Everything You Need To Know About the Alaskan Malamute
If you haven’t yet owned an Alaskan Malamute, this article will teach you what you need to know.
Read on to learn about their eye conditions, common health conditions, and exercise routines. There’s a lot to learn about this beautiful dog.
And now, you can make your own Alaskan Malamute puppy or adult. Regardless of your reasons for getting a dog, you’ll find this article a great starting point.
Personality
The Malamute is a breed of dog known for its warmth, friendliness, and devotion to its family.
This breed is not recommended for first-time dog owners since they can be difficult to care for.
In addition to their almost insatiable need to run, they adore digging and howling, are frequently experts at escapology, and can have a high prey drive for small, furry creatures like squirrels, cats, or even small dogs.
When they are owned by people who understand them and can provide them with everything they require for a healthy and happy life, however, they make remarkable and captivating companions.
History And Origins
The Mahlemut people of Alaska, from whom the Malamute breed took its name, were fond of the dog breed, which is why it was named after them.
The Malamute is one of the oldest and most powerful of the northern sled dogs. It is unknown exactly how old the breed is, but there is evidence from the past that suggests they have been used as working animals in Alaska for more than 5000 years.
Because of their size, power, and endurance, they were utilized for transporting heavy loads.
A pack of dogs would have been able to drag a half-ton across difficult terrain for hundreds of miles if they worked together.
When their services as sled dogs were no longer required, they were used to protect livestock and assist hunters in their pursuit of moose and bears.
As more people from outside the state moved to Alaska, the sport of dog sled racing exploded in popularity.
Malamutes were not the best choice for this task because they were designed to haul heavy loads over great distances rather than compete at high speeds.
The original Malamute breed suffered a steep decline as a result of this as a result of outsiders breeding Malamutes with smaller, faster dogs.
To our good fortune, there were regions of Alaska that were too inaccessible to tourists, and as a result, sufficient dogs survived to recreate the breed.
By 1936, the breed was recognized by the AKC, and their future was ensured.
Obesity In Alaskan Malamutes
If you notice that your overweight Alaskan Malamute is not as energetic as his healthy counterpart, you should take your dog to the veterinarian for a weight checkup.
You may notice that your Malamute is begging for food more than usual.
Overweight dogs tend to be more obese than their healthy counterparts, so it’s important to assess your dog’s weight properly.
Obesity in Alaskan Malamutes is a common issue amongst these dogs. Obesity in Alaskan Malamutes is an increasing problem for dogs, and can lead to metabolic and digestive disorders.
Your pet may experience back pain and heart problems, and you’ll want to do everything possible to avoid this issue altogether.
Luckily, there are some simple solutions to keep your Alaskan Malamute in tip-top shape. One way is to provide treats such as apples, poop, and apples.
Overweight Alaskan Malamutes are at risk for many health problems, including diabetes, joint and arthritis problems, and liver disease.
Their lifespan is also significantly reduced, as they suffer from more medical problems than their lean counterparts.
While many Malamutes will need more food to gain weight, some do not need more than their average portion.
If your dog is overweight, you may need to supplement the thyroid in your pet.
An overweight Alaskan Malamute has more health issues than an underweight one, but the breed standard for adult males states that a dog should weigh around 75 pounds.
The AKC Alaskan Malamute breed standard also mentions a desirable height and weight, so it’s important to weigh your dog accordingly.
But the breed standard for males suggests that you should weigh about 25 inches at the withers of your dog.
Common Eye Conditions
The Alaskan Malamute is prone to inherited eye diseases. Several of these conditions are serious, causing pain and blindness in the dog.
Every veterinarian should evaluate the eyes at each exam. Here are some common eye conditions in Alaskan Malamutes:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disease. It causes degeneration of the retina. Symptoms may include night blindness and dilated pupils.
There is no cure for the disease. However, a genetic test for PRA can help determine whether the dog will have the condition or not.
Luckily, PRA isn’t common in Malamutes, but it should be monitored and treated accordingly.
Another common eye condition in Alaskan Malamutes is cone degeneration, a genetic disorder that causes gradual loss of the cones in the dog’s eyes.
This disorder affects the eyes of Alaskan Malamutes and miniature Australian Shepherds. However, this disease was first identified in Alaskan malamutes in the 1960s.
Its genetic background is similar to that of human achromatopsia, and it is often used as a diagnostic tool.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases.
It is caused by an increase in intraocular pressure and damages the retinal ganglion cells in the retina, which results in vision loss.
- Glaucoma occurs in two different types, primary glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. Primary glaucoma affects both eyes.
