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Anonymous
Hey, I want to get an Alaskan Malamute soon. Problem is I'm going to Brazil next year for a semester abroad.

I currently live in CO and I can get a 'good' ('well' bred to meet breed standards) and will spend at least ten hours a day with it. When I get her I'll rig the fence better so that she can't dig under.

I want to exercise with it, I can bike ten miles and run three everyday. Is that enough, too much, or is it just right?

I will have a pool it can access to and I'll be on the beach line. I can also get a cooling pad... but will it still be too hot?

Is there any advice you guys can give me? Any tips on keeping her colder?

I'm doing my own research, but experienced owners can help out a lot.
>> Anonymous
I just remembered, I don't mind them digging but my parents do. I know there are ways to help it dig without destroying the yard but I can't remember the or find them. Can anyone help me?
>> Anonymous
Taking your dog to Brazil? You don't want to do that as the process for getting your animal back inside the US is long and arduous.
>> Anonymous
Shameless bump.
>> Anonymous
>>208847
I think I'm going to stay down there for a year or so and I don't trust my family enough with another dog for so long.

I don't have much of a choice and I don't mind paperwork or "bribes" when they're needed.
>> Anonymous
>>208852
Well I have no idea how it would work going into Brazil (might be difficult too) but coming back into the US your dog might have to be quarantined which could mean a long stay in a cage with no comfort from you. Could be dangerous for the dog too.

Trying to bribe the US customs officials will probably result in your dog being x-rayed a dozen times to check for drugs up his ass and you being assfucked by cops.

Research this all out before you just run off to Brazil with your dog.
>> Anonymous
>>208857
Oh, I thought you meant the Brazilian officials. Shit, yeah. I won't mess with the US Custom officials, but I know that if I'm carrying such a big dog they'll think I'm a rich gringo and just try to shake me down for money.

I haven't done much research on this yet because I figured it wouldn't be much of a problem. Oh what a fool I was. I'll talk to the consulate tomorrow. Thanks a lot.
>> Anonymous
Even if you brought the dog down there with the best of intentions it's a beautiful and expensive looking animal and Brazil is a fucking gangland. Your dog *will* be stolen and resold to a drug lord or rich doctor.

p.s. any truly "good" breeder would never sell you a dog under these circumstances
>> Anonymous
>>208881
We're setting up guards (Local 'militia') for protection and live in a gated community.
>> Anonymous
Why not wait until you're back from Brazil? You said you'll only be there for a year/semester. For the good of the dog, I suggest you not put it through all that moving and relocating.
Patience would prove less stressful for YOU and the DOG.
>> Anonymous
>>208889
Except, if all goes well I'll be living in Brazil for the next couple of years.
>> Anonymous
>>208895
Then don't get the fucking dog! That's just being selfish.
>> Anonymous
I heard that Alaskan malumute are very indpedendent. They don't really listen well. They are kind of like cats in the way, you have to be very patient with them.

I heard that if you leave them to themselves they will run away. Is that true. I think they look awesome, but I just need a pet that will be more active, then like a cat and mind his own business.
>> Anonymous
>>209071

They are intensely independent and smart. My Husky needs a fully enclosed kennel with concrete floor and multiple latches on the gates that are locked down, with the chain link itself reinforced. The Kennel is 12x12 and is roofed.

It needs to be very very secure. They have a powerful and ancient instinct to roam. They want to be with their family at all costs. So they will escape to wander and look for you.

To say they are like cats is pretty accurate. You just let them do as they like, and put away stuff you don't want them to do something to. Like with cats.

They are also very vocal so if you're in an apt or something... bad idea.
>> Anonymous
>>209066
My house will have an air conditioner set at a constant 65 to 55 or so degrees in Brazil.

At home I have two pools (One a large pool with a diving board, one a small plastic one I got just for the dog) which it can enter I'm probably not going to warm the pool this year so that it can swim around just fine.

Other than that I'm going to keep my house cool (Once again, probably about 65 degrees), have about five bowls through my house with a few ice cubes that will be replaced every three to four hours (Maybe more or less depending on the circumstances), a cooling pad, and if I can find a decent sized cooling coat I will get it for her.

