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Origin: Alaska
Height: Ideal is 23 inches
at the shoulders for females, 25 inches for
males, though size range can vary
Weight: Ideal weights are
75-85 pounds, though weight should be
proportionate to the size of the dog and dogs
over 100 pounds are not uncommon
Exercise Needs: High
Grooming Needs: Moderate
to High
Life Expectancy: 12-13
years
Good With Kids: Yes
Trainability: Moderate
Difficulty
Common Misspellings: Malimute, Malemute,
Malamout
Alternate Names:
One of the oldest breeds of Arctic sled dogs,
the Alaskan Malamute is named after the native
tribe of Innuits, known as the Mahlemuts, who
were first discovered using these powerful sled
dogs as draft animals to haul sledges across the
frozen ice and snow. Since their discovery, the
Alaskan Malamute has been known, above all else,
as a sled dog and a working animal. This is for
good reason; rather than being bred for delicacy
or beauty, the Alaskan Malamute is bred for
strength, stamina and power - they are the
workhorses of the Arctic.
Related to other Arctic breeds, such as the
Siberian Husky and the Samoyed, the Malamute is
the only one to have developed in Alaska. How he
came to be there is unknown for, like the tribe
of native people that the breed is named for,
the exact origins of the Malamute remains
shrouded in mystery. It is known, for a fact,
that the Alaskan Malamute was present, however,
for many years prior to the Asiatic sailors
first landing on the Alaskan shores and
reporting back of the strong sledding dogs being
used in this frozen land.
For a time, with the influx of the white man,
the Alaskan Malamute breed was at severe risk of
being lost. The newcomers brought their own dogs
with them, who then interbred with the native
dogs. Also, with the rising interest in the
sport of sled dog racing, the desire for faster
animals was also created. Together, these
factors led to a period during the early 1900’s,
coined the “Age of Decay of the Arctic Sledge
Dog.” Fortunately, by the year 1926, American
breeders had decided to preserve this unique
breed of dog and protect it from further taint.
While many breeds of dog are often refined
once they become recognized, the Alaskan
Malamute breed standard stresses that this
animal is to be judged based on his ability to
perform the tasks that he was originally bred
for. Bred for strength and endurance rather than
speed, the breed is actually faulted for being
too lightly built or quick-looking. They are a
powerfully-built dog with a broad chest, muscled
hindquarters, and strong, thick-boned legs.
The Malamute’s beautiful coat is dense and
well-suited to protect him from the harsh Arctic
winds and, while it comes in a wide variety of
colors, the only solid shade that is recognized
is pure white. Their almost wolf-like
appearances endear them in the hearts of many,
as well as the proud way that this dog has of
carrying himself - they are truly a beauty to
behold, even if they are not bred to be just
another pretty face.
Few who have had the privilege of knowing an
Alaskan Malamute have many complaints; they are
a proud and noble beast, extremely affectionate
and are not prone to being one-person dogs.
Malamutes are openly friendly to most and
possess a strong desire to work and to please,
quick to jump into the harness and throw those
powerful shoulders into any task set before
them. Malamutes are, occasionally, known to have
problems with ‘hunting’ smaller animals, such as
birds and cats. For this reason, it’s best to
supervise any interactions with a new dog or,
even better, to start with a puppy and raise him
with the other animals of the house.
While the Alaskan Malamute is bred as a powerful
workhorse of a dog, he is extremely loving and
very gentle. Treating him with a kind hand and
lavishing lots of praise upon him are sure to
win his devotion, and you’re sure to be
enchanted by his outgoing, playful nature. The
Malamute is a definite heart-stealer - there is
no avoiding this; you have but to meet one and
you’ll fall in love.
It's important to remember that the Alaskan
Malamute was bred as a working dog and, for this
reason, isn't prone to playing the role of couch
potato. While they are content to snuggle
up in a small apartment (and will happily share
even the smallest of beds with his human), the
Alaskan Malamute still needs plenty of exercise
in order to burn off excess energy. This
can be accomplished by letting him run,
supervised, in a fenced-in back yard, taking him
for several good walks every day, or regular
trips to the dog park.
Without proper exercise, your Malamute puppy
may quickly outweigh a horse, not to mention the
risk of his developing bad habits or turning to
destructive behavior as a means of appeasing his
boredom.
