Is
a Alaskan Malamute the right breed for you?
Alaskan Malamutes are a magnificent breed
and their striking appearance make even the most "undoggy
people" comment on their beauty and charisma.
If you are thinking of owning a Mal please
research the breed thoroughly, talk to as many people as
you can surf the net, there are many excellent books available.
Malamutes are such a dominant breed, they
are very strong willed, you must be 100% sure you can handle
this, they are a big strong dog, they need to be sure of
their pecking order from day one.
Let a mal do something once for example
get on the couch and hey, he thinks it's his given right
to do it all the time. It's a mission to convince him otherwise.
You have to be very consistent, Make the ground rules, and
keep to them, if he knows the boundaries for sure he will
test them but it is up to you to nip it in the bud if he
pushes his luck.
He will also eventually decide he wants
to be top dog at some stage, again do not give an inch,
and start as you mean to go on.
Still on the dominance thing… Socialization
is so important, it can make all the difference, go to all
the training classes, remember Mals are very intelligent
and soon realize that they can humiliate you, I am sure
they do it for fun. Do not give up your Mal is going to
be Big.
It is imperative you can control him both
by voice and physically, they is always going to be a time
when he is so desperate to get to something he forgets his
manners and before you know it you are on the floor!!!!
Being intelligent Mals get bored easily;
ask yourself are you going to be in most of the Day?
Have you got lots of space?
Have you got the time to spend with your
Mal; they can take as much exercise you can give them. Grooming
is no five-minute job either they also demand attention
and affection all the time.
If you are House or Garden Proud…. think
again, when you Mal Blows his/her coat you will need a dam
good hoover, be prepared to find hair everywhere in your
food drink, clothes everywhere, Prepare for the worst it
has to be seen to be believed. Some mals love to dig; secure
fencing is also a must.
Be sure you can afford the up keep Food,
Injections, Insurance not to mention all the other Doggy
things you will not be able to resist buying.
On the positive side, Mals are a pleasure
to own although they are not a one man dog their affection
is second to none, they are confident and independent characters.
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