Malamoodle (Alaskan Malamute Poodle Mix): Care, Pictures, Traits & Characteristics

When you see a dog breed with an “oodle” at the end of the name, you know that they’re a Poodle mix. In the case of the Malamoodle, it’s a Poodle mixed with an Alaskan Malamute. The beauty of combining two amazing breeds, like the Poodle and Malamute, is that you’ll get a bit of both in one gorgeous dog.

Read on for more information on the Malamoodle so you can better understand this mixed breed.

Breed Overview

The Malamoodle is a large dog that is loving and energetic and will fit in with most families as part of the pack. The best way to understand a mixed breed like the Malamoodle is to have some knowledge of their heritage, since this is where this dog will get their appearance and temperament.

The Poodle has a single coat of wavy or curly hair, and the Malamute has a double coat of straight and dense hair. The Malamoodle will likely have a combination of both, which might work out to a wavy double coat, but it depends on which parent they take after the most.

The Malamute is generally a combination of black or gray and white, and the Poodle comes in a wide variety of colors. So, the color of the Malamoodle depends on the color of their parents’ coats.

Malamoodle Characteristics

Malamoodle Puppies

Malamoodle puppies are large and playful and might be a bit of a challenge to find. There are Malamoodle breeders, but not that many, so you’ll need to do your homework to find one. Try posting on social media about your interest in the Malamoodle, and someone might be able to help. You can also approach Alaskan Malamute and Poodle breeders, who might be able to point you in the right direction.

When you do locate a good breeder, you’ll need to visit them and their puppies at their location if possible. Be sure to ask as many questions as possible, which can help you determine if they are a responsible breeder.

You can also consider adopting, but we should point out that finding a specific mixed breed like the Malamoodle will be unlikely. Of course, you could adopt any dog in need of a loving home instead.

---

Temperament & Intelligence of the Malamoodle

Poodles are known for their high intelligence, and the Alaskan Malamute is smart too. Both are social and friendly dogs that tend to get along with just about anyone.

The Malamoodle will be equally intelligent and friendly, but keep in mind that not every dog will be social, as there are always exceptions to the rule. But in general, Malamoodles are playful and active and form exceptionally strong bonds with their families.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Malamoodle can be an excellent dog for many families. Their playful energy will make them fun playmates for children, and the Malamoodle will also form a strong bond with them.

Just keep in mind that you should teach your children to play with and treat the dog gently and with respect. This means the children should not ride the Malamoodle like a horse or pull on their ears and tail.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Malamute was bred for pulling sleds with a pack of dogs, so they naturally get along with other dogs. If socialized and trained well, they can get along with smaller animals like cats, but Malamutes do have a high prey drive.

Poodles also tend to get along with all other pets, so the Malamoodle likely will too. But much of this depends on if the dog is raised alongside the other animals and how well they are trained.

Things to Know When Owning a Malamoodle

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Regardless of the breed, all dogs should be fed high-quality dog food formulated for their current weight, age, and activity level. Since the Malamoodle is a large and active breed, ensure that the food that you purchase will support their body.

You must also provide your Malamoodle with constant access to fresh and clean water, go easy on the treats, and be careful of feeding human foods to your dog. Many ingredients are quite toxic to canines, so make sure you research any food that is not meant for dogs before feeding it to them.

Exercise 🐕

Both the Poodle and Malamute are highly active and energetic breeds and require a great deal of exercise. Both breeds need a minimum of 1 hour of exercise daily, but 2 hours are recommended, which will be the same for the Malamoodle.

Much of this exercise can be fulfilled by walking and hiking, along with giving them plenty of off-leash, full-out running opportunities.

Training 🎾

Both the Poodle and Malamute are intelligent breeds and can be trained easily, so this will likely be the case for the Malamoodle. Malamutes are also known for being a bit stubborn, though, so it’s best to start training your Malamoodle as soon as possible.

Grooming ✂️

This is where it gets tricky. The Poodle and Malamute’s coats are complete opposites. Poodles have fine, wavy, or curly hair that doesn’t shed as much as other breeds. Malamutes have thick double coats that shed profusely.

Much of the allure of “oodle” dogs is the partly hypoallergenic coat that these dogs can have, but the Malamoodle will definitely not be hypoallergenic. They will need frequent grooming, potentially daily, and will probably shed excessively during the fall and spring.

Bathing should only occur when it’s needed with a good dog shampoo; bathing any dog too often will dry and irritate their skin and coat. The Malamoodle will likely only need a bath once a month or more, depending on their coat type.

Finally, your Malamoodle will need their ears cleaned once or twice a week, their teeth brushed every day or at least two to three times a week, and their nails trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks.

Health and Conditions 🏥

One definite advantage of owning a mixed breed is that they tend to be healthier than purebred dogs, which are susceptible to inherited genetic conditions. However, since there’s a chance the Malamoodle could potentially inherit a few of their parents’ conditions, you should make yourself familiar with them.

---

Male vs. Female

Male and female Malamoodles might differ in size, but since Malamutes tend to be bigger than Poodles, there’s no guarantee that the female Malamoodle will be smaller than the male.

Beyond size, you also need to consider surgery, which is spaying for the female and neutering for the male. Spaying is more invasive than neutering, which makes the surgery more expensive, and the dog needs a longer recovery time.

While there might be a difference in temperament, it’s how a dog is socialized, trained, and generally treated over the course of their lifetime that contributes to their personality.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Malamoodle

1. The Malamoodle Is Not Hypoallergenic

Poodles are considered hypoallergenic dogs because they don’t shed as much as other breeds, but there is no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic dog—all dogs shed allergens.

Many breeds are bred with Poodles for variety and the hypoallergenic aspect. However, since the Malamute is known to be a huge shedder, the Malamoodle will not be even remotely hypoallergenic.

---

2. The Malamoodle Is Recognized by One Registry

Mixed breed dogs are not recognized by any of the known dog clubs, but the Malamoodle has been recognized by the Designer Breed Registry.

---

3. The Malamoodle Needs Someone Home

The Malamute and Poodle are both breeds that are prone to separation anxiety, so you can definitely expect the same with the Malamoodle.

Malamutes in particular dislike being left alone because of the bond that they form with their owners. So, it’s quite likely that your Malamoodle will prefer to have someone home most of the time.

In Summary

The Malamoodle comes from two amazing breeds that have many things in common. However, they need a family that is home much of the time and is super active. These dogs need plenty of attention, grooming, and exercise and are not ideal for people with allergies.

So, if you need a dog to keep up with you outdoors and shower you with devotion and love, the Malamoodle might be perfect for you!

See Also: 

• Alaskan Malamute Corgi Mix: Care, Pictures, Traits & More
• Alaskan Malamute Rottweiler Mix: Care, Pictures, Traits & Characteristics

---

Featured Image Credit: (L) Happy monkey, Shutterstock | (R) tsik, Shutterstock