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Alaskan Malamute - Advice and Questions Welcome!

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I just noticed the first post requested pictures. :D

 

Here are my gang:

 

Nook

IMG_1511.jpg

 

Tamba

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Bear

Beardog.jpg

 

Zorro

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Then my extended family (who own my in laws).

 

Buki

P1013143.jpg

 

Rain

P1010841.jpg

 

and Sibe Ruby

P1013096.jpg

 

All of them are rescue pups. :)

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Ooooh, love Ruby.

And what a hairy dog, that Rain! Gosh!

 

I must admit, Nook is a handsome chappy.

Nice pack :)

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Ruffles, I'm sure that if I ended up with a moot, I'd adjust my lifestyle to accomodate it (I have for the dals) and would most likely end up with a dog walker due to my disability, and I reckon that'd be the case with everything. The two dallies I have now and the dal I lost to old age and kidney failure last May are all different, and you find yourself making changes to cope with them.

 

Probably a good idea for me to not get landed with one at all though - because there's no way it'd go anywhere once it had arrived!! And, like you, I'd most likely get another when that one went!

 

edit: I just realised... I did have one for a night! (I don't know if it was a sibe or a mute because it's owner said it was an alaskan husky which I've never heard of!)

She'd been on the run for 5 hours when I found her trudging her way up the road whilst walking my dally. Should've seen the look on my mother's face when I walked through the door with a 'husky' as well as the dog I'd left with!

 

It was a Sunday evening so couldn't contact the police (it was back when the police dealt with lost dogs) so she ended up staying the night and we sent emails to all the radio stations.

 

Absolutely lovely dog, she slept in my room (because my mum was concerned she may turn on our dog so said she had to stay in my room - thanks mum!) and was as good as gold - but obviously, I found out later that she'd been running 5 hours and was usually much more lively!

Edited by Lotti

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You invited questions? Can we have photo's when you get him/her? And is he/her cute? Awwwww xxxxxxx

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After been on the sharp end of Malamute Rescue for the last 6 years, I would rather someone was fully aware of the breed traits before bringing a cute puppy home rather than finding out 12 months down the line that they are struggling to cope.

 

Sorry if my post offended anyone, it wasn't meant to.

 

I see exactly where you're coming from and think your post was really very constructive Ruffles- if the OP was thinking about GSDs I'd be posting pretty much the same for them, just as Strix would be doing the same for beagles.

 

The time to make sure that people are going to have the right dog for them is BEFORE they get the pup/dog, in order that they can prevent the issues rather than having to address them later on when it's much harder.

 

If I could have that sort of sit down talk with everybody who thinks that they're ready for a young GSD then maybe I could prevent some of the issues- just maybe.

 

I really hope that the OP's research has led to the right decision on which sort of dog to get. I know it wouldn't be the right choice for me, but they're beautiful dogs :)

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The best advice I can give you is expect worse case scenario and treat anything better as a bonus. :)

 

I'm sure that you've researched the breed and come across the 'downsides' of owning Malamutes. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that their little bundle of fluff will be the exception to the rule. They get lured into a false sense of security when they are pups, then wonder what has hit them when their obedient, responsive puppy suddenly turns into the teenager from hell. :hihi:

 

During the teenage years and sometimes beyond, they will normally push their boundaries to the limits.

 

They can aquire selective deafness which can make re-call very iffy.

They can be possessive around food, toys, beds, sofas etc.

Same sex aggression or sometimes all out dog aggression isn't uncommon.

Mouthing at people can be fairly common too.

 

Mal's do not respond at all well to harsh handling. A badly handled Mal normally results in an aggressive Mal.

 

They are stupidly intelligent which is often labelled as stubborn. In truth, they are bred to be independent and free thinkers. If there is no incentive to do something (food/toys/praise) they don't see the point in doing it. The secret to training is firstly making it worth their while and secondly making them think that they made the descision. Everyone in the household needs to be singing off the same sheet when it comes to training because if they pick up on a 'weak link' they will exploit it to their full advantage.

 

They mature mentally somewhere between 2-2 1/2. If you have put the work in through the teenage years, at this stage you will see all of your hard work paying off.

 

They moult continuously. They drop their coats fully twice a year and shed bits all year round. If you own anything black, you might as well shove it to the back of your wardrobe now. :hihi:

 

They can be very vocal. Ice cream vans and police sirens can trigger a good old sing song so it's best to give the neighbours a heads up.

