alaskan malamutes

[daisybea]

Hi,
I am seriously thinking about getting an alaskan malamute. I don't know a lot about them what I do know is that they are very stubborn and you have to let them know whose boss right from the start. I also know that they shed a lot. I know they need a lot of exercise. What else do I need to know:confused: I've loved these dogs since I was a little girl and I really want to know what I'm getting into before I get one. I definetly wouldn't want to have to get rid of one because I couldn't handle it. Anybody that can tell me anything will be appreciated:)

[FurMomx6]

I've never had an Alaskan malamute before so I have no advice really but what I can say is, do a lot of research on them so you know if they fit your lifestyle. You also could maybe contact a breeder in your area and ask some questions about the breed. Sorry its not much help.

[wolfsoul]

Hi there, welcome to PT. :)

Do lots of research, because this isn't the breed for everyone, and definatly not inexperienced owners. They can be very assertive, but are generally gentle with the family and calm. They are great with kids if raised with them properly. They aren't recommended to be around small animals because they have a high prey drive. They can be diggers. You need a fenced yard because these guys are very independant and like to roam on their own. You are right, they do shed alot. They have a double coat that sheds twice a year, so lots of grooming is a must. But their fur is usually clean and doesn't have "doggy" smell. They need lots of exersise, but in my experience I've found them to be very calm and lazy. They need to be socialized with other dogs alot because aggression can be a problem if they aren't. They don't make good guard or watch dogs at all, but they size and appearance is a pretty good deterrent.

Hope that helps! Try looking up alaskan malamutes on www.google.ca .

[tikeyas_mom]

SOCALIZE!!!!!!! You must!!!!! If you want a malamute, you MUST socialize it right away with kittens cats and other dogs. I have had malamutes all my life and socializing is a MUST with the breed. EVEN if you socialize the dog it might still be agressive to other animals. And watch out because an alaskan malamute can eaily kill or seriously injure almost any breed of dog.

My uncles malamute was attacked by a pitbull that was trained to kill and injured it very badly, it later had to be put down :(!!!!! It was horrid. There thick coat has to be brushed all the time, they need alot of excersize and space to roam (large yard).......

They have a high prey drive so you cant have small animals like rats, rabbits, or guinea pigs around. NEUTER AND SPAY right away. because if you dont neuter a male malamute he will do anything to breed. I mean anything (includes busting down a door just to get a female)....

please do more research.... ugh I dont recomend the breed inless you are VERY experienced with large prey drivin breeds.

[Shelteez2]

Hi there. First of all I want to say kudos to you for doing some research before getting a dog, not everyone does.

I'll post some links that may help you with your decision.
First of all is the Alaskan Malamute Club of America
http://www.alaskanmalamute.org/

From that site is a great bunch of articles on whether the alaskan malamute is the right dog for you or not.
http://www.alaskanmalamute.org/thinking.htm

Next is a list of breeders in the Midwest area. It would be a good idea to contact some and ask them for their opinions on the breed, after all they live with them! :)
http://www.alaskanmalamute.org/breeders.htm#mw

And finally a link to Alaskan Malamute rescue.
http://www.malamuterescue.org/

Good luck in all of your research!!

[lv4dogs]

I have had huskys (a kind of mini malamute with just a subtle attitude diference) I am very glad you are looking into this beofre getting one!

I do not reccomend either breed for a first time dog owner or even a second unless you are very experienced.
They LOVE to run run run & are very independant (not stuborn, just independant) & they can be challenging (they like to be boss)so obedience, socialization, training, obedience, socialization, training, obedience, socialization & training is a MUST!

you have gotten some great advice I would like to add to visit a breeder or rescue organization as well. They can give you hands on experience as well as lots of mental knowledge on these beautiful creatures.

[Candifloss225]

Hi i am new to pet talk so i'm not sure what to do but any way i own an alaskan malamute it's a she named zowie:D

[Toller 42]

Welcome to PT! we'd love to see pics of your beautiful Malamute girl. i know someone who breeds Mals.

[Candifloss225]

Really where i live in australia

[Toller 42]

No not in Australia, he lives in Canada. You should post in general and dog general too, you get more replies there. And if you have cats you can post in Cat general.

[Candifloss225]

Here's one:) :)

[anna_66]

Zowie is gorgeous!!!!!

I'd love to see more pictures!

[pitc9]

Welcome!!

My friend has two Mals, they are brothers.... and they are a handfull!!
She is VERY experienced with dogs, esp northern breeds, and they are still a lot of work for her!!

They are almost 8 months old, Loki already tips the scales at 95 pounds, and Chinook is 82 pounds.
SOCALIZE! You can never socalize to much!
She has the boys around her other dogs, and her cats a lot, and they have learned to be nice to them all!
Here's some pix of them.

The day she brought them home:
(I had to take my pups over to play with the little ones... while they were still little :D)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/pf93f8493d7ba9ea3e1afbcab945f8118/f98a265e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p18c07f3f41c3d1a4708931b4b9155370/f98a266f.jpg

(Chinook is in front, Loki is in back)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p78a0a7333b22cd7c64c9197741bd8c2f/f98a2661.jpg

[pitc9]

Here's a picture of the boys at 7 months.

(Chinook is in front)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid135/p41f7643f2e7f92f8cbed8e027cd6a6a8/f7673921.jpg

[Iilo]

pitc9,
I think I "know" the Chinook and Loki you're talking about. Their mom, Jennifer, is on the infamous all-Malamute (for the most part) board, Wildpaws. They were so cute as wee little babies!

To the original poster,
You might want to look into rescue instead of getting a puppy. Malamutes are all Dog and a little tough to raise if you don't have expierience with high prey drive dogs (as someone may have mentioned...? I have short term memory loss and can't remember what I read on this thread earlier and am too lazy to scroll down).
A rescue Mal will take quite a bit of work normally, but not half as much as a puppy would.
http://www.malamuterescue.org/
And make sure to take a look at the Chatanooga 22. http://www.wayeh.com/sleddogrescue/index.html
There are still quite a few from that intervention that need good homes.

Do a lot of research before jumping into anything. Malamute rescue people are very friendly (I won't say too much about some of the people in the conformation side of the breed) and will be willing to help you get started in the breed and become a little more knowledgable.

And just because I love to brag:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/iilobaby/DSCF0023.jpg
There's my boy, Orien. (called Rien or Norien mostly. xD) He's a year and a month two days ago.

[pitc9]

Iilo... yeah!! That's the same Jen!! How funny!
What a small world!!!