Alaskan Malamute Facts
I am passing on information that I have learned in my 50 years of raising wolves and dogs. I don't know everything as I am still learning. I hope this helps you.
Malamutes can be the most loyal and friendly dogs that exist. They can make fantastic family dogs, or as I like to say, “Family Members.”
I don't recommend raising 2 females or 2 males together in a home but families prove me wrong all the time. The photo in this section is of two girls who live together and work together as service dogs.
Alaskan Malamute History
Where they came from
The Alaskan Malamute breed comes from the Alaskan Malamute Indians who took sled dogs and crossed them with wolves. They were trying to create an animal to be more durable, able to handle all kinds of weather, and stronger pulling animals. Bringing the wolf into the dog line brought in some good features and some features that need to be overcome.
Great features include
Loyalty: A pack of wolves in the wild is not just a group of dogs that happen to run together. The pack is a family with each member having a specific role within the pack. They are all very loyal to each other. Bringing the wolf into the dog family, brought that loyalty into the dog.
Beauty: Wolves are extremely beautiful. The Malamutes have many physical characteristics similar to wolves.
Qualities
Health:
In a pack of wolves, only one pair of wolves will breed to have offspring. This is the most dominant and healthiest of all the pack. If there are health problems in the pack, they will not be passed on. Bringing the wolf into the dog family, created a healthier animal.
Size
Wolves are commonly larger than most dog breeds. Bringing that size into the dog family is a plus
There can be a few negative traits that you should be aware
Size: Some malamutes do get quite large. While this is a positive for those who like big dogs, for people who do not like large dogs, this may be a negative. You have to train them as pups so they will be obedient when they are grown.
PULLING
Malamutes were bred to pull, so if you don’t train your animal and he/she gets to be around 100 pounds or more, you may be trying to take your dog for a walk, and in fact, they may take YOU for a RUN! You have to work with a malamute puppy while they are small and teach it ‘you are in control’ so that when it is grown, you will be able to take him/her for a walk and be able to control him/her.
Fear of Humans
Wolves fear humans for all their worth for their survival and they teach this to their young. Malamutes can tend to be shy and stand-offish sometimes. They do not have the same fear that wolves do, but they can be somewhat fearful. The majority of this can be overcome by really working with them as puppies from the time they are born to about 8 weeks old and introducing lots of noise, visual aids, and human contact. This is done by a responsible breeder and will continue with the new owner.
Territorial
Malamutes can be territorial if raised isolated from other dogs and then taken as an adult to a dog park or somewhere with other dogs and they come across a dog that seems to be a threat to them. The malamute will be ready for a challenge or a fight. This is something no one wants to happen. The way to overcome this is to get your malamute around other dogs as they are growing up. I recommend something like PetSmart classes. If your animal can learn that other dogs are not a threat, they will accept them. Please don't stop with just PetSmart classes. That is like preschool. Find a good trainer in your area. That can be hard to do. Get references.
How big do they get?
Malamutes come in a variety of sizes with some as small as 50lbs as adults, usually females, and some as large as 200lbs, usually males. Males are commonly larger than females. An average female will usually weigh around 80-85 lbs. An average male will usually weigh approximately 100 lbs.
In the AKC definition of Malamutes and their sizes, it says malamutes weigh 85 pounds (male), and 75 pounds (female) but I have seen male malamutes can range from 70 lbs to 170 lbs. I have heard of even higher weights but have not actually seen it firsthand. I have seen females range from 65 lbs to 150 lbs.
What colors are they?
They come in a variety of colors. Most people think about the black and white malamutes, but there are also solid white malamutes, solid grey, grey and white, and those we call reds that are red & white. Reds look a reddish brown color.
They also come in a shorter coat, what we call a ‘standard coat.’ There are also what we call woolies whose coats can be 3 to 4 inches long.
Do they shed a lot?
