Alaskan Goldenmute Dog Breed

No one has provided evidence why the Alaskan Goldenmute exists, as the two parent breeds are best left undiluted to do what they do best. Some say it has to do with breeding out the same-sex dog-aggression in Malamutes, and others have said it's to breed in the golden coat color. (Colors are discussed in the "Coloring" part of this page.) In any case, they have been known to accidentally mate as well, and they have proven to be great family pets. They may or may not be good for first-time dog-owners, however, as they may retain the stubbornness for which Mals are known. If they inherit more of the Retriever side, they tend to be less headstrong and far easier to train. Regardless, they are usually great with kids!

Here are some more facts about these unusual mixed breed dogs:

As you might think, the Alaskan Goldenmute is a strange and unusual hybrid dog. There is at least one book available on them, but it comes down to rolling the dice regarding most of the traits they'll inherit. Perhaps the one sure thing is that Goldenmutes are easy-going dogs even if they must be pushed a little bit to be active a lot.

The intelligence of the parent breeds is well established. While this doesn't mean that Alaskan Goldenmutes are doubly smart, they are intelligent creatures. They can be trained to do hard work like pulling sleds and small carts, and being guide and therapy dogs, and so much more.

These dogs, when not working, tend to be playful and looking for new friends. They do have a high prey drive, however, and while they may not be actually chasing the cat for a snack, they can be a bit more rambunctious than non-canine pets might like. As for loyalty, they will prefer to be by your side all the time.

Labs have a bit of a reputation for being on the lazy side due to their happy-go-lucky characteristic when not hunting or working. Malamutes might lie around all day if you stay in one spot and they have no task. Still, both dogs are very strong and do need a lot of exercise, and the Alaskan Goldenmute will be and need the same.

Alaskan Goldenmutes have hybrid vigor on their side, but their parents still have health concerns particular to their breeds that can be passed on to their mixed breed puppies. They are big dogs, and that means bloat, obesity, and joint dysplasia tend to be more possible.

Malamutes are prone to dwarfism (clinically known as chondrodysplasia) and a nervous system disorder called "polyneuropathy." There is no way to test for polyneuropathy, however.

Golden Retrievers tend to have more common health issues, some of which can also occur in Mals, and those are noted below:

• Seizures
• Lymphoma
• Eye problems
• Eye disorders
• Skin problems
• Osteosarcoma
• Hypothyroidism
• Mast cell tumors
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Sub-Aortic Stenosis (SAS)

The typical lifespan for the Alaskan Goldenmute averages between 10 and 15 years.