Malamute as Guard dog?

[xKaya]

Although the malamute is a rubbush guard dog, do you think it would be a good visual deterrent? Im not looking for a guard dog or anything, but seems the malamute looks so wolf like it must be a bit intimidating to some people musnt it?

[KatzNK9]

To all but knowledgeable dog people (most criminals are not), any large dog is a deterrent but I would consider a Malamute a particularly good choice. If someone is out to do no good, they're going to choose the house with no dog over the house with a large dog to prevent barking to attract attention.

[Syler]

Although the malamute is a rubbush guard dog, do you think it would be a good visual deterrent? Im not looking for a guard dog or anything, but seems the malamute looks so wolf like it must be a bit intimidating to some people musnt it?


Yes it is intimidating,....to the point that people cross the road,...which make me soooo very sad.


It is also more likely to be stolen too.

Please dont advertise the fact that you have a mal eg car sticker,.door sticker as some poeple are aware that these dogs are friendly and are out to steal and sell them on,....or worse.

[xKaya]

Sorry I only got your PM now, Ive not been on for a few days. Here's a link to the KC site with the breeders details on:
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/asp/PSAR/psar-display.asp?con=3081126&lit=4333542
Were hopefully going to see her again tonight so I can ask loads more questions, and Il be getting her this time next week, Il PM you when I get back and tell you how it went.

[dlambertz]

Katz, I would say that makes sense. I just never found them intimating, but again I am not a criminal.

[Syler]

Mals dont really bark, they doo woo when they hit about 5 months tho.

[Mystic]

Any dog to someone breaking in is a deterent, theres the fact of barking, biting and ultimately for the criminals purposes more hassle than what they need, usually if they can help it they dont target houses with dogs, although some are nutty enough to go for any.

[eb4i]

Well... It isn't like you can't train a 'Mute for protection work.

[golden&hovawart]

It's a deterrant per it's size!.Any large dogs that bark will be respected.

[Mystic]

Well... It isn't like you can't train a 'Mute for protection work.

Your right, but you might have a problem with the bark and holds ;)

[Syler]

Just wondered have you actually seen any adult malamutes up close and personal before buying Kaya???

[Sham]

Worked fine for awhile but ours was stolen when I was a kid. My grandma didn't really keep dogs inside especially since the only time someone wasn't outside was the middle of the night. My grandpa fenced off a large area of the yard around the house for the dogs and put up "beware of dog" signs. Despite the dogs being very friendly this kept most people off the property and away from the livestock. Previously we had issues with kids playing in the pasture and potentially getting running over or nipped by the horses. The dogs were locked in the stable with the horses at night. 3years later both the mal and great pyrenese disapeared from the stable in the middle of the night with all the doors still shut. They look intimidating to unsuspecting people but I really wouldn't leave them alone outside expecting them to keep people away since some will happily greet and leave with even complete strangers.

[xKaya]

My uncle has two. There here more than with him:D

[Syler]

Great,.....its always good to see the big grown up Malmonster version. hehehe

No long to go now hun.

[xKaya]

Only 6 days to go:D. I bought a collar + lead a few days ago, but my dad suggested getting a harness, Id love to show and work her when she's older. But I have no idea where to start. The breeder said he'd show me some stuff when I go to pick her up next friday, because he works his 2 mals. But knowing me Il forget to ask something, so does anyone here work and show there dogs? (sorry to go off the topic a bit)

[Syler]

Well Sy has his first Champ show next week, but he has been doing companion shows for a couple of months and done really well.

If you wanna work your mal I do suggest that you do not use a harness for normal walks. You wanna have him associate the harness with pulling and that its ok to pull in it.

Go to a site called Culpeppers, they do a multitude of things for working dogs.

If your gonna show then look around now for ring craft classes, if you go through the KC they should have a list of classes near you. If that fails then put a search into Google eg Ringcraft .....then your area.


You can start showing from 6 months in minor puppy and start working from the age of 1 yr.
HTH

[xKaya]

Thanks for the info. What age would you suggest the ring craft classes from? I know its important for her to get the puppy training classes done first. But would you start the classes straight after? Or would it be too much for her?

