Alaskan Malamute

[gmc]

Originally Posted by 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.

We like dogs, it's not as a fashion accessory or a cuddly toy substitute. Anything under a foot tall is really a hamster substitute I find yappy wee things irritating. A big intelligent dog preferably that has the stamina for hill walking or mountain biking adds immensely to the enjoyment if said activity. Our last one loved the biking and frankly at one point it was he only way we could tire the thing out. First time i took it a long walk the dog collapsed on me-it was so excited I couldn't get it to eat or drink, after about 20 miles it collapsed and i had this horrible vision of having to carry a seven stone dog another five miles or so back to the car. some food and a drink and away it went again. But hence the concern about how they cope in the summer since it would curb our activities a lot if they have to stay in the shade all day-no trees on the hills you see.

I don't think you should get the same breed again as you always compare with the first one. huskies seem pretty brainless but looking in to it some of the genetic problems are a bit off putting so maybe a crossbreed malamute might be an option. Turns out there are plenty available so i will take my time about choosing.

I had an acquantance who raced huskies having six at one point so I appreciate what you mean about the fur.

Originally Posted by gmc

Anyone have any experience of owning one?

Hi Gmc,

Nice to meet you. No, I have never owned a malamut, but my Dad did when he lived in Nome, Alaska. Will post a picture one day when I learn how to do it. They are fabulous looking dogs.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Kathy Ellen

Hi Gmc,

Nice to meet you. No, I have never owned a malamut, but my Dad did when he lived in Nome, Alaska. Will post a picture one day when I learn how to do it. They are fabulous looking dogs.

How did they cope in the summer?

[gmc]

O.K we've ended up with a dog from the local rescue centre-and eight week old dalmation cross, althogh it's not apparent what it was crossed with. No we're not calling it spot.

[RedGlitter]

Originally Posted by gmc

O.K we've ended up with a dog from the local rescue centre-and eight week old dalmation cross, althogh it's not apparent what it was crossed with. No we're not calling it spot.

Congratulations! How great! I had a dalmatian up until last month when I had to put mine to rest. He too was a rescued dog. They have a good energy level and love to move around. You have to watch them in summer though because they can get sunburned easily.

I hope you and your new friend have a long happy life together!

[gmc]

Originally Posted by RedGlitter

Congratulations! How great! I had a dalmatian up until last month when I had to put mine to rest. He too was a rescued dog. They have a good energy level and love to move around. You have to watch them in summer though because they can get sunburned easily.

I hope you and your new friend have a long happy life together!

This being scotland the chance to get sunburned is rare, weatherbeaten is more like it.

[fisher]

What is the difference between a husky and a Malamute? Are they the same breed?

[gmc]

Originally Posted by fisher

What is the difference between a husky and a Malamute? Are they the same breed?

similar not the same

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/malamutes.html

laskan Malamutes originated with a group of native Innuits known as the Mahlemiut. The dogs of that time were very large freighting dogs capable of pulling heavy weight in extreme conditions. The Mahlemiut people mainly inhabited the upper part of the Anvik river in Alaska, but were spread over a wide region. The Malamute was used to haul food back to the villages. It was used as a heavy freighting dog, able to pull a tremendous amount of weight over long distances at a steady pace. The gold rush of 1896 created a high demand for these dogs.

http://www.bms.ed.ac.uk/services/sta...ig/history.htm

Today’s Siberian Husky, along with the Alaskan Malamute and the Samoyed, are all direct descendants of the Tomarctus and belong to the sled dog group. The Siberian Inuits depended on these dogs very heavily for survival against the cruel forces of the Arctic region. Their dogs would pull heavy sledges across frozen tundra over great distances, they would assist in the hunting and in the summer they carried heavy loads of woods as a pack for storage for the next merciless winter.

Huskies are roughly collie sized malamutes are much bigger and stronger.

[fisher]

Originally Posted by gmc

similar not the same

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/malamutes.html



http://www.bms.ed.ac.uk/services/sta...ig/history.htm




Huskies are roughly collie sized malamutes are much bigger and stronger.

Thank you very much for the info.

[gmc]

I read this when I was a little kid. Have wanted to go to alaska ever since, I was on my way thee when I met my wife and got married instead but that's a really depressing story.

http://www.literature.org/authors/lo...ck/white-fang/

That and call of the wild.