I do run, bike, and wrestle quite a bit so I will be fairly active with the dog, spending at least two to three hours exercising or playing games with the dog. Hell, I can probably do four or five without too much of a problem.

I don't think the circumstances are unfair, do you?
>> Anonymous
>>209090

You're overdoing it a bit. Everything you say is well intentioned, but the reality is all you say is not neccessary and nobody does that much.

I mean, you want to have a life outside your dog... ya know? LOL.

For temps... Siberian coats work in both extreme heat and cold.. They will be fine on a 90 degree day with shade, a kiddie pool, and some grass to lay on.

I'd say about the majority, or at least 50%, of Huskies don't like water/swimming/getting wet. They are naturally anal about their coat. They groom themselves like cats and don't like being wet.

You also don't want them to get wet for too long without you around. Reason for this is that their coat is so thick, that even if it feels dry, it is wet on the inside. Which, given the cool, warm, and damp environment, will create fungus which leads to your husky eventually need ing to be shaved.

If your husky gets shaved, that's a very bad thing. It does not cool them down, it actually is very bad for them in the heat. So never cut or shave a husky's topcoat unless it's for medical reasons (i.e. the fungus buildup).

Brazil has rainforest weather if I recall correctly? If so, do you realize how much it would cost to keep a room 65 to 55 degrees? We're talking maybe $200-300 a month. That's insane.

And also completely unneccessary. 75 degrees is good enough.

While ice cubes are good for cooling down, keep in mind that you know how it feels horrible to drink ice-cold water when you are really hot? Same concept applies. Leave some ice in water if you're so inclined.. but have water at room temp as well.

5 bowls is excessive... just one or two is fine.
>> Anonymous
>>209104

Continued

Do you plan to give him roam of the house? You are insane if you do. Very very very very few Malamutes are good with house roam. Enjoy your annihilated couches, wires, TVs, beds, EVERYTHING. If you try to confine him to a room with nothing in it, enjoy your annihilated carpet, door frames, door handles, scratched up windows.

And if he's confined to a room... he will make MORE room by literally digging a hole through the wall. Don't think it can't be done. Malamutes are intensely powerful dogs. So crate train him, it's not inhumane or cruel.

As for the circumstances being unfair.. Malamutes are nomad dogs. They are happy to go wherever and don't have a sense of "home" like most dogs. Because of this, they often run away and don't remember how to get back or don't think of where to get back. They run away and think their pack (you) will follow.

Because of this, while the transport will be stressful, it should not be -that- bad. I would research laws on transporting dogs into and out of countries, what vaccines are needed, and the whole shebang first.
>> Anonymous
>>209090

You're being selfish because you still going to get the damn dog even when its not a good time in your life to get one. you're going to Brazil with dog in tow and you'll have to deal with the customs there. Never mind the fact that when you come back, the dog may be put into a quarantine for up to 6 years! Thats not fair to your dog now is it?

wait until your life stabilizes and your not traveling so much. (If I can do it you can do it too dammit!)
>> Anonymous
>>209104

I'm paying $5k a month for room alone. I'm not too worried about a few extra hundred with air conditioning to take care of a dog.

Also, Alaskan Malamute. I know there are a number of trainers and breeders (AKC certified) in Texas and Arizona so as long as I keep them at a certain temperature range they should be fine.

Not sure about the variations in temperature to be 100% honest, I know that I'm going to be living on the beach and I'm told it's pretty stable by my family.

I could keep a few bowls right around each other at different temperatures and see which the dog likes best.

Will probably give him the a couple of rooms. I'm only gonna have two living rooms, two closets, and one living room actually furnished with human equipment... and all computing equipment but the notebooks will be kept about seven feet up, more if I have to (Nine foot ceilings I think) and the computers kept docked whenever I'm not on them.

