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So who doesn’t love a snow dog?  Many would agree that the northern breeds such as the Samoyed, Siberian husky, Akita, Elkhound, and the Alaskan Malamute are amongst the most beautiful dogs on the planet.  Many are drawn to these dogs because of their independent and unique personality.  Others because they look so majestic or even wolf like. One thing these dogs have in common is they are all absolutely gorgeous with amazing coats.  Any of these breeds can for the right person make a great pet, but many can be somewhat aloof and strong minded.  Proper socialization and starting training early is key with any dog, but more so than most with the northern breeds.  As many of you know I love all dogs, but put the malamute second to none.  Malamutes are the king of the northern breeds in my eyes.  They are an old proven breed with unmatched strength and beauty.  If handled right malamutes can be a wonderful addition to any family and bring many years of joy.  When handled properly malamutes are great with children and make wonderful house dogs.  They view you as the alpha and respect you often even when its not deserved.  No matter the breed of dog you own remember start young, be consistent, patient, dogs will be dogs, and every time you interact with your dog they learn something right or wrong. Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard and never forget to show your furry companion the same loyalty shown you.

When do I spay or neuter my dog?  This is an often debated and hot topic that not everyone will agree on.  Some feel their giant malamute may not attain as large a stature or at increased risk for cancer and orthopedic problems.  While most veterinarians believe dogs should be spayed or neutered around six months old.  In 2013 UC Davis conducted a study on large and giant breed canines finding that dogs sterilized before 6 month of age had barely noted increase in orthopedic problems and all reached full growth potential.  Dogs sterilized at 6 months or older showed no increase in orthopedic disease.  So the flip side is what are the benefits to sterilization prior to fully maturing.  According to Dr. Roger Welton DVM there are many benefits and no proven risks if done at six months or older in males or females.  Some benefits Dr. Welton emphasizes are less aggression in males and females, not marking for males, less incidence of penis and prostate infections, decrease in risk of mammary cancer, preventing unwanted pregnancy, and several other worthy benefits.  So when it comes down to it there is very little to support waiting longer than six months to sterilize your fury friend and a lot of data stating to neuter or spay at six months is of benefit.  Another thing to keep in mind is behaviors that potentially may have been prevented if sterilized at six months old, may or may not go away with time.  Talk to your veterinarian and see what they say you may be surprised.

 

 

 

 

 

If one dog is good is more better?  Well that depends on you, and a couple other factors. First do you have space and time to add another  furball to the mix?  Yes two may at times be twice the fun, but don’t forget also twice the dog food, fur, and poop. Not all dogs or dog owners can accommodate or get along with an addition to the family. Then there  are those like me with an abundance of canines running around and never seem to have enough.  One or multiple dogs at a time are a  commitment, but one should not have more than they can love and care for.  If done right most dogs can learn to get along, but some people and dogs are just better flying solo.  Alaskan malamutes can be trained to get along and become close, but realize there is a definite pecking order with them as with other pack dogs.  With proper introduction, time, and common sense there are very few dogs that can’t learn to get along.  You must learn your dogs and their behavior so you can know when and where potential problems will occur.  For instance it would be foolish to leave two male dogs with a female.  To be honest a female in heat should not be left alone with a  male period.  Some individuals think there dogs are best pals and throw a big treat down for them to share, this is a common mistake.  Dogs have a natural instinct to protect food and until you understand your dogs well always be mindful when the treats come out.  Whether you have one or many dogs it doesn’t matter, is what matters is that they all matter.  If you do not have the means to care for your pooch you should not consider getting another.  Enjoy your canine companions and treat them the way they deserve with love and respect.

Taylor and Sitka posing.

All to often one of two things happen either we don’t have a training program or we cannot  decide which to use.  It does not take a certificate or degree to be successful in training your own dog, especially to be a loyal pet. Don’t get me wrong an experienced trainer can work magic and accomplish much in a short time. Most people don’t need their dog trained to be a movie star like Lassie.  All dogs should know basic obedience like how to walk on lead, sit, stay, come, heel, and good house manners. With patience and consistency anyone can train their dog in these basic areas.  As far as malamutes go they are very intelligent, but do learn  differently than many other breeds.  Acquiring your puppy from someone who is willing to mentor you and answer questions along the way is about the most useful thing a puppy owner can have.  Recourses are infinite on the internet with more options than anyone can possibly get through.  There are as many training programs as there are dog trainers, but all the most successful trainers have a couple things in common.  They all stick to their program, are consistent,  patient, and caring with their furry friends.  So truly just pick a program you feel will fit you and be patient and consistent.  It really is that easy with just the help of a caring breeder most can successfully get their dog to a level that they are happy with.  Start training your puppy young and remember if correction comes only after understanding.  A puppy gains understanding and confidence through time spent with a patient caring trainer.

