Information for Prospective New Owners
So, you think you want an Alaskan malamute? This is a very important decision that must be given serious consideration. Alaskan Malamutes can be a gift from Heaven, or your worst nightmare, depending upon how well matched your lifestyle and a Malamute's are. This information will give you some idea of how suited you are to this special breed. Please give the points mentioned here, and below, much thought. They are designed to help you understand what you can expect from your Malamute and to determine whether this really is the breed for you.
Some General Things to Consider First
Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred to haul heavy sleds across long distances in the harsh winter conditions. This necessitated a dog that had tremendous strength, energy, endurance, independence and intelligence. These traits still define Alaskan Malamutes. A first time Malamute owner soon learnes what this really menas. These dogs have extremely high energy levels which require release in appropriate ways. They need to run, play, and bounce around a lot. Without continuous physical and mental stimulation, they become bored and restless. This will certainly result in destructive activities of the dogs choosing, not yours. Alaskan Malamutes can be quite boisterous and even rowdy, especially during their growing years. They will try to challenge the family for the top or "alpha" role. With a large dog this cannot be allowed to happen. Standard Malamutes average 65 to 85 lbs and Giant Malamutes start at around 100 lbs and can reach up to 200 lbs, though quite rare. The family must learn how to properly deal with this for everyone's sake. Please rememeber, the traits that made this breed so well suited to its original role in the Arctic may or may not make it suitable for your home. Again, please give careful consideration to all the points discussed here!!!
Some Specific Considerations
1. What are Your Living Arrangements?
If you rent or share an apartment or home:
How does your landlord/roommate feel about a large, energetic, hairy dog? Even if your current landlord or roommate would welcome the Malamute, this may not always be the case. Renting and sharing arrangements tend to change, and your next landlord or roommate may not welcome such a dog. Most places do not allow tenants to have pets, or if they do, certainly not dogs much over 35 lbs. Those that do allow them often charge a lot more rent and you may not be able to afford it (assuming that you can even find such a landlord).
If you live at home with your parents:
Are your parents willing and able to take care of "your" dog? If you are living with your parents, there is a very good chance that you are out of the house a good part of the day and many evenigs as well. It may be school, work, social engagements, or whatever, but if you are not home Mom or Dad will be the primary care giver to your Malamute. Since that person has this major responsibility, he or she should be just as understanding of what Mals are like and willing to deal with it. Are you sure that Mom or Dad will want another "child" to raise, one who may mess up the house more than any human child every did? Will Mom or Dad be physically able to handle a dog this large? You owe it to yourself, your parents, and the dog of interest to be sure of these answers BEFORE you acquire that Malamute puppy.
If you own your own home:
Do you have a fenced in yard? If not, are you willing to spend the money to have it fenced in? Alaskan Malamutes are quite suited to life in kennels or in houses but they will not be able to live successfully in any situation where they cannot get plenty of exercise. A fenced in yard is the best way to insure that your dog will have a safe environment to burn off all that energy, not be able to run away (they do love to run great distances), be away from the road where it would probably get hit by a car sooner or later, and reduce the chances of a "dog napper" stealing your bundle of joy. A fence also gives you an option for letting your dog go "potty" in the yard if you are not able to take it for a walk. Many people who try to raise Alaskan Malamutes without fenced in yards find that- a) first the house gets destroyed, then b) the family and the dog are at odds with each other, so finally c) the family is searching for a new home for the pup by the age of 6-9 months after the house has been destroyed and everyone's nerves and patience have been totally shattered. Please do not think that you can always "tie the dog to a tree." Doing this for any length of time, especially if you are not out with the dog, is just plain inhumane. The dog does not have enough room to get the proper exercise, it may break loose from this chain, it is in a very vulnerable position should another dog or human with less than honorable intentions come by and start to attack it, and your dog will probably get frustrated quickly and develop the bad habits of barking and digging. To steal from the poet Robert Frost, "good fences make good neighbors" (and wonderful places for Malamutes to play inside of.)
2. Do You Have Time for an Alaskan Malamute?
Alaskan Malamutes require a lot of time, energy, and input from their owners, especially during their growth years. Among the things you will have to provide on a daily basis for your dog are exercise, play, training, grooming (brushing and combing), feeding, and socializing. Malamutes will be fine if their owners are away at work during the day as long as they are given enough quality time in the evenings and weekends so that these needs can be provided for. If your lifestyle is one where you are at work all day, and out again most evenings, the Alaskan Malamute is not the breed for you.
3. Do You Have Children Under the Age of 5 Years?
This is a very important consideration for parents, especially Mom who even in these days of liberation is still the one primarily responsible for the care of the household. A lively, boisterous, growing Malamute puppy can be devastating to the young child who is knocked over for the umpteenth time. Small children require a great deal of time and so does a growing Mal puppy. This is a combination that can be deadly for Mom. Think about it! Did you plan to have TWO young children at a time, or just ONE?
