The Golden Retriever Malamute Mix – A Guide with Awesome Pictures

Both Golden Retrievers and Alaskan Malamutes are very special dogs, and they are breeds that seem to have nothing in common but their large size. They look very different, and their temperament can be quite different as well, so that makes their union a special one, and the result is a very unique dog indeed.

So, what is the Golden Retriever Malamute mix? The golden retriever malamute mix, also known as the Golden Malamute or the Alaskan Goldenmute, is a beautiful mixed dog with a great personality resulting from breeding the golden retriever and the Alaskan malamute, they are friendly but attentive and protective, and they make good family dogs.

The Alaskan malamute is also not their own breed officially, meaning they are not recognized yet by the American Kennel Club.

This friendly dog can be a great family dog but they should live in cold climates, if you want to know more about this breed, their parent breeds, temperament, health, life span, nutritional needs, grooming needs, shedding, exercise needs, and training then keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this amazing breed.

A Quick look at everything about the Golden Retriever Malamute mix:

Other Names	The Alaskan goldenmute
Weight	65-75 Pounds
Height	23-25 inches
Lifespan	10-15 years
Colors	Golden, cream, white, gray, chocolate, red, black.
Health	7/10
Grooming Needs	8/10
Exercise Needs	9/10
Shedding	8/10
Kid Friendliness	9/10
Pet-friendliness	7/10
Protectiveness	6/10
Good for apartments	Maybe
Average puppy cost	$300-$1,000 USD

Golden Retriever Malamute Mix Characteristics 

Size: Female: 22 – 24 inches, Male: 23 – 25 inches.

Weight: Female: 60 – 75 pounds, Male: 65 – 75 pounds

Colors: golden, cream, white, gray, chocolate, red, and black

Coat Type: Double coated/coarse

The golden retriever malamute mix can inherit any combination of physical traits from their parent breeds. 

This athletic breed has a medium-length double coat, their coat can be in many color combinations depending on their parent breeds.

They have a long and feathered tail, they may have almond-shaped blue, brown, or hazel eyes and their nose is possibly black or brown.

Their ears are a compromise between their two parents, they are pricked and a little bit pointed.

They may also have black markings around their face and muzzle just like their malamute parents.

The golden retriever malamute mix has large padded paws, their paws are perfectly made for tramping around outdoors.

However, their appearance really depends on who of their parents has the dominant genes.

Parent Breeds

If you want to know more about the breed then you must learn about the parent breeds so let’s start off with the Alaskan malamute.

The Alaskan Malamute has a powerful, playful, and outgoing personality, they are really friendly and like meeting new people.

They are extremely loyal, affectionate, and insist on being included in all the family activities.

They also shed heavily twice a year and due to their thick double coats, they are not suited for hot climates.

The Alaskan Malamutes are really independent and need to be properly trained, they can be really stubborn and may make training them challenging so it’s not recommended if you are a first-time dog owner.

Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the United States, they are really friendly, loyal, and make great family dogs.

They also shed heavily especially in the spring and fall, you can count on them because they are trustworthy and gentle with kids.

Golden retrievers have a high activity level and shouldn’t be home alone for long periods.

Goldens are the 4th smartest breed, training them couldn’t be easier and more fun.

They thrive on obedience training, all kinds of activities with their owner, and agility classes.

Temperament 

The golden retriever malamute mix is a very polite breed, they love their humans more than anything else, they get along with other animals, kids, and literally everyone.

They are prone to separation anxiety so they can’t be left alone for long periods and they do best with constant companionship and consistent activity. If you must stay away from the house for long, consider the methods discussed here for keeping your dog calm and happy while alone.

They are the perfect fit if you are looking for a pup to accompany you on your hiking trip or to be your running buddies because they really enjoy outdoor adventure.

Golden retriever malamute mix dogs can be hyperactive when they are young especially if you don’t provide them with enough exercise, they can be very destructive if they are bored and may try to escape.

They are easy to train and with consistent and firm training when they are puppies, they can be the ideal and some of the most well-mannered dogs.

Golden malamutes can also be really sensitive and need lots of love, care, and attention to stay happy and content.

