What are the benefits of raising an Alaskan Malamute?
1. A “steady” personality
Among the three famous northern sled breeds jokingly called the “three silly ones,” the Alaskan Malamute is often considered the best in temperament. After the age of two, it usually becomes much steadier, although it still stays playful. As long as it gets enough outdoor exercise, an Alaskan at home can be a very quiet pet dog, usually sleeping, eating, and occasionally playing ball with you.
2. A “handsome” appearance
3. “Kind” toward people
The Alaskan Malamute is also considered a non-aggressive breed. Although it is large, its temperament is usually very good, and it does not attack people without reason. It especially likes playing with children. If you have kids at home, raising an Alaskan Malamute may be a choice that will not disappoint you.
4. Rarely “picky” about food
The Alaskan Malamute is not usually picky about food. Whatever you give it, it tends to eat very enthusiastically. Because of that, keeping one requires a stable income and reasonable financial ability. Even though the breed can eat a lot, you still should not overfeed it. Food portions must be controlled to avoid obesity, gastroenteritis, and similar problems.
5. Food-motivated and “smart”
Because the Alaskan Malamute is quite food-motivated, training it is not especially difficult. If you use dog treats during training, it will usually cooperate better. However, training sessions should not last too long, otherwise the dog will get bored. Around fifteen minutes per session is usually enough.
What problems should you pay attention to when keeping an Alaskan Malamute?
Exercise needs: The Alaskan Malamute needs a huge amount of exercise and must be taken out for walks every day. If kept shut in a room, it can become very destructive in the house. When going out, always use a leash. Once excited, the dog may run in a completely carefree way and even make you chase it for several streets without stopping.
Heat intolerance: The Alaskan Malamute originally lived in cold regions. It has a dense coat, and pet dogs generally have weak sweat-based cooling ability, so summer heat prevention is especially important.
Food concerns: Alaskan puppies have delicate stomachs, so if you are not careful with their diet, diarrhea and indigestion are easy to trigger. Before the age of three months, it is best to soften dog food with warm water before feeding, and probiotics may also help promote intestinal movement.
No corporal punishment: The Alaskan Malamute’s discipline is only average, and it can be somewhat loose in behavior, so disobedience is not unusual. When this happens, the owner must stay patient and should not use physical punishment. Training is a long process, and corporal punishment will only make the dog more resistant.