Wolamute (Gray Wolf & Alaskan Malamute Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

Very few people can claim to have domesticated a wolf, but owning a wolf-dog comes pretty close. The Wolamute is a crossbreed of the gray wolf and the Alaskan Malamute. Its well-muscled body and thick coat are best suited for pulling and pushing people across the ice. But it can also make a good pet.

Just like all wolf dogs, the Wolamute inherits the characteristics of both their wolf and dog parents. While they are friendly, loyal, and affectionate, they still possess the prey instinct of their wolf parent. Moreover, they can also exhibit shyness, aggression, and defensive behavior.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most unique dog breeds you will ever come across. If you have never owned a wolf-dog, read on to find out more about their traits and whether they are the best pet for you.

Wolamute Puppies  

When looking for a Walamute, expect to pay a high price due to the rarity of this mixed breed and the high price of the Alaskan Malamute. Breeds with more of the wolf genes tend to be more expensive. Alternatively, you can try your luck in a rescue or adoption center. Many of these centers are just a click away.

When you bring a Walamute home, be ready to have an affectionate and energetic dog around. They are quite large and very active so consider this mixed breed only if you have lots of space for your dog to run around in. Wolamutes are highly intelligent and will respond well to training. Learn what training methods work the best for Wolamutes to make training sessions fun.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Wolamute

1. It is One of the Oldest Wolf-Dog Crosses

The Wolamute is among the earliest wolf-dog breeds in the world. This unique canine allegedly served as a working dog in the arctic for thousands of years.

2. They Don’t Make Good Guard Dogs

Judging by their suspicion towards strangers, you could be tempted to think Wolamute make good guard dogs. However, they are unlikely to alert you to the presence of strangers.

3. It is Adaptable to Different Climates

The Wolamute is adapted to living in colder environments. However, they can survive just as well in warmer environments.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Wolamute Dog

It is hard to pinpoint the behavioral traits of the Wolamute. That’s because the temperament of the individual wolf-dog will vary depending on how much of each parent’s traits they inherit. Also, the environment the dog is raised in contributes to shaping its behavior. If you want a well-balanced pet, make sure to socialize them from a young age.

Due to the killer instincts that they inherit from their wolf descent, the Wolamute has a very high prey drive. They will chase after small pets and can knock down small children. However, the dog can be quite friendly and affectionate to their owners. But they will not show the same affection to the stranger.

Being a very intelligent canine, the Wolamute is easy to train. However, you need to be consistent and firm to be successful. Since a wolf-dog will act less like a dog than many other dogs out there, take time to understand your canine’s instincts. Learning about their personal needs and how they think will help you develop a healthy relationship.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Although they are wary of strangers, Wolamute can be very friendly and affectionate towards family members. And since you should not leave them alone for too long, having a large family could help. However, the dog will only thrive in an active family.

Generally, wolf-dogs need a lot of physical and mental exercises to stay healthy and happy. If you fail to provide enough stimulation, they will act out by digging, chewing, and engaging in similar destructive behaviors.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 

A Wolamute’s high prey drive and territorial instincts make it almost impossible to raise the dog alongside other pets. They will usually chase after and harm other smaller pets and can be protective in regard to their food and living space.

Things to Know When Owning a Wolamute Dog

The Wolamute is unique owing to its mixed heritage, and it requires special care and attention. Here is what you need to know before you decide to buy one.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Wolamute is a big dog that comes with a good appetite. You must provide a well-balanced diet with adequate proteins, carbs, minerals, vitamins, and fat. The dog also requires an adequate supply of fresh drinking water daily. Your dogs’ nutritional needs will vary depending on their age and activity. Ideally, you should feed adults twice a day with 4–6 cups of nutritious food. On the other hand, puppies should eat three or four times a day.

Ensure to stick to a consistent feeding schedule to avoid stressing the dog. Also, avoid changing their diet abruptly to prevent stomach upsets.

Exercise 🐕

A Wolamute needs plenty of exercise and high-energy activities to stimulate their body and mind. Otherwise, they will redirect that energy elsewhere by engaging in destructive behavior. For example, they may climb fences, dig dens, and chew your precious house items.

This dog prefers strenuous exercises. Therefore, they would rather do some heavy pulling and pushing jobs rather than run around the dog park aimlessly. A Wolamute also enjoys hiking and could benefit from participating in agility classes.

The type of exercise a Wolamute requires demands a lot of space. So, it might not work out between the two of you if you live in an apartment building. Ideally, your home should have a large yard that is fenced all around to keep the dog from straying.

Training 🦮

This wolf-dog is among the most intelligent dog breeds and will respond well to training. However, sometimes the territorial instincts and aggressiveness characteristic of its wolf descent can hamper the process. You must be firm and consistent to tame this undesirable behavior. It could also help if you socialize the dog from a young age.

A Wolamute considers itself a pack leader, especially when it is not trained from a young age. If you want them to follow your commands, you need to take charge. You must demonstrate strong and consistent leadership. But do not resort to harsh reprimands; they will respond better to treats and rewards.

Grooming ✂️

The canine’s thick, all-weather coat only requires moderate grooming. Brushing it once a week is adequate to retain its natural shine. However, you may need to brush it more often during shedding seasons.

Regular bathing is not necessary. Besides, overbathing robs the body of its natural oils. But you must remember to brush their teeth regularly and clean their ears to clear any wax build-up. Also, the sound of nails on the hard floor should remind you to trim their long nails.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Wolamute dogs have a reputation for being healthy and hardy. Nonetheless, wolf-dogs are also susceptible to health problems like other breeds. Some common health issues here include arthritis, bone cancer, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia.

Buying from a reputable breeder is the surest way to ensure you get a healthy puppy that will live as long as nature allows. That’s because the breeder will screen the puppy for any underlying health conditions and vaccinate them against rabies and other similar canine ailments.

Male vs Female

The Wolamute is a large breed of dog, and that remains true whether your pup is male or female. While males do tend to be slightly larger, the differences in sex can also influence the character of your Wolamute. However, the influence of the parents will play a larger role in the personality quirks of your dog than their sex will.

Conclusion

The Wolamute is not for everybody. The idea of owning a dog that is half-wolf is exciting. However, the unique challenges brought forth by the breed’s wolf gene can be too much for some owners. Just like the parent wolf, a Wolamute can be aggressive and territorial and needs strong and consistent leadership.

Additionally, the dog has a high prey drive and may not be friendly to other smaller pets and children. They also require plenty of exercise to remain healthy and happy and are thus only suited for active singles and families.

With that said, a Wolamute can be a great family pet. Although they can be shy and aggressive around strangers, they are very friendly and affectionate with family members. They can also learn to live with other pets provided you socialize them from a young age.

See also:

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

---

Featured Image Credit: ertuzio, Pixabay