Golden Retrievers Vs Alaskan Malamutes

[GoldenAngel]

Hello,
I have a very important question to ask. I really need the answer to the as accurate as can be.
I am about to get a golden retriever puppy. I know that they are very calm and great with people and other dogs. Unfortunately, my husband wants to get his Alaskan malamute. I am aware that these dogs have some wolf in them and are NOT good with other dogs.
How can we work around this?
Should we get both puppies at the same time and raise them together? Would that make them build a friendship or is it in the Malamutes nature to just hate anyother dog?
Or should I get my golden now....raise her correctly and then get the puppy my husband wants....would that be safer?
How do those two breeds get along together?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WOULD BE BETTER...
Thank you so very much.

[Glacier]

Ok, first off all, there is NO wolf in an Alaskan Malamute. God, I hate that myth. There is no more wolf in a Malamute than there is in a poodle. They have been bred to maintain their natural appearance, but there has been no wolf in them for thousands of years!! Bad breeders often use malamutes to create wolf hybrids, but a well bred Malamute is not a hybrid and has NO wolf in their blood.

Malamutes can be wonderful with other dogs although they have a tendancy towards same sex aggression. I wouldn't leave two female malamutes alone together. I have a male malamute who is an absolute doll with every other dog he's ever met. I have a female who likes all male dogs. I have another female who hates every dog she's ever met, but she was poorly socialized as a puppy.

You need to consider what you want out of a dog. A malamute's personality is going to be 100 % different than a golden's. Do you want a dog who follows you around and is happy to obey every command? Do you want a dog that's easy to train and has a desire to please? Get a Golden.

No self-respecting Malamute is going to follow a mere human just because they said so. No malamute is going to fetch just because. They are working dogs and they need to do a job. If you don't give them a job, they will find a way to entertain themselves and that will likely be something you don't like--digging, howling, destroying stuff. Let most Malamutes off leash and they will head for Alaska. They don't come when called and have no homing instinct. They are stubborn and hard to train.

They have a high prey drive. Do you have cats or other small furries around? Most malamutes would consider those things dinner(although there are exceptions to that--like my own malamute)

Malamutes are not the dog for everyone. Do your research on them before buying one. Thousands of Malamutes are in rescues right now because their first owners didn't know enough about the breed.

Malamutes are amazing, wonderful, intelligent creatures. There is never a dull moment with a mal around! My home will never be without at least one!

I always advise against getting two puppies of any breed at the same time. The pups will have a tendancy to bond to each other and not to their owners. It's also twice as much work, training and time. One puppy is more than enough work for most people!

[lv4dogs]

I agree that it would be a LOT easier for both you humans & the pups if you were to get one at a time.
If you keep your first dog well socialized and add the second one as a pup they should get along just fine.

Glacier brought up some good pointers about Mals. They are great dogs but can be quite difficult to own if you are not WELL prepared for the breed.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Have you even reseached these breeds at all???? :confused: :confused:

[GoldenAngel]

Thank you for all of your advices. My husband and I have agreed to get my golden first. And later, when he has researched the breed a lot more, reconsider getting a malamute.
I will admit that after reading Glacier's post I do feel a lot more comfortable around the breed.
Thank you

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Hi GoldenAngel,

You said that you were "about to get a Golden Retriever puppy." Can I ask where you are getting your puppy from? Please, at ALL COSTS, avoid buying from pet stores and from people who advertise selling dogs in the newspaper. Instead, I'd highly suggest either finding a responsible Golden Retriever breeder or adopting from a rescue or a shelter.

I hope you have researched the Golden Retriever breed to a full degree.. they are great dogs, but they are not for everyone. :)

[GoldenAngel]

Hi GoldenRetrLuver,
No we are not buying from a pet store. I heard that the puppies there are from puppy mills, although I don't fully understand what that means, I do feel more comfortable going through a reputable breeder. In fact I'm in contact with a very nice breeder at the moment.
I have researched the breed and my ex-room-mate got one a few months ago, so, I did see how they are young and I'm still learning.
They are everything I need in a dog. I want a dog that is affectionate, playful, and likes to be around their owners. I am aware that big dogs need excercise and I'm ready for that too.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Glad to hear that! :) If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask! Everyone here is usually really nice and friendly.

