ALASKAN MALAMUTE

by Sidney Helen Sachs (A Hero in Tennessee)
The Alaskan Malamute is a working dog and needs a job in order to be happy. This can be obedience, sledding, dragging a tire, walks with mom and dad, almost anything that involves his people and doing something -- but without a job, he goes stir-crazy and gets destructive. He must have room to exercise but he must also be fenced. This is a breed that was developed to thrive in arctic conditions that would kill most other breeds and most people. His main character traits are friendliness (to people), stubbornness, and high energy (towards anything that involves food). But he is also a pack animal. If the owner does not establish the pack hierarchy and the "ground rules" the dog will assume it is up to HIM to do so. You must be his boss every minute of every day. He will in turn reward you with love and affection. The best of the Malamute is his pack nature and his intellect: The worst of the Malamute is his pack nature and his intellect.

RATINGS GUIDE:

1. Energy level: (FENCED backyard)

2. Good with children under 5: (maybe)

3. Good with children over 5: (maybe)

4. Good with children over 10: (maybe)

**All interactions between dogs and children should be judged on the maturity of the child, the dog AND the adult who is supervising the situation. No child should be left unsupervised with any dog.

5. Ease of care: (Lots of daily grooming and semi-annual grooming for double-coated breeds)

6. Housebreakability: (Of course. Use a crate.)

7. Life limiting disorders: (Dysplasia is the most common)

8. Non-life limiting disorders: (Cataracts, thyroid)

9. Length of average life span: (10-12 years)

10. Trainability: (average -- with explanation, you have to think like a stubborn, willful, opinionated animal that was taught for centuries to run as fast and hard as he could AWAY from his owner.)

11. Less than lovely breed quirks (Hair everywhere, sometimes same-sex dog aggression, taking over the couch and bed -- they are INSIDE dogs, despite the hair.)

12. Average weight/size (75# for females, 85# for males -- lots of variation upwards)

13. Personality: Malamutes are usually very social with people and children. But because of their size, they must be supervised every moment. Some dogs like children and some do not, but ALL dogs must be taught to respect children as higher on the pack ladder than they are. They are pack animals who must have a strong hand from the parents for things like, bullying children, stealing food, possessing furniture, especially beds and couches. The mature Malamute is usually dignified and easy-going.