#Breedoftheweek

[fluffybuttsfamily-blog]

So, as some may have noticed, I’m having difficulty keeping Breed of the Week to Monday.  This is partially due to ongoing fatigue and partially due to the time requirements of the 4 kittens I’m currently bottle feeding, which adds to the fatigue.  For those reasons, at least for the time being, Breed of the Week won’t be on a certain day, just whatever day I can get to it during the week.  Now, on to the fun part!

This week we’re taking look at a heavyweight breed that can pull anywhere from 1,100-3,300 lbs, the Alaskan Malamute.  This is a breed that is definitely not for everyone.  They are not recommended for first-time or inexperienced dog owners as they can and often do try to take charge.  Owners need to be able to let them know who’s in charge and maintain firm boundaries.  These are also dogs bred specifically for strength and endurance.  They need a job and plenty of exercise, not just a jaunt around the block.

Unlike Siberian Huskies that were bred for speed and stamina, Alaskan Malamutes were bred for strength and stamina.  They were never meant for the sled dog races, though some still participate.  Instead, Alaskan Malamutes were bred to pull heavy freight weighing hundreds, perhaps thousands of pounds, filled with food and supplies to villages and camps across great frozen wildernesses.  They worked in teams of at least 4 dogs for heavy loads and pulled day after day and mile after mile.

Among the Mahlemut tribe and many other peoples in the frozen north, they were and still are highly prized not only for their pulling capability, but also for their ability to hunt alongside their handlers.  They aided hunters in finding blow holes in the ice from seals and were even used to hunt large predators like bears.

There is much controversy surrounding sled dog races and the use of sled dogs in general.  I am of the opinion, unpopular though it may be with certain parties, that with a proper handler who bonds with and cares for his or her dogs, sled dog racing and the use of sled dogs is not inhumane.  These dogs were bred for and even enjoy their jobs.  Most are not forced to pull or run and, for many, stopping is the real issue.  Without very much exercise, sled dogs become bored and destructive and can become escape artists in order to fulfill their need to run as many husky owners can attest.

As an example, at one point we owned a Border Collie (Mom brought him home not understanding his breed and that breed’s needs).  For a long time, he didn’t get enough exercise.  He started to become bored and engage in destructive behaviors like potting in the house.  He was also becoming aggressive.  After all, that excess energy had to go somewhere (though he had other issues, as well, that contributed to the aggression, but that’s another story).  The point is, like Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies, Samoyed, and other traditional sled dogs, he was a Border Collie bred to herd livestock for hours over long distances.  He needed a job to do and a lot more exercise than he was getting at the time.  A lot more exercise.  Why deny sled dogs their natural instinct and need to run and pull?  To me, it’s like owning a Border Collie, bred for work, and denying him a job or exercise (I did try to give him the exercise he needed, we all did, but I was unwell, my sister was unwell, my mom works full-time, and the whole family wasn’t in a good place to own a dog with those specific needs).  Isn’t denying them that instinctive enjoyment crueler than having them pull sleds or run in a race?

In any case, any practice involving an animal can be cruel, but that is dependant on the methods and choices of the handlers.  When proper care and humane methods are used, there is no reason these dogs, specifically bred for running and pulling, shouldn’t pull sleds or run dog sled races.

The Alaskan Malamute is an old breed thought to have been created by the Malamiut Inupiaq people around 1 thousand years ago, which predates modern breeds.  Alaskan Malamutes show a close genetic relationship with both the Siberian and Alaskan Huskies.  Although they were thought to be related to the Greenland Dog and the Canadian Eskimo Dog, it has since been proven they do not share close genetic markers with them, but instead are related to the Chukotka sled dogs of Siberia.

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Alaskan Husky

Siberian Husky

Greenland Dog

Canadian Eskimo Dog

Chukotka sled dog

Alaskan Malamutