Malamutes - What do I need to know?

[MrsZoidberg]

I have a HuskyX - not sure what the cross is but we're leaning towards something pointy - has Husky shape and temperament, but very thin coat, and easily damaged skin - or she could just be terribly accident prone.

There may be a Husky/Malamute cross making it's way to us. Before I say yes I wanted some idea of what I am letting us in for, so if we have Husky proofed the house and garden, and changed our lives totally to fit around a Husky, do we need to do anything else for the Malamute half?

Also, are they ok with other dogs? He's an only dog at the moment and he will need to integrate with my guys - 1 male GSD, 1 female GSD and the aforementioned pain in the ass Huskyx?

Thanks for any wise words.

i havent owned a malamute but they are georgous looking dogs, as far as i know they have a very work focussed personality, sounds like with a husky x already you are pretty clued up on what you need and how to handle another similar dog . i would imagine that being a pack breed he would probably be ok with ohter dogs whoever you are getteing him from should know wether this is right or not ,i hope you will post pics of your dogs as i love GSDs aswell

Enough hair to make you think tribbles have invaded. Probably more than the others combined.

Mine is a husky/mal cross. He is great with other dogs. I've heard that not all mals are (and know one that isn't) so you might want to ask that about the specific dog before you bring it home.

I think if you are used to huskies then you will be fine. More stubborn, perhaps, more likely to be okay off-lead at some point. Having said that, mine can't go off-lead - he has good recall in enclosed spaces but that's only because he's already checked the boundary for gaps.

I bet your husky x will be delighted, at least once they've got over the shock of a new dog.

Thanks IamnotaReindeer - having spent yesterday brushing up enough dog hair to line 50 duvets , I came down this morning to find it all back again - thank god for hard floors The Husky gets her seasons mixed up and sheds in winter and lays down a thick coat in summer - just one of her many endearing qualities

Redwing, he's apparently 1year old and neutered - will this help? We already have a difficult male (GSD), but he's people aggressive, we don't think he's dog aggressive - he's also agrophobic so only goes on our land and hasn't had much experience of other dogs yet - he does ignore any being walked in the field next to ours, but barks at the owners (while safely hiding behind me) and was ok with our previous male.

You're right about the Husky, she adores everyone and everything - (unless it's small and furry) but I'm not sure she will share HER sofa or HER people, but being female she'll probably win any disputes with the lads

We're mad for even thinking about this aren't we

Anyone else with advice about Malamutes?

They are generally not good with other dogs of the same sex so I would be very cautious.

New Mals will go through a honeymoon period initially where they will be on their best behaviour, but I would not generally rehome a young male to a home with another youngish large male, it can work but often a recipe for disaster.

Good breeders breed these days for dog tolerance but dogs needing reming tend to be from certain lines where this has not been a priority.

I have volunteered with Mal rescue for many years

Sorry, not much advice but my SIL has a malamute and she (the dog, not my SIL!) is absolutely gorgeous (altho my SIL is lovely too!). Lovely nature, when we get there, she just rolls over to have her tummy rubbed (again, the dog, not my SIL!) But when they moult they really mean it!

We met him at the weekend and we're totally smitten He's a great big cuddly polar bear, very very friendly with people.

My GSD Bitch was fine with him, in fact she was very patient - she allowed him to try and mount her 3 times before she explained the rules - he didn't try it again after that so he's a fast learner

My Husky bitch was scared of him - but she was scared of my other boy when he first came to live with us and they are now inseperable so I'm not worried about this. She did eventually lighten up and start running around with new boy but was wary when he ran at her - she had a sore shoulder though so this might have made her more nervous.

My existing boy, snarled and lunged at every opportunity, but only if the new boy was looking at him, as soon as the HuskyMal looked away, my monster calmed right down. HM was very laid back and just ignored my bad mannered monster.

We knew it would be difficult bringing in a new dog with monster dog, so this was all actually more promising than I had hoped for. We will be contacting our behaviourist for help with this and to make sure we're going about the meetings the right way.

They're bringing him over again after Christmas. [excited]

It has to work, HM's owner needs to rehome him and, now I have met him, I am totally in love with him and need him on my sofa - mind you, if he was on my sofa, I'm not sure I would fit as well - we thought our Huskyx was big but she's tiny next to him

I hope it all goes well, hopefully he will be temperamentally more like the husky :)
Do be very very careful though, your average Mal once settle will not politely ignore aggressive behaviour - they will put a stop to it.

There is an excellent Mal forum ( google icebay) lots of advice there,

It sounds promising and he sounds adorable. Best of luck, I hope it all works out.

Thanks both.

I'm more excited about meeting him again than I am about Christmas

Aww I'm the same we are getting our husky pup jan 16
The breeders are friends of ours and I saw him born and every few days since x