|
 Anytime
a person buys a new dog, it is imperative to learn
everything possible about that breed, its history,
potential health risks, traits, and so on. The more
you know about the breed, the better you understand
the appropriate way to way and train. With the
Alaskan Malamute being such an exceptional breed, we
see the number of people making this a family pet
growing. To help get you started with information,
we wanted to address the top 10 questions pertaining
to the Malamute.
1. What is the background
of the Alaskan Malamute?
This particular breed was actually named after the
Mahlemuts tribe in Alaska. Living on the shores of
the Kotzebue Sound in the upper western part of the
state, the Malamute was exposed to bitterly cold
conditions, which is why this breed has a double
coat and preference for cooler climates.
2. Is the Alaskan Malamute related to any other
dog breeds?
Although the Malamute is a native Artic breed, it is
also a close cousin to the Siberian Husky, Samoyed
from Russia, Labradors, and Eskimo dogs of
Greenland. Yes, there are differences, but in all
the breeds, you see similarities to include strong
muscles and gentle nature.
3. I have heard that the Alaskan Malamute does
not bark – is that true?
Well the answer is both yes and no. The Malamute
will bark but the sound produced is much different
from what you hear coming from other breeds. For the
Alaskan Malamute, the sound is more of a “woo woo”
sound. In fact, the noise made by the character
Chewbacca in the famous Star Wars film was based on
the sound of a Malamute owned by George Lucas. In
addition, when this breed becomes lonely or excited,
howling is quite common,
4. Are Malamutes diggers?
In the wilderness, this breed would typically dig as
a means of finding food. When kept as a pet, the
Malamute will often use its digging instincts when
bored. However, when in the backyard, if your dog
should smell or see any type of critter such as a
mouse or mole, expect him to go crazy trying to
capture the prey.
5. I know the Alaskan Malamute is a large breed
but how big does this dog actually get?
Typically, the male Malamute will reach a height
between 24 and 26 inches while the female runs
approximately 23 to 25 inches from the withers. As
far as weight, this breed will run as much as 125
pounds for males, although 95 to 105 is normal, and
the females are usually a little smaller - weighing
in around 75 to 90 pounds.
6. Is the Alaskan Malamute good with kids?
Although this breed is large, muscular, and
powerful, with a proud stance, it is a gentle breed.
The Malamute is very loyal to its family, providing
a nice balance of protection and love.
7. I have heard that the Malamute is not a good
choice of dog if you have other dogs – is this true?
Well, the Alaskan Malamute will get along with other
dogs but usually if raised and socialized together.
However, this breed does have a natural tendency
toward animal aggression in that it was bred and
used for hunting purposes. Therefore, you need to
keep an upper hand at all times. On the other hand,
the Malamute does not usually do well around other
dogs and animals when in a public setting such as
the park. For this reason, this breed should be
maintained on a leash and handled by a strong person
anytime away from the house.
8. How much should I expect to pay for an Alaskan
Malamute puppy?
The price for this breed will depend on a number of
factors. For instance, if you were buying a flawless
dog from a reputable breeder for show, then the
price would be more than if buying a sub-par puppy
from a private party. On average, you would expect
to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500 or more.
9. Is this breed difficult to care for?
Actually, the Alaskan Malamute is easy to care for
but it does have some specific requirements.
Remember, the coat is double and thick. Therefore,
we recommend daily brushing to keep the hair healthy
while cutting down on shedding. For bathing, the
Malamute should be bathed only every three to four
months. Since they shed dirt along with hair, they
do not get very dirty. Then for exercise, the
Malamute is relatively active. For this reason,
daily exercise in the form of training, walking,
jogging, or playing is necessary.
10. How easy is the Malamute to train?
This breed is strong and powerful, meaning it is
important that the owner take his or her place as
master. While this breed is exceptionally bright, it
can also be a little on the stubborn side.
Therefore, proper training by a professional is
strongly recommended. Keep in mind that we also
suggest you be involved with the trainer, working
alongside him/her and the dog for the most success.
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