4. Is Everyone in the Family Comfortable with a Large Dog? This seems like it should be obvious, but sometimes it isn't! A very common reason for wanting a Malamute is "My husband/kids love the looks of the breed and love to play outdoors so we are going to get an Alaskan Malamute." In reality however, when actually confronted with a live, active, and growing Mal, the kids (or even Mom or Dad) can be quite overwhelmed and not feel at ease with the dog. If anyone in the household is feeling uncomfortable with the dog, a bad situation is bound to arise. That cute little puppy WILL grow rapidly, WILL get quite large and powerful and WILL be a lot of work. Everyone in the household (without exception) must be ready for that.
5. Will Endless Dog Hair Everywhere be a Problem?
Alaskan Malamutes are quite hairy dogs (remember what they were bred for) and shed it regularly. There is a fine undercoat near the skin and a longer, coarser outer coat. Indoor Mals shed both coats constantly, but twice a year have major "blows" when you can actually see the hair falling off the dog as it walks by. You can expect to constantly find hair everywhere, even places in your house that you do not allow the dog to enter. Continuous vacuuming is part of the Alaskan Malamute owner's life. If anyone in the house has allergies, this hair can be a major problem. If in doubt, get an opinion from your Doctor as to whether this hair will create even more problems for the allergy sufferer at home. Having to give up a dog that your family loves because someone in the family is allergic to it is too heartbreaking to think about. It is better to prevent the situation from even occurring.
Why You MUST Seriously Consider All of these Points
Alaskan Malmautes are absolutely wonderful dogs for the right household. A great many Malamute owners find that they cannot imagine life without one. However, this breed is not for everyone. It is hoped that the issues raised here will get you to think seriously about your decision. In this modern world where few of us need a team of dogs to pull sleds across the Arctic for us, it is important to carefully consider where an Alaskan Malamute (or any dog for that matter) will fit into our lives. Without this foresight, we are being unfair to ourselves, our families and the dog.
Please think about these things:
1. A dog is a feeling, living being that does not deserve the poor quality of life that often accompanies its being placed in the wrong household.
2. You are about to make a HUGE investment of money, time, energy, and emotion. You will never get these back if things go wrong.
3. Reputable breeders work hard at producing puppies that will have good temperament, and good health. They also put much time and effort into finding suitable homes for their "extended family." You must be certain that you are able and willing to provide the proper environment for the animal.
Please Ask Yourself
Am I Willing to:
Devote the hours and energy necessary to train this dog?
Spend, at least, one hour per day exercising this dog?
Comb and brush this dog, at least, several times each week?
Live with, and clean up after, all the shedding that will occure?
Take full responsibility for a thinking, living creature that depends solely on me?
Spend time everyday playing with this dog?
Accept the fact that my Malamute will probably not be a good watchdog?
An I Able to:
Provide a clean, healthy living environment for the dog?
Keep the dog indoors, or in a securely fenced yard?
Physically handle a very large, strong, energetic dog?
Spend the money necessary for proper Veterinary care?
Bathe the dog as needed or pay a groomer to do the job?
Make this commitment for the next dozen or more years?
If you can honestly answer yes to all of these questions, great. If, however, you must answer no or not sure to some of them you really need to reconsider whether an Alaskan Malamute is the right dog for you. Remember, just like any breed, Alaskan Malamutes have characteristics that are not suitable for everyone's lifestyle. You need to find out as much as possible about this breed's physical and personality traits. Should the Alaskan Malamute not be the proper breed for you, it is best for all involved that you discover it before the dog enters your life. Please give this very important decision all the thought that it deserves!!!
What a Puppy is Not
A puppy is one of the most appealing creatures on earth. He's the embodiment of exuberance, humor, and affection. But there are a great many things that a puppy is not, and these negative aspects deserve some thought before you bring a puppy home.
A puppy is not a toy to be enjoyed while he is a novelty, then set aside in favor of a new diversion. He is a living thing whose physical demands must be met constantly for as long as he lives. A young puppy needs more sleep than a human infant, even though your children may be in the mood to play with him. He needs to be fed regularly and often, even though his meals may conflict with family plans. A young puppy is breakable. Very young children can inflict unintended tortures on a puppy, especially one of the small or fine-boned breeds. And his broken leg is much harder to fix than the broken wheel of a toy truck.