Fences will be high and I'm going to have high and heavy white curtains on for security purposes so I'm not overly worried about that, especially since they make such bad guard dogs.
>> Anonymous
>>209107
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/info/customs/travelcustoms.shtml#southamerica

I called up the Brazilian Consulate Houston, TX and they said it shouldn't really be a problem but to call them back in two days (Wtf? Aren't they supposed to be experts?), and that me getting there is going to be more of a hassle than my dog getting there.
>> Anonymous
>>209143
>>209143

Will probably give him the a couple of rooms. I'm only gonna have two living rooms, two closets, and one living room actually furnished with human equipment... and all computing equipment but the notebooks will be kept about seven feet up, more if I have to (Nine foot ceilings I think) and the computers kept docked whenever I'm not on them.

I don't think you're understanding me. The Malamute will destroy your house. It does not matter how many rooms you give him. Your house will be destroyed. He NEEDS a crate or a outdoor kennel for his own safety.

If he has four rooms to himself, he will think that it must be better behind the wall. So he will tear the wall down and proceed to wreck havoc on the rest of your house. TRUST ME. I've seen this shit happen many times. And yes I mean HOLES in the freaking wall. Do NOT underestimate this. I know you're thinking of all the good dogs that people just leave home. The Malamute is NOT one of these dogs. I knwo someone will pop up and tell you their malamute/husky can do that. Thats the exception, not the norm.
>> Anonymous
OP, are you some kind of rich asshole who has nothing better to do than blow 1000s of dollars on buying a purebred puppy to take on your extended vacation? If so, please become an hero.
>> Anonymous
>>209143

High fences don't do shit. Malamutes and Siberians jump for shit. The fence needs to go a minimum of 1.5' into the ground. They are diggers.

Also, enjoy the holes all over your backyard that he digs up.
>> Anonymous
>>209168
Rich? No, I don't even have a job anymore. My parents only make about $100,000 a year combined and I get financial aid to go to school.

I do have about $30k saved up from working over the years and various investments (about $9k is in stocks and the rest is in two banks).

I'm also going to not going to be living alone and this house is going to be part of a business investment involving lots of high tech equipment for motion capture (I'm interested in kinesthetics and things of that nature so I'm setting up a makeshift mocap studio).

I have no problem indulging in all my non-business related money and whatever else I can make on a dog. I've grown up with them and love them... life long friends, companions, etc. Fucking beautiful animals.
>> Anonymous
>>209170
Holes don't bother me, I'm looking into various types of grasses that I know Husky and Malamute owners buy. The same stuff they use in superbowl fields.

I will talk to the landlord about working on the fences though. Shit, it's South America... I can hire someone for $10 to setup an entire fence.
>> Anonymous
>>209174

Wait, wait. you're renting a house??????

You may not mind the holes, the damage to the carpet, the holes in your wall, the chewed up door frames. the broken doors... but your landlord will. I hope you explained to him that his house will be destroyed because you want him to free roam the house and allow him to dig in the backyard.

zomg seriously you're better off with a different breed. I can already tell you don't have the right personality for a husky.
>> Anonymous
>>209167
Oh, I already bought the kennel for her. I'll get another one. What I'm working on is new fencing since mine ARE wood. I'll be upgrading those within a couple of weeks while she grows up.


Well, how should I protect my house? Furniture is not a problem, all I have in my room is a TV stand, mattress, and a single pillow. The mattress is on the floor.

Out of all the rooms she'll get access to is one cheap ($200?) couch, a homemade bed (Which what I'm worried about), and one expensive sofa couch thing.

I talked to a few breeders and they said plenty of toys (Varied), a few hours of exercise (As they grow up, a lot less while they're puppies), and just general attention (and training) and time spent outside will help curb any "negative" behavior.

I own "Alaskan Malamutes" by Siino and have browsed a few forms (The Alaskan Malamute's forum club sucks)
>> Anonymous
>>209179
Rent, yes. As in I'm going to be living in it for at least two years from the time I start the semester to the time I have to decide about moving back, with only about about two or three weeks back in America TOTAL each year.

The thing about Brazil though is that the walls are made out of cement and the doors are made out of metal. Unlike America they don't prefab their houses and it takes a lot to take them down.

I will be in a gated community and the fences there are solid, connected, and made out of metal. Nothing will rust (Ocean breeze), everything will be heavy, and... yeah, the carpet might have be a problem. Not too much of a concern for me, that's going to be a bar and living room.

