What common health issues should I be aware of with Alaskan Malamutes?

Because this dog is a small breed dog, it can be prone to patella luxation, which is when the kneecap moves out of it's correct anatomical place. If it is severe, it requires surgery to fix. Other health problems include eye problems, allergies, ear infections, dental problems, reverse sneezing, and white shaker syndrome. Because they are small dogs, there is often the tendency to want to treat it like a baby and carry it everywhere. It's not recommended to do that, it will lead to a difficult dog. It should be treated like a dog, and should walk. They can be a bit stubborn, which makes house training harder, so I would recommend using a crate to help with that. Always use positive and consistent training.

Hormones may be causing all her hair loss and the overgrowth of yeast on her skin. It is best to have her spayed. I agree with the vet about not vaccinating her until she is healthier. I would start with spaying. While the vet is in the abdomen to remove the ovaries/uterus they can also explore to see if all the other organs look normal.

Oh my goodness, what cuties! Congratulations! While there are certainly problems that we know that are more common in certain breeds, we know less about whether or not mixes that are from those breeds are as likely to have these issues, or not. Certainly chihuahuas are prone to "small dog problems", such as luxating patellas (laxity in the kneecap) and dental disease are common, and in dachshunds back disease is a big problem, so these would be the first things I would worry about and want to do what's necessary to prevent. Tooth brushing and good weight management are key in these issues. Blue Heelers are hearty dogs and don't have a lot of hereditary problems but be careful with overfeeding because they are predisposed to obesity. Enjoy your new pets!

Skin problems can occur for a number of reasons other than mange including allergies, infections, fleas and autoimmune problems. I would try to talk to the staff at the shelter to see if they can give you a better idea of what the underlying cause is. Some problems such as allergies or autoimmune conditions can result in a lifetime of care that may be expensive well others may be managed relatively easily.

This can be from a food allergy or an ear infection. It is a common location for some breeds to have thinning hair but malamutes typically aren't one of them. The best thing to do is try to clean the area with soap and water since it seems inflamed and you can apply cortisone cream to help. Monitor for any shaking of the head or scratching her ears. I would have the area checked by your vet since it look sore when you can.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Congratulations on your (potential) new addition! Small dogs can live up to 15 years of age, with some dogs living up to 18 or even 20. It truly depends on any underlying health conditions and how they are managed. In general, mixed breed dogs tend to be somewhat less susceptible to hereditary conditions. However, maltese can be predisposed to heart conditions such as valve abnormalities, ocular conditions such as glaucoma, and allergies. Terriers are a very broad category of breeds, but typically have the same predispositions. Please note that just because a dog is predisposed to something, does not mean that it will have the condition at any point in life. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Chihuahua are typically healthy dogs but a few common problems associated with the breed include patella luxations, collapsing trachea, and dental disease. The best thing would be to have him examined by a vet for a check-up to identify any abnormalities. I also recommend having him neutered.