A puppy is not a teaching aid guaranteed to instill a sense of responsibility in children. If a child loves his dog, he will probably enjoy brushing him, taking him for walks, filling his water dish, and other tasks. A sense of responsibility may well grow out of the relationship, but it is unfair to the animal to put his entire well-being into the hands of young children. Even the most dog-loving youngsters tire of daily chores, and parents who try to force the regime will be asking for friction. Unfortunately, it is the puppy who is the loser in this battle. Responsibility lessons are better left to household tasks that don't involve a pet. The essentials of feeding, housebreaking and discipline training will fall to an adult member of the household. Youngsters can help with the less essential jobs of grooming and walking. Dogs and children do give each other something very valuable -- time and attention that adults are often too busy to offer in sufficient quantities. This is the main function of a child-dog partnership.
A puppy is not cheap. Whether you pay a nominal fee at the city humane shelter or what seems to be a king's ransom for a really special pup, the money paid to make the pet yours is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what it will cost to keep him. There will be veterinary bills to pay for both emergencies and regular vaccinations and checkups. There will be city and county licenses to buy. And there are legal aspects of dog ownership you may never have considered -- not just personal injury claims, but replacement of shrubbery or grass or neighborhood children's clothing torn in play. And there's the wear and tear on your furniture and carpet.
A puppy is not a spur-of-the-moment purchase, or at least he shouldn't be. The wrong dog can be an unending nuisance to a household - and its much easier to acquire a pup than it is to get rid of a grown dog who didn't work out. Animal shelters are bulging with dogs who were acquired for the wrong reasons, or without sufficient investigation. If your family has decided to buy a dog, by all means take the time to learn about the breed you have in mind. Every breed has characteristics of temperament, and some of these traits may not fit in with your lifestyle. Some breeds are prone to physical problems such as hip dysplasia, ear cankers, and eye abnormalities. If you are aware of these problems, you can do a more intelligent job of selecting your puppy. Many towns have kennel clubs whose members are reputable, knowledgeable, and generally helpful. Most breeders will be glad to answer your questions and to help you locate the pup you want. A veterinarian can put you in touch with the nearest kennel club. If you take the time to do some investigating before you buy, you will know what the going prices are for your breed. Pet shops are never a bargain, no matter what the price because they often sell pups of very low quality for show-dog prices simply because few buyers bother to check. Always buy a pup from a reputable breeder - one who has been recommend by your local kennel club. Many puppies are bought impetuously because they looked cute in the pet shop window; because it was a nice day for a drive in the country and there was a kennel with a "Visitors Welcome" sign; or because another family pet had died. Pups bought without being genuinely wanted -- and planned for -- too often end up at the animal shelter.
A puppy is not a gift unless the giver is certain that this particular pup will be wanted. Not only now, but a year from now, ten years from now. And even then the puppy should be selected by his new owner rather than by someone else. The pup that appeals to one might very well not appeal to the other. Its a matter of chemistry, like love at first sight.
A puppy is not self cleaning. There will be puddles on rugs, vomiting occasionally, dog hair on clothing and furniture. There may be worms to be dealt with. If these prospects are intolerable to the housekeeper of the family, then perhaps the pleasures of owning a puppy will be overshadowed by the tensions it will cause. Long-haired breeds need to be groomed -- not only while the pup is small and new, but also week in and week out, for years. The heavy, silky coats of breeds such as cocker spaniels, Yorkshire terriers, and Lhasa Apsos become matted in a very short time, especially in the areas of friction, such as legs and flanks. If the dog's coat isn't combed thoroughly and frequently, it becomes unsightly and uncomfortable. The mats pull and irritate, and they make excellent hiding places for fleas and skin disorders.
A puppy is not an adult dog. He has neither the physical nor the mental ability to perform as an adult dog would. He cannot go for long periods of time without relieving himself. He cannot tolerate harsh training methods, not can he differentiate between what is chewable and what isn't. Nor will he make any distinction between food and objects that hurt him if he swallows them. He will try the patience of the most devout dog lover in the household, and at times he may drive everyone mad. If he is very young, he will cry during his first night or two in his new home. He will require patience and understanding from everyone in the family.
A puppy is not a puppy for long. Before you succumb to the charms of a clumsy St. Bernard pup, or a sad-happy hound, or a limpid-eyed cocker, be very sure that you want not only the puppy he is now, but also the gangly, unattractive adolescent he is about to become, and the adult dog who may fall short of what you hoped he would be.
If you've faced all the negative aspects of puppy ownership and still want him, chances are good that your new dog will be one of the lucky ones who finds a permanent happy home. And you will enjoy the rewards of planned-parenthood dog ownership -- rewards which far overshadow the drawbacks.
Below are just a few things that my Malamutes have gotten their teeth into.
Couch A Couch B Cedar Chest
Window Cill (just one of many)
And these are just a few things. I have lost endless shoes and socks, edges of walls, chair legs, coffee and end tables, siding from my house, towels and more towels, children's toys, lamp cords, fan cords, game controllers, remote controls, and the list goes on and on.