If you're interested in learning more about puppy mills, here's a site I would suggest you take a look at..

http://www.puppymills.com/

I hope you continue to stick around when you get the new pup, and be sure to post lots of pictures! Goldens are by far the cutest puppies! ;)

[GoldenAngel]

WOW thank you.
Yes I will post pictures.....and thank you for the web site.
I'm going to check that out now.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I am the proud and fortunate owner of two wonderful goldens! I have had goldens for close to 30 years now. Please be aware that a golden puppy (or most puppies for that matter) can be little terrors. The most common mistake people make is not adequately socializing and training the pup in the first couple years of it's life. They feel that a puppy kindergarten class and then perhaps a basic obedience class when the pup is under a year old is sufficient. IT IS NOT! Training needs to be a constant activity for the dog (golden or any breed) for several years at a minimum.

I suggest getting your husband involved in the training process. It will establish a bond between them. Find a local Golden Club or all breed dog club that does obedience, field, agility or whatever you think you may be interested in doing with the dog. Then have both of you take an active role. Your husband may realize he needs another golden! They are extremely social animals and having two is usually what ends up happening to a lot of people!

[Corinna]

Not to be a stinker but I have never meet a "calm " golden they are always ready to be the life of the party. I have a golden/ newfy cross and she is the most wiggly thing I have ever had.
But I think a golden is your better chose if this is your first dog.
I have never had one but have raised Springers (also sporting dogs) and love there loyalty and cuddablity.
I second hope you will stay and share pics. Good luck

[K9soul]

My golden Tommy didn't really mellow out until he was around 3, before then he was quite an imp, getting into things the moment I turned my back and playing very frequently. Now, when something exciting is going on like we are going somewhere or someone is visiting or he's just playing, he gets very worked up, wiggly and quite talkative, but when things are the normal routine he generally curls up and dozes off and on. His only wish at those times is to be as near me as possible and he's very calm and mellow at those times. However, people who visit him or meet him for the first time generally get the impression of a more excitable dog than he is when things are "normal." :D

[GoldenAngel]

Ok, I think that is a very good idea to look for a GOlden retriever club that my husband and I could participate in with our new dog.
How would I GO about finding one in California?
Can I do an online search for them or use the phone book?
At what age can the puppy be involved in the activies from this kind of club?
I have a lot of reading still to do about the breed. I have a couple of more weeks to go before she comes home to us.
What is the most imporant thing I should get for her.
I have on my list : a kennel crate ( i hear that is it very good to kennel train them(
A dog bed, food and water bowl,blankets, leash and colar, ........
What is the best product to clean out their ears? I had a cocker spaniel a few years ago and after she was about 2 years old, because of her long hair we needed to clean them out.
Also, while I'm at it, by your own experiences, what is the best and healthiest way to control fleas? I hear about so many methods but which one is the safest and most effective?
Ok, I'll stop with the questions for now. I'm just really excited.

[bckrazy]

Here's a few links to Golden Retriever clubs... you should *definitely* contact the Golden Retriever Club of America for breeder references! They only accept the best and most reputable breeders, and I'm sure there are tons listed in your area. You can do a search on MSN/Google for Golden Retriever clubs and info about puppies, ear cleaning, etc. This is a link to the NorCal Golden club (and an article about puppies)... there's also a club for Southern California and the Bay area.

http://www.norcalgrc.org/puppies.html

http://www.grca.org

I think its a very good decision to wait and research both breeds before jumping into anything. You might want to consider rescuing a Malamute after your GR is full-grown... when you get an adult rescue dog, you already know their temperament, sociability with dogs, size, etc. With a puppy, and even with a ton of socialization, you *never* truly know how their personality will be when they mature. You'll also be saving one of the many, many Malamutes that are dumped in rescue. There are also tons of young Golden Retrievers waiting to be rescued, so you should definitely check out Petfinder.org and rescue sites for pups.

[Giselle]

Originally posted by GoldenAngel

What is the most imporant thing I should get for her.
I have on my list : a kennel crate ( i hear that is it very good to kennel train them(
A dog bed, food and water bowl,blankets, leash and colar, ........
What is the best product to clean out their ears? I had a cocker spaniel a few years ago and after she was about 2 years old, because of her long hair we needed to clean them out.
Also, while I'm at it, by your own experiences, what is the best and healthiest way to control fleas? I hear about so many methods but which one is the safest and most effective?
Ok, I'll stop with the questions for now. I'm just really excited.

The above questions can be answered by the sites Bckrazy posted above.

As for these questions...
What is the most important thing I should get for my GR?
Before you get your puppy, you should buy an appropriately sized nylon collar, 4'-6' nylon leash, food and water bowls, a wire or plastic adult-sized Golden Retriever crate with dividers (reason is the crate should only be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around to prevent accidents), a mat for the crate or a few old blankets, a dog bed for inside the house, grooming tools (for a Golden, the basics are probably a shedding blade, a slicker brush, and nail-clipper- DON'T use the guillotine style nail clippers. In fact, why use clippers at all? Use a Dremel! :)), and food.

