The Alaskan Malamute has recently become increasingly popular among ordinary people. This breed has only recently gained popularity, leading many to believe that Malamutes are a relatively recent creation. In fact, they are one of the oldest dog breeds, originating in Alaska over two thousand years ago. This purebred domestic breed bears some resemblance to a wolf, is gentle, and requires constant attention from its owner.
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Description of the breed - photo
It is generally accepted that this is a hardy and very beautiful dog. descended from the Arctic wolfThis is why the Malamute's coat has all shades of gray, and is very similar to the coat of a forest predator.
The breed has an athletic build and well-developed muscles, allowing it to pull various heavy loads over long distances. Its thick undercoat provides excellent warmth in any frost, and its powerful, large paws with furry pads help it move easily and avoid sinking into the snow.
This dog is not a good guard dog, as the breed is not aggressive, has a stable demeanor, and never attacks people. Alaskan Malamutes are known for their friendly nature, sociability, and boundless energy. They may occasionally display stubbornness, as these dogs are not naturally submissive. Therefore, training a Malamute should be started from puppyhood.
Alaskan Malamute Appearance - Photos
With a height of 63 cm, males weigh 38 kg, females weigh 24 kg, and the height is about 58 cm. In addition, the breed is distinguished by:
A powerful and broad head proportional to the size of the animal.- Moderately convex skull, which flattens and tapers slightly towards the eyes.
- Slightly flat cheekbones.
- A thick and large muzzle with wide jaws, a black nose and tightly fitting lips.
- Scissor bite. Undershot and overshot bites are unacceptable in this breed.
- The ears are medium-sized and triangular in shape. They are set wide apart at the top corners of the skull and slightly rounded at the tip. High-set ears are considered a fault in the breed.
- A strong and compact, but not short, body with a deep chest and a straight back. A long loin and excess weight are faults in the breed.
- Slightly arched, strong neck.
- Large, compact paws with tightly closed, arched toes, thick pads and short nails.
- A well-furred tail, set at medium level and carried high above the line of the back.
A powerful and broad head proportional to the size of the animal.The Alaskan Malamute's coat consists of from stiff guard hairIt shouldn't be soft or too long. The fluffy, oily, and dense undercoat is 1-2 inches long. The length of the coat and undercoat may vary in different areas. The tail, the back of the legs, along the lower back and back, and the shoulders and neck have long hair, while the sides are shorter. In summer, the coat isn't as long and thick as it is during the shedding season.
Malamute coat can have the following color:
- plain white;
- ginger;
- sable;
- black;
- all shades of gray.
Permissible markings on the collar and forehead add to the breed's charm. Discontinuity and uneven coloring are considered undesirable. Blue eyes, shyness, and aggressiveness are also considered faults.
Breed character
Friendly, affectionate and energetic, Alaskan Malamutes have strong character and all the makings of a leaderA completely non-aggressive dog, it's ideal for families with small children. Even if a child injures the pet, it will never growl or bite. If necessary, the Alaskan Malamute will act as a babysitter and play various games with the child.
This breed demands constant human attention and loves to be the center of attention. A distinctive trait of this breed is its attachment to only one family member, chosen from a young age as the pack leader. However, if the owner offends the dog, it can easily shift attention and choose another family favorite and leader.
This unpretentious and hardy dog belongs to the pack breeds, so it will immediately find a new family begins to consider himself his packOnce attached to people, the pet will participate in all aspects of family life and protect each family member. Alaskan Malamutes that are deprived of attention can feel lonely and suffer greatly.
Alaskan Malamute: Price and Choosing a Puppy
Many people are interested in the cost of this breed and where to buy an Alaskan Malamute puppy. While there aren't kennels for this breed in every city, there are quite a few throughout the Russian Federation. The most well-known kennels are:
- "Alveig";
- "Moose Island"
- "Leyu."
You can read about each of them online, where you'll find photos of the puppies, their parents' pedigrees, birth dates, prices, and much more. The average price of a purebred puppy from breeders varies. from 40,000 to 50,000 rubles.
You can also purchase an Alaskan Malamute from a private seller, through an online ad. The price for such a puppy will be significantly lower. A dog without papers costs between 20,000 and 30,000 rubles.
How to choose the right puppy?
These little teddy bears captivate everyone at first sight. The breed's popularity is growing every year, so many potential owners want to know what to consider when buying a puppy.
After reviewing breed nurseries, it is best to choose nurseries with a large territory, located outside the city and specializing in a single breed.
When choosing a dog, the first thing to consider is the pet's appearance. A healthy young dog should have fluffy and shiny fur, clean ears, and sparkling eyes. The puppy should be playful, active, and curious.
The breeder must show the dog's parents, their documents, and tell about the pedigree, character, and hereditary diseases.
Since you're choosing a long-term family companion, you shouldn't decide on a puppy on the first day. It's best to observe the entire litter for a while.
Puppies under six weeks old should not be adopted. Alaskan Malamutes should have contact with their siblings for as long as possible. However, pets over ten weeks old become dependent on other dogs. The ideal age for adopting a puppy is seven or eight weeks.
Training a puppy
As soon as a young dog enters the house, she immediately needs explain all the rules of conductDon't allow a charming little puppy to sleep on the owner's bed. Very soon, he'll grow into a large dog, and there simply won't be enough room for everyone on the family bed. And breaking this habit will be impossible.
Another bad habit of the Alaskan Malamute is jumping on the newcomer in joy when meeting their owner, family member, or even guests. This behavior should be broken early in life. To prevent this, ignore the jumping puppy, much less pick it up. If the pet doesn't calm down and starts jumping on you, simply nudge it in the chest with your knee. After a while, the dog will lose all interest in this behavior.
Many people believe that since the Alaskan Malamute is a non-aggressive dog, then there's no need to train it. This is a misconception. A pet must undergo obedience training.
The breed is possessive, so it needs to be immediately made clear that everything around it belongs to you. Otherwise, the dog may become aggressive. Therefore, the most important commands for an Alaskan Malamute should be:
- "it is forbidden";
- "wait";
- "drop it."
These commands should be taught even if the puppy shows dissatisfaction by growling. Commands should be given in a calm tone and a low, even voice, as the breed is very sensitive to vocal intonation.
Training a headstrong Alaskan Malamute can be challenging for an inexperienced owner. Those who have worked with this breed know that it requires a special approachIf you've never had a dog before, it's best to enroll in a special training course or entrust your pet's training to a professional.
For those seeking a good companion and reliable friend, an Alaskan Malamute is an excellent family dog. However, owners without experience with these dogs may simply be unable to handle their pet. In this case, training and education should be entrusted to a professional.
