The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

American Alsatian

Information and Pictures

The left side of a black and tan American Alsatian that is standing in sand, its mouth is open, its tongue is hanging out and it is looking to the right.

Hector the American Alsatian at one year old—"Hector was whelped at Schwarz Kennels in Oregon and now lives in Europe."

Pronunciation

uh-mer-i-kuhn al-sey-shuhn

Other Names

Alsatian

Description

The American Alsatian is a large-breed companion dog. Its coat is medium in length and can be either gold, silver, black sable or cream. Silver sable coloring is the most desirable. White or black sable markings are extremely rare. The eyes range from light brown to yellow and are almond shaped with a wolfish stare. The ears stand erect and the black-tipped tail hangs down touching the pasterns. The head and hips are broad with a strong, dark muzzle. The toes are slightly splayed and the bones on the leg are large and round. The chest is deep and the body is longer than tall.

Temperament

The American Alsatian is a great family companion dog. They are extremely loyal to their family members and accept children and other pets. The American Alsatian remains aloof to strangers, but is never fearful or aggressive. They are watchful and intelligent, learn quickly and will respond to the softest sounds. With the proper amount of exercise the American Alsatian is extremely calm and quiet, even when left alone for extended periods of time. They do not initiate play unless encouraged. This breed tends to have a low prey drive and activity level. They do not have a tendency to bark, whine, dig or run the fence. They respond well to light correction. Thunderstorms or gun shots do not bother them. Because the American Alsatian is very attached to its family, they readily choose to stay close to the comfort of home. Socialize well. Be sure to always be your dog’s consistent pack leader.

Height, Weight

Height: Adult Males 25 - 28 inches (63.5 - 71 cm) Adult Females 24 - 27 inches (61 - 68.5 cm)

Weight: Adult Males 79 - 120 pounds (36 - 55 kg) Adult Females 75 - 100 pounds (34 - 45 kg)

Health Problems

In 2009, one dog had epileptic seizures. The founder is urging all owners of dogs from Beamer lines to immediately report any signs of epilepsy. No other health problems have been experienced since 2003, when two dogs experienced severe arthritis.

Living Conditions

The American Alsatian adapts well to many living environments. This breed does not require a lot of space. They do have thick double coats and do not like extreme heat. Be careful to keep these dogs cool in hot environments, giving them plenty of water and shade.

Exercise

The American Alsatian is calm and quiet throughout most of the day. This breed does not require as much exercise as the German Shepherd but still needs a daily walk. They love to go for walks in the park, but are slow and lumbering when asked to work. They prefer the calm work of therapy dogs.

Life Expectancy

An average of 12 - 14 years.

Litter Size

About 5 to 12 puppies

Grooming

The American Alsatian needs regular brushing around the ears and the backs of the legs. They shed dirt easily and their coats remain free from odor. Once or twice a year, depending on the weather, the American Alsatian will need to be brushed out when the undercoat comes loose and they start to shed.

Origin

As of February 21, 2010, the official name of this breed has been changed from Alsatian Shepalute to American Alsatian. It was changed by the board and approved by the members.

The first generation American Alsatian was registered in 1988 in the United States by the North American Shepalute Club (since renamed the National American Alsatian Club). This breed holds five purebred dogs within its lines: the Alaskan Malamute, the German Shepherd Dog, the Great Pyrenees, the Anatolian Shepherd, and the English Mastiff. With over 20 years of selective breeding, only certain chosen pups were bred that possessed the desired traits of a family companion dog. The year 2000 was the first year that the American Alsatian was introduced to the American public, as they finally conformed to the breed standards set by the breed founder, Lois Denny in 1987.

Group

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Recognition
  • NASR - National American Alsatian Registry
  • NAAC - National American Alsatian Club
The left side of a black and tan American Alsatian that is running across grass.

Hector the American Alsatian at one year old, bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon

Close up - A black and tan American Alsatian with golden eyes is wearing a choke chain collar, its mouth is open, its tongue is out and it is looking forward.

Hector the American Alsatian at one year old, bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon

The front right side of a black and tan American Alsatian that is standing in tall brown grass and it is looking to the left.

Hector the American Alsatian at one year old, bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon

A black and tan American Alsatian is standing on a beach with a wave crashing into it and its long tongue is hanging out.

Hector the American Alsatian at one year old, bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon

Two large American Alsatians are laying in the back hatch of a red SUV, they are looking forward, there mouths are open and there tongues are out.

Khoshekh (left) and Maddy (right) the American Alsatian dogs at 4 years old—"Khoshekh and Maddy live in Nashville, TN and enjoy hiking, napping, and snuggles. They're very laid-back and friendly."

A black with tan American Alsatian is laying on grass, it is looking to the right, its mouth is open and its tongue is out.

Winter the American Alsatian eating raw mean out in the grass. He was whelped at Schwarz Kennels in Oregon, lives in Columbia, MD. Picture taken a day before he turned 9 months old.

A black with tan American Alsatian is laying in grass, behind a sidewalk and he is chewing a chunk of raw meat in front of him.

Winter the American Alsatian at 9 months old eating raw mean out in the grass. He was whelped at Schwarz Kennels in Oregon, lives in Columbia, MD.

A black with tan American Alsatian is laying in grass, there is a chunk of raw meat in front of it, in between leaves and it is looking to the right.

Winter the American Alsatian at 9 months old eating raw mean out in the grass. He was whelped at Schwarz Kennels in Oregon and lives in Columbia, MD.

A black with tan American Alsatian is laying in grass with a chunk of raw meat in between its front paws.

Winter the American Alsatian at 9 months old eating raw mean out in the grass. Bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon, lives in Columbia, MD.

Topdown view of the right side of a black with tan American Alsatian is sitting on a hardwood floor next to a small white Chihuahua dog. Both dogs are looking up.

Winter the American Alsatian at 9 months old with his Chihuahua friend. Winter was bred at Schwarz Kennels in Oregon, lives in Columbia, MD.

The left side of a tan and black American Alsatian that is standing across a big rock and it is looking to the right.

"This is Jojo from Washington State at one year old. He is 120 pounds and stands 27 inches tall. He is in training to be a therapy dog."

The right side of a gray and black American Alsatian that is standing across a mountainside.

"Dear Prudence is a 10-month-old American Alsatian. She lives at Vallecito Alsatians in the Colorado Rocky Mountains."

The front left side of a gray and black American Alsatian puppy that is sitting in the dirt with his black leash laying on the ground under it.

Winter the American Alsatian as a puppy bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon and now living in Columbia, MD.

Close up - A tan and black American Alsatian puppy is laying on a brick walkway eating a chunk of raw mean with red plants in a flower bed behind it.

Winter the American Alsatian as a puppy enjoying his raw meat.

The front right side of a tan and black American Alsatian puppy that is laying down in a car and it is looking to the right.

Winter the American Alsatian as a puppy bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon and now living in Columbia, MD.

The left side of a black with gray American Alsatian puppy that is sitting in hay in a barn, it is looking up and one of its littermates is sitting behind it.

Winter the American Alsatian as a puppy bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon and now living in Columbia, MD. Shown here with his littermate behind him.

The front right side of a black American Alsatian puppy that is sleeping on a tan blanket, next to its littermates and a plush stuffed Santa toy behind it.

Winter the American Alsatian as a puppy bred by Schwarz Kennels in Oregon and now living in Columbia, MD. Shown here as a young puppy.

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