For good brands of food available in Northern California (if that's where you live :)):
California Natural
Innova and/or Innova EVO
Chicken Soup for the Dog/Puppy Lover's Soul
Wysong
Wellness
Solid Gold
Pinnacle
Fromm
Canidae

If you need the links to any of the aforementioned items, just ask!

What is the best ear cleaning product?
Very good question. I also have a heavily coated, flop ear dog and I generally use whatever ear cleaner that's on the shelves. Most, if not all, ear cleaners come with two bottles because ear cleaning takes two steps. The lable on the bottles will tell you what to do. I also will pluck the hair inside the ear with either a tweezer or hemostat.

What is the best flea preventive?
Either Advantage or Frontline (any formula) is fine. Be sure to avoid the cheaper products because those products use potentially harmful chemicals that can cause neurological problems. To my knowledge, Advantage uses pyrethrin (hmmm, I think that's spelled wrong) which is a derivative of crysanthemum. I think :p I hope that helps you!

[bckrazy]

annnd, I have to post this!! Isn't this the cutest puppy? She's at NorCal Golden Rescue, and there are TONS more gorgeous puppies needing good homes in SoCal and shelters all over the state.

http://www.golden-rescue.org/adopt/doglist/photos/p6411.jpg

Lily is the sweetest, cutest little 15 week old pup. Lily is afflicted with ichthyosis (dry flaky skin) which is a genetically inherited condition. Puppies with ichthyosis have dry skin which shows up as dandruff on their fur. Although it is not curable, ichthyosis is manageable. In fact, by bathing Lily once a week we've been able to get rid of all of Lily's dry skin. Lily is healthy otherwise and is up to date on shots. Lily a very bright dog who walks well on a leash, rides great in the car and already knows how to sit. Lily also comes (most of the time) when called. Lily is well socialized with other dogs and loves kids. Lily is doing great with her potty training - she lets me know when it's time to go outside. She is an all around sweet and kind dog.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by GoldenAngel
Ok, I think that is a very good idea to look for a GOlden retriever club that my husband and I could participate in with our new dog.
How would I GO about finding one in California?
Can I do an online search for them or use the phone book?
At what age can the puppy be involved in the activies from this kind of club?


Get your pup learning from the second you bring her home! Be careful not to get her around other dogs until she has her second set of vaccinations (usually around 9 weeks of age). After proper vaccination, take her around as many dogs as you can just to get the pup socialized in a non formal setting. The better you socialize your dog when it is a pup the better off you and the dog will be when it is an adult!

This link will take you to the GRCA listing of Golden Clubs in California.
http://www.grca.org/localclubs.asp?state=California

If you go to the GRCA home page you can search almost anything and everything you want to know about Goldens. A lot of really knowledgable people have contributed to the site. As a member of the GRCA myself and a friend of many others who are members, I can testify that the information on their site is accurate and very informational.

That being said, can I stress.... don't limit yourself to only one club. Most all breed clubs do wonderful work with many dogs and offer many more opportunities for your dog to explore. The AKC lists many clubs that may offer you other possibilities and perhaps may be closer to you than a Golden club. Here is the link to follow for the AKC searching for specific clubs.

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm

Your other questions have been addressed so all I can say is Happy researching! Between the wonderful GRCA information and the link to AKC clubs in your area.... you should be on your way to a fun future with your new pup!

[GoldenAngel]

To everyone, thank you so much for all of your advice and helpful information.
bckrazy- Those two puppies are truly adorable....but we are already in the process of buying our new pup. Next time, I really think we will rescue a puppy for our second dog.

I went out yesterday and bought so much stuff...I think I might have overdone it. But to me this is a very big deal....It's our first dog since my husband and I got married and really it will be our first baby in a way.
I abosolutely love dogs and I think I went too long without one.
Well, I will talk to you all later.

[jesse_3]

Well, I am late in posting, but, I wish you and your husband good luck!--Post MANY pics;)

Steph and Jes

[tikeyas_mom]

Malamutes can be a great dog breed if raised around other dogs/animals.. Socalization is key with this breed..
I would prefur to get a malamute rather then a Golden, but thats just me..
My parents bred malamutes, and my grandparents bred them for around 15 years. they are GREAT family dogs, and DONOT have any wolf in them ;).

Research both breeds well, find whats best for your lifestyle :)>

[wolfsoul]

What is the best product to clean out their ears? I had a cocker spaniel a few years ago and after she was about 2 years old, because of her long hair we needed to clean them out.
Also, while I'm at it, by your own experiences, what is the best and healthiest way to control fleas? I hear about so many methods but which one is the safest and most effective?