Young Mayah getting to know Dakota.

Sitka enjoying a walk on the river right after a fresh snow.

Mayah strikes a pose.

Coho  climbing a big hill hiking in the mountains.

Chinook taking a break after chasing a ball around the yard.

Charlie  looking pretty out in the hills.

A good question for every puppy lover to ask themselves before getting that new puppy is “does this breed fit into my lifestyle, do I have the facilities to care for and keep this new addition to the family safe, and am I willing to do what it takes to provide a loving environment”. For me nothing is better than a great big Alaskan Malamute, but this by no means makes them a good fit for someone else. Ask yourself what are your goals and does the breed you chose fit into this equation. The hope is to not only have your puppy fit into this complex equation, but to be the solution. The new puppy should make every day a little brighter making your life more rewarding.  Just like individuals each breed has its own general tendencies and have many common traits that may or may not fit into your life cohesively. If you are unsure you have time for a puppy or are unwilling to make time for your furry friend than prevent some heartache and don’t get one at least yet. Alaskan malamutes are not like most dogs training and appropriately establishing pecking order while they are young is a big key to success. Malamutes can fit into almost any size of family and do well even with small children if done properly. Personally I think the most beautiful dogs in the world are the northern breeds especially the malamute, this is one reason I was drawn to them. They are also strong dogs capable of doing much in the line of hard work if properly trained which is appealing to many. Above all they are big loveable dogs who respect and adore their family when socialized properly. With all this good like with all dog breeds comes some possible negative right along like: endless fur when blowing fur, large dog with energy to burn, they love to dig, require more space than most breeds, and many more traits that can concern some. Life is empty without animals especially my big furballs so to me all of these traits are just part of life that my family and I are very happy to except, but for some may be a deal breaker. To make your venture successful get everything setup (yard/kennel/fence), learn about your breed, buy from a breeder that raises well mannered dogs in a loving environment, and possibly most important find a breeder who is willing to talk to you and be a resource as you move forward.

Taylor and Sitka having some snuggle time.

Emma, Taylor, and Mayah enjoying the fair.

Shinook giving her best friend a kiss.

Taylor and Mayah taking a swim.

Kenzie and Charlie hanging out in the yard.

So is your dog good with small children or how can you tell if your dog is trustworthy around your treasured two legged tail puller?  The easy and safe answer is small children should not be left alone with any animals.  This may come as a surprise to many especially those who know me and how big of an advocate I am for free ranging children.  As true as my first statement maybe we all know it is not reality, but should be a good general guideline.  I am the luckiest man alive with a beautiful wife and three gorgeous daughters.  Personally we chose to teach our children from a very young age how to respect animals of all sorts including mean roosters and puppies that may nip them.  This does carry some degree of risk for the child and the animal, but if enough time and supervision is given while young, children can become very knowledgeable and safe around most animals.  As you get to know your new puppy you will learn its strengths and limitations if you pay attention. At the same time make sure you pay attention to your family especially your little ones to learn the areas of concern they display. If supervised time is spent with your new family member in the beginning it may surprise you how fast the new puppy becomes a trusted and loyal part of the family. The thing to always remember is each individual child, horse, dog, or cat have limitations and weaknesses. No matter how well your cat is potty trained I doubt many would allow it to baby sit their canary. Just never catch yourself blaming your child for being a child or your dog for being a dog.

Shinook can’t resist Taylor.

Shinook and Taylor playing with dad’s hat.

Baby Sitka off on a hike with the family.

Maya and Taylor taking a swim on a warm summer day at the lake.

 

The all to common statement that applies to almost all walks life “I don’t have time”.  Do you have time to be a pet owner?  Then on the other hand how much time does it take to give a dog the time it needs?  Anyone who has successfully trained a pet before knows consistency and frequency are much more important than length of time.  This by no means understates the importance of spending time with your animals, after all isn’t that why we got that cute puppy to spend time enjoying each other?  If life does get busy and you only have 5 minutes I assure you any time is better than no time, but don’t make a habit of putting your pet on the back burner.  Instead find ways to include your pet and spend time doing things the whole family can enjoy.  Dogs and all animals do need loved, and enjoy spending time with their family.  So next time you only have a few minutes take advantage of them, then figure a way out to make more time in the future.  You may be surprised how much fun and relaxation you can have by spending a little time with a “mans best friend”.

