The Alaskan Malamute is a large, powerful dog that can reach a weight of up to 50 kg., The height at the withers is up to 76 cm, although the average height reaches just over 60 cm. A large, majestic dog that looks like a wolf is very beautiful and leaves no one indifferent.
History
A dog of the Alaskan Malamute breed, due to its name, is obliged to the Eskimo tribe called the Malmute. The tribe inhabited the river Anvik in the state of Alaska. In those days, these dogs-cabs were used to transport cargo in severe arctic conditions. Possessing amazing endurance, malamutes cope with long haulage for long distances. In 1896, the demand for this breed was great because of the "Gold Rush"
Currently, Alaskan malamutes are divided into two different types. The first type, called m'lut, the second - kotsebu.
The real malamute is necessarily the color of the wolf, in the m'lut line there are other colors: wolf, sable-white, blue, white and black and white. Kotzebue is a less aggressive type of dog, more mobile in comparison with m'lute. Arthur Walden and the couple Milton and Ewa Seely were engaged in the line kotzebu. It was Eva and Milton who registered the line kotzebue in the ACS in 1935. The breeding of the m'lut line was carried out by Paul Volcker. Paul did not register his dogs, he only sold. Registration was conducted by people who bought malamutes from him. Breeders are still arguing about which line of malamutes to consider the best, more "correct", but never reached a certain conclusion. So far, the representatives of both m'lut and kotzebue have not lost their working properties.
Character
Alaskan malamutes for the very friendly disposition and appearance of a plush toy were nicknamed "big cubs". These good-natured "wolves" are always ready to play, not against the initiative to amuse the host with gay antics. Malamutes better feel not somewhere in the yard alone, but in the family circle, being close to the owner and his family. Malamute can hardly be considered a dog for one master. Dogs are very smart, but they are also very stubborn. If the malamute gets tired of the occupation or the host repeats several times the same team, he will show obstinacy. Malamutes are easy to learn, and are happy to execute the master's command once or twice, but soon the learning process can bore them (this property of character is inherent in many northern breeds). Alaskan malamutes are not suitable for beginners, only experienced owners. The mistakes made in the puppy's upbringing will be very difficult to correct later. Alas, from malamutes often refuse for this reason: falling in love with a beautiful puppy, the owner can not cope with a stubborn and large dog a little later.
Having strong strong character, malamutes are created to dominate other dogs, for the same reason they can show aggression towards their relatives. The owner needs to introduce the puppy as early as possible into the society of other dogs, stopping the attempts of the pet to clash.
Malamutes do not show aggression towards people, so they are not used in defense services. Breaking the nature of good-natured dogs is useless. Malamutes are bad watchmen - they show friendliness to almost everyone. Although sometimes its formidable form may well scare. But do not rule out the possibility that the thief who climbed into your house, malamute lick, like the best friend of the family - then he and malamute ...
Wool and care for it
Malamutes have a well-developed undercoat. Requires frequent combing during molting, which occurs twice a year. In a warm climate, malamutes lose a little wool throughout the year. Very clean, like cats. They almost do not have a smell, so they do not have to be washed often, it's enough to wash once or twice a year. Trimming of malamutes is not necessary. The only necessary care - clipping and regular combing.
Health
This breed of dogs is quite common diseases such as eczema, stomach turn, weakened pigmentation of the nose - the nose becomes light gray or pink (otherwise the disease is called a "snow nose"). Malamutes are genetically predisposed to eye diseases (atrophy of the retina, hemeralopia, otherwise called "day blindness"). Among the dogs of the m'lut line, dwarfism is encountered, which can be detected in a timely manner according to the developed testing system. There is also dysplasia of the hip joint.
Food
Looking at the large size of the malamute, it seems that it is extremely difficult to feed it, but this is misleading. Malamutes eat much less than most representatives of rocks with the same weight and size. Malamutes have a strong appetite, and can eat up all the food you put them, even if it's too big for him, which is fraught with the appearance of a bowl turn. Good food motivation can be used in training, without overeating, of course. The craving for food in malamutes is so great that they are able to steal food from your table. Do not leave food in a place accessible to the dog.
Content
Make a dog a truly happy engagement in all the affairs of the family in which it is contained. Psalm Malamute will like to have his own "dog" door for independent access to the street from home. Excellent, if there is a site where the dog can warm up, but a fence is necessary, high enough that the dog does not run away. Malamutes are inherent in walking alone, which is typical of all northern breeds. Do not let the dog wander. Malamutes have one more feature: they like to dig the ground. From an early age, malamute should be taught to dig in the same place. It is desirable that this place was specially for him a box of sand. A malamute dog can not be completely disaccustomed to not dig. The need to dig is the oldest instinct of dogs of this breed. In the past, they found themselves thus living, tearing the land to permafrost and catching rodents. Malamutes love the process, from which they receive true pleasure. On a picturesque site, ubiquitously decorated with ruts, you can immediately guess that this courtyard is inhabited by malamute.
The malamutes have strong hunting instincts. The dog malamute will selflessly pursue everything that moves, squeaks or squeals. Keep the dog from chasing a mouse, bird or cat is very difficult, so it's best not to leave the dog alone with small animals.
Malamutes are good because they perfectly tolerate cold weather. Even the conditions of the north they do not care. Malamutes prefer to keep in a warmed kennel on the street, rather than in an apartment. Dogs are very fond of climbing to the roof of the kennel and majestically inspect from the height of their possessions.