Giant Mals

[Mitchell]

how do u all feel about giant malamutes. Im getting one in a month. the breeder is close to me like 15 min away. there well taken care of. He even feeds them Orijen as well as raw. id have to say the most magnificent dog I have ever seen. I have done all my research and am ready to brush him every day. feel free to share any experience u or your friends may have had. thanks a lot

[stajbs]

They are impressive aren't they? I have known many and have nothing negative to say about them. My only hang up is preferring the size mal that fits the breed standard for size because I believe a dog should be able to do what the breed was develped to do. I have seen some giant mals do well in weight pulling, but likely they would not do so hot in harness. Then again if that is not your goal for the dog then it is not a big deal. Enjoy your dog, will the breeder be doing health testing?

[whiteleo]

Aren't you getting a black and tan coonhound?

[stajbs]

Did some more thinking about your post since I posted. lol You said you did your research and indicate you are prepared for the grooming involved due to the coat blows. Sometimes I am amazed at the amound of undercoat they can blow, dog hair is practically a condiment at our house and that is with us vacuuming 4-5 times a week. Also, there is at least one other mal person on this forum and they can probably add to this. In my experience with mals and sibes they are highly prey driven. Certainly not all of them are highly prey driven but it is fairly common. I notice you have a pic of a small breed posted. I would be aware of this, and cautious. Also, if you have cats it is something to be aware of. Chickens, would be a delectable snack too. Of the ones I have known and pet sat for there are some with beautiful temperaments and some are a bit more inclined to not get along well with other dogs. They can also be quite stubborn, and have a tendency to require an experienced owner, one who is prepared to be the leader.

The health issues I have experienced with them are related to thyroid and also a zinc responsive dermatosis.

Just my two cents for what it's worth.

[luvMyBRT]

Did I miss something??? Now your getting another puppy?

[Mitchell]

i was getting a hound from my gf father. but his hunting parters need them. i told him i understand hounds are how he provieds for his family so its ok. the mal is not from a breeder per say. he is just a hobbiest. he loves them all very much. brushes them every day hand makes the food raw and kibble. they are all needled and checked at the vet there all sweet hearts. i have 2 picks of my puppy and 3 of the father ill be happy to post if u all like

[Eurobox]

We were just talking about over sized breeders...

Oversized/ Undersized Breeding...

Black and Tan coonhound, and a Mal are COMPLETELY different dogs. So what exactly are your requirements for a dog? What job are you going to provide, what made you choose this breed, what made you choose the other? Does the dog breed just change with the flavor of the week?

How old are you???

[Ania's Mommy]

I gotta say I'm a little worried....

The two breeds you have picked are neither one great dogs for a first-time dog owner who has very little knowledge and experience(which it sounds like you may be).

I am concerned that you may be picking a dog based on looks, rather than actual compatibility. This is dangerous and unfair to the dog. Shoot, if I were going strictly off of looks alone, I'd get a wild timberwolf. But I know that I don't have nearly the experience necessary, and that could cause many people and/or animals to get hurt.

Although my suggestion for you would be to head down to the local shelter and adopt a sweet tempered mutt, here are a couple quizes that may help you to see what breeds fit your knowledge base and lifestyle:
Breed Selector, Dog Search, Puppy Survey, Puppy Test, Test to find the right dog, Breed Quiz
Animal Planet :: Guides :: Dog Breed Selector

Not to mention that I think your dog breeding "hobbyist" sounds like a back yard breeder...

[whiteleo]

I think this is a great idea as I too am a little worried that these two breeds definitely aren't for first time dog ownership, the dog test is a "lets see where you are" and what really is compatible with your lifestyle and knowledge. Good Luck, we are here to help you with the choices you have to make.

[stajbs]

Mitchell, the advice folks are giving is sound and worth sincere consideration on your part. Both these breeds are really not "easy", they will challenge you as alpha and you need to know how to handle it without turning the animal against you. The destruction a mal, or giant mal is capable of doing is unbelieveable. I can't speak for the other breed you are considering.

Being prepared to groom a mal/giant mal is almost really the easy part, it is a commitment, but not difficult compared to the other challenges you would face. The hardest part would be dealing with temperament issues and these breeds you mentioned both need a "job". They need to have a purpose in addition to the purpose you may see in your mind to be your buddy and best friend. Can they do this, yes they can, but only if you really know how to handle them with respect to training.

I have not done much research on giant mals and hopefully our mal member can share in the discussion, but I do know there was some kind of M-Loot genetic thing, I know little about that, but I think(don't know for sure) that is how we have come to have giants.
Honestly I am used to handling mals and I am not physically a light weight, but a "normal" size mal properly trained can weight pull over 3,000-4,000 pounds, as can a giant mal, and perhaps they could pull more weight in proper condition. I can tell you I was unprepared being a person who has shared life with 7 siberians, for the difficulty I had my first time I tried to walk a giant mal into a convention center for a show. The gorgeous boy started booking and the next thing I knew I had done a face plant on the asphalt. I quickly realized I was going to have to take control of that situation or he was going to turn me into a mahed potato. Till we got the 200 yards or so to the convention center he and I had come to an understanding. It was after that experience I never again underestimated a malamute. Shoot my siberians can pull 2000lbs. in weight pull, and I have had them yank me off my feet when I was least expecting it.
Please give careful consideration to your choice and I have found it to be quite helpful to go to at least one obedience class when taking on any dog. Along the way I have had to go back to obedience classes to learn how to handle different dogs within the same breed