 

While they are growing, care really needs to be taken with their joints. As a rule, 5 minutes of exercise per month of age until they are around a year old.

 

Once fully mature and dependant on weather, an adult Mal will take as much exercise as you can give them. Please do bare in mind that you might not be able to let your dog off lead, so you need to be willing to put the miles in.

 

There are lots of organised events up and down the country that KC registered Mals can enter- Rallies, backpacking (for the WPD title) and weight pull events give the dogs the chance to do what they are bred for.

 

Mentally tiring them out is as important as physically tiring them out. If they don't have an outlet for their mental energy, they can invent their own games which can result in parts of your house getting re-aranged. I would strongly advise taking your new pup to training classess. It would also be good for socialisation too.

 

Where are you getting your puppy from? I know quite a few Mal people. :)

 

Sadly over recent years, there has been an explosion in people breeding Moots for money over health and temperament. Some dogs as young as 10 months old have had to be pts because of major aggression problems.

 

The parents should be KC registered and the breeder should be a member of the breed club-they adhere to breed to higher standards than those set by the KC. They also agree to take responsibility for any pups they breed for life and will take them back if the owners circumstances change.

 

Health tests for the breed are eyes (should have a clear eye certificate from the last 12 months), Hips (the lower the better and with even scores) and there is a DNA test to check for the long coat gene (which should be clear). Epilepsy is also common in some lines so I would expect the breeder to have traced the lines back as far as possible.

 

Breeders should be breeding to better the breed. The parents should be shown/worked or preferably both so you know that you're getting a dog fit for function.

 

 

Hi I really enjoy reading you post I seen a lot of characteristics in this in ours and very informative. She did turn into nightmare when hitting teenager this is something husky welfare said too. She can be stubborn and have selective deafness. It been hard in away for us cause she mal x husky and there very little information on these. So i have read lots on husky and mal. I took worst bit from both and hope for best. She been a nightmare at time but talking to other mal and husky owners I think we got good mix cause she can go off lead and is quiet chilled till we leave her.

 

She only shorted haired and seem to be suffering with heat this year we just make sure walk near water.

 

I have so many people say they love husky or mal and I always say they not for faint hearted. We did a lot of research first but still was not prepared. But we not been put off and hopefully have another one next year. Hopefully we learn for mistakes I not deluded though that it be easy cause I know it wont. I would not have another type of dog now. She can be a pain but she so rewarding and loving.

Edited by pink fairy

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Like the breed a lot - but not for me.

 

They tend to be veeery social, and thus very prone to separation anxiety.

So usually need 24/7 attention or at least another buddy for company.

Also, they are escape artists and like to wander off, and I do love a dog with recall and the breed is renowned for not having it! (Of course, there's always exceptions to the rule).

 

I probably would get quite annoyed at the malting, the tendency to be very vocal, and the boisterousness of the breed generally. They are working dogs, and should be respected as one, and working dogs (though i love them!) I know I don't have the time for.

 

Edit: Oh, I've looked after a husky before, so I do have a fairly good idea on the breed which is why I say the above.

One of my favourite breeds along with B.Collies, but I understand the breed and accept it is not a breed I can currently have - and may not ever have. But this doesn't stop my admiration!

Another negative against them is they are a big dog, and you really need another for company and size (not a small dog that may be hurt by the play) and most homes around me (and mine!) are too small for two big dogs of this size!

 

Ooh thank you for your comments!! :D We started our research on Huskies and thought we couldn't ever own one. We were in a flat at the time but 3 years on and own our own house we have decided we are now ready for the challenge!x

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I looked at malamutes before getting Molly too- again, lovely breed, beautiful dogs, but not my sort of dog.

 

Lots of sources mention the lack of recall, and that's one of my major things with dogs- I want to be able to let them off for a run and a mooch about.

 

I obviously don't have problems with the moulting (since I have a very long haired German Shepherd!) and the vocal nature (again, see above) but they're too high energy for me, especially bearing in mind that every inch they cover in exercise is an inch that you have to cover too.

 

I hope your little one fits your family and needs fabulously :)

 

Aw thank you :) Yes they are very high energy dogs! We are going to do bikejoring when he is a year old so should give him plenty of exercise!x

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They are adorable! I met a puppy like this out walking a couple of months ago, it was one of the cutest pups I've ever seen!

