As a dog lover, one of my favorite breeds is none other than the Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier!
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier is a result of an amazing crossbreeding of the stamina of the Alaskan Malamute and the kindness of the American Pit Bull Terrier. This is a devoted family pet that loves to cuddle around and loves to run outdoors.
This is a robust breed that originated in the late 1800s when both of the parent breeds became popular in the United States.
I have collected a lot of information regarding this breed, so if you are planning to adopt one, get your hands ready because you will fall in love with it.
About the Breed
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier is an energetic crossbreed between two parents who are extremely energetic and active.
Coming from the Alaskan Malamute and the American Pit Bull Terrier, this breed is a fan favorite as both parents are great testaments to active dog breeds.
The Alaskan Malamute is essentially a sledding dog that is known for its heavy-duty work and energetic lifestyle, whereas the American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs that are loyal and loving, especially towards children.
If you are looking for a friend in this breed, you are in the right place.
Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed History
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier has a dual ancestry. The first being of the Alaskan Malamute. This breed was initially bred in Alaska for the cold Arctic conditions.
The Malamute does have sporting in its lineage and was bred for enduring activities like sledding.
They thus have great stamina and double coats. The American Pit Bull Terrier, the second ancestral parent, is a loved breed.
These popular dogs come from the historic Staffordshire Terriers and are family pets though they may be perceived as intimidating due to their pit bull nature.
Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed Job Card/Overview
Breed Name | Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier |
Other Name | Pit Bull Terrier |
Type of dog breed | Crossbreed |
Origin | Alaska |
Born of | Alaskan Malamute ? and American Pit Bull Terrier |
Height | 20-26 inches |
Weight | 6-75 pounds |
Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
Coat Type | Thick coat |
Common Colors | Light gray, Black, Blue, Fawn, Red, White, and Silver |
Level of grooming | Regular brushing and maintenance |
Level of shedding | Moderate shedding |
Persona | Intelligent, Obedient, Loving |
Living in an apartment | Could be ideal for apartments |
Friendly with other pets | Yes |
Health Concerns | Skin problems, Cataracts, Hip Dysplasia, Diabetes Allergies |
Overall Health | Good |
Intelligence Level | Very Intelligent |
Easy to train | Easily trainable |
Level of energy | Quite energetic |
Activity interests | High level of activity required |
Number of Puppies | 1-5 puppies |
What to know
• The Alaskan Malamute, which is from Alaska and largely known for its heavy weight pulling and sledding functions, and the American Pit Bull Terrier, which is a largely loved and affectionate family dog.
• This breed is easy to train and loyal from its Terrier side and shows activity and endurance levels from its Malamute side.
• The perfect breed to keep you company, keep reading so you can learn the most of them.
Characteristics
Adaptability
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier cannot adapt well to the owners living in an apartment. They are a super sensitive breed and hate being kept alone for a long period.
They are hypoallergenic, so owners with allergy-related issues will not enjoy their company. They are moderately adaptive to hot environments and love the cold season.
Adaptability
Loves Living in an Apartment
Good For First-time Owners
Level of Sensitivity
Loves Being Alone
Loves Cold Weather
Loves Hot Weather
Friendliness
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier is extremely loyal to their families and is a great family dog. They love to give and receive love and affection.
They are always eager to go hiking as well as sit and relax on the couch with their family members.
They love being around kids and develop strong bonds with everyone in the household.
All Around Friendliness
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Personality
Energy is a given when it comes to the Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier. They are very loyal and affectionate, given their Terrier lineage.
These dogs can be strong and lean and require regular exercise.
They are family pets; thus, they are protective and affectionate towards their families and parents.
They are obedient and like to socialize but may be intimidating due to their demeanor. They are easy to train and openly show their love and affection physically.
Temperament
Friendly with Kids
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier loves being around kids and enjoys playing with them. They can be the best companions for the kids to play.
Since this is a confident and loyal breed, it is important to be firm with them from the beginning, otherwise, they might turn rough later.
Amicable to Other Pets
These dogs are moderately friendly to other dogs and pets. However, they need to be socialized from the beginning, otherwise, it might get late.
It is necessary to get your dog some company with the same characteristics and intelligence level so that your pup doesn’t get bored.
Barking Tendencies
These dogs bark a lot sometimes. If boredom hits them or they are frustrated, they might bark excessively.
However, a good game of fetch and tug of war can help them to calm down their minds. Positive reinforcement training can teach your dogs that there are better ways to cope with stress than barking.
Possibilities of Staying Alone
Like all dogs, Alaskan Pit Bull Terriers also love to socialize a lot. They hate being kept alone for a long time. They enjoy playing along with their owners and going on adventures with them. They love to be around kids and enjoy their company too.
Also, you will not want to keep your pup alone for a long time, will you?
Pros and Cons of Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed
Pros
- Forms strong bonds with kids and family members
- Intelligent and loyal
- Sensitive and loves to live in the cold
Cons
- Cannot adapt themselves to apartment living
- They are not easy to groom
- If kept alone for a long time, can bark a lot
Male vs. Female Attitude
All Pit Bull Terriers are more or less the same, and the male ones may be slightly larger than the females in terms of size.
In terms of temperament, the female ones may be calmer and less aggressive than the males, but this is seen in rare cases. There is not much of a difference between the genders.
Appearance
General Appearance
This dog can sometimes inherit the traits of a Pit Bull and sometimes the traits of an Alaskan Malamute.
If they resemble the Malamutes, they will have a lean and imposing body like a Spitz descendant, otherwise, they will have a smooth, square muzzle like a pit bull.