At my work (grooming parlor) we use this liquid called "Blue Thunder." It works great at drying out the ears. Never ask the vet to clean out the ears for you. They use oily junk that causes buildup.

Personally I like to use natural prevention rather than chemicals when dealing with parasites. Try finding a holistic vet in your area who can help you find a product to your liking. :) You can feed fresh garlic (only up to one clove a day) to help repel fleas, and there are many natural oils that help to repel insects.

Are you sure the breeder you are getting a pup from is reputable? Make sure that her dogs are health certified for hips, eyes, heart, thyroid, and VW. She should be able to show proof of certification. If she can't, you are in trouble! Goldens are quite an unhealthy breed these days due to backyard breeders. You will end up spending tons of money on vet bills (in fact, goldens are one of the worst breeds for health problems that come into my work. Almost all of the ones we get need hypoallergenic shampoo and are in absolute terrible condition). Make sure her dogs have pedigrees, papers, and are involved in some sort of activities. Conformation, field, dock diving, agility, flyball, etc, are all good sports for goldens. A breeder should be involved with her dogs in order to know which ones are suitable for breeding. A breeder should only be breeding for the better of the breed! :)

Good luck! I hope you come back and update on your puppy. I'm getting my puppy next year and I just can't wait! It's so exciting, isn't it? Are you going to do any special things with your dog? I hope you stick around Pet Talk. :) I've learned alot being here, and I am better prepared to get a puppy now. It might work out the same for you.

Jordan :)

[GoldenAngel]

Thanks Wolfsoul...and everyone else for posting here.
Yes, I will update on my new little puppy. We don't get her until the 3rd of August. I promise to post pictures. She is very cute. I'm sure that the person I'm buying the puppy from is reputable. I talked to her on the phone and she told me that a vet's certification will come with the puppy. I know she is health guaranteed but it never crossed my mind to ask about the eye, hip, and etc....guarantees. So, thank you. I will ask.
I will most definitely be active with my dog. Right now, she is only 7 weeks, so I don't think she could do much exercise and activity but as she gets older I will do plenty with her. I can't wait to train her and everything.

[Xeph]

Don't Wanna be a party pooper, but I have some questions?

Why do you think this breeder is reputable?
Have they done the proper health screening on their dogs (Hips, Elbows, Eyes, Thyroid, etc?)
Do they breed for show, field, or "just for pets"? (Just for pets is a HUGE red flag).
How many litters a year do they breed?
How many sets of shots do they get? Wormings?
Do you have AT LEAST a two year hip guarantee in the contract?
IS There a contract? (there should be).
Will the breeder take back the dog at anytime should you no longer be able to care for it? No matter how old it is?
Can you get references from this breeder?
Have you seen the (possible) kennel and conditions the dogs are kept in?

These may seem like instrusive questions, but you should know the answer to all of them ^_^

[Iilo]

As stated, Mals have no more wolf in them than any other breed of dog... They've been registered with the AKC since 1935 and the stud book was closed (however, later it was reopened, but that's really just a historical mal story... no wolf was added). :rolleyes:

If you socialize your mal properly, they'll probably be fine with other dogs. Intact same-sex groups aren't smart, but with some people they work. My boy, Rien, is having some problems with dog aggression now. He's convinced that the whole ISLAND that my dad lives on is his territory and no other dog belongs on it. We're working on that.

However, he lives with two small furries (one at a time... both are cats, at seperate houses) and one aging mutt. He has no problems with the animals in his pack, and once a dog is introduced to him (which sometimes takes longer than I would like and is sometimes a hell of a task), he is very friendly and sweet.

IMHO, you need to do a LOT more research before adding any dog to your home, and I'm very glad that you've "started" with a golden rather than a Mal.

Someone mentioned that you might want to rescue a Mal, but that might take a while to find a dog that will fit into your situation (a dog friendly mal in rescue is sometimes hard to find).

Please, please, PLEASE, if you do decide to add a Mal to your family any time in the future, do TONS of research and I would NEVER advocate purchasing from a breeder of "GIANT" mals (there are many in California, where I hear you live).

Of course, after what seems like listing all the bad traits of the Mals, I couldn't live without my Riri. <3 He's my heart and soul, and I love him dearly, but even after a year of research before getting him, I could've stood to do more. I'm STILL researching the breed after having had Rien for almost two years.

But I can see why your husband wants one, I mean, who could resist this face?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/iilobaby/riri/rien72205019.jpg