Alaskan Malamute

[gmc]

Anyone have any experience of owning one?

[Fibonacci]

I've never owned one but my cousin did. They're beautiful dogs.

[LilacDragon]

I haven't owned one myself but I will tell you what I have heard from people I do know that have them.

They are bred to pull sleds long distances. This means they have a ton of energy and are very strong. They also have a bit of "wanderlust" and just love to go for walks on their own.

They are a double coated breed so there will be lots of brushing and during spring and fall, when they shed, that undercoat will come out in CLUMPS.

[Lulu2]

I can confirm the shedding problem and the energy situation, too. If you get a dog which wants to be ALPHA, you'll have to work hard to establish yourself as leader. They can be very willful, to say the least.

BUT--loving, playful and loyal, too!

Choose carefully. Unless you have lots of time and energy, you might select another dog.

[LilacDragon]

Originally Posted by Lulu2

I can confirm the shedding problem and the energy situation, too. If you get a dog which wants to be ALPHA, you'll have to work hard to establish yourself as leader. They can be very willful, to say the least.

BUT--loving, playful and loyal, too!

Choose carefully. Unless you have lots of time and energy, you might select another dog.

If you do decide that this is the breed for you - DO YOUR HOMEWORK. You NEED to know what genetic issues are common in the breed or you may just walk yourself right into THOUSANDS of dollars in vet bills. Make sure you find a good breeder!

[RedGlitter]

Rather than go to a breeder, adopt one from a Malamute rescue. You don't necessarily need to start with a puppy to have a great dog.

[Lulu2]

GMC, unless there's a specific reason for looking at a malamute, why not consider rescuing a mixed-breed, shelter dog? They're smart, loving and often healthier than some purebreds.

And...you'll have saved a life.

How often do you get to do that?

[valerie]

I've owned Huskies and a Mal/Husky/wolf.

Wonderful, wonderful sweet dogs when properly raised with lots
of socialization and WORK.

Would I ever own one again? No. These dogs are not for inexperienced
owners and can be a handful. It is VERY difficult to get a safe set-up
for them, they are definitely a "grass is greener the other side of the
fence" dog. Their inherited trait is to PULL. Walking on a leash can be
problematic. They are not a dog for an owner who works 8-10 hours
a day. They are not a dog for families with younger children who
may be careless about leaving the gate/front door open. They will
seize the opportunity to be 3 counties away.

They usually "blow coat" a couple times a year and that can overwhelm
an owner. We're talkin' MASSIVE amounts of fur. Everywhere. If
you have a spinning wheel, you're in luck!

Very very glad to see someone asking first. Good for you.

[gmc]

podted by Lulu

GMC, unless there's a specific reason for looking at a malamute, why not consider rescuing a mixed-breed, shelter dog? They're smart, loving and often healthier than some purebreds.

And...you'll have saved a life.

How often do you get to do that?

We live near a rescue centre and are in the process of registering with them. Our last dog was a big male standard poodle that was in the family from a pup but we had to learn how to curb the alpha male instinct. The only way we could tire the thing out was by taking it mountain biking which it loved. They are like the malamute in that they have fur growing on the pads so the snow didn't ball up on the pad and grow a waterproof coat that the snow just settled on.

The chance of a malalute pup came out of the blue or it will be a pup as it is not yet born. I've coveted one since I was a little kid we are used to big active dogs and since our hobbies are hillwalking and mountain biking the activity side is not a problem. In fact we want a dog that is up to that kind of activity-20-30 mile mountain bike rides or day long walks without collapsing. I work for myself from home and used always to take the dog with me in the car when out and about apart from summertime when its too hot to leave a dog in a car.

I'm wary hence the post to see if anyone had practical experience. I've had two sides of the character debate and one reason for the interest in a pup rather than an older dog is the bonding side of things when you raise a dog from a pup but a large dog i can't control is not an option i want.

my other reservation. How do they cope in summer? Scotland is not the riviera but the sumer is getting warmer every year-so is winter come to that.

[Lulu2]

Northern breeds are seen here in So. California, too....as are polar bears (in zoos, of course) and other animals we think of as "cold weather." Animals are very adaptable and, in the case of a Malamute/Husky, etc, they just "throw" their coats.

Valerie's right....it's almost ALARMING if you've never seen it before. You could, in fact, KNIT ANOTHER DOG!

In the long run, I guess it depends on why you want a dog...do you want a loving pet? Then just about any "rescue" can fill your lives with joy. If you're wanting a "breed," then you need to be more particular and more educated about what's appropriate for the way you live.

I'm glad you're doing the research! Far too many people in apartments get Aussie sheep dogs, for example, without realizing the thousands of years' instincts built into them.