Now you might be asking why I am telling you all this. Simply put, I want every prospective new owner to understand what they are getting into. And don't just think puppy classes or a stern No! will do. My malamutes are well trained and still seem to find the time to be destructive.
Malamutes Have Bad Traits Too…
There aren’t too many bad dogs, just bad owners. Those that don’t take the appropriate time to train and take care of a dog and then suggest that it is “BAD” shouldn’t own a dog. Too many Malamutes are purchased on impulse or without proper knowledge of what the owner is getting himself into. Malamutes can be quite a handful without proper training and care. Below are some bad traits that these good dogs sometime possess.
Malamutes are NOT guard dogs. The only thing they will guard is their food. They will not guard your house, your valuables or your person. They may look intimidating but are almost always loving toward people. People who have foolishly tried to make them "guard dogs" usually regret it because the dog then turns on THEM. Trust is everything between you and your Malamute. However, they may guard toys, food, treats, water, or their crate (especially from other dogs!) if not corrected properly as a young puppy.
Malamutes are NOT a baby-sitter. If you have children, they must be supervised (both dog and child). Malamutes do seem to LOVE children - sometimes so much they forget their own size and strength and can easily knock down a small child. They will steal the child's food and clean faces. A Malamute socialized to children at a young age can be very trustworthy but still needs proper supervision. They will react to the child as if he/she were a litter mate and if you ever watched a pack of puppies play, it can get down right ruthless.
Malamutes are NOT obedient dogs by nature. People who've had "herding breeds" such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers often think they can easily handle a big dog like a Malamute. That is, until it gets "selective hearing" and doesn't listen... Until it gets stubborn and just refuses (by growling or rolling on it's back)...Until it is in the back of the yard and calling nets you a quick glance of "I'm busy" or it raids the kitchen countertop for a snack when he KNEW that was off limits ....He will prefer to pull you down the road rather than walk beside you (and Lord knows without a leash he'd take off after the first squirrel or cat no matter how loud you yell). Have you noticed they rarely use them for Police or Service dogs?
Malamutes are NOT dogs that will leave food sitting on the counter or on a low table while you leave the room (or sometimes even with you IN the room). He will get in the garbage, stick his nose in the refrigerator, and mooch incessantly like he's starving. He may fight with other dogs in the household over a crumb. He thinks you are foolish to leave your food unguarded so it must be OK for him to help himself. Malamutes have strong survival instincts - and though we may think of this as a bad trait, to them it’s just another natural trait.
Malamutes are NOT a dog that you get a second chance with to do thing right. The first 6 months to a year are very, very important. Though you will be training this dog it's entire life (and doing lots of review work), bad habits and behavior allowed to go on the first year will likely continue forever. Though even old dogs can be taught new tricks.
Malamutes are NOT good dogs to buy on impulse!
Malamutes are NOT creatures that takes well to solitude. Malamutes are pack oriented animal and need to be near the family most of the time. Malamutes can go into a state of depression if they don’t receive the proper socialization.
Malamutes are NOT dog lovers. This contradicts what I may have previously said, Malamutes are pack oriented with those within their pack and no other outside dogs. Malamutes are highly affectionate toward humans though. Unless socialized extensively to other dogs, a Malamute will not like your neighbor's, girlfriend's, or other family member's dog just because you do. He will not play nicely with dogs in the dog park. He will not necessarily play nicely with your best friend's dog and may "puff up" and pick a fight if it's the same sex. Play with dogs he likes will be rough, growly, hard (veiled attempts at dominance over the other playmate). He probably will not like most strange dogs he meets unless he played with lots of dogs outside the family as a young puppy and dog. He will fight with a dog that does a kamikaze attack (even a small one). Female Malamutes can be the sweetest and nurturing mothers to their pups until they come of age and can quickly turn on them as if they were a strange dog.
Malamutes DO love to dig and dig and dig. They can be taught not to do this, but it takes work and persistence.
Malamutes do NOT normally play typical dog games very well. Malamutes that play fetch are not the norm. Most will love chase games, tug games and other "dominance" games - but unfortunately these are not recommended because if you aren't careful and the dog "wins" too often you will lose alpha status. So, you have to be more creative than just typical dog games. Naturally, they LOVE all kinds of sledding and snow games. It's also quite common for them to "invent" their own games - usually some sort of chase or hunting game. An alpha dog (if you have a pack) will consider it undignified to play at all (at least while anyone is watching!). As for swimming....some love it and you can't keep them out of the water and others hate it and want NOTHING to do with it.
Malamutes are NOT wolves or wolf-dogs. Though similar in beauty and attributes, there is no confirmed evidence that Malamutes have any wolf gene in them.
Malamutes do NOT have blue eyes. Siberian Huskies have blue eyes. True Malamutes always have brown eyes. The color can range from a soft amber to a dark brown, almost black in color. For show, the darker the brown, the better.
