Alaskan Malamute x German Shepherd = Alaskan Shepherd

History

The Alaskan Shepherd is a rare designer breed which may have been bred since the early 1900s in the United States. There is very little information is available regarding its origin. This dog was originally bred with an idea to develop a strong sled dog which may pull and carry heavy freight similar to the Alaskan Malamute. This scarce hybrid is not recognized by the AKC. However, in the year 2009, they gained recognition from the International Designer Canine Association (IDCA).

Appearance

These large-sized dogs inherit physical characteristics similar to their parents. They have an athletic built and are well-muscled and strong. They have a wolf-like appearance similar to its parent Alaskan Malamute. The average height of these dogs varies from 21 to 28 inches with an average weight of 60 to 125 pounds.

Alaskan Shepherds have attractive almond-shaped eyes, which may vary from blue, hazel or brown color and large erect and pointed ears. They have a very dense upper coat and it is thick, straight, and medium in length. The color of their coat may vary from gray, black, white, fawn, brown or a combination of any two.

Alaskan Shepherd Pictures

Quick Information

Temperament and Personality

This German Shepherd-Alaskan Malamute mix is friendly, loyal and smart dogs. This alert breed is highly protective towards its family, owing to their attachment with their family, forming ideal watchdogs, a quality that they may have inherited from the German Shepherd.

They love the attention of the family, and may feel anxious or become destructive when bored or left alone for long hours. These dogs are good company for children and other pets. However, owing to their huge size, an adult should always supervise when your pet is around small children.

These dogs are highly protective for the family members and get alert when strangers are around. Thus making a great watchdog who keeps a close vigilance on any suspicious activity. Owing to their half german shepherd half malamute lineage they prefer cooler climates.

Care – Exercise

Both the parent breeds of the Alaskan Shepherd are working breeds and are highly energetic and active. Thus the resultant offsprings are also energetic and high endurance pets who need regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

These dogs love being outdoors in the yard or park and participate in activities like hiking, running, fetching in open spaces. A 60-90 minutes of walk, jog, or run will be ideal to keep them busy, as they may tend to get destructive when bored.

Grooming

They have medium length hair and extremely rough and dense double coats that shed heavily, especially during seasonal changes. Brushing them weekly with a bristled brush as well as using a de-shedder can help reduce seasonal shedding and keep the coat neat and polished.

Cleaning their ears and eyes regularly will help to keep allergies and infections at bay. Brushing their teeth weekly is recommended for good dental health along with clipping their nails. These dogs need only occasional baths when their coats are dirty with debris.

Health Problems

Alaskan Shepherd is usually a healthy breed with a lifespan of 11-13 years. They can have some of the health issues like chondrodysplasia, i.e., other body parts not functioning correctly. Also, they may get infected by cartilaginous exostosis that is a disorder of the bone because of the excessive formation of calcium.

Training

Start training your Alaskan Shepherd the moment you bring it into your home because puppies are the easiest to train.

Positive Reinforcement: Taking a positive and fun, rewards-based approach is the best way to encourage your pet.

Obedience Training: Obedience training always comes prior to socialization training, especially to herding dogs. Since herding dogs have a natural instinct to hunt other animals, it is important to train them the basic obedience commands like ‘freeze’, ‘back’, ‘halt’. ‘stop’, and etc. to keep them even-tempered and well-rounded dogs.

Socialization: Taking your young puppies to parks to play and meet other people and animals will make them comfortable with strangers and help them come out of their shyness.

Feeding

The Alaskan Shepherd is a large-sized active dog which needs healthy dog food which is divided into 2-3 meals. Be careful not to overfeed your dog with treats and meals as this may lead to obesity.

Alaskan Shepherd Puppies Images

Video: Alaskan Malamute German Shepherd Mix

The post Alaskan Shepherd appeared first on DogBreeds10.

These rare breed of hunter dogs were named after the mountainous region of Pungsan (present-day Kimhyǒnggwǒn), the place where they were originally bred.

History

The Pungsan dog is also known as the ‘Poongsan dog’ and is one of only three dog breeds native to Korea (the others breeds are the Sapsali and the Korean Jindo). The Pungsan is the rarest of the three and is practically a rare breed internationally.

The origin and records of the Poongsan dogs are absent and their heritage is speculated to date back to the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from 1392 until 1897.

Many people claim that the Pungsans was ultimately the result of dogs mating with wolves in the area which is credited for their hunting ability, cleverness, and their aggressive natures. Some stories even refer to a Pungsan dog who defeated a Siberian Tiger in battle.