 

They're so beautiful, I'd never be brave enough to take one on though, good luck and we definitely need cute puppy pics when you get him or her :D

 

What made you pick this breed? Personally I went for a lazy dog that sleeps most of the time (she's had a 30 min crazy off lead run today and has racked up at least 5 hours of napping so far), suits me lol!

 

Well our first interest in this breed was purely appearance to be honest. Huskies were always my husbands favourite breed. We started to research Siberian Huskies about 3 years ago and at the time couldn't manage one with our living situations etc Then last year we started to look into the breed again as well as looking into the Newfoundland (another wonderful dog) we came across owners of Alaskan Malamute and we started comparing the Mals and the huskies. We came to the conclusion the Malamute would suit us best out of the Husky and Mal. The Newfoundland seemed to be too big and we go on a lot of walks where there are styles... I think a Newfie would struggle to get over some of them lol And they don't live as long...

 

I started my search for the right breeder and found her! She was local and just really helpful! I told her all about me and my hubby, where we lived the jobs we did and our working hours. i asked her to be honest and say whether we could ever own a Mal!x

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We are going to do bikejoring when he is a year old so should give him plenty of exercise!x

 

Oh, too scary for me! I'd fall off my bike!

I'd definitely get a husky rig (three wheel bike/slay contraption) and have a go at that, much more steady :hihi:

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Hi

I have a husky x mal. They hard work but very rewarding. I met a few mals and husky owners. Mal are meant to be more chilled out then husky. Our dog is pretty chilled but we had major issue with separation anxiety. Which I believe is quite common in these breeds. You need work on this from day one. They pull as well. Our is only 22kg and she got some right strength she got husky size. Mal are a lot heavy I have no tips for lead training we still try to get our madam to heel. Some days she really good on lead and some times she a nightmare. Any tips welcome. As above very high energy need lots of walks. I been told by mals, husky and husky x mals owners they have no recall. We have managed to train ours to recall and she can go off lead not sure if it cause she not pure breed. I glad we can cause she wear herself out.

 

Good luck with puppy feel free to ask me question and try help. I want to see pics x

 

 

Hey! You're right it might be because she is a cross! We have heard a lot that you shouldn't risk having your Mal/Husky off lead. But i imagine you can let them off in control situations like an enclosed field. Just don't want to put them in any danger. They do love to run around. But I reckon if you give them enough hard exercise they won't have the urge to run away..(correct me if I'm wrong) Huskies are more prone to trying to escape...I have been told....

 

In regards to yours pulling a lot, does she have a harness or collar lead? They are a sled breed so its instinctive for them to pull. If you want them to pull use harness if you don't want them to , use a collar lead, or even better for control a head harness lead. This is what my breeder told me anyway.

 

Also you can have a look at the our puppy updates and photos from the litters birth on this blog :Phttp://www.hudsonmalamute.tumblr.com

 

x

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I have only a couple of experiences of Malamutes. The first one I saw lived down south and was quite shorthaired a bit like an Akita's double coat and didn't appear to suffer any problems. I have a regular client a long haired Malamute that comes to me for grooming and what a state she is in. She has an extremely heavy undercoat, heavier than any other breed I have come across including Newfies but hers will not come out (I have had two groomers working on her for four hours to try and relieve her of the heavy coat, to no avail) Newfoundlands coats,albiet waterproof don't even come near it. She suffers terribly all year round and is only happy sat outside in snow, she is a family pet so the owners are not keen on keeping her outside, so they live without any heating on for the sake of the dog. Both myself and her owners have both said that she shouldn't live in this country and they feel cruel keeping her here as she is constantly miserable in fact they have said they wish they had never bought her now. She has been completely shaved off for 10 months of the year otherwise the poor dog would collapse particularly in this heat. If you do go a ahead then make sure she is groomed early on to avoid the undercoat setting in and then hopefully you can keep on top of it and your dog shouldnt suffer too much in the UK climate.

 

I hope I don't sound too negative, but you did ask (They are stunning dogs to look at though aren't they?):love:

 

All comment welcome! And I don't feel it was negative :) Thank you for your concerns. It's sad when people say they wish they never got their dog... Maybe it was lack of research and careful choosing of the dog? My breeder is also a professional self employed dog groomer and owns 5 full grown mals(soon to be 7 when she keeps two of the pups from this litter) So hopefully she will give me lots of advice! Luckily our house is very cool in the hot weather :) x

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