- Primary glaucoma is inherited. Secondary glaucoma occurs in dogs who do not have another eye disease. Affected breeds may experience night blindness or reduced vision.
The condition can be detected with electroretinography, but clinical signs may not be obvious until the dog reaches four or more years of age.
In the latter case, the dog will likely have no vision at all.
However, owners may notice that the eyes have dilated pupils or increased shininess in the eye. Some dogs may also develop cataracts as a result of the disease.
Prey Drive
The prey drive of the Alaskan Malamute is one of its most prominent characteristics.
Originally bred for working alongside humans, this breed has a very high prey drive. Because of this, it can be aggressive towards smaller pets or people.
The dog should be socialized early in life and be introduced to other dogs and small pets as a precaution.
Its thick double coat sheds heavily twice a year and is not recommended in hot climates.
Despite its high prey drive, the Alaskan Malamute rarely barks and vocalizes instead with a loud howl.
If you plan to introduce your new dog to cats, it is important to understand its prey drive.
This can be a major problem, as this dog breed will attack any small furry animal that comes near it.
The best way to deal with this problem is to train your Alaskan Malamute to stay away from cats and mice.
As they are prey-driven dogs, this dog breed will be able to deal with small pets, such as cats, but will only do so if they are introduced to the appropriate environment.
If you’d like to know more about the Prey drive of the Alaskan Malamute, you can read our article on the breed.
This article discusses some of the common problems that Malamutes face. It also contains useful links to help you choose the perfect dog for your family.
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Exercise Routines
Whether your Alaskan Malamute is an indoor or outdoor dog, it will benefit from daily exercise routines.
A morning jog or a long walk are both great ways to get your Alaskan Malamute the exercise it needs.
However, if the weather is too cold or dry, you can cut back on daily exercise, or you can simply let your dog roam the yard.
Swimming and hiking are also excellent ways to give your dog exercise.
Whether your dog prefers short walks or long hikes, exercise routines for an Alaskan Malamute can depend on the dog’s temperament.
The Malamute needs moderate to long sessions of activity to maintain stamina, which is essential for pulling heavy loads.
Depending on the dog’s age, longer walks may require a professional trainer. Besides walking, your Alaskan Malamute may also like to swim, but only occasionally.
Other than daily physical activities, Alaskan Malamutes may also suffer from various diseases. Hypothyroidism, for example, is a common disease in the breed.
It causes the dog to have poor reflexes, slow breathing, and a loss of balance. The signs of this disease can include a loss of balance, lack of coordination, and excessive barking.
The condition may also manifest itself in a puppy’s behavior, including aggressiveness and fearfulness.
Proper diagnosis and treatment will involve medication or a combination of drugs.
As mentioned before, the Alaskan Malamute is a working dog and needs a lot of exercises to keep its body fit and healthy.
They love spending time outdoors, but their tendency to dig is problematic, so be sure to set up a fence to keep them in their designated digging areas.
Likewise, they need to be bathed once every four to six weeks. This is a great way to provide them with some exercise, even if it’s only for a few minutes each day.
Health Problems
While Alaskan Malamutes are robust dogs that can make great pets, the breed does have certain health problems that are prone to affecting this dog breed.
If you’re considering getting one for your home, however, you should know that there are a few things you should keep in mind and make sure to keep your pup healthy.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the common health problems and how you can prevent them. Bloat, also called gastric dilatation and volvulus, is a common health problem in this breed.
Bloating is a problem that is particularly dangerous in dogs with deep chests, as twisting the stomach can cut off the spleen and stomach.
Your dog may retch and exhibit other symptoms of bloat, including an enlarged abdomen and restlessness.
While this is rarely fatal, if you notice an enlarged abdomen, seek veterinary attention right away. Alopecia x is another health problem that affects this breed.
This disorder affects the gland that produces the hormone, thyroxine. It can cause patches of hair loss on the body and may even lead to blindness.
Neutering the dog may cure the problem, but if the condition is permanent, you’ll need to administer medication to treat Cushing’s disease.
But even though this is primarily a cosmetic problem, responsible breeders recommend not breeding an affected individual to reduce the risk of this disease.
Although the Alaskan Malamute is generally considered a healthy breed, it does have its share of health issues.
The average lifespan of an Alaskan Malamute is about eleven to twelve years, but this dog breed is susceptible to some hereditary diseases.
Listed below are a few of the most common health problems of the Alaskan Malamute.
If your puppy is suffering from any of these conditions, you should seek veterinarian attention as soon as possible to prevent the problem from progressing further.
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