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Is an Alaskan Malamute a Good Pet to Have?
By Dog Lover | June 30, 2009
You don’t have to live on the frozen Alaskan tundra to want an Alaskan Malamute sled dog for your very own! These massive wolf-like companions are some of the friendliest pets you could own. There are a few Malamutes (Mals) that haul people, freight or heavy objects, although most dogs are used for show or as pets. While this breed can pull hefty weight, they are generally not well suited for long distance races, in which case, the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky or Eskimo Dog would be a better choice, since they are breed for agility.
Alaskan Malamutes are a very affectionate breed of dog that thrive on human companionship. Ideally, your pet will be able to come and go as it pleases through a doggie-door, having the freedom to lounge outside in the shade or be at the heart of human interaction on command. Speaking of “commands,” Mals can be stubborn dogs if you don’t take the time to train them when they’re young. Don’t worry: they are intelligent and quick learners if you use positive rewards. Be sure to let them know who’s the “Alpha Dog” in your house early on!
This breed gets bored easily and needs a lot of exercise. Your Malamute may be a digger, so it’s best to set up a shaded area where your dog can dig his paws into the cool dirt if need be. If you’re looking for a guard dog, then forget it; this breed enjoys humans far too much! While the males are sometimes aggressive with other males, Mals are said to be good family pets. If you have cats, small dogs or farm animals, then you may want to reconsider getting this sort of breed. Perhaps it’s the hunter instinct that emerges, but this native Alaskan canine does not typically get along with other small mammals. One of the things you’ll come to love about your Mal is its “Chewbacca” woofs. While they’re a generally quiet dog, they do like to talk a bit, and sometimes even howl like a wolf!
Have you ever wondered, “What are the differences between the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky?” Well, first consider that the Malamute was bred to carry a heavy load, whereas the Siberian Husky was bred to carry a lighter load over a longer distance. So naturally, Malamutes have a larger bone structure, while Huskies are much smaller and more agile. Mals have brown eyes only, whereas Huskies can have blue, gray, brown, or a mix. Malamutes also have ears that sit further back on the skull, broader heads, bulkier muzzles, a sloped back (versus the straight back of the Husky) and a waving plume tail (rather than the traditionally trailing tail of the Husky). The personalities of both breeds are very similar by nature.
There are many Alaskan Malamute Rescue facilities across the nation if you’re looking for one. These non-profit groups, like TAMR, based out of Texas, seek to provide local help through rescue, adoption, foster care and owner education. To adopt, you generally must be 18+, agree to have the dog as either indoor or indoor/outdoor, pay a $100 – $300 adoption fee and you may even have to undergo a screening process like you would for child adoption. Having a pet is a big responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Often, many Mals get turned over to shelters because they don’t get along with other pets, they dig too much or the owners just don’t have enough time to run with them. This causes undue stress on the dogs and leaves them disheartened. If you have a lot of love to give and the patience, then there is a Mal waiting for you.
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