They are also eager to please and even though they are really friendly, they are wary of strangers and can make great watchdogs.

Health and lifespan 

Just like any other breed, Golden Retriever Malamutes are prone to developing some health issues such as chondrodysplasia, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, cardiomyopathy, hip, and elbow dysplasia. Theoretically, they should also be prone to day blindness as Alaskan Malamutes, but there are not reports that verify this theory, so for now, it’s not something to worry about.

However, most of these health issues will come as your pup ages but you should always check on them at every age, and if you notice any changes in their behavior, consult their vet immediately.

They can also have cancer due to their golden retriever parent. The life span of the golden retriever malamute mix can range from about 10 to 15 years. If you can take good care of them then they may accompany you even longer. You can follow the 20 tips here to help your dog live a little bit longer.

If you are getting a puppy from a breeder then they should definitely offer a health guarantee on the puppy’s health.

Nutritional Needs 

The diet of any mixed breed is more complicated than any purebred’s diet, so you should consult your vet to learn which food they recommend and tell you if there are any directions you should follow.

However, I am going to give you a little guide for what they should eat and how much? So first of all, your pup should always eat good quality dog food. That’s just to get the basics out of the way.

There are some things that have to be in their diets such as vitamins and protein, they can be found in high-quality dog food brands and for the Alaskan Malamute side, the canned wet food formulas are great for them.

You should always provide your pup with plenty of clean and fresh water.

Vets recommend that your dog should eat 3-4 cups of high-quality dog food per day, if you have an extremely active pup then feeding them a little bit more is a good idea.

You should feed your pup three times a day so take the recommended amount and divide it by three.

Watch your pup’s weight and if you start to notice that they are becoming overweight, make sure to feed them more healthy food (fewer calories) and never cut the food portion.

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The golden retriever malamute mix will need lots of grooming because both golden retrievers and Alaskan malamutes are heavy shedders.

They have medium-length, dense coats and will shed even more during seasonal changes, brushing them daily to keep their coat healthy and untangled.

You can use a variety of tools to control the shedding such as Dematter, Deshedder, pin brush, and comb.

Bathe them on a regular basis, make sure to use a chemical-free shampoo and conditioner, their teeth are always neglected so brush them regularly as well to prevent dental issues and bad breath.

Also, check on their ears at least once a week because they can get infected easily, you should also clip their nails a few times a month because if their nails are not trimmed it can lead to injuries due to scratching themselves, plus, they can destroy your furniture with their long nails.

You can also take them to your local groomer to do all the work professionally every 6-8 weeks, they will do deep grooming to keep your pup clean and fresh.

Whenever it’s time to give them a bath, make sure to clean their bedding as well but don’t use any fabric softener because it can irritate your pup’s skin.

Exercise Needs 

The golden retriever malamute mix is an energetic breed that loves to be active so you have lots of exercising to do.

They also love to do activities with their family members such as playing tug-of-war, fetch, swimming, and hiking, in the first two years, your pup is going to be bursting with unquenchable energy.

Golden Retriever Malamute mixes will need at least an hour of activity per day, you can also entertain them by teaching them new commands and tricks.

The golden retriever malamute mix needs a backyard to run around for as long as they want or you can just take them to the park and let them play with other dogs, it will be a great way to burn off some energy. However, it’s important to keep this year well-fenced because they can be jumpers. You can learn everything about building a fence in your backyard for your dog here.

If you are a runner, you can also train your pup to run with you but make sure to give them a break every once in a while and give them water to keep your pup hydrated.

Your pup can be destructive so you should provide them with lots of play toys to help curb their chewing tendencies.

They aren’t good candidates for all-day crate dwelling due to their high energy, they like to move around or it can lead them to depression.

Training 

The golden retriever malamute mix is easy to train but not as easy as golden retrievers, but it really depends on what side your puppy takes after.

If you use the positive training methods, training them will be easier.

When you work with a golden retriever malamute mix, you have to be patient and consistent.

They also have a desire to please their owner which makes them fast learners so it won’t take them long to latch onto new commands and concepts.

Some basic commands may come naturally to them, break the training sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their interest and attention.