Malamutes are NOT cheap in the health department. They are curious and tend to get into things generating large medical bills.
Malamutes are NOT big on barking, though they do indeed bark. Malamutes are more talkers. They tend to do a lot of wooing and howling, whining and singing. God forbid, if you live in a city busy with sirens. It will sound like an opera is going off in your back yard.
Malamutes are usually NOT content being confined to a fenced yard. They are escape artist and can usually find a way out. It wouldn’t past me if a Malamute could escape from Alcatraz. Invisible fences are not very feasible either. The typical Malamute is highly intelligent and it only takes a couple of times to pass over that line before they figure out they’ve made it with some minor consequences. It is wise to have a 6 foot fence that has been buried underground at the least.
Malamutes are NOT for the faint at heart. They are a very strong animal and they are quite persistent. If they can intimidate you, they will, just for the shear fun of it. They are energetic, though not as much as the Siberian, and need plenty of daily exercise. Malamutes could and would run for miles at end if let to.
Malamutes do NOT have a very selective appetite and may eat feces such as cat, rabbit or their own. This is a survival trait, though I have known many Shepherds and Bulldogs to do the same so I wouldn’t narrow it down to just the Malamute.
If this hasn’t detoured you from owning a Malamute, Congratulations! You might just be the type of person that would make a great Malamute owner. Now, I couldn’t make all these negative remarks without adding the Malamute’s good traits. All I am going to say is that if you have read all the previous negative traits of the Malamute breed and still want to own one of these magnificent creatures, you will be blessed with an extraordinary relationship that far outweighs the negative.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MALAMUTES
1. Are Malamutes the ones with blue eyes? NO, Malamutes always have brown eyes. Siberian Huskies can have blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes, or “multi” one of each.
2. What's the difference between a Malamute and a Siberian? A lot! The Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky differ in physical characteristics as well as purpose. The Siberian Husky has been bred for their agility and to pull lighter weight over shorter distances. In more recent times, they are used in speed races The Malamute is a larger, heavy-boned dog bred for freighting and hauling heavy weights over long distances. The Malamute is larger, broader, has shorter ears that are set further apart, shorter muzzles and should always have brown eyes. The Siberian Husky usually has blue eyes but they can also be green, brown or multi. Their ears are set further up on their head and their muzzle is thinner and protrudes more.
3. Don't Malamutes get hot in the summer? If they have adequate shade and water, they will tolerate the summer heat without a problem. In the southern states, it may be wise to allow the dog indoors in an air conditioned environment when the weather becomes too intolerable. Although they are a northern breed and do well in the cold temperatures, a Malamute can, in fact, get hypothermia.
4. Do Malamutes eat a lot of food? This depends on the dog. Most Malamutes, as well as most northern breeds, eat surprisingly small amounts of food. Perhaps due to their arctic heritage, their nutritional needs are quite modest. Though, I have a couple that could out-eat a horse. Malamutes can easily be overfed and under exercised becoming obese quite quickly. They are notorious at stealing food, getting into garbage due to their ancestors having to scavenge or forage for food when it was scarce. They are professional moochers and somehow know that most humans can’t resist those beautiful brown eyes.
5. Are they part wolf? NO, they are not part wolf.
6. How large are they? Standard Malamutes are not considered to be a giant breed of dogs. There is a natural range in size for the breed. The desirable freighting sizes are 25 inches at the shoulders and 85 pounds for males and 23 inches at the shoulders and 75 pounds for females. Giant Malamutes begin at 100 pounds and can weigh up toward 200 pounds, though this is extremely rare.
7. Do they get along with cats? The Malamute is by nature a hunter. Consequently as a breed they tend to view all small animals as fair game. Malamutes have a strong hunting drive and instinctively jump at the chance to chase down (and kill) anything from your neighbor’s cat, small dog, ferret, bird, squirrel, opossum, rabbit or any other moving target such as the farmer’s sheep or goats that live down the road. That is why you have to have a secured fence for a Malamute. However if they are raised with animals such as cats, they can often co-exist quite peacefully with them. It depends on the individual dog.
8. Are they good with children? Many families with children also have Malamutes. However, as with any large breed of dog, it must be remembered that they don't know their own strength and can get overly-exuberant in their enthusiasm for rowdy activities. If a Malamute has not been raised with children, it is best to be on the cautious side. If a Malamute is brought in as a puppy, the puppy and child could have a life-long bonding relationship. Most of my Malamutes consider my children part of their pack and would fight to the death to protect them. But again, a Malamute is a large dog and should always be supervised around young children.