Developed in the harsh environment of northern Korea, the Pungsans can work in cold weather. The Pungsan dog is not currently recognised by any major kennel clubs.

Pungsan Dog Pictures

Quick Information & Facts

Appearance

The Pungsan has the characteristics typical of a Spitz breed; a plush double coat, wedge-shaped face, prick ears and a tail that curls over their back. They sport dark brown almond-shaped eyes that are alert.

Their sturdy bodies are strong and well-muscled, allowing for agile movement and great stamina. They are slightly longer than their height giving them an agile and rectangular shape with a broad and deep chest. Their limbs are straight while their paws are well-rounded.

Their abundant, thick coat is well designed to handle the harsh weather of the Korean mountains and comes in white and off-white shades.

Temperament & Personality

These dogs are known to be protective and very loyal canines when it comes to their owners and their property. They are strong, agile, intelligent, affectionate and independent pooches.

A loving pooch for the family who thrives on strong human bond, the Pungsan is a family companion that loves its people and participates in the household chores.

Owing to their high prey drive instincts, the Pungsan dog makes it a poor fit for households with mixed pets, as they may tend to be aggressive with small pets like cats, rabbits, etc. With early socialization, it can learn to be gentle with other animals and pets and co-exist with them.

While they do have strong territorial instincts, they are not prone to barking unless it is truly needed, making them excellent guard dogs and watchdogs.

This breed is not recommended for the first time owners and requires a dominant and strong owner to be the leader.

Care ~ Excercise

Being an active breed it requires an hour of rigorous exercise schedules with proper mental stimulation daily to stay healthy and fit.

Pungsan will love to go for long, brisk walks on a leash, as well as runs and jogs beside you while you ride a cycle or bike.

The improper workout schedules make them restless and might even develop destructive activities like barking & chewing, etc to combat boredom.

Grooming

Pungsan dogs require frequent brushing to clean their dead furs as they are heavy shedders. 2-3 times brushing a week will suffice its cleaning requirements. However, during their shedding season, they may require brushing and cleaning twice a day.

Clip the nails on a monthly basis and the teeth, which should be cleaned a few times per week. Bathing is necessary only when it gets dirty or has a bad odor. Their ears may be prone to infections due to water, dirt buildup and need regular checking to prevent infections and pain.

Health Problems

The Pungsan dog is a healthy breed with less genetic and health issues. However, it may suffer from some health problems namely;

• Bloating
• Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

It is advisable to visit the vet occasionally to minimize the risk.

Training

Pungsan puppies are intelligent canines and can take up commands quickly if they desire. But, owing to their stubborn nature at times, they can be difficult to train. They need a dominating and consistent trainer who can lead him with authority.

Socialization: It means training your puppy or adult dog to accept new people, animals, by visiting various new places like dog parks, walks and more. By exposing him to these things and situations, your pet will adapt well to new surroundings and come over it fears and phobias. Well, socialized dogs are less likely to develop behavior problems and are generally more welcomed by others.

Obedience & Leash Training: Leash training is crucial to minimize its preying and chasing instincts. Start from an early age to make it familiar with the leash. When it plays or during its meal time apply the leash and take a short walk around the room or the garden and when it ultimately gets familiar take them out.

Try to end training on a positive note and reward your pet with treats for a good training session. This keeps training fun for you and your pet. Next time, your dog will be excited when it is time to practice!

Diet/Feeding

These hardy dogs need high-quality food or homemade food that is nutritious and rich in fat, carbohydrates, and protein. You can offer them 2-2.5 of dry kibbles depending on his age and size to meet their energy requirements.

They are prone to obesity and bloating, and it is essential to visit a vet before opting for a fatty diet. Try to offer them small meals multiple times a day and prevent heavy exercises to minimize the risk of obesity.

Pungsan Hunting Dog Images

Video: Pungsan Dog – Ferocious Tiger Hunter

Pungsan Puppies Pics

Interesting Trivia

• Dangyol and Jaju, the two dogs that were given as gifts to the former President of South Korea from the former President of North Korea in 2000, are likely the two most well-known Pungsan dogs.
• The Pungsan and the Jindo have been bred together on many occasions in breeding programs in Korea.
• There is a famous Korean folktale in which a Pungsan dog is said to hunt and defeat a Siberian tiger.

The post Pungsan Dog appeared first on DogBreeds10.

Dachshund x Pomeranian = Dameranian

This designer dog breed is friendly, smart,loyal and playful, you will love their charming personality. The breed is also called by other names, such as Doxie Pom, Pom-Dach, Pomaweenie, Pomdach, Pom-A-Weenie, or Pomweenie.

