Are Alaskan Malamutes Good Pet Dogs?

Having a dog as a pet can be the most rewarding thing that a person can feel. However, with pets comes responsibility. Well, this is the case because every dog breed has its own set of characteristics that needs to be catered so that they can grow in an environment that appreciates them.  What about the Alaskan Malamutes?

If you are thinking about getting an Alaskan Malamute as a pet, you may want to give this a read and know whether they will prove to be a good pet or not!

To not keep you waiting and give you a straight answer, we would say that Alaskan Malamutes are family-oriented dogs, who serve as a great pet and every human being deserves the love and affection that they bring with them. However, there are several things that you should be aware of so that you can decide whether they will be a great fit for your family or not. This is because not every dog is for every family type. These factors will help you evaluate if your conditions are right or can be altered that it provides a suitable home to your dog.

Things to Know

Here is everything that you should be aware of to determine whether your decision to get this arctic sled dog is right. Go through them and make a decision that will be in the best of interest for both your family and your dog (to be):

Weather Conditions

As stated above, Alaskan Malamutes are arctic sled dogs. Hence, they are naturally more comfortable in cold weather. If you live in a state where it is winters, an Alaskan Malamute will be a great fit for your home. But, this does not mean that they cannot survive in the summer season at all.

Their thick fur works well for both seasons, so it should not be a problem as long as you know how to deal with them in summers. For example, make sure that they get proper shade in summers and if it is too hot, you can keep them in a cooler area. Additionally, you should not take them out for rigorous exercises when the sun is out as they will naturally pant more under the heat.

Training

This part is quite interesting and can also be linked with their origin. The Mahlemut tribe, who owned and bred them, used them for work purposes. So, Malamutes were originally working dogs who were used for carrying heavy loads and hunting polar bears and seals.

While they are now known for companionship and are family-oriented dogs, their trait of owning and becoming the leader in any situation is still persistent. This means that you need to be cautious about their training from a very young age. Another thing to keep in mind is that every member of your family should know exactly how to handle them as they will not let go of any opportunity where they get control over a situation.

Grooming

We have already mentioned how Malamutes are extremely furry. It is because of that, you need to brush their hair regularly and keep in mind that they shed a lot, especially twice a year. Hence, we would suggest that when you decide on getting an Alaskan Malamute, get a good quality vacuum cleaner as well, as you may see dog hair everywhere. You might even have to get used to it, so if any member of your family has an allergy, make sure to consider this factor.

Not a Watchdog

Another quality of Alaskan Malamutes is that they are extremely friendly. While this is great for a dog owner as they will not have many issues in winning their trust, keep in mind that they will be friendly with people they meet for the first time as well. This is exactly why they are not suited to being a watchdog.

Since Alaskan Malamutes are large dogs, you might think that they are intimidating. While this is only true to an extent, their size is the only aspect that might scare someone, and so, if you were planning for them to serve as a watchdog too, they might not be a great choice!

With Kids

A major concern for any family before getting a dog would be about how it will behave around the kids. Well, you would be relieved to know that Malamutes love kids and your kids will love your dog! Yes, they are large and due to their work nature, they can get bored if left unattended, but this does not stop them from being the loving creature that they are.

The only thing we would say is that leaving a child with a dog alone is not right. Both dogs and children need the supervision of an adult. Additionally, never have a child go towards a dog when they are sleeping or eating as the dog may feel threatened by even a slight disturbance. As long as these things are looked after, you are good to go!

With Other Animals

If you decide on getting this breed, make sure that they are trained to be friendly and co-exist with other dogs and animals from a very young age. This is significant because Malamutes have a high prey tendency and if not trained from the start, they might not miss any chance of attacking an animal smaller than them.

Exercise Routine

As stated earlier, Malamutes are highly active dogs. They require extensive exercises and playful activities. They are also very intelligent and so, if left unattended for days, they can get extremely bored and destructive.

If you can match their high energy level, it will work well for you but if you are the type of person who would rather lie down on the couch for days, maybe Malamutes are not for you!

With all the information shared above, you would have understood that Alaskan Malamutes as pets are not a choice for first-time dog owners. However, if you have experience in training and dealing with dogs before and can satisfy the above conditions, Malamutes will be a beautiful addition to your family!

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by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ . 

Facts About Animal Homelessness:

1. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.
2. The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.
3. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. Sign up for Shelter Pet PR.
4. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.
5. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.
6. 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.
7. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
8. It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
9. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
10. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
11. According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

Here are a some adoptions for consideration:  puccicafe.com/adoptions