9.Are they good guard dogs? Malamutes are total failures at being guard dogs. They like people too much and would cheerfully trade the family silver for a pat on the head. Though their size may intimidate a burglar or stranger, you should never solely rely on this. They rarely bark at strangers and almost never attack. Instead, they would rather greet a stranger with a wag of their bushy tale and lick on the face. And while on the subject, please keep in mind that Malamutes, themselves, can invite danger. They are highly prized in the theft department and are not only stolen for their beauty and resale, but also medical research.
10. Do they get along with other dogs? As a breed, Malamutes tend to be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex. For example, males won't get along with other males. However, Malamutes can get along with other dogs, as evidenced by their work in dog teams. Early socialization is a primary key to their successful integration into canine co-existence. Malamutes have a pack order and the dominate one usually becomes the Alpha or pack leader. Each dog has its’ place within the pack. Malamutes tend to be more tolerant toward the dogs in their pack than they are with strange dogs that they may see as a threat. Even within a pack, there could be some aggression and dog fights. This behavior should not be tolerated and should be stopped at once by the Alpha leader - YOU! If you choose to have another dog along with your Malamute, it is wise to get the opposite sex. It is also in both dogs best interest to get a dog with the same strength and energy level as your Malamute.
11. Are Malamutes easy to train? They're not as easy to train as some breeds, but on the other hand it's not an impossible task. Early obedience training and lots and lots of patience is the key to a successful relationship with your dog. Malamutes have been bred to be independent thinkers. They needed these skills when working and have been bred to think and make decisions on their own for their own survival and the survival of the team. It is a must to begin training as early as 3 - 4 months. Puppy classes will teach the basics and help socialize your puppy with other dogs. Malamutes want to please you IF it pleases them first. Malamutes seem to have selective hearing and only respond when they wish to. Most will ignore a command given to them by someone other than a respected pack member. The Malamute is definitely a dog that the whole family must be involved in it training. When effort is put into it, they are easy to train and learn quickly but don’t always feel like doing what they have learned and seem to “forget” especially if they feel you are asking them to do something stupid or boring. Obedience classes do help, however, if you want a very obedient dog, don’t get a Malamute. It is normal for a Malamute to always be looking for an opportunity to test you’re authority. Consistency is important to a Malamute. Give them an inch and they will definitely take a mile.
12. Are they noisy? Malamutes are in general a fairly quiet breed. But all your neighbors will know when it's feeding time. Malamutes are talkers and enjoy expressing themselves through howls and woos. If left alone or upset, a Malamute will howl. A Malamute will definitely let you know when something is on their mind. While every dog in the neighborhood is barking, a Malamute can be found sitting and quietly watching. Though, when another animal enters their territory, they may create a huge ruckus. Humans, however, are usually greeted with a series of howls and wagging of the tale.
13. Do they need a lot of exercise? They do require exercise to remain healthy and happy. Like many other breeds, if left too long to their own devices without attention and exercise, they can become quite destructive. Malamutes need plenty of room to run and love to go on long walks. Just because you have a huge yard or even acreage, it doesn’t mean that a dog can live happily within a fence of confinement. They need the stimulation and experience of several environments. Remember, these dogs were bred to travel over miles and miles and miles. It is in the dogs best interest to go on regular walks and have plenty of social and play time.
14. Do they dig holes in the yard? Malamutes are notorious hole diggers and will happily make land minds out of your yard! They dig out of boredom, to help alleviate stress, to find a cool spot, or just for fun. Females ready to whelp dig to create a den for their new pups to be born. They will happily tare up your garden or flower bed just for the sheer fun of it.
15. How much grooming do they need? Their grooming requirements are quite modest in comparison to some breeds. In warmer weather they will exchange their heavy winter coats for a lighter summer coat, dispensing large quantities of undercoat in the process. This is called “blowing coat”. Females that are not spayed usually blow their under coat twice a year. Males and spayed females only once a year if in a moderate climate. They do need an occasional brushing (2 - 3 times a week) with a good pin brush. When blowing their coat, it is recommended to brush them daily. Occasionally, a Malamute will shed their guard hairs as well and look almost bold. Malamutes are a very clean breed and rarely have an odor. Dogs in the northern climates tend to have thicker coats. The same is true of an outdoor dog vs. an indoor one.
16. How much does a puppy cost? There is a wide range of prices for puppies. On the average however you can expect to pay several hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars for a puppy. It is important that people looking for a Malamute seek out an ethical and respected breeder with whom you can establish a comfortable working relationship. Temperament, physical health, genetic background, and socialization should be requirements for any prospective puppy, and an established and ethical breeder is a "must".
17. What is the difference between a pet and a show puppy? Pet, or companion, puppies generally lack one or more physical characteristics that the breeder considers important to the breed. These characteristics may be completely transparent to the new owner and do not affect the dog's ability to lead a happy, normal life. Consequently they are often sold with a contract to be neutered. A show puppy, on the other hand, is considered to be a very good specimen of the breed and their price is generally much higher than a pet or companion puppy. Neither, the title of “show quality” or “pet quality” refers to the “true quality” of the dog.
