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IS THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU?

Deciding what type of dog you want is never an easy decision. Dog ownership is a tremendous commitment, and it is an important decision that must be given serious consideration. The Alaskan Malamute can make a wonderful addition to a family’s home, depending upon how well matched the family’s lifestyle and the Malamute’s attributes are. Before selecting an Alaskan Malamute as your dog of choice, you should consider the breed’s original purpose and function. The Alaskan Malamute was originally bred to haul heavy sleds through adverse weather conditions. This function required a breed that was strong, intelligent, rugged, hardy and loyal. All of these fine qualities will be reflected in the way that a dog of this breed reacts in and adapts to your home environment, and all must be given careful consideration.

The Alaskan Malamute has an enormous amount of energy and requires appropriate ways to release this energy on a daily basis. The breed needs plenty of outside exercise; the breed requires both physical activity and mental stimulation. A Malamute needs to run, play and keep busy. If the Malamute is not allowed to exercise his mind and body, he will likely become destructive in the home. A bored, restless Alaskan Malamute can quickly turn into an owner’s worst nightmare!

If your lifestyle requires that you work all day, and you are out most evenings, you may want to reconsider choosing the Alaskan Malamute as your breed of choice. You should answer the following questions honestly: do you have a large fenced-in yard or other secure space for your Alaskan Malamute to exercise? If you don’t, do you have the time necessary to take the dog on daily long brisk walks or to a dog park for his required exercise?

WORKING WAR DOGS

The Alaskan Malamute was frequently used by the United States Army to carry machine gun parts and other weaponry over rugged terrain during World War II. They were also used for defense and as search-and-rescue dogs during this time period. They were quicker and more agile than the St. Bernard and could withstand the extreme cold.

This Alaskan Malamute and his Staffordshire Bull Terrier buddy provide companionship, protection and love to their mistress. Malamutes are instinctively pack dogs and get on well with other dogs, provided that they are properly introduced and socialized.

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the most versatile working breeds. New owners are delighted when they begin to realize the many activities in which this breed can participate successfully. Alaskan Malamutes actively compete in long-distance races as superlative sled dogs, and they take part in weight pulls, dog shows, agility trials and obedience competition. In addition, they make excellent search-and-rescue dogs. No matter where your interests may lie, you are sure to find an event that both you and your Alaskan Malamute can enjoy participating in together.

Malamutes are affectionate, loyal, devoted, playful companions that can easily adapt to many different living environments. They love people and children and are patient with young people, but at the same time cherish their independence. Alaskan Malamutes require a lot of time, energy and feedback from their owners, especially during their younger years. Besides adequate exercise, the Alaskan Malamute will need a great amount of grooming. The dog’s lush coat requires brushing and combing on a regular basis. The rigorous grooming requirements alone are enough to make some potential owners choose a different breed. If you don’t like to vacuum up dog hair, this may not be the breed for you. You should also consider individuals in your home who may be allergic to the breed’s abundant coat.

Alaskan Malamutes have thick, coarse outer hair and warm dense undercoats, necessities for protection in cold weather. The proper Malamute coat provides the dog with thorough insulation from the cold.

Alaskan Malamutes make wonderful family pets, but if the new owner has children under the age of five, they should be especially careful. The Alaskan Malamute can easily knock down small children, albeit unintentionally, in play, and thus should be carefully supervised when around youngsters.

BUNDLES OF ENERGY

Alaskan Malamute puppies can be adorable, entertaining and loving. At the same time, they can be quite destructive if left unsupervised. They are very energetic youngsters who require a lot of one-on-one attention and adequate exercise.

Alaskan Malamute puppies can be quite clumsy. As they mature, they will grow rapidly and can be quite overwhelming to those who are unfamiliar with their gawky nature.

Once you’ve considered all of the factors, both pros and cons, and have decided that the Alaskan Malamute is for you, you should give careful thought as to where to find your new dog and what future hopes you have for your dog. There are several things to think about. What are you planning to do with the dog and in which activities are you interested in participating? What are your individual or family needs? What are your reasons for wanting this type of dog? Answer these questions honestly so that you can realistically assess what you want in a dog, and it will make it easier to choose a breeder and to eventually find the dog of your dreams.

HEALTH CONCERNS IN THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE

We’ve already come to recognize the strength, endurance and hardy nature of the Alaskan Malamute. In order for this breed to withstand the harsh winter weather elements and the extreme requirements that are essential for its function as a productive working dog, the breed must be healthy. However, despite the Malamute’s rugged nature, some genetic health problems do occur. It’s very important for the Alaskan Malamute owner to be aware of and be able to recognize these potential problems. Breeders and potential owners must be familiar not only with the different diseases that affect the breed but also with the symptoms associated with each of these conditions. It is for the goodness and well-being of the breed that we learn to accept that these ailments do occur, and do all we can to defeat them.

A healthy Alaskan Malamute thrives on outdoor activity. Owners need to provide the Malamute with ample time and space for daily exercise.

Achondroplasia (dwarfism) is an inherited condition that sometimes affects the Alaskan Malamute. Dogs that are affected by the disease usually have limb deformities that are identifiable at an early age. The dog’s front legs are shortened and the forelegs bowed. Veterinary research institutions along with Alaskan Malamute clubs and other organizations have spent a great deal of time initiating programs to possibly eliminate the gene that causes these problems. Any dog that does have this condition should be removed from a responsible breeder’s program.

ALL-WEATHER DOG

Although the Alaskan Malamute was bred to withstand the harshest of winter weather climates, it is a very adaptable breed and is fully capable of living in warmer climates. In addition to enjoying the luxury of farm living, Malamutes can easily adjust to urban apartments too.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are fairly common in large breeds of dog. Therefore, they do occur in the Alaskan Malamute. Both of these conditions result from abnormal structure of the involved joints. Some common evidence that a problem may be developing is the onslaught of stiffness and lameness in the dog’s hips and legs. It has become a fairly common practice to test young dogs for possible problems, and Alaskan Malamutes should be screened through x-rays, especially those dogs with breeding potential.

Alaskan Malamutes are extremely affectionate dogs, and they respond positively to loving attention from their owners.

PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) is a disease that causes degeneration in the dog’s retina. The first symptoms usually begin with night blindness that will eventually lead to total blindness. An ophthalmic exam will detect PRA, but only after symptoms have already begun to occur. There is no treatment for the disease, and dogs that have it should never be part of any breeding program.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HIP DYSPLASIA?

X-ray of a dog with “Good” hips.

X-ray of a dog with “Moderate” dysplastic hips.

Hip dysplasia is a fairly common condition found in pure-bred dogs. When a dog has hip dysplasia, his hind leg has an incorrectly formed hip joint. By constant use of the hip joint, it becomes more and more loose, wears abnormally and may become arthritic.

Hip dysplasia can only be confirmed with an x-ray, but certain symptoms may indicate a problem. Your dog may have a hip dysplasia problem if he walks in a peculiar manner, hops instead of smoothly runs, uses his hind legs in unison (to keep the pressure off the weak joint), has trouble getting up from a prone position or always sits with both legs together on one side of his body.

As the dog matures, he may adapt well to life with a bad hip, but in a few years the arthritis develops and many dogs with hip dysplasia become crippled.

Hip dysplasia is considered an inherited disease and only can be diagnosed definitively by x-ray when the dog is two years old, although symptoms often appear earlier. Some experts claim that a special diet might help your puppy outgrow the bad hip, but the usual treatments are surgical. The removal of the pectineus muscle, the removal of the round part of the femur, reconstructing the pelvis and replacing the hip with an artificial one are all surgical interventions that are expensive, but they are usually very successful. Follow the advice of your veterinarian.

Alaskan Malamutes are excellent pets for families with children. However, the dogs are large and powerful and require supervision whenever spending time with young people.

FURRY FEET

The feet of the Alaskan Malamute have heavily furred webbing between thickly padded toes. The webbing allows them to stand on snow for long periods of time. Their paws are able to withstand frigid temperatures for several hours.

Gastric dilatation/volvulus (also called bloat) affects many large, deep-chested breeds, including the Alaskan Malamute. A dog’s stomach fills with gas and fluid, twists and then pinches the stomach’s blood vessels, resulting in severe swelling and the rather quick onset of shock, progressing to death if not treated immediately. Research has isolated some enviromental factors that may contribute to the condition in addition to the dog’s body structure. These include gobbling large amounts of food, exercising too close to mealtimes, gulping water and having an excitable temperament. Bloat may be preventable through simple daily precautions that are easy to incorporate into your routine. Ask your vet about preventives and how to recognize symptoms, as an affected dog needs immediate veterinary attention.

Hypothyroidism is a common problem that affects many Alaskan Malamutes. The most common signs that a thyroid problem may be present include lethargy and recurrent infections. Hair loss and cutaneous infections may also be seen. Since many drugs and illnesses affect levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, hypothyroidism is one of the most difficult endocrine diseases to diagnose. Fortunately, treatment is quite simple through the use of medication.

A Malamute puppy and child who grow up together form a very special bond of closeness.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

The Alaskan Malamute is very valuable as a search-and-rescue dog. The double coat helps to protect them from severe weather conditions and allows them to work for hours when looking for trapped victims that may have been buried in heavy snowfall during an avalanche.