They can have upright and erect ears, and some Pit Bulls can have small, pendant ears. They have short and dense coats of varied colors like brown, black, red, white, fawn, and even silver sometimes.
These large dogs have sable, agouti, points, spots, and even markings. They are quite powerful animals, having pure muscle from their tail to wide chests.
Their dark-colored eyes will make your heart go aww. Their legs are sturdy, and their toes are quite well-padded.
Coat color
Alaskan Pit Bull Terriers get a shiny, thick, dense coat that comes from both their parents.
Their Alaska parents give them a thick double coat that allows them to stay warm during cold times, and the terrier side gives them a silky coat they can hone.
They have a normal to dense coat density and medium coat length. Their straight coat texture is something that makes it look spectacular.
Shedding
Regular brushing of the coat is important for the Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier. In winter, they are kept warm by their double Alaskan coat; however, when seasons change, blowouts may occur.
During blowouts, they tend to shed a lot, which may be difficult to manage. This usually occurs in the summer season. In such situations, regular brushing helps.
During the summer months, increase your brushing to several times per month or as you need.
Size
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier is large. Their parents are both large dogs that come from parent breeds that were also big.
Thus, they are large dogs quite similar to their Malamute parents with a lean body structure.
Male | Female | |
---|---|---|
Height | 19-26” | 16-24” |
Weight | 65-80 lbs | 60-75 lbs |
Health
Alaskan Pit Bull Terriers are generally very healthy breeds as they come from responsible breeders; however, genetically, they may be exposed to some conditions that you can look out for. These include Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Allergies, or Diabetes.
To keep your dog healthy and prevent diseases rather than go in for cures, make sure you visit your doctor frequently and maintain a healthy and nutritious lifestyle and diet for your dog.
Canine Hip Dysplasia |
Chondrodysplasia |
Cataracts |
Glaucoma |
Skin problems |
Internal Imaging like X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI |
Skin Biopsy |
Orthopedic exam |
Ocular exam |
Allergy tests |
Health And Grooming Needs
Shedding Levels
Potential to Drool
Grooming Ease
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size
Maintenance and Care
Since these dogs are energetic, they need avenues where they can burn off their energy. Regular exercise, a minimum of two hours, should be carried out to engage Alaskan Pit Bull Terriers.
These dogs are very vocal with dissatisfaction; thus, they tend to bark and be vocal. This should be taken care of for apartment owners or owners who take them to public spaces.
Just going on walks is not sufficient for their temperament. Ensure that you engage your dog in games both indoors and outdoors, like fetch, catch, or tug of war.
This keeps their brain activity and physical activity levels high.
Grooming
Grooming this breed is easy. Weekly brushing them with a slicker brush lowers shedding. They should be bathed no more than once a month to avoid drying the natural oils in their coat.
Their ears need to be cleaned regularly. To groom your dog, brush their teeth and coats regularly and ensure you are clipping their nails regularly as well.
This maintains their hygiene and keeps them clean and feeling good and happy.
Brushing the coat during seasonal changes and the summer season is important as the Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier tends to shed a bit during that time.
Food and nutrition
Alaskan Pit Bull Terriers are agile and full of stamina with large exercise requirements. The factor that supplements all these factors is a nutritious and filling diet. Large portions of high-energy foods are important for these dogs.
Keep their feeding habits active and unique; for example, find treat games or filled toys. This will keep them motivated and fed.
For the best and most personalized diet, consider the advice of your veterinarian, who can personalize a diet plan for your pet dog.
Food Cost
It is advised by the pet nutritionists to provide 2-3 cups of dog food every day to the Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier breed.
The daily cost will be around $1.50-$1.90. The monthly cost sums up to be around $40.00-$55.00.
Exercise and activity level
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier is extremely energetic and thus suits owners who also enjoy an athletic lifestyle.
Thus, their exercise needs are about an hour or two minimum per day. Not only walks or runs but also supplementary indoor or outdoor games of the owner’s choice.
They enjoy trips to the parks, playing games with family members, and are always eager to learn new tricks. Isn’t that interesting?
Sometimes, it is quite hard to satisfy them as they are not content with how much they play or the time they spend with their stamina; thus, you must keep them active and engaged until they are fulfilled.
This will also prevent them from being lethargic and keep them happy and content.
Physical Needs
Level of energy
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Playfulness potential
Trainability
These breeds are easy to train. They are mostly known for their vitality and endurance. They need rigorous training and exercise for at least half an hour every day to keep them active and happy.
Positive training methods will give good results with proper consistency. Avoid harsh training approaches, as it leads to antisocial behavior.
Trainability
Training of Ease
Intelligence
Mouthiness Potential
Hunting Drive
Willingness To Bark Or Howl
Potential to Roam
Conclusion
The Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier though very large, is not shy of affection at all.
These dogs love to express their emotions physically and prefer to cuddle and love their owners openly despite their intimidating size. They are very loyal and protective of their owners.
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FAQ on Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier Dog breed…
Where do the Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier breeds come from?
These dogs come from Alaska as they are a cross between the Alaskan Malamute and the American Pit Bull Terrier.
What is the best diet routine for an Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier dog?
High-energy diet routines prescribed by your veterinarian, which will keep your dog healthy and nutritional, are recommended. Apart from this, energy-rich food that will supplement their energy needs is good.
How much exercise is required for an Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier?
At least an hour or two of walking or running and games that will engage your Alaskan Pit Bull Terrier is essential to keep them busy and content. Supplement your runs with active fetch or catch games to keep them happy!
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.