Books and Manuals on Alaskan Malamutes and Dog Behavior
BEHAVIOR
A
AGGRESSION IN DOGS:PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT, PREVENTION & BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: Brenda Aloff
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN DOGS - A COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL MANUAL FOR PROFESSIONALS: James O'Heare
A MEMEBER OF THE FAMILY: CESAR'S GUIDE TO A LIFETIME OF FULFILLMENT WITH YOUR DOG: Cesar Millan
B
BARKING: THE SOUND OF A LANGUAGE: Turid Rugaas
BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN DOGS: William E. Cambell
BE THE PACK LEADER: USE CESAR'S WAY TO TRANSFORM YOUR DOG...AND YOUR LIFE: Cesar Millan
BODY POSTURE AND EMOTIONS: SHIFTING SHAPES, SHIFTING MINDS: Suzanne Clothier
C
CANINE BODY LANGUAGE, A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE: Brenda Aloff
CESAR'S WAY: THE NATURAL, EVERYDAY GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND CORRECTING COMMON DOG PROBLEMS: Cesar Millan
COACHING PEOPLE TO TRAIN THEIR DOGS: Terry Ryan
CONTROL UNLEASHED - CREATING A FOCUSED AND CONFIDENT DOG
D
DOG BEHAVIOR: AN OWNER'S GUIDE TO A HAPPY HEALTHY PET: Ian Dunbar
DOG BEHAVIOR, EVOLUTION AND COGNITION: Adam Miklosi
DOG BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: THE COUNSELOR'S HANDBOOK: William Campbell
DOG LANGUAGE: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CANINE BEHAVIOR: Roger Abrantes
DOGS: Lorna Coppinger
DOGSPEAK: HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG: Matthew Hoffman
DOG TO DOG COMMUNICATION - THE RIGHT WAY TO SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG: Jamie Shaw
DOGS: A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF CANINE ORIGIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION: Raymond & Lorna Coppinger
DOG WHISPERER WITH CESAR MILLAN: THE ULTIMATE EPISODE GUIDE: Jim Milio
DOMESTIC ANIMAL BEHAVIOR FOR VETERINARIANS AND ANIMAL SCIENTISTS: Katherine Albro Houpt
DOMESTIC DOG, ITS EVOLUTION, BEHAVIOR AND INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE: James Serpell
DUMP DOG: Silvia Jay
F
FOCUS NOT FEAR: TRAINING INSIGHTS FROM A REATIVE DOG CLASS: Ali Brown
G
GENETICS AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF THE DOG: John Paul Scott
GOOD DOGS, BAD HABITS: Jeanne Carlson
GRRR!: Matthew Margolis
H
HANDBOOK OF APPLIED DOG BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING, VOL. 1, ADAPTATION AND LEARNING: Steven R. Lindsay
HANDBOOK OF APPLIED DOG BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING, VOL. 2, ETIOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT OF BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: Steven R. Lindsay
HANDBOOK OF APPLIED DOG BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING, VOL. 3, PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS: Stevens R. Linsay
HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS OF THE DOG AND CAT: Gary Landsberg
HOW DOGS THING: Stanley Coren
HOW TO BE THE LEADER OF THE PACK...AND HAVE YOUR DOG LOVE YOU FOR IT: Patricia B. McConnell
HOW TO TALK WITH YOUR DOG: David Alderton
I
IF YOUR DOG COULD TALK: Bruce Fogle
IT'S ME OR THE DOG: Victoria Stilwell
IT'S NOT THE DOGS, IT'S THE PEOPLE!:Nicole Wilde
K
KNOW YOUR DOG: Bruce Fogle
L
LEADER OF THE PACK: Nancy Bear
O
OH BEHAVE! DOGS FROM PAVLOV TO PREMACK TO PINKER: Jean Donaldson
ONE ON ONE - A DOG TRAINER'S GUIDE TO PRIVATE TRAINING: Nicole Wilde
ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS: CALMING SIGNALS: Turid Rugaas
P
POSITIVE PERSPECTIVES: Pat B. Miller
POSITIVE PERSPECTIVES 2: Pat Miller
PRIMAL LEADERSHIP: LEARNINT TO LEAD WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Daniel Goleman
S
STRESS IN DOGS - LEARN HOW DOGS SHOW STRESS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: Martina Scholz
T
TALK TO YOUR DOG: Susie Green
THE DEFINITIVE BOOK OF BODY LANGUAGE: Barbara Pease
THE DOG AGGRESSION WORKBOOK: Bruce Fogle
THE DOG'S MIND: UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG'S BEHAVIOR: Bruce Fogle
THE DOG TRAINER'S RESOURCE - APDT CHRONICLE OF THE DOG COLLECTION: Mychelle Blake
THE EVOLUTION OF CANINE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Roger Abrantes
THE FAMILY IN DOG BEHAVIOR CONSULTING: Lynn Hoover
THE LATCHKEY DOG: HOW THE WAY YOU LIVE SHAPES THE BEHAVIOR OF THE DOG YOU LOVE: Jodi Anderson
THE POWER OF INTENSION: Wayne W. Dyer
THE ROSETTA BONE: THE KEY TO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HUMANS AND CANINES: Cheryl Smith
THE VETERINARIAN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR: Bonnie Beaver
THINK DOG: AN OWNER'S GUIDE TO CANINE PSYCHOLOGY: John Fisher
U
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG: EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR DOG BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ASK HIM: Michael W. Fox
W
WHEN PIGS FLY - TRAINING SUCCESS WITH IMPOSSIBLE DOGS: Jane Killion
WILD MINDS:WHAT ANIMALS REALLY THINK: Marc Hauser
WOLVES - BEHAVIOR, ECOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION: L. David Mech