Make sure to praise them during the training sessions because that way they will know that they are doing good and will keep doing it, you can also reward them with their favorite treats and toys.

If you don’t want your pup to be aggressive towards your guests or any new face that approaches you then proper socialization is really important to all dogs and puppies.

As Family Dogs 

The golden retriever malamute mix is loyal, fun, and makes a great family dog, they love attention so they will definitely love being adored by a whole family.

They need lots of attention and care so if your family is busy then they are probably not the best breed for you.

If you have a dog and are worried about getting a second one because they may not get along then you are in luck because they can certainly live in a home with other animals.

So if you introduced them in the right way, you have nothing to worry about, it’s better if you introduce them as puppies and try to get them in the opposite sex of your existing dog. Since they are very close to Golden Retriever in this regard, you can follow the same steps I’ve discussed here in my guide to adding a second golden to the family.

If you are going to have a golden retriever malamute mix around kids then it’s best to get them while they are still puppies as well.

However, if you live in a sweltering environment then they may not handle it well, they need their space to run around. Unfortunately, this means that if you live in an apartment, they may not be the perfect candidates, as they should have enough space outside to run freely.

As Guard Dogs 

Thankfully, this is one area where the Golden Malamute mix leans heavily towards their Malamute side and not their golden, as goldens do not make the best guard dogs as discussed here.

I will not say that the golden retriever malamute mix is the best guard dog but I will say that they will protect their family with their life if there is a threat.

Still, they are not an overly protective breed but they will stay alert and a little wary of strangers, and you can expect them to bark and loudly when they sense danger or someone approaching your territory without permission.

They are also super friendly and social and won’t discourage anyone from coming into your house even if they are strangers to them as long as you’re there.

In conclusion, the golden retriever Alaskan malamute mix will make a better guard dog than a golden retriever but not as good as the Alaskan malamute.

Where to find them? 

You can check your local shelters and rescues to potentially save a dog’s life, or you can get them from a breeder and can expect to pay $300 to $1,000 but the price depends on a few things like the vet care cost, the location, and the litter car.

If you did find the breed for a low price (lower than the mentioned range) then you can expect irresponsible breeding or a lack of proper care.

Also, golden retrievers are incredibly popular in the USA and the Alaskan Malamutes look like many other dogs such as husky and Alaskan Klee Kai so the breeder may sell you one as a golden retriever malamute mix but is not.

So always make sure that you get them from a trusted breeder.

All About the Golden Retriever Breed Mix in a nutshell 

The golden retriever malamute mix is a friendly breed that makes great family dogs because they love spending time with their family, get along with kids and other dogs, need regular exercise and grooming, and can protect their family.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the golden retriever malamute mix A Good Family Dog? 

Yes, the golden retriever malamute is a good family dog, both golden retrievers and malamutes are friendly and loving breeds, they get along with other dogs and like being around new people, they are playful and can be good with kids, also, they will be protective just like their malamute parent.

Is the golden retriever malamute mix easy to train? 

Yes, the golden retriever malamute mix is easy to train, Golden Retrievers are one of the brightest dog breeds, and the Alaskan Malamutes have average intelligence but overall the mix should be easy to train, just make sure to praise them during the training sessions. 

Is the golden retriever malamute mix good with kids? 

Yes, the golden retriever malamute mix is good with kids, they usually get along pretty well with older kids because of their high energy level so they can be their playmates, however, the golden malamute mix may not know how small a kid is and can knock them down unintentionally. 

How much is the golden retriever malamute mix? 

The golden malamute mix can cost you between $300 to $1,000, however, it really depends on the breeder so make sure to look into the authenticity of the breeder and the health of the puppy to avoid scams, also, the average cost of an adopted golden retriever malamute mix is $300.

Is the golden retriever malamute mix smart? 

Yes, the golden retriever malamute mix is very smart, both golden retrievers and Alaskan Malamutes are very intelligent so the mix will be just like their parent breeds, highly trainable, intelligent, and well mannered.

Helpful Resources 

Day-blindness in three dogs: clinical and electroretinographic findings

A genetic dissection of breed composition and performance enhancement in the Alaskan sled dog

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