While Alaskan Malamutes may not require the
frequent trips to the doggie salon that a
pampered Yorkshire Terrier might need, they
still fall under the moderate-to-high grooming
requirements. While a weekly or bi-weekly
brushing of your Malamute, using a gentle wire
slicker brush, may remove any dead hair and
lessen the amount of dander that your dog
produces, the Alaskan Malamute is known for
"blowing his coat." When the Malamute
blows his coat (usually once or twice a year),
his coat will shed so profusely that it can
literally pull away in clumps of thick fur.
This mainly happens in the Spring, as
temperatures begin to warm up, though some
individuals may blow their coats again in the
Fall.
The Malamute is a very quick-witted dog that
loves to be challenged and delights in learning
new things. Training bouts should vary, so
as to keep your Alaskan Malamute puppy from
growing bored and one shouldn't be afraid to try
teaching your puppy in ways that make him think.
Alaskan Malamute puppies benefit from puppy
school, as well as basic obedience courses and
you will be thankful, later on, when your
Malamute puppy turns into 100 pounds of happy
energy. The basic commands are a
necessity, though he will delight in things such
as obstacle events and skills that will give him
a chance to put his natural abilities to work.
Like any breed of dog, the Alaskan Malamute
is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your
best bet is, when deciding to choose a new
Alaskan Malamute puppy, check around with
several breeders and ask about the various
health issues that can affect these beautiful
dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed
in the health concerns and should be able to
give you more details, as well as showing you
the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some
of the health problems that can affect Alaskan
Malamutes include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Prone to cancer
- Flea and food allergies
- Epilepsy
Beautiful and noble, many are captivated by
the grace and strength of the Alaskan Malamute
breed. Still others are frequently moved by his
wolfish appearance, and some choose Alaskan
Malamute puppies for their versatility and
loyalty. Whatever the reason for considering
getting an Alaskan Malamute puppy, it's
important to realize that this breed can be a
lot of work. Requiring a great deal of exercise
and brushing, they are not the ideal dog for
someone with a very busy lifestyle, and it's
important to note that they grow very lonely and
mournful if left on their own too much.
Alaskan Malamutes can make wonderful family
pets, however. The key to this is early
socialization with children and animals, while
your dog is still a puppy, and to always
supervise your Alaskan Malamute when small
children are about. Be sure to introduce
him to other pets and family members gradually
and be wary of any dogs showing any hint of
aggression. Taking the extra time and effort
with this breed will ensure that you have a
lasting friend for many years to come.
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There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Alaskan Malamute dog breed. We've compiled a list of
Alaskan Malamute information sites to assist you in quickly locating
quality information about the Alaskan Malamute dog breed, while
avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor
attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general.
If you know of a Alaskan Malamute information site that offers
unique, quality information and photos of the Alaskan Malamute
breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so
that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Alaskan Malamutes are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Alaskan Malamute pictures, you can usually gain more insight into
what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help
you decide if you really want to become a Alaskan Malamute owner.
The following sites below offer pictures of Alaskan Malamute dogs,
Alaskan Malamute puppy photos, funny Alaskan Malamute photos and
more. Enjoy!
Now that you have decided that the Alaskan Malamute is the right
breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a
responsible Alaskan Malamute breeder from which to buy a healthy,
well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good
breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first
Alaskan Malamute puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To
buy a puppy from a responsible Alaskan Malamute breeder, you may
need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting
time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper
ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase
a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will
likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and
behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of
veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do
your homework and find a responsible, caring Alaskan Malamute
breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their
breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and
post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Alaskan Malamute
breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit,
and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long
lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and
your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.
Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Alaskan
Malamute puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many
sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for
puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear
of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
We Highly Recommend:
Alaskan Malamute clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Alaskan Malamute dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Alaskan Malamute breeder, or help you find a Alaskan
Malamute dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving,
forever home. We've compiled the following list of Alaskan Malamute
clubs and Alaskan Malamute rescues web sites for your convenience:
Choosing a name for your Alaskan Malamute puppy can be a daunting
task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot
of thought and research to find just the right name for your Alaskan
Malamute. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few
days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide
on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A
serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange
love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Alaskan Malamute puppy
over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about
what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and
pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information
resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set
up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this
popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Alaskan Malamute puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
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