Alaskan Malamute
Pic from of AMCA - great website to find out more about this breed
http://alaskanmalamute.org/
The Malamute is a descendant of dogs of the Mahlemut in Alaska. These dogs had a prominent role with their human companions – as a utilitarian dog, working, hunting, and living alongside humans. The dogs were renowned for their excellent hunting abilities and were used to hunt large predators such as bears. They also aided their owners in finding seals by alerting to seal blow holes. These dogs were bred for their strength and endurance and the interdependent relationship between the Mahlemut and their dogs fostered prosperity among both and enabled them to flourish in the inhospitable land above the Arctic Circle.
For a brief period during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, the Malamute and other sled dogs became extremely valuable to recently landed prospectors and settlers, and were frequently crossbred with imported breeds. This was often an attempt to improve the type, or to make up for how few true Malamutes were available to purchase. This seems to have had no long-standing effect on the modern Malamute, and recent DNA analysis shows that Malamutes are one of the oldest breeds of dog, genetically distinct from other dog breeds
Personality
These dogs are not for everybody – they have unbelievable energy and it needs to exercise every single daily and never seem to get tired, not matter how much exercise they receive or how much you play with them. They are a working breed and do best engaging in the activities they were bred for. They also enjoy hiking, swimming and jogging with their owners – actually any activity that involves movement!
A high fenced wall is a necessity with this breed. They love people – not just their owners – all people and a would be burglar is more likely to be licked to death rather than bitten – therefore not a good watchdog! They are not usually barkers, but do have a tendancy to howl. Unlike other breeds they do not seem to prefer only once person and are happy to share their love and attention with all.
They are very affectionate, but not overly so, but if they decide it is time to cuddle up with their owners they will do so and can be very laid back . They can be very strong willed and stubborn and a firm owner is needed who teaches the dog by way of positive reinforcement. They are known chewers so supply varied chew toys such as Zoink etc to keep them busy with 'legal' toys.
This is not a breed for a first time dog owner, no matter how beautiful the dog is!
Do they get on well with kids and other animals?
As mentioned above, they adore people, but due to their natural boisterous nature can be difficult around kids as they can easily get knocked down, especially if small, but can be very patient. All kids should be taught how to interact with dogs and with a breed like this, teach the child to throw balls and Frisbees and they will play for hours. If you have a Malumute, then know that it wants to be included in all family activities!
They are normally not good with other dogs, especially if the same sex and as they have a predator streak they do not normally do well with cats and small animals and will chase them.
This dog left alone in the yard and bored and frustrated can be a nightmare. It will dig, chew and destroy. They need and thrive on exercise, stimulation and interaction with their owner and people.
For a brief period during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, the Malamute and other sled dogs became extremely valuable to recently landed prospectors and settlers, and were frequently crossbred with imported breeds. This was often an attempt to improve the type, or to make up for how few true Malamutes were available to purchase. This seems to have had no long-standing effect on the modern Malamute, and recent DNA analysis shows that Malamutes are one of the oldest breeds of dog, genetically distinct from other dog breeds
Personality
These dogs are not for everybody – they have unbelievable energy and it needs to exercise every single daily and never seem to get tired, not matter how much exercise they receive or how much you play with them. They are a working breed and do best engaging in the activities they were bred for. They also enjoy hiking, swimming and jogging with their owners – actually any activity that involves movement!
A high fenced wall is a necessity with this breed. They love people – not just their owners – all people and a would be burglar is more likely to be licked to death rather than bitten – therefore not a good watchdog! They are not usually barkers, but do have a tendancy to howl. Unlike other breeds they do not seem to prefer only once person and are happy to share their love and attention with all.
They are very affectionate, but not overly so, but if they decide it is time to cuddle up with their owners they will do so and can be very laid back . They can be very strong willed and stubborn and a firm owner is needed who teaches the dog by way of positive reinforcement. They are known chewers so supply varied chew toys such as Zoink etc to keep them busy with 'legal' toys.
This is not a breed for a first time dog owner, no matter how beautiful the dog is!
Do they get on well with kids and other animals?
As mentioned above, they adore people, but due to their natural boisterous nature can be difficult around kids as they can easily get knocked down, especially if small, but can be very patient. All kids should be taught how to interact with dogs and with a breed like this, teach the child to throw balls and Frisbees and they will play for hours. If you have a Malumute, then know that it wants to be included in all family activities!
