| Mikijak Alaskan Malamutes |
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General Info
The Alaskan Malamute is a descendant of dogs of the Inuit tribe, Mahlemut, of upper western Alaska. The dogs worked, hunted and lived alongside their human companions. This created a very independent dog which is capable of thinking for itself. Ideal when pulling sleds in the snow but maybe not so good in a domestic environment! If you cannot cope with a dog that will not comply with your every command, then you should be thinking about a different breed. This breed has a long genetic foundation of living in an extremely harsh environment, and it has evolved to conform with the maxim “survival of the fittest.” Independence and resourcefulness are common in this breed.
The malamute was used in the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890’s to haul freight for the prospectors. They were also used by Admiral Byrd during his adventure to the South Pole.
The largest and oldest of the Arctic sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute possesses great strength and endurance. He is not designed to race, but rather to carry large loads over long distances. Even though most Malamutes are now family pets, they are still capable of enjoying sledding, weight-pulling, back-packing, jogging and swimming with their owners.
 Most Malamutes are fairly quiet dogs. Rather than barking they tend to "talk" by vocalising or "woo-woo-ing". They may also howl like a wolf – a little annoying to the neighbours at 2am!
The Malamute has a double coat, that is, a woolly undercoat and longer guard hair. They generally shed twice a year when your house and yard will look like a snow storm. This is when you MUST brush them every day. The coarse guard hair helps keep a them fairly clean and dry whilst the double coat provides excellent protection in winter and you may find you dog prefers to live outside. When summer comes you will find them flat out under the air-con!
The Alaskan Malamute is a very intelligent dog that gets bored quickly. It’s best to keep a variety of items to stimulate your dog, both physically and mentally, unless you want a dog that may misbehave because of boredom (check out Tali’s Tally page). This breed can be a handful to train but it’s well worth the effort. A malamute will do very well in a training class if they feel like it, if they don’t try to end class on a positive note and finish early. In Tali’s first class out of puppy pre-school I went through four trainers! She knows what to do but chooses not to.
 Like all dogs, Malamutes need to be socialised from an early age. Since they are a dominant breed, they believe they are boss and will try to make sure everyone, other dogs and you, knows it. Early, and ongoing, socialisation and training will remind them they are not the boss.
Kerry Todd Beautiful Barossa, SA, Australia Email : mikijakmalamutes@bigpond.com |