Have any of you ever wondered why they say a dog is a man’s best friend?  Hopefully everyone has figured out their own reason on why this statement is true.  I am constantly amazed at the loyalty given to us by our canine companions at times without us being deserving of such treatment.  Many dogs are given no more than bare essentials and some less, still offering us their unwavering love.  There are many breeds of dogs each having different needs, but all requiring some essentials.  Housing requirements, temperature tolerance, food type/quantity, and exercise needs very greatly by breed.  One of the most neglected needs that is common to all breeds is providing them with a loving environment and treating them with love and respect.  Provide your dog with a home where you both need each  other and enjoy your companionship.  If you want a dog and it spends all of its time locked in a kennel or outside on a chain how badly do you really need a dog.  Owning a dog is a big responsibility and all dog owners should feel lucky to have a “man’s best friend” in their lives.

This is Dakota who is my oldest daughters 1/2 Border Collie 1/2 Australian Shepherd.   She is wonderful in every way and loves to please like most of her breed.  Dakota happens to be our only dog that is not a papered Alaskan Malamute.

Mayah on her first paddle boarding trip to the lake she had a ball.

Sitka having a little swim at the river.

Coho taking a break in the middle of a long hike.

 

As you can see from these pictures Malamutes have as much fun as any dog even the Collie.  The thing to remember is not all breeds act like Collies in fact very few dogs want to please, learn as fast, and are as obedient as the Collie.  That being said almost any dog can learn basic obedience and be a great dog within its own realm.  Though it has been done a little, do not expect your Alaskan Malamute to be a great herding dog or win the obedience award.  On the flip side you aren’t likely to have the strongest team on earth if made up of Collies.  If you are looking into getting any breed of dog do some research and talk to some breeders to make sure your prospective puppy fits into your family well with no surprises.  I personally just love dogs period, but don’t think anything tops the Alaskan Malamute for an all round fun family dog.  Malamutes learn very fast and are a joy to have around, but more so than some breeds it is very important to socialize and train properly from a young age to make life easier as your giant furball grows up.  With research and time you can pick just the right puppy to become a member of your family.

 

 

Even within the same breed coats can vary greatly making a close inspection necessary to determine overall body condition.

The question that gets raised all too often, “Is my dog fat?”, seems like an easy one to answer, so why do so many ask?  For many dogs, just a quick glance can give you a good idea of their body condition, but what about the northern breeds and their relatives that have so much hair? Many people are drawn to dogs like the Alaskan Malamute because of their large size, so at the first moment they think the old fluff-ball might be skinny, “Watch out! Here come the groceries!”  So how do we find that balance, a dog that looks great, performs well, and is not too fat or too skinny?  Controlling and monitoring a dog’s food intake, regular health screenings, and continually checking body condition are all important to maintain a healthy pooch.

There are many opinions related to how much and how often a dog should be fed.  Some keep food in front of their dog continually, some feed once daily, some multiple times daily, and some even every other day.  As long as you are feeding your dog the right amount of the proper feed you can be successful with many different methods.  I personally choose to feed my dogs twice daily and it works well for me.  Too long between feedings can be uncomfortable for a dog, and food in front of them all the time makes it hard to monitor their intake.  A good starting point for how much to feed your dog is by following the recommendations on the bag, and monitoring their condition, and then adjusting accordingly.  One of the main reasons to control and keep track of intake is, often, the first sign of illness is a change in feeding behavior.

Most people who have owned a dog realize that, like people, dogs also have a need for occasional visits to the doctor.  Laws vary from location to location, but at minimum all are legally required to keep their dog current on the rabies vaccination which can only be given by a veterinarian.  Having a good veterinarian to direct and monitor your dog’s health is an absolute must.  A good vet can give you breed specific information and hopefully help you prevent some heartache.  Your vet can also help you determine an appropriate food choice and feeding schedule that is appropriate for both the age and breed of your dog.

Regularly checking a dog’s body condition is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy and consistent weight.  Long-haired or short, a method that can help you determine condition all starts with putting your hands on the pooch often.  Start by appearance. Does your dog look fat or skinny?  Feel for ribs. You want to be able to distinguish between each rib.  You do not want it to feel like a bony skeleton with big voids between ribs nor do you want a sheet of fat covering the ribs making it impossible to feel individual ribs.  Next, feel your way back behind the ribcage toward the flank. Your dog should taper upwards at the flank and not be a level line from the chest back.  Dogs that do not taper at the flank are generally overweight.  Next go to the hip bones. It is okay to feel a bump for each hip bone and to have a small amount of dip between bones, but not a big valley.  As you monitor your dog regularly you will learn to find what is an ideal condition for your dog.  Each breed is different so regular checks and advice from an expert, if needed, can help achieve the goal.

Whatever diet you choose for your dog be consistent and don’t hesitate to ask your vet for help.  After gaining an understanding of what proper body condition is for your dog and regularly monitoring it, maintenance through proper diet, and health screenings, will improve the overall health of your loved companion.  So next time someone asks you if their dog is too fat or too skinny, show them how to get through all the fluff and figure it out.