Real Show Dogs - Alaskan Malamutes

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Topic : Alaskan Malamutes

Maggie Star Kennel
Basic User
Posts : 41

11/4/2009 9:30:35 AM

I have been researching this breed for my own curiosity's sake, I've always had a soft spot for the breed and I don't know why.

What are these dogs like to live with? Do any of you own or breed these dogs? What are their temperaments like? Is there a breeder that you particularly like?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

Demented Psyche
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+

11/4/2009 9:49:28 AM

this post has been edited 1 time(s)

I have fostered a few Mals in the past and had both good and bad experiences with them.
I would only recommend this breed for an experienced dog owner. They are fantastic dogs but unless you have proper knowledge of dog behavior and how to train a very stubborn dog, I would not recommend one. Mals are a dominate and proud breed and need to know their and everyone else's (dog and human alike) place in the "pack". They can be independent but they can also be glued to you. An Al Mal can be right there when you don't want it and on the other side of the room doing its own thing when you do and you need to be ok with that rather than forcing to dog to do either. Mals do require training but this involves consistent and firm rules. They also have really bad selective hearing at times. No, I don't mean hardheaded, I mean just flat out don't want to listen to you and flip you the paw. They obviously, are very large and very powerful, so unless you are capable of handling and controlling one, I wouldn't suggest one. They are very friendly when socialized properly and love everyone aka not the best guard dog. Some are but on whole, probably not my first choice. I have heard of many dogs having issues with smaller animals. They do require a bit of grooming. They have VERY thick undercoats and that needs to be groomed regularly and particularly when seasons change. Mals also need to be kept busy. They are high energy dogs and are used to having a job to do so make sure you can provide that. I probably wouldn't get one without a fence, and a large, sturdy fence at that. They are not an off leash dog and without lots of obedience training probably never will be. The rescue we worked with wouldn't adopt to anyone that did NOT have a fence.

~Morgan

honcho
Basic User
Posts : 2,000+

11/4/2009 10:08:00 AM

After being raised with Mals and Sibes I must say that I really truely believe that they are best in a working home, they NEED to be as active as they can be to stay happy. One thing right off the bat they are noisy, its just their nature, they talk they howl they like to vocalize. Some dont mind it, others it drives crazy. They are a Very very independant breed, think of what they were bred to do, they will take instruction but not like a labrador would. They are smart but you need to know what your doing with them and be two steps ahead of them. Like Morgan mentioned definatly not a dog for a first time dog owner. Because they are more of a "pack" dog they dont tolerate being left at home while your working. I think they are best suited for country living and working!! But thats just my personal feelings from having grown up with the breed. They are awesome amazing animals in the proper circumstances and with the correct upbringing.

This Old Barn
Basic User
Posts : 88

11/4/2009 10:38:31 AM

Don't have much to say. but I also am in love with the breed also. I love that type of temperment and they are drop dead gorgeous. I just worry about not giving them enough work. I am use to border collie and my one border seems to excite other dogs prey drive. sad :(

TriStar Kennels
Premium Member
Posts : 119

11/4/2009 12:23:21 PM

this post has been edited 2 time(s)

Malamutes were my first breed, my parents and then later myself, bred them and competed with them in conformation, obedience and agility. Also doing weight pulling and sledding.

What has been said above about them is very correct. They are not for the faint of heart, Mals are beautiful, but they are also independent, strong willed, physically strong. You have to remember you have upwards of 100lbs of dog that was bred to survive in the arctic. They are not the "neighbourhood golden retriever" type dog. Your needs don't come above their own for the most part. They are pack dogs and unless you have the strength of mind and the physical strength to control them, they are not for you. They can be good with children, but again are not to be trusted alone with them. As being pack animals, if they should decide they are above the child in the order of the pack the consequences could be terrible. Not that they are mean or vicious dogs, and they shouldn't be, they are still big dogs who tend to be a dominant breed.

I always used to tell people when they inquired about puppies that while a golden would jump off a cliff to make sure it was safe for you, a mal would look at the cliff then tell you to go first.

Mals are driven by food and are often food aggressive and dog aggressive. We only ever had one malamute that was good with ALL other dogs, he was one of the few I ever knew that was like that.

All of our mals were obedience trained from puppyhood it was like puppy boot camp, but this way it was ensured that as adults they understood their place in the "pack".

I do disagree that mals are not able to be alone during a day when you would go to work. Ours always were in their kennels (outdoor runs) when we went to work or school (as it was at that time), they never had problems with this. However, they were excersized regularly everyday. They adapted very well to being on a schedule, however, when that schedule was changed it took them sometime to get used to that.Mals need to be active and stimulated mentally and physically, if they aren't they will entertain themselves and that never turns out well.
They are very vocal and talk alot, I love the sound, but it is not always good particularly if you have neighbours who like it quiet.
Mals also can be very good escape artists, so you need to have a very secure area for them. Mals are also not trustworthy, for the most part, off leash. I've had a few who were pretty good but even then if something more exciting came along, such as a deer or another dog, there was no chance they were coming back until they were damn good and ready.

All in all, I love the breed, I admire the breed for who they are, but I will never own another one. They aren't for every lifestyle and just don't fit into mine anymore. My parents also feel the same way, they lost their last mal about 2 years ago and won't have another.

Sailor, AM.Can.Ch. Northpack Apache Storm, our last beloved Malamute at the age of 12

Demented Psyche
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+

11/4/2009 12:43:31 PM

Oh I'd forgotten about the noise! LOL If you don't LOVE the shrill screams, moans, howls and barks of a northern breed either walk away or learn to love it!

~Morgan

Croy Creek Kennel
Premium Member
Posts : 184

11/4/2009 3:56:46 PM

Though I do not know much about the breed, I was owned by a Mal mix for 9 years. I must admit that he wasn't the most stable of dogs but he loved me and I sure loved him. He was a constant whiner. I heard that that was a characteristic of the breed. The moment he saw me or a family member, he started to cry. Think of a puppy whine. He was a darn good watch dog. lol And on our walks he would always protect me. He had some human aggression issues but I don't know how typical that is of this breed.

The are lovely dogs, no doubt. For those wondering DJ was an Alaskan Malamute/Collie mix.

RIP DJ
Jan 5, 2000 - May 11, 2009

Good luck with your research and I'm looking forward to going back and reading the posts that I skipped. happy :)

Amber

Hollyhurst Kennels
Basic User
Posts : 67

11/4/2009 6:30:10 PM

Although I don't know much about the breed I do know this: they shed a ton!! If you don't like shedding dogs in the house than Mals are not for you!

Rachel

SamWam
Premium Member
Posts : 137

11/4/2009 11:32:23 PM

I live with a Mal X Akita at the moment...and I wouldn't recommend the breed to anyone, but experienced dog owners. He's strong willed, hard headed and independent, but on the same level, very loving and very friendly. He's an excellent guard dog, as he scares people just by his size, but I wouldn't trust him not to take a bite out of an ill-intentioned person trespassing on the property! He needs intensive grooming, which is tough to keep on top of, not to mention that this particular specimen is extrememly poorly bred and has shocking joints and overall conformation, he's over 10 years old and still manages to get around like a young dog! I look into his eyes, and they're bright and clear and deep and soulful, and I look into the eyes of my mums old kelpie about he same age, and he's nearly blind bless him sad :(

I own an ACD X BC, and he's a tough enough challenge for me, I wouldn't want to take on a breed like the Mal at the moment, as beautiful as they are happy :)

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