Care & Maintenance
There are many different things that fall under the category of Care and Maintenance. These are all important to keeping your pet healthy and happy.
GroomingMalamutes are an Arctic breed, which means they have a thick winter coat for one half of the year, and a sumer coat for the warmer months. Their coat is very dense and consists of two layers. The outer layer comprised of course guard hairs, and the soft undercoat, which helps keep the dog warm in the snow. Unfortunately, this means that they shed quite a bit.
For the most part, Malamutes are very clean and odourless, but like any dog, they can pick up dirt off the ground. They shed enough that the dirt falls free with their coat, so if regular brushing is kept up, then there shouldn't be a need for frequent bathing. Regular brushing is required, and it is recommended to brush an Alaskan Malamute twice a week to decrease shedding. Brushing your dog is important for multiple reasons. When shedding, it helps loosen the fur, and helps remove all the dead fur. It will remove most of the surface dirt, and regular brushing helps release natural oils from the skin, that keep the skin and coat healthy. If a bath is required, it is recommended to use lukewarm water and a small amount of dog shampoo. Dog shampoo is much milder than human shampoo because dogs have much more sensitive skin than we do. Rub into a lather, and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Rub down with a large towel, and brush the fur right to the skin. This will help release natural oils to replace the ones that have just been washed away. Keep your dog inside and away from any cook drafts until completely dry. |
Diet & ExerciseThe recommended diet for the Alaskan Malamute is food with a combination of rice, lamb, poultry or fish. Higher calorie dog foods are recommended because of the high activity level. Malamutes are very active and will burn off energy easily and it is important to give them the right nutritional supplements. The natural oils in fish is also very beneficial to their diet. Try and keep soy products and beef products to a minimum in their diet.
Alaskan Malamutes are extremely hardy, and can work for long periods of time on small amounts of food. Because of this, owners often over feed them, and it is easy for them to become overweight. Feed your Malamute two small meals a day at scheduled times instead of one large meal. This will help keep your dog less hungry throughout the day, and help to prevent begging. Diet and exercise go hand in hand in making sure your Malamute is kept healthy. As working dogs, Malamutes have tons of energy, and need to burn it off through lots of activity. They require daily lengthy exercise, be it though jogging, weight pulling, hiking, or playing long games of fetch. Long walks are ideal, but be careful in hotter weather, because of the Malamutes long winter coat. Make sure to keep plenty of water on hand, and have a shady spot to rest in. |
HousingMalamutes are pack oriented dogs that love being in large groups. This makes them ideal for large families with lots of energy. They require a large yard to run around in each day, and lots of companions to play with.
Because of their size and activity level, Malamutes aren't suited to smaller homes or apartments. They require lots of space, and the best arrangement for the is usually to have a dog door leading out to a large fenced in yard. Alaskan Malamutes are very hardy dogs, and don't mind living outside in a dog house either. It must be an appropriate size to accommodate the dog, and should be insulated. There is no need for heating since Malamutes are used to frigid temperatures. Make sure it is in an area with lots of shade for them to rest in the hotter weather. The yard should be fenced in, as well as have underground wiring. This is because Malamutes love to dig, and it wouldn't be any trouble for them to quickly dig a hole under the fence. To satisfy their digging tendencies, a sandbox is recommended for them to dig and play in. |