Malamutes tend to shed very heavy one time per year. This is called, “Blowing their coats.” You can brush it out by the handfuls and could fill a small pillowcase. Normally, once they get through this heavy shedding, they don’t shed much through the rest of the year. Keeping them brushed out regularly helps the shedding problem.
They can be the best family members
Over the years, I have gotten a lot of calls from people who have had malamutes, and as the malamute got older and passed away, they were looking for another malamute. Once you’ve had a malamute, you won’t want to go with any other breed.
To sum it up, with the right diet, exercise, and training, a malamute is one of the most beautiful dogs there is and can be one of the most loyal and loving family members you can ever have.
I hope this will help. Please encourage others to learn about malamutes here.
Written by Randall Bowen
This is what the American Kennel Club says about malamutes
Personality: Loyal, playful, affectionate
Energy Level: Energetic
Good with Children: With Supervision
Good with other Dogs: With Supervision
Shedding: Moderate
Grooming: Weekly
Trainability: Eager to Please
Height: 25 inches (male), 23 inches (female)
Weight: 85 pounds (male), 75 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
Barking Level: Occasional
About Bowen Malamutes
King is a large malamute
......What to expect from Bowen Malamutes......
......What to expect from Bowen Malamutes......
......What to expect from Bowen Malamutes......
......What to expect from Bowen Malamutes......
......What to expect from Bowen Malamutes......
- WE OFFER Alaskan Malamute puppies as family members
- A pup at a good price
- A pup that has had 8 weeks of hands-on socializing
- A Beautiful Alaskan Malamute with an AKC bloodline
- Up to date on all vaccines
- Puppy will be De-wormed and on Hart-worm preventative
- Puppy training tips and gift bag
- A Beautiful healthy puppy
Star is a small Malamute
......What to expect from Bowen Malamutes......
Star is a small Malamute
Tips for our new owners
You have a new family member
You have just added a new family member to your household. This family member is a baby. This baby has sharp claws and needle like teeth. Babies eat, poop, pee, play, cry and sleep. Not all in that order.
When they are playing they love to chew. They will chew slippers, shoes, furniture, fingers and your favorite book, so it is advisable to keep these things out of their reach.
Puppies like to kiss you. ( it is good for them to do that) but be aware they do like to nibble and those teeth can bring blood.
These babies are not house trained at this time. Some pups potty train quickly and some take a while. It is good to use puppy pads. Take them out after feeding. The biggest part of training is to form a habit. Also it is advised to crate them at sleep time. Most dogs feel secure once they get used to being in the crate. The crate becomes their safe place.
Taking the puppy away from the environment it has been use to will with all probability, create fear for a few days. They can become shy and standoffish. Please avoid chasing them if they get spooked and want to hide. They will normally come around in a few days and be very sociable when they get used to you.
Another point to consider is that they will miss their former environment and litter mates and will cry. At their age their voices can be very loud and shrill and can be very annoying. Please be patient. This too will pass with time. It sometimes helps to give them a toy. Don't give them a treat for crying, this will encourage them to cry for a treat.
Please find a trainer in your area to assist in house training and obedience training. These dogs are going to be BIG and STRONG. They will need to be trained or you will not be able to control them. Many times you can find a beginners class at a local pet smart. I don't recommend using them for advanced training though.
If you change their diet please do it a little at a time.
The puppies have been wormed and started on heart worm preventative. Keeping them on monthly heart worm preventative also prevents other worms.
They have had their first round of Parvo and Distemper shot and will need boosters at 9 weeks, 12 weeks and 15 weeks. Then once a year. Then will need rabies vaccination at 4 to 6 months old. Please keep the puppy away from other dogs as much as possible till they have had at least one more round of Parvo and distemper vaccination. The vaccination helps keep them from getting it but does not guarantee they wont get it if they come in contact with a live virus.
These are babies and are vulnerable, so please be cautious.
Raising a puppy will have some difficult times but in the long run is extremely rewarding. They will become very close and be a valued member of your family.
We want to see those photos as they grow.
Written by Randall Bowen