I don't have a picture of the house yet... It's three living rooms, four bathrooms, one living room and bar, outdoor pool in a large backyard, etc, etc. Like I said... $5k a month in Brazil. This will not be a small house... it's my business studio.

What exactly about me seems wrong for the dog?
>> Anonymous
Your plan is... unorthodox. However, you do have the plan and the $ to support it. If you can get all the Customs shit in order you should go for it. Hell, people do MUCH worse things to dogs than what you're considering.
>> Anonymous
>>What makes you cry?
i dont posses any tear ducks
any tear ducks
tear ducks
ducks
>> Anonymous
>>209186
You guys have made me reconsider this. I'm going to talk to the breeder again and talk to my family vet.

If all seems fine, I'll go for it... but I don't ever want to do anything that's going to hurt the dog.

I don't NEED a Alaskan Malamute and I prefer they get the best home they can get. I really want one, but if I think I might hurt her then I'm not going to get her.

Better to want and not have to have and hurt if you ask me :(.
>> Anonymous
>>209189
Note that I'm not having second thoughts, I'm plenty sure I can take care of her very well.

But I want to make sure professionals do the same.
>> Anonymous
Brazilfag here.

Your dog will adapt just fine to the beach climate, most dogs do since it's constant weather. You're probably going to the southern area, where the weather is slightly colder than rainforest weather, so you'll be fine on that account. The only thing you should be worrying about is the space your dog will have as previously mentioned, as to the lanlord policies on animals of all matter.

If you're renting an apartment, you'll most likely be forbidden to keep large breeds such as the malamute, having to deal with special conditions as to not disturb the others and make them complain about you to the lanlord. If you're renting a house, take necessary precautions.

Good luck.
>> Anonymous
>>209194
Rio de Janeiro in a gated community.

I already have the place reserved and the current residents move out in four months. The owner is fine, he's a really nice guy... not exactly a family friend, but he belongs to the same church as my family so he's nice enough.

I have most things well worked out already, the biggest worry I have is getting so much equipment without them thinking I'm trying to sell it.
>> Anonymous
>>208833
i think you are fucked in the head for doing that to a dog. You will find it was a mistake buying a dog to take with you. Once you get settled there, then decide if you need a dog or not. Not before dumbass.
>> Anonymous
There are a lot of owners out there who wouldn't do a fraction of what you're willing to do for your dog. I hope you reach a conclusion that you're happy with. If you end up with a dog, it'll be going to a good home.
>> Anonymous
>>209198
Why? I need good reasons man, you can't just say that. Is that workout too much? I'm going to build up starting from a few months old.

Is it the trauma of moving? Yes, I know that two houses within about a year is a bit overwhelming for a young puppy, but it's only about 24 hours TOTAL. That's from time of flight to landing and picking up.

I grew up with dogs, I love dogs and would never do anything to hurt them. If you have a good reason for thinking that I'm going to do anything bad to it then tell me what it is.

If you're a troll then congrats, you upset me.
>> Anonymous
>>209199
>>209198

Is this like.. inverse hivemind?
>> Anonymous
>>209199
Thanks a lot :)
>> Anonymous
>>209200

Life is unpredictable. You CAN wait two years to get a malamute. To protect your house, either set up a outdoor kennel with cement surface and a roof, or crate train it. Do you know what dogs do when you are gone, if they are not destructive? They sleep. For 8 hours. I'm not kidding. Most people give their dogs huge backyards and hope they are happy while they are gone. The dog just walks over to a comfy spot, and sleeps the whole day until the owners get back.

So there is absolutely no reason to let your malamute roam a room. Just crate it. Trust me.

The breeder wants to sell you a dog. She won't tell you the bad things about the breed. A dog doesn't generally distinquish a toy from something that's not a toy. They see chewable things and non chewable things. Hardheaded and stubborn breeds like malamutes are not likely to obey you about what they should or should not chew, dig, etc.

I don't see why you are trying so hard to let it roam a room or two. Also, you said you only have a matress, TV, TV stand, and pillow? You WONT have them after a week or two.

So just fucking crate train it. God. It's not rocket science.

