"I Want a Malamute!"

Well, of course you do! They're the most beautiful dogs in the world.

Maybe you've seen a Malamute on TV, in a movie, or at a dog show.  Maybe a neighbor had one when you were a kid or you recently saw a pup and decided that a Malamute is the perfect dog for you.

Naturally we here at CHAAMP think Mals are the best breed ever.  But they are not a dog for everyone.  Read on! 

Common misperceptions about Mals:

•  Malamutes are wolves.  Nope, they're dogs.  Malamutes were used by native Alaskans to pull heavy loads in harsh arctic conditions and to hunt food.  For an in-depth look at their history, click on www.texalmal.com/alasmal/malhist.html

A typical Mal pose -- leaning up against anyone likely to pet them!

•  Malamutes are always great with children.   Like any other dog breed, not all Mals are good with kids.  Working with your local Malamute rescue will make certain that you get a dog suitable for your family -- or we'll tell you that we don't have the right dog for your family.

 

•  Malamutes are good watch dogs.  They are not watch dogs at all; they usually will make fast friends with everyone and anyone.   They seldom bark when there's someone at your door, but they may knock the person over for attention!

 

•  Malamutes get along great with other dogs.  Not true, sadly.  If you absolutely must bring your new dog to your local dog park, then do not get a Malamute.  If you need or want a dog that will reliably get along with every dog he/she meets, then do not get a Malamute. Mals tend to be somewhat aggressive toward other dogs, especially dogs of their own gender.  Mals can indeed live happily with another dog, but the dogs must be introduced and integrated slowly and carefully.

 

•  Mals are stupid.   Umm, no.  Many people equate intelligence with how quickly a dog can be trained to obey its owner.  It is true that you will see few Malamutes in the obedience ring at dog shows as Mals are very independent-minded.  They also tend to get bored with repetitious training.  But they are way too smart for their own good.  Their problem-solving ability will astonish you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      Dakota eating the cat's food

Bear learned to open the fridge to get his own breakfast!  The cat helps.

 

What you can expect when you are owned by a Malamute:

•  Once you've lived with a Mal, you're likely to be hooked! They are charming, intelligent, and loving. And funny. Very, very funny.

•  Malamutes have a lot of hair and a double coat. The undercoat is a thick, soft fluff and the outer coat, called guard hair, is of coarser hair, designed to slough off snow and ice. Mals seldom have that "dog smell" many dogs do. They keep themselves very clean, and groom themselves much like cats.

Twice a year, usually around March and October (depending upon your weather), Mals shed their undercoat. This is called "blowing" coat. The amount of hair lost in a few weeks is staggering. It will fill several garbage bags. Even if you're not a housekeeper, this is the time of year when you'll find yourself vacuuming a lot! In a full blow, the undercoat comes out in large tufts. In addition to the blow, Mals shed somewhat all year long. If you insist on a very clean house or do not like dog hair on your clothes and furniture, you should consider another breed.

 

•  Plan on spending a lot of time with your dog.  Mals are "pack" animals and want to be with their family. If you want a dog indifferent to your presence, or a dog to merely occupy your backyard, you should consider another breed.  Mals often insist on being the center of attention. If they don't get the attention they need, they may become destructive.

Besides spending time hanging out with their people, many Mals enjoy agility training, back-packing, skijoring, and sled- or cart-pulling.  Because of their love of people, Mals often make excellent therapy dogs, visiting schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

 

 

 

 

•  Mals should not be allowed to roam the neighborhood. They must always be kept on leash or in a well-fenced area. They have a tendency to roam and go long distances in a very short time.  Because they are so trusting, they'll go with anyone. Left to their own devices, they may get into dog fights, harass livestock, or kill neighborhood cats.

•  In order to learn your household rules, Mals must be obedience-trained.  A positive reinforcement trainer can help you understand how to motivate your Mal, reward him for the behavior you like, and avoid behavior you don't want.  Positive reinforcement training isn't hard to do and it doesn't take much time (a few minutes a day), but is vital for you to have a working partnership and good relationship with your dog.

General Information:

 

Barking: Malamutes typically don't bark much unless they were raised with dogs that did. Instead they tend to talk: "a-woo-woo." They also tend to "talk back," which means when you ask them about their day, they will tell you all about it! They also tend to have opinions on many things - and let you know! Malamutes do howl, especially if you have more than one Mal. Sirens will often set them off, although humans can often persuade them to sing as well. Mals who are lonely or bored will often howl.

Cats and small animals:   Malamutes often have a strong prey drive, which is part of their heritage. They may kill rabbits, squirrels, birds, outside cats - or at least give them a run for their money.  (Two of my Mals, for instance, brought down and killed a young fawn and have also killed a woodchuck & a fox.  These same two Mals, however, live very nicely with four indoor cats.)

Some Mals do very well with cats.  Once again, your rescue group will know which of their dogs get along with cats and which do not.

Digging: Most Malamutes love to dig!   You can't train them not to, but you can give them a place of their own to dig. You can cover your garden beds in winter and fall with chicken wire to prevent them digging there.  But if you truly care about your landscaping, you should probably consider another breed. . .  or get an indoor cat!

Food: Mals don't need as much food many owners think they do. They have very efficient metabolism. They are also experts at persuading you that they are dying of hunger and haven't been fed in days.

Size: Mals are a large and physically powerful breed. As adults, they weigh anywhere from 70 to 100 pounds. There are some irresponsible people who are unfortunately breeding "Giant" Mals, weighing anywhere from 120 to 175 pounds. These dogs can expect shortened life spans and often have hip and joint problems.

Temperament: As already stated, Malamutes have a strong will and an independent nature. This is not a breed that you can control in the way many people assume one should be able to control their dog.  A Mal isn't going to obey you because he loves you, but because you've developed an excellent relationship, based on mutual respect and understanding. Positive reinforcement training is necessary. Mals do not respond well to abuse and physical punishment. Your local Mal rescue will work with you to find a Mal suitable for your personality.

What other Malamute information should I know?

Now that you have a bit more information about the Alaskan Malamute, you'll be better able to decide if the Malamute is a breed you can live with. There is still much more to learn about the Alaskan Malamute and it is in your best interest to learn all you can before bringing a Malamute into your home. Your local rescue group will help you by giving you an honest assessment of their available dogs and a dog's suitability for your lifestyle.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MALAMUTES, GO TO:

http://canismajor.com/dog/malamute.html

www.malamuterescue.org

http://www.northernterritories.com

 

This Alaskan Malamutes NetRing site is owned by CHAAMP. Want to join the Alaskan Malamute Net Ring?
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