Wondering if a Mal is the right dog for you? 

Here are my observations and opinions of this breed:  Mals like to be with their human family.  I do not think this dog should be kept outside in the yard on a leash.  They are wonderful in the house considering their size.  The ONLY "bad" thing is that they shed a lot, so just vacuum everyday!  They do not need a special bed or anything, they just lay down on the tile floor or a rug and sleep.  (At least that is what my mals do...some like to "den", that means finds a little area they like best i.e. under a couch or table..or computer desk!)   Establishing your alpha-ness over them is the first important thing to be done. Mals insist on a hierarchy.  Mals are wonderful with children & adults.  Extremely friendly!   Mals make terrible guard dogs, because they do not bark when visitors arrive-they run to greet folks!  Who wants to listen to that nasty barking anyway!  (I loathe barking dogs.)  When all the dogs in the neighborhood are barking, my mals just sit there and listen to the nonsense!  Most Malamutes can never be walked without a leash (if they are not fenced in) -they will run, and who knows when & if they will return.   Because of this, we have a gate several feet away from our front door to keep them from even going near an opened door.  If you live in a warm climate, I would suggest making your mal as comfortable as possible-I run the A/C allot, just for them.  Mals need to be exercised, we try to take them for walks everyday-but hold on to that leash tight if they see a rabbit!  I suggest a body harness for your mal while walking and not a neck collar, they can and will squirm out of it.  Since mals can be prone to hip problems (if irresponsible breeding is done), I give them Shark Cartilage everyday in the form of a pill (looks like a treat to them).   Mals should be brushed frequently, bathing often is not necessary, they are self-cleaning with that special two layered fur they have!  Oh yeah!  They like to dig!  This is not bad behavior, it is just something that they naturally do.   Malamutes are just so wonderful and adorable, that my family always says: "Those dogs can do no wrong in mom's eyes!"...well, it is true!   Mals are such a special breed- I once heard that malamutes are the happiest dogs in the world, it must be because they always look like they are smiling.   If you end up getting a mal, be prepared for everyone to stop you and say: "What a beautiful dog!!" 

09/99

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