Also, in warm climates like Brazil, he will be blowing coat ALL year. Not twice a year for 2 weeks like most info say. But all year long. That's a fuck lot of hair. My husky sheds out about four safeway bags full of hair per blow, and twice a year. That's like a 20gal bag full of hair, and that's only what i brushed, excluding what floated away in the backyard and on the carpet.
>> Anonymous
No, no. You misunderstood. She is getting crate training. She is also getting almost the entire upstairs and probably most of the downstairs to roam in. As for the breeder... they were only reluctant because of my size. I'm 5'8" and 140 so I'm rather small. Although fairly athletic... come on. There is almost no real comparison in terms of power. But I have wrestled with bigger dogs and won no problem :P
>> Anonymous
>>209244

Your malamute can pull what... 700LB? The malamute is stronger than you by far.

Fortunately for you, you have a bigger brain and working thumbs.

I also don't understand. If you are crate training the dog, then what does your comment of "she will get the entire upstairs and downstairs" mean? If she's in a crate while you are gone, she won't be able to roam. Which is good. So what exactly are you envisioning her roaming? The house while you are home? Sure, that's doable. Niggerhusky has full house and indoor/outdoor access while I'm home.

But when I'm gone, fuck that shit. He goes to the kennel. Niggerhusky is an awesome dog, but he gets bored easily as most huskies or malamutes do.

Just fyi... Niggerhusky is 55LB, I am 195LB, he pulls me on a mountain bike from a standing start to sprint in seconds. Your Malamute won't be nearly as fast, but he will make you fly if he was so inclined. Malamutes are designed for pulling heavy loads over long distances, and if I'm not heavy enough to let a Siberian break a sweat, a malamute probably could pull three of me no problem.

And one other things.. the other dogs let you win :p I'm a strong motherfucker (I would have to be, I work in HVAC) and I've been trampled by a big dog or two that was hellbent on beating me down. Most will play easy, though!
>> Anonymous
>>209246
Yeah, in terms of raw power there is no comparison. But I have much more leverage than the dog so my capabilities are multiplied :P.

Well, I live with four other people, all of which want the dog too but realize that I'll be taking her to Brazil. One of them is the one that's going to help me out down there.

Well, kennel training for when ALL of us are out of the house, which is unlikely but may happen. A couple of other things like dominance and a "safe place" too, but NEVER for punishment. It's not a fucking jail.

Maybe, you're probably right. Maybe my brain isn't so big afterall :O. All the ones I play wrestle with I know pretty well... I don't think I'd try to get a strange dog on it's back, ever.
>> Anonymous
>>209252

(niggerhusky guy here)

With huskies.. get rid of the whole dominance shit. Malamutes are smart dogs. They know the one handing them food, exercising them, correcting them is the guy at top. If you exercise your dog, feed him on a schedule, and show him lots of love, and some disclipine, you won't even need to think about what is dominance and what is not.

I don't know shit about the dominance theory. My dogs walk in front of me, jump on the couch anywhere they want, are free to come and go, are free to disobey me if they are so inclined (of course, if i'm so inclined I'll be sure to have my way... but him not wanting to sit down for no reason is not a good excuse for me to disclipine him.)

They are intensely independent but at the same time intensely pack animals. Don't be suprised if your dog is never really that excited to see you. He's content sleeping in the same room as you, not needing to be all over you all the time like a lap dog.
>> Anonymous
If you leave for the day, and come back at the end of the day.. he will likely greet you with a very mild tail wag or two, a sniff or lick on the hand, and walk away. That's normal.

If you've never had a independent breed before... you're in for one HELL of a shock. 99% of training advice given don't apply to you, most dominance theories don't really work for you, and so on.

But don't mistake it as not liking you or just plain being mean. If a Malamute runs away from you off-leash, he's not running away. He thinks you will run with him.

A lot of people don't like independent breeds. They need the feeling of dependence by dogs. They want dogs that worship the ground they walk on. They want dogs that will do something for them just because they love their owner. A Malamute is more like... yeah, you want me to sit down. What's in it for me? MAYBE you can train this out of him... but I prefer to choose my battles wisely.

Same goes for recall. If niggerhusky ever manages to get off lead... I won't find him for hours, if not days. Until he comes back looking for me. It does suck. I loved being able to walk my labradors off-lead. I wish I could do the same with niggerhusky.