They are normally not good with other dogs, especially if the same sex and as they have a predator streak they do not normally do well with cats and small animals and will chase them.
This dog left alone in the yard and bored and frustrated can be a nightmare. It will dig, chew and destroy. They need and thrive on exercise, stimulation and interaction with their owner and people.
Health
The medical conditions and disorders found in this breed are:
• Bloat
• Cataracts
• Coat Funk (Coat Patterning/Loss/Odour)
•• Day Blindness
• Dwarfism
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism
• Polyneuropathy
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Wobbler's Syndrome
• Zinc Responsive Dermatitis
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
The medical conditions and disorders found in this breed are:
• Bloat
• Cataracts
• Coat Funk (Coat Patterning/Loss/Odour)
•• Day Blindness
• Dwarfism
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism
• Polyneuropathy
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Wobbler's Syndrome
• Zinc Responsive Dermatitis
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Training and Grooming
Training
This can be a hard dog to train and patience and consistency is required. They tend to learn a bit slower than other breeds and can be very stubborn and it is often a case of whether or not they want to obey your cue’s or not, as to how successful you will be. Less is often more with this breed, and rather engage is short sessions than one long one, bringing training into daily activities. As they are normally food driven, using their daily allowance of food is often the way to go with these dogs to get them to do what you want.
It is advisable to start training them from pups and do make sure that you teach the dog to walk on lead without pulling while small, as a full grown Malamute pulling is not something you want to experience – they are very strong!
As they love to take off after prey and explore the surrounds and are often very reluctant to come back, teaching the Real Reliable Recall and practising daily will give you a head start.
Grooming
These dogs are heavy sheders so a daily brushing will stop the hairs getting everywhere in the home.
Where do I get my pup from?
Always from a reputable and responsible breeder. Preferably one that is registered with KUSA or with a KUSA affiliated breed club. Have a look at article on breeders on our Puppy Page and also what to look for when pciking a puppy.
Do’s and Dont’s
Do's
Dont’
Interesting Facts
Training
This can be a hard dog to train and patience and consistency is required. They tend to learn a bit slower than other breeds and can be very stubborn and it is often a case of whether or not they want to obey your cue’s or not, as to how successful you will be. Less is often more with this breed, and rather engage is short sessions than one long one, bringing training into daily activities. As they are normally food driven, using their daily allowance of food is often the way to go with these dogs to get them to do what you want.
It is advisable to start training them from pups and do make sure that you teach the dog to walk on lead without pulling while small, as a full grown Malamute pulling is not something you want to experience – they are very strong!
As they love to take off after prey and explore the surrounds and are often very reluctant to come back, teaching the Real Reliable Recall and practising daily will give you a head start.
Grooming
These dogs are heavy sheders so a daily brushing will stop the hairs getting everywhere in the home.
Where do I get my pup from?
Always from a reputable and responsible breeder. Preferably one that is registered with KUSA or with a KUSA affiliated breed club. Have a look at article on breeders on our Puppy Page and also what to look for when pciking a puppy.
Do’s and Dont’s
Do's
- Do give extensive early and continued socialization
- Do give basic training and keep in place
- Do be patient during training, this breed can be stubborn
- Do ensure that property is securely fenced
- Do give the daily exercise and stimulation this breed needs
- Do ensure that this dog is part of your family – they adore humans
- Teach the Real Reliable Recall
Dont’
- Get this dog with a home with young children and small dogs
- Allow this dog to ‘rule the roost’
- Let this dog off lead unless in a secure area
- Get this breed if you are a first time owner
- Leave this dog in the yard left to its own devices
- Get this breed from anywhere other than a responsible, reputable breeder
Interesting Facts
- The Malamute dog has had a distinguished history; aiding Rear Admiral Richard Byrd to the South Pole, and the miners who came to Alaska during the Gold Rush of 1896, as well as serving in World War II primarily as search and rescue dogs in Greenland, although also used as freighting and packing dogs in Europe. This dog was never destined to be a racing sled dog; it was used for heavy freighting, pulling hundreds (maybe thousands) of pounds of supplies to villages and camps in groups of at least 4 dogs for heavy loads.
- The Alaskan Malamute is a member of the Spitz group of dogs, traced back 2,000 to 3,000 years ago to the Mahlemuits tribe of Alaska.
- In 2010 the Alaskan Malamute was named the official state dog of Alaska.
- "Dubs," the mascot of the University of Washington Huskies, is an Alaskan Malamute.
