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Alaskan Malamute
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Description... |
 The
Alaskan Malamute is a breed that loves the cold outdoors, and is at home in the
country or the suburbs. This dog can be boisterous and energetic, and is best
for experienced owners only. However, the Malamute has a high degree of
sociability with strangers, and bonds well with children, as well as with the
entire family. These dogs love to run, love to work and love to roam. They need
a lot of exercise, a sturdy fence, and a lot of room for activity.
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History...
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The Alaskan Malamute gets its name from a group of
native Innuits known as the Mahlemute tribe who used this breed to
pull sledges. These people lived mainly in the area surrounding
the upper part of the Anvik river in Alaska. These dogs were bred
to pull large amounts of weight over very long distances at a
steady pace. Although originally found primarily in this region,
the gold rush of 1896 created a high demand for these dogs and
they become common in other areas. Today, there exists two "kinds"
of Malamute: the M'Loot and the Kotzebue. The former tends to be
larger and come in a variety of colours, while the latter is
always wolf-grey and smaller in size.
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Traits...
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 The
Alaskan Malamute is a working breed, and they thrive best when
they have something to do. They enjoy a lot of exercise and
interaction. While mushing is the best form of exercise for this
breed, if you lack the necessary sledge and other equipment,
frequent walks, hikes, and playing will do just fine. Since they
like to work and have a lot of stamina, they do well with
activities such as roller bladeing and ski-touring. If you enjoy
going for long hikes, buy a dog pack and bring along your Alaskan
Malamute, for she will be a reliable, working companion on your
adventure.
Be careful of the summer heat; Malamutes and other
heavy-coated dogs are intolerant of heat. During the summer, work them
only in cooler times of the day, and make sure they have plenty of water.
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Good aspects...
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The Alaskan Malamute is very intelligent and
active. It's a very good pet for an active, athletic family.
Malamutes are a friendly, affectionate breed as well, but they can
be rather independent as well (a bit like cats). They love winter
sports, and are great companions for those who enjoy cross-country
skiing, ski-touring, or even winter hiking. They are playful and
friendly, and if raised with children, enjoy romping and playing
with children.
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Health...
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Some common health problems for the Alaskan
Malamute include hip dysplasia, zinc-deficiency, skin disorders,
bloat, thyroid deficiencies, and achondrodysplasia. The latter is
a congenital dwarfism where a puppy, born with a normal head and
body, will have short, warped legs. There are also several eye
disorders that have been detected in the breed: progressive
retinal atrophy (PRA), central progressive atrophy (CPRA), and
hemeralopia ("day blindness"). Make sure your breeder has screened
her breeding dogs for dysplasia and eye disorders.
This dog does not like heat - its ideal environment is a
cold climate. So if you live in a hot climate, don't get a northern breed
like a Malamute! During the summer, Malamutes and other wavy-coated dogs
can be prone to hot spots, which are red, itchy infected areas of skin.
See your veterinarian immediately if you see these develop.
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Be aware...
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The Alaskan Malamute is a strong dog that requires
time and attention to train properly. Its shedding can prove to be
a bit of a problem, as can its howling. This breed has been known
to "re-landscape" yards with their incessant digging. They are
pack oriented, and do best when they are included with the family
in their events. However, other smaller family pets or other dogs
may not be the ideal companions for the Malamute, as they might
harass or even attack them. Also, Malamutes love to roam and can
be excellent escape artists.
Although they are affectionate, they are also
independent and can be somewhat aloof (a bit like cats). Because they may
not care if they please you (even though they'll like you just fine), they
can be stubborn about training at times.
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source: petcare information centre-
petcare.umn.edu
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