American Alsatian
Country of origin
The American Alsatian, once called the American Shepalute, originated from the United States in the 1870’s. These rare dogs, meant to resemble Dire Wolves, were founded by Lois Denny and were bred to be companion dogs. Although similar in appearance, wolf hybrids were not used in developing this breed, as Lois Denny wanted to create a large dog with a stable temperament, which is usually not apparent in wolf hybrids. Instead she used dogs that looked like wolves like the Alaskan Malamute and the German Shepherd Dog.
Size
American Alsatians are usually 25 to 28 inches in height and weigh between 35-45 kilograms. These large dogs have very wolf-like qualities; with wolfish faces, large feet, thick bones, and proportioned, muscular bodies.
Coat
These elegant-looking dogs have double coats; with a thick undercoat and a medium-lengthed overcoat. There are a variety of colors such as tri-sable, cream, black sable, gold sable and silver sable. Their tails and ears are usually black-tipped, and they usually have black saddles on their backs like the German Shepherd Dog.
Character
The American Alsatian is a great companion dog that is low energy and has a low prey drive. This means that they are suitable to live in almost any environment, be it a home with a yard, or even an apartment, as long as they get ample daily exercise. They mustn?t be kept outdoors all the time, though, as their thick coats can cause them to easily overheat. American Alsatians are highly intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training, but are not ideal for dog sports due to lack of drive. They are loyal dogs that love to be around people and do not like to wander away from their owners and their homes.
Temperament
These dogs may look enormous and intimidating, but they have very stable temperaments, because breeders of the American Alsatian make sure to retain their good qualities. These even-tempered dogs are good with children and are indifferent and tolerant of strangers, especially if properly socialized at an early age. They may not be ideal guard dogs as they are very quiet and are quite friendly, generally getting along with people and other dogs. They are very calm and confident dogs that have never been known to show aggression, and are ideal for people who want a relaxed, indoor pet.
Care
American Alsatians shed quite heavily especially during hot seasons, so regular grooming is required. Shaving is also recommended if you live in a place with hot climate. Daily brushing is recommended and occasional bathing, as their coats are very good at repelling dirt. This breed is overall very healthy, one of the only known issues in the American Alsatian is seizures, which just has a 0.5% chance of occurrence. Their life expectancy is between 12 to 14 years.
Training
This breed is highly intelligent and they learn very quickly, but do not do well in dog sports due to their low prey and play drive. They are not so energetic and only engage in play if properly encouraged. Their great temperaments and mellow personalities help them excel as therapy dogs.
Activity
Although daily walks are still important in order for this breed to stay balanced, vigorous or intense exercise is not required, as these dogs are naturally calm both outdoors and indoors.