Good luck.
>> Anonymous
>>209256
>>209256
Sorry guys, on my sleeping medication now (One week long thing, won't happen once I'm taking care of the puppy).

I'm having trouble understanding even the simplest of comments right now so I just want to say thanks and I'll be back later.


I appreciate all of your help.
>> Anonymous
>>209260

Just fyi..>>209255

>>209256

Same person. Just letting you know since you referred to me as "guys". LOL.
>> Anonymous
>>209265
I was busy talking to vets and whatnot all day, couldn't post.

All that is fine.

There a few things I've become increasingly curious about, diet and pulling exercise.

At first I thought about asking around and researching the various foods out there until I found the best or one I was extremely satisfied with.

Now I'm considering taking her to a vet to talk about specialized nutrition because I want to train her for extreme workouts. Granted, I'm not taking weeks to travel around and find the puppy which seems most promising, but that doesn't mean that any breed standard dog shouldn't be strong.

What I want to do is have the dog run around with weights (Not uncommon at all), but I'm also thinking of attaching my heart rate monitor to the dog (I'm going to check it out on another dog tomorrow morning) and seeing if I can eventually find any optimal pace and a few tracks (Lots of dog parks here) for her to run at a constant optimal pace.

Aside from that, I want to attach weights (Tires, carrying sled, and so on) to her. Sometimes on the back, other times at different parts for weight distribution, and so on.

I want to calibrate all of this for maximum enjoyment and benefit...

What do you guys think? Am I crazy, or is all of this alright to maximize the dog's lifespan and enjoyment level?
>> Anonymous
>>210078

niggerhusky dude again here...

You're really overdoing it. Firstly, you're working on a gross misassumption. Vets know NOTHING AT ALL about nutrition. What little they do know is sponsored by Science Diet, which basically is feed corn, and rice to a carnivore.

Second misassumption: No AKC dog, as far as I'm aware, ever won a sledding competition. AKC dogs are more for pets than they are for competitive dogs. That doesn't mean they aren't good pullers, it just means they are not nearly as good as pure working sled dogs. They just simply don't have the same drive or stamina or strength.

And learn something from professional sledders. They don't use heart monitors or anything. Just common sense. You're overdoing it. All you need to do, given brazil doesn't have snow, is hook him up to a bike and have him pull you. That's it!

The sled dogs that routinely hit 15+ years.. their workout? During warm weather a simple 10 minute run pulling a guy on a bike. It's more during winter, but it's 16 dogs hooked up to a sled, which given that 1 dog can pull a sled by himself... that weight is distributed by 16 dogs so they run maybe... 10-20 miles in the snow.

And that's the workout routine of a Iditarod sled team. Pretty simple, huh?

Even Niggerhusky only pulls me four miles at a time. He doesn't really pull the whole time, I ride pace with him, but he does pull me quite a bit. Especailly in warm weather like brazil.. you don't want to overwork a Malamute. He will overheat FAST.
>> Anonymous
You won't be doing any hour-long runs with a malamute in Brazil unless the temperatures hit about 50-60. That probably will be rare.

If you want a dog that can exercise a lot in warm weather... get a different breed. You won't be doing any serious weight training with him in Brazil.

Also, absolutely no pulling before 8 months of age. Even at that time, keep it light. Sled dogs don't go on their first pull until about 1- 1 1/2 years of age.

As for diet... the wild does it best. Think wolves... dogs don't get any stronger, faster, and more stamina than that. Prey model diet, it's not rocket science. 75% raw meaty bones, 10% offal (organs), 15% muscle.

Deer, duck, rabbits, rats, cows, fish, chicken, turkey, the list is endless. You can feed it all. That is the absolute best diet. Whole prey if you can (rabbits, fish, chicken, etc) but otherwise just make a frankenstien prey...

Just keep it simple and do it in moderation. Overdoing it like you are will likely harm your dog. Thats the consequence of bringing a malamute to brazil. You can do more once you move back to cold weather but until then... keep workouts short, maximize it by having him pull you on a bike for short bursts, do it at 4am and 10pm while it's coldest, light walks for everything else.