[Syler]

No do them both as soon as she is ok to outside.


Dogs love learning, it wont be too much at all. Start as soon as poss she will love it.


Also if you want to show her,.....Please DONT teach her to sit. If you want to teach a command teach stand. So whenever she stands praise her. It will make life that much harder if she learns sit.


Just something that I have found very useful.

HTH

[xKaya]

Sorry Im a novice when it comes to all this, why do you not suggest teaching her to sit?

[Syler]

Because when you show a dog they have to be shown standing and not sitting.

you can by all means teach sit,....but it just makes life harder when you want them to stand for any length of time cause they will then want to sit,....cause they get rewarded when they sit. ( if you teach sit to them)


Mals by the way can be very stubborn

[OrcaInspired]

I definately would think that malamutes would be intimidating to people who are ignorant of the breed. Sydney is an Alaskan Husky and most strangers are reluctant to come near her. Sometimes I'll offer to let little kids pet her (she loves kids) they'll often say "No!" and like run away. Haha.

[eb4i]

Your right, but you might have a problem with the bark and holds ;)


The pass auf might be... lacking... I don't see a reason why I couldn't get a 'Mute to bite and hold on tho.

[Mystic]

lol true, but then you have the problem of going straight to the offensive, a good lawyer would rip ya apart if they decided to sue

[xKaya]

I suppose its a good thing that most people are scared of them. If they knew there temprament I bet there would be a lot more stealings!

[Syler]

I suppose its a good thing that most people are scared of them. !


Not really:(, because then they become the so called 'Look hard' dogs, that image consious, irresponsible idiots want to own.

It happened with the pitt bull.

Thats why I never want a Malamute to win Crufts, it makes people more aware of these beautiful dogs, which can sent our breed into disaray.

Every time someone brings out a snow dog film, the desire to have one of these breeds just on looks goes sky high. Most of these people have not done any reasearch into the breed and dont realise that the cute little puppies turn into big, stubborn, hair blowing creatures.

This is why there are sooooo many in rescue at the moment, apart from PF churning out unproven stock from unhealthy dogs and bitches, many people find that Malamutes werent what they thought they would be in there fuzzy ideal image.

The same is said for many breeds tho,.....the rotweiller and dalmation for example.

[xcolbi]

An Alaskan Malamute seems like a good choice. I wouldn't be scared of them though, they are too gorgeous & sweet in my eyes. :)

[MoJo]

We use our Husky as a 'guard dog' Lol. She is gorgeous, and greets everyone at the gate, but she can jump over 6' straight vertical, and look you in the eyes over top of the 6' fence. Her hang time is amazing, and with those piercing blue eyes we have actually had quite a few people call us on their cell phone from outside the gate and ask if there is a different entrance they can use. We do have a "Beware Of Dog" sign posted right at the entrance to our backyard through the gate- mostly to scare off children as our neighbors kids all seem to think that everyone else's' back yards are their own free to roam territory. (Last year they were spotted in our backyard playing more often than not, whether we told them to leave or not. That was before we were graced with Mocha's presence, and now we have only ever seen them in the backyard once- to retrieve a ball, and that was while Mocha was inside.. Still not to my liking though. GET OUT! Lol)

But I truly think that even those with knowledge of the breed may be hesitant to enter the property, especially with a few warning signs around. None of those novelty ones though that can be taken as a joke, but a real "Guard dog on duty" or "Beware of Dog" ('Guard dog on duty' though I have heard is the one that will help you more in court if something were to ever happen where your dog became aggressive on your property toward a stranger) will make people think twice. Especially with the sheer size of the animal. Who cares if the dog is wagging its tail and panting happily on the other side of the fence- all dogs can have territorial issues, and posting a sign to warn people may also help you out in court if something ever WERE to happen to someone entering your yard. Maybe even a nice leather collar with some spikes might catch peoples attention ;) Hehe, Good luck.