survive harsh and cold weather.
The wolfdogs’ temperaments are unpredictable, and they can go from calm to vicious within moments. When bored, they tend to be destructive.
Nevertheless, your Wolamute can change. You can train yours to be exceptionally well-behaved and to suit your needs. To do so, follow the tips below.
How To Train Wolamutes Without Difficulty
Wolamutes are one of the easiest dogs to train. They can be loyal and affectionate when trained. If you’re the owner of a young dog, begin training your dog when they’re still a puppy. Introduce the pup to social life early and keep a toy for them to chew. Be firm and consistent during the training process.
What To Do When Wolamutes Bark a Lot
Wolamutes bark for different reasons. Most times, they do that because they need attention. It could be they need food, care, or treatment. Whatever the demand is, you will need to find out. Incessant barking can also mean something is wrong, and they’re alerting you.
What To Do When Wolamutes Become Clingy
As I mentioned, Wolamutes are sweet buddies. Becoming clingy means that they’re expressing their affection. They need stimulation and company to remain happy and agile; otherwise, they grow bored and lonely.
Do Wolamutes Protect Their Owners?
Every dog protects their kind and supportive owners, and Wolamutes are no exception. I’ve read several stories about Wolamutes protecting their owners and domesticating animals against wild creatures.
Do Wolamutes Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For Wolamutes
Shedding does to dogs what exfoliation does to people. Dogs, and even Wolamutes, shed to get rid of unneeded hair and preserve new hair. In short, shedding is necessary for the health of their skin and fur.
An average Wolamute sheds year-round from moderate to heavy amounts of fur, usually two times a year. When shedding, owners should be mindful of how they brush their skin to avoid fur matting.
Wolamutes Are Not Hypoallergenic
Dogs are hypoallergenic when they shed little to no fur. This is not the case for these wolfdogs, who shed massive amounts of hair, so avoid them if you have skin-related allergies.
Their shedding allows the dogs to get rid of unneeded hair. To keep up with the process, I suggest you keep the FURminator Undercoat Tool handy for shedding and de-shedding.
Are Alaskan Malamutes High-Maintenance?
Alaskan Malamutes Wolves or Wolamutes are high-maintenance dogs. Wolfdogs demand a lot—from attention to daily care and medical treatment.
What Wolamutes demand most is attention. They often require their owners’ participation in their daily activities. If you have a Wolamute, you will find that your pooch wants to eat, play, and walk beside you at all times.
Wolamutes are not for laid-back owners. So, if you plan to adopt one, you may want to think carefully about the activity level you can maintain. You’ll need not just time but energy to brush and bathe your pooch.
Bathing products like the Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo can help. Its soapless formulation will certainly not irritate your Wolamute’s beady eyes, thereby making its bath more enjoyable.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Wolamute Cost? A Wolamute costs between $600 to $3,000, depending on the breed and your negotiation skills. Several breeders will offer different prices for such a wolfdog breed, and their prices are hugely influenced by how closely the wolfdog resembles a wolf and your location.
Do Wolamutes Like To Swim? Wolamutes like to swim since they are a breed for wet and cold conditions. But this does not mean all Wolamutes can swim; however, they are inclined to when trained. If you want your furry buddy to swim without being submerged, you need to first prepare it with swimming equipment.
Can A Wolamute Be Accepted In A Wolf Pack? Yes, a Wolamute can be accepted in a wolf pack and join the wolf clan. However, it is highly doubtful that this wolfdog would survive for long if it had been domesticated prior to its maturity. It is postulated that its instinct to kill and survive would not be as strong as that of the actual wild wolf.