HEALTH
5 MINUTE VETERINARY CONSULT: CANINE & FELINE: Larry Tilley & Francis W.K. Smith Jr.
A
AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO VETERINARY MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: Janet Amundson Romick
C
COMMON DISEASES OF COMPAINION ANIMALS: Alleice Summers
D
DICTIONARY OF VETERINARY TERMS: VET-SPEAK DECIPHERED FOR THE NON-VETERINARIAN: Jennifer Coates
DOG OWNER'S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK: Debra Eldridge
G
GENETIC CONNECTION: GUIDE TO HEALTH PROBLEMS IN PUREBRED DOGS: Lowell Ackerman
GENETICS OF THE DOG: Malcolm B. Willis
H
HANBOOK OF VETERINARY DRUGS: Dana Allen
HEREDITARY BONE AND JOINT DISEASE IN THE DOG: OSTEOCHONDROSES, HIP DYSPLASIA, ELBOW DYSPLASIA: Alida Wind
M
MEDICAL AND GENETIC ASPECTS OF PUREBRED DOGS: Ross D. Clark
MERCK VETERINARY MANUAL: Various Authors
S
SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE VETERINARY DICTIONARY: Douglas c. Blood
SHELTER MEDICINE FOR VETERINARIANS AND STAFF: Lila Miller
SKIN DISEASES OF THE DOG: Sue Paterson
T
THE DOG'S DRUGSTORE: Myma L. Papurt
THE DOG'S HEALTH FROM A TO Z: Gerald Bishop
THE DOG OWNER'S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK: Debra M. Elderedge
THE GENETICS OF THE DOG: A. Ruvinsky
THE MERCK/MERIAL MANUAL FOR PET HEALTH: Joseph Lee Hollander
THE MERCK VETERINARY MANUAL: Cynthia M. Kahn
THE PET LOVER'S GUIDE TO CAT AND DOG SKIN DISEASES: Karen Campbell
THE PET LOVER'S GUIDE TO FIRST AID AND EMERGENCIES: Thomas Day
THE PET LOVER'S GUIDE TO NATURAL HEALING FOR CATS AND DOGS: Barbara Fougere
W
WHAT VETS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT VACCINES
GROOMING
A
ALL BREED DOG GROOMING GUIDE: Sam Kohl
D
DOG GROOMING FOR DUMMIES: Margaret Bonham
S
SIMPLE GUIDE TO GROOMING YOUR DOG: Eve Adamson
STONE GUIDE TO DOG GROOMING: Ben & Pearl Stone
U
ULTIMATE DOG GROOMING - COMPLETE GUIDE TO 170 DOG BREEDS: Eileen Geeson
ALASKAN MALAMUTE (breed specifically)
A
ALASKAN MALAMUTE ANNUAL
ALASKAN MALAMUTES: Bill Le Kernec
ALASKAN MALAMUTES (a Kennel Club Book: Thomas Stockman
ALASKAN MALAMUTES (A New Owners Guide to Alaskan Malamutes): Mary Jane & Al Holabach
ALASKAN MALAMUTES (Complete Pet Owner's Manual): Betsy Sikora Siino
ALASKAN MALAMUTES: Lynn M. Stone
T
THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE: YESERDAY AND TODAY:Barbara A. Brooks
THE NEW COMPLETE ALASKAN MALAMUTE: Maxwell Riddle
THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE:Janet Edmonds
THIS IS THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE: Joan McDonald Brearley
Y
YOUR ALASKAN MALAMUTE: Diane Ross
WILLOW CREEK MALAMUTES
Giant Alaskan Malamutes
Richelle & Jody Stevens
2003 SE Juniper Ct.
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360.769.5995
e-mail
wcmalamutes@msn.com