Is This Breed For You
The Alaskan Malamute is a
strong-will, powerful breed and is not suited for everyone. The Malamute is an
intelligent and independent breed that still has a strong working instinct, with
their energy and strength the more active the better. Alaskan Malamutes thrive
on personal attention and demand much of their owners, and is one of the
strongest willed and independent members of the canines. This affectionate breed
makes a good family pet with proper training and socialization.
An Owners Resume
Living with a Malamute is
considerably different than living with most breeds, so this isn’t a decision to
be taken lightly. You should take into consideration where you live and living
in the country dosen’t make you an ideal owner, having a fenced yard or a kennel
run is a must!! a dog running at large is trouble. Will a Malamute fit in with
the family? They are great family pets but one must remember they can get very
large and are very strong and supervision is a must around small children. Do
you have other pets or livestock the Malamute has a strong prey drive and may
not get along with your other pets?
Can you afford a Malamute?
After the initial costs of the pup and the
follow up vaccinations there is the spaying or neutering, food, classes,
boarding costs if you go away, a crate if you plan to crate train which is
recommended and to transport your Malamute and all those other unexpected bills
that a Malamute can cause like chewing or digging up your back yard.
Grooming your Malamute
can be time consuming especially when they are
shedding or if you have a long coat Malamute. The long coat will require much
more care so as they don’t mat up.
Time
and Training: Last
but not least is the time you have to spend with your Malamute and the training
of your Malamute. Do you have the time to spend with your Malamute if you work
twelve hours a day that dosen’t give you much time a bored Malamute will become
very destructive and will howl to no end. A Malamute should be well-socialized
meaning puppy classes and or obedience classes and should be taken out into
public to learn to be a member of society. Your Malamute is part of your family
and is a lifetime commitment. There are to many Malamutes dumped in the Malamute
rescue or SPCA from owners who claim they have done their research just reading
about a Malamute dosen’t mean you’ve done your home work .Going out to some
kennels and spending some time with a Malamute is a step in the right direction
you don’t have to start out with a eight week old pup.
Recommended
Reading:
Alaskan Malamutes A
Complete Pet Owner’s Manual
Author: Betsy Sikora Sinno
Publisher: Barron’s
Alaskan Malamutes
Author: Bill
Kernac Publisher: T.F.H. Publications, Inc
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