Border Malamute Terrier | Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts
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| Height: | 15 – 17 inches |
| Weight: | 18 – 20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 15 years |
| Colors: | White, fawn, brindle, grey, agouti |
| Suitable for: | Companionship, families, homes with a yard |
| Temperament: | Friendly, playful, and affectionate |
The Border Malamute Terrier is a mixed breed, created by mixing the Alaskan Malamute with a Border Terrier. Border terriers are known for their water-resistant coats and incredible stamina. It was a Fox hunting dog that got its start near England and Scotland’s borders in the 18th century. The Alaskan malamute can be as many as 4000 years old, originating in Serbia and crossing the land bridge between Siberia and Alaska. It’s a hardworking sled dog recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935.
Your Border Malamute Terrier Can take on the appearance of either parent breed, but It’s likely to be a small-medium size dog with a thick and wiry coat. It will likely have short, strong legs and bright, alert eyes. The ears and tail can vary significantly based on which parent it takes after more.
Border Malamute Terrier Puppies
When you’re looking for a Border Malamute Terrier, it’s important to find an ethical and reputable breeder. Reputable breeders may run different tests on the puppy to make sure it’s healthy before they sell it. They may also run tests on the parents to make sure they’re not carrying genes that can pass on a harmful disease like hip dysplasia or blindness. This test can be costly but will reduce the risk of health problems later in life.
You can also try looking for a Border Malamute Terrier in a dog shelter or rescue. It might be hard to find this specific crossbreed, but you may be able to find a similar one. When you welcome a Border Malamute Terrier into your home, be ready to have a playful and affectionate dog by your side.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Border Malamute Terrier
1. Border Terriers of the 1800s had to find their own food, so they are excellent hunters
2. Humans can often convince an Alaskan Malamute to sing
3. The Alaskan Malamute is the official state dog of Alaska
Temperament & Intelligence of the Border Malamute Terrier
The Border Malamute Terrier can take on either parent’s personality but will generally be friendly and playful. Its affectionate nature is great for children, and they like to be part of the family. They don’t mind when strangers visit either, so they may not make the best guard dogs.
The Border Malamute Terrier is an intelligent dog well suited to learning new tricks and is very patient and tolerant, making it perfect for first-time dog owners.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Border Malamute Terrier makes a great family pet and is especially well suited to homes with children. They are affectionate and friendly with almost everyone they meet, and they don’t do much barking. They are quite tolerant of the abuses often doled out by children and enjoy being with family members and going for walks or watching tv.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Unfortunately, the Border Malamute Terrier will need a lot of early socialization to get along with other household pets, especially smaller animals like cats, due to their fox hunting genes. Even if the dog doesn’t become aggressive toward the cat, it will likely chase them.
Things to Know When Owning a Border Malamute Terrier
Things to Know When Owning a Border Malamute TerrierHere are a few things to consider before you purchase a Border Malamute Terrier.
Food and Diet Requirements 🦴
The Border Malamute Terrier is a small-medium sized dog, so it’s not going to eat you out of house and home. However, you should try to get high-quality food with a meat listed as its first ingredient. Avoid foods with corn or meat byproduct listed first and try to purchase brands with omega fats, antioxidants, and probiotics if possible. Spread the meals out over several days to make it easier to digest.
Daily Exercise Requirements 🐕
The Border Malamute Terrier is a mix of two active breeds, so you can expect a high energy dog that likes to play. It can be prone to restlessness, barking, and mischievous behavior if it doesn’t burn off the excess energy. You will need to do at least 30 to 45 minutes of high energy exercise each day to keep your pet happy and fit.
Training 🦮
The Border Malamute Terrier Is the smart breed that will learn tricks very quickly. Positive reinforcement in the form of praise, head rubs, and treats will allow them to learn new commands after only a few tries. However, they do get restless, and it may be difficult to get them to sit for a training session long enough to learn the commands. The best solution may be to hold your training sessions immediately after playtime when they’ve had a chance to burn off some energy.
Grooming ✂️
The Border Malamute Terrier doesn’t shed much and requires very little maintenance. You can expect to brush your dog once a week and bathe it when it gets dirty. Otherwise, regular toothbrushing with a doggie toothpaste and occasional nail clipping when you hear them click off the floor is all that’s required
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Border Malamute Terrier is a very healthy dog with a long lifespan, but all dogs are subjective to some health problems, and we’ll discuss some common to the Border Malamute Terrier in this section.
- Cataracts – Cataracts is a condition that affects your dog’s eyes and causes the lens to become a cloudy blue. As the disease progresses, it can be difficult for your dog to see, and if left untreated, cataracts can cause the lens to become dislodged, leading to glaucoma. Surgery may be required to remove the lenses of the affected eyes.
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma is a condition where fluid within the eye doesn’t drain properly and can lead to painful pressure and blindness. Glaucoma is a fast-acting disease, and sometimes doctors are left with only hours to save the dog’s vision. The most common glaucoma symptom in your is an elevated third eyelid that makes it look like the eye is rolling up and out. Other symptoms include pawing at the face and squinting.
- Patellar Luxation – Patellar luxation is a condition that affects many dog breeds and causes the elbow the kneecap to slip out of place due to a weakening patellar ligament. As the condition progresses, the patellar ligament gets weaker and weaker, allowing the kneecap to fall out of position more often, affecting your pet’s ability to bear weight on the affected leg. Symptoms include limping or skipping and swinging the leg out to put the kneecap back in place. Many experts consider patellar luxation the most common cause of lameness in dogs, and treatment may require surgery.
- Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is a condition that causes the bones in the hip joint to wear down prematurely due to a malformation of the joint usually caused by genetics. Hip dysplasia usually affects large and giant breed dogs, but you can find it in all breeds of any size. Symptoms include decreased activity, a swaying gate, lameness in the back legs, difficulty or reluctance to run, jump, or climb stairs. Treatment usually includes weight loss, medication, and surgery.
Male vs Female
Male vs FemaleThere is very little difference between the male and female Border Malamute Terrier. Both grow to the same size and weight and have very similar temperaments. The main difference will come from which parent they take after.
Summary
SummaryThe Border Malamute Terrier is a great family pet if you don’t have cats. This breed will chase cats even if it doesn’t become aggressive which will usually terrify the cat into hiding, making socialization between the two animals challenging. They’re also a little too friendly to strangers to be a good watchdog, but they don’t bark much, and they get along well with children. They make great companions on hikes or watching TV, and they are generally healthy with a long lifespan.
We hope you have enjoyed our look into these great dogs and have decided to make it your next pet. If we have helped any questions you have or you think it can help someone else, please share this guide to the Border Malamute Terrier on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image: Left – Colin Seddon, Shutterstock | Right – Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock
