From: mlhb@mammoth.dr.att.com (Sky Warrior)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: ALASKAN MALMUTE     PLEASE HELP
Date: 3 Sep 92 15:09:50 GMT

In article <1556@eagle.ukc.ac.uk>, jm6@ukc.ac.uk (J.Mitchell) writes:
|> 
|> 
|> Hello
|> 
|> 	I think I have made up my mind on which dogs I would like to provide
|> a home for, it's an ALASKAN MALAMUTE. They are so beautiful and to me they are
|> 'real dogs', I am willing to put a lot of time into training it and looking 
|> after it but I have a few questions specifically about them. So if you have had
|> one or have one now could you reply to me thank you.
|> 
|> 1) What is the minimum daily exercise it will need ( I hope to give it more )?

I would recommend a good romp every day( playing frisbee, fetch, bicycling, etc.)
Remember, Alaskan Malamutes were (and are still) bred for working i.e., weight
pulling, sledding and general freighting.  These dogs require something to keep
them active or they will FIND something to keep them active.
 
|> 2) Does it have a tendancy to wreck a room if left inside with nobody around 
|> 	like I have been told the Samoyed does(NO FLAMES PLEASE)?

Actually, any dog that is not trained will do that out of boredom.  The best
thing is to crate train your puppy (yes, even the size of a Malamute)

|> 3) If you were to dispersuade me from taking on this task what would you say?

I would say Malamutes are not intended for everyone.  They are big and quite
capable of killing a full grown man if made vicious or not trained.  Don't 
ever think that "cute mouthing" will be grown out of.

Secondly, Mals are stubborn and they are big into dominance plays.  If you aren't
ready to assert your dominance over your Malamute and correct every challenge
you will have an unmanageable dog.  (Hence the above paragraph)

Third, Malamutes are notorious fighters.  I have known of Malamutes who actually
killed other dogs.  Obedience is the key here.

Mals dig like no earthmover ever built.  I have seen backyards made into tunnels
as complex as the Ho Chi Min trail.  

Another problem is the breeding with wolf hybrids.  (I know I'll get flames
for this) but wolf hybrids are *NOT* dogs.  Very few mushers use hybrids with
any success because they are so untrainable.

|> 4) How hard is it to train this breed and do they enjoy learning and playing 
|> 	games ? How well can they do in obedience tests ?

They love anything that uses their brain.  However, remember they are stubborn
and may be harder to train.

|> 5) How high a fence do I need to stop a dog escaping ?  ( for its own good ! )

Mals can clear a six foot fence (but I haven't seen one do it)  But most people
use an eight foot high fence or enclosed pen.  Remember, they also dig, so don't
just worry about the height.

Also, I would worry about how much space you have.  My kennel will be sitting on
nearly four acres.  While you don't necessarily need that much land for one
Malamute, you really should reconsider if you have only a small back yard or an
apartment (flat).

|> 6) How much do they moult and when ?

Oh boy!  They blow out their coats about twice a year and it comes out in
handfuls!
You can knit several small dogs from what they blow out ;-)

|> 7) Which are more common the wolf grey or the black and white markings ?

Mals come in a variety of colors, but the wolf gray and the seal (black and
white) seem to be the most popular.  I've seen sable, red, "blue" and pure white
Malamutes.  (White is the only allowable color for all one color Malamutes)

My puppy is pure white.

|> 8) Is there anything SPECIFIC TO THE BREED that I should look out for which is
|> 	not in the FAQ ?

Yes!  Find a reputable breeder.  Also ask for the chrondrodysplaysia certificate.
The percentage number should be < 6.25%  May sure the parents hips are OFA
certified (I would recommend GOOD or better -- don't bother with FAIR.)  Also,
the parent's eyes should be checked.  You don't want day blindness or anything
like that.  Get a guarantee.  Also check out some breed specific books.  The
best book out is the Complete Alaskan Malamute by Riddle/Seeley.  I hear there
is a revised edition by Riddle/? (I don't know who the other co-author is, but I
know it isn't Eva (Short) Seeley.  She passed away years ago.)

 
|> If you can answer any of these questions from first hand experience I would 
|> really appreciate it. I have read the only book I have found dedicated to the 
|> breed and a few others which have a small section in them but they don't asnwer
|> these questions.


Lastly, get in touch with the Malamute groups in your area.  Get to know a few 
Malamutes *before* you buy.  Learn the subgroups within the breed: M'loot, 
Kotzebue, Tiagara, etc.  Each line has its positives and negatives.  Seeing the
parents will clue you in as to how big this puppy will get and what kind
of personality it might have.

I know I've emphasized the bad points of the Malamutes more than the good ones,
but that is for a reason.  You can live with the good points of any breed; it will
be the bad points that may cause a person to bring a dog to an animal shelter.

-- 
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