Dameranian Breed History

Though not much is known about the origin of Dameranians, it is speculated that this breed was designed between 1990 and 2000. We can know more about the parent breeds in order to understand what to expect from their offspring, the lovely Dameranian.

Dachshunds are among one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and has been since the 1950s. They originated from Germany, where “Dachs” means badger and “Hund” means dog. The original German Dachshunds were larger than the Dachshunds we know today. They were trained to hunt and kill their prey.

Pomeranians descended from Wolf-Spitz type dogs. They share the same ancestors with the other arctic breeds such as the Keeshond and Samoyed. Pomeranians are thought to have acquired their name by association with the area known as Pomerania, located in northern Poland and Germany. It is the area in which Pomeranians were bred down to size. These feisty canines have been known to be pets of famous figures such as Mary Antoinette, Michelangelo, and Queen Victoria.

Dameranian Pictures

Dameranian Breed Appearance

The Dachshund-Pomeranian mix is small-sized, fluffy dog. Their height varies between 5 to 12 inches and the breed generally weighs between 8 to 20 pounds. The Dameranian will be a combination of both parent breeds, the Dachshund and the Pomeranians.

They have a beautiful, long, smooth coat with a small head. They are short in stature due to their short legs, said to have been inherited from the Dachshund. They have big ears that may stand erect or may droop down. Most Dameranians have the nose of a Dachshund and the look of a Pomeranian, with the coat thickest around the neck.

They have a smooth or wire-haired coat, which may be short to medium length. The most common colors for Dameranian dogs are black, black and tan, blue, brown, gray, and white.

Quick Facts

Temperament & Behavior

Dameranians are usually very friendly and sweet towards everyone they meet. They are affectionate, courageous, alert, intelligent, lively, loving, and loyal. This makes them excellent lap dogs. They are also playful and social.

However, they have a unique trait of forming a strong bond with a particular member of the family. They are fiercely loyal and devoted to their owners. This nature may make them prone to suffer from separation anxiety on being left alone for long durations.

He may be prone to barking; it is recommended that training to stop barking on command begin at an early age. Due to their small size, Dameranians should always be supervised when playing with children and other pets around.

Due to their sweet personality and moderate activity needs, Dameranians will adapt to most living conditions. They are a good choice for seniors and families with older children, as well as apartment dwellers.

Care ~ Exercise

The Dameranian is a fairly energetic and active dog who loves to play around. Take your Dameranian for a walk daily as he will enjoy short, brisk walks with you would love to visit the park. They get along well with other pets and children if trained properly. These regular activities will keep him fit and healthy and also meet with his hunting and chasing instincts.

Grooming

Dameranians need moderate maintenance and have an easy grooming routine. They shed all year round and brushing their hair at least three to four times a week, in order to brush off the loose hair will make the Dameranian’s coat softer and cleaner. Bathe them occasionally only when they are dirty. Clean their hanging ears regularly to avoid infections.

Health Problems

Dameranians are usually healthy dogs and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. As such they have been no breed-specific health issues which have been reported. However, owners should be watchful of issues

• Patellar Luxation
• Hip Dysplasia
• Bloat
• Allergies
• Epilepsy

Training

Training Dameranians is easy and does not require too much time and effort. They are smart dogs and have no problem picking up what you’re teaching them and will learn tricks and commands with ease. However, like both of the parental breeds of the Dameranian can also be stubborn at times. You have to place strict codes of conduct while also rewarding them with positive reinforcement techniques to keep them motivated.

Obedience Training: The breed is a quick learner and shall pick and follow commands easily. They should instantly be able to respond well, when you tell them “sit,” “come,” “stay,” or “stand.”

Leash Training: Get them used to the collar and the leash from their puppy days to ward off any possible behavioral issues pertaining to their inherent hunting instinct.

Diet/Feed

Dameranian is a small breed dog, and is very food motivated. High-quality dry food for petite dogs will be a great fit for them.

In addition to kibble, you can switch it up with an occasional homemade meal, yummy treats or canned dog food. Just make sure not to go overboard with servings! Owing to its Dachshund parent lineage, the Dameranians are very prone to being overweight. Just keep the overindulgence in check!

Dameranian Puppies

Dameranian puppies are adorable babies and will need timely socialization and training, though, to ensure they grow up to their potential.

Dameranian Puppies Images

Video: Dameranian Playing

Fun Facts

• Dameranians can make interesting therapy dogs. When trained correctly, they can become hearing assistance dogs.
• Dameranians do not do well in severe warm or cold weather.

The post Dameranian (Pomeranian X Dachshund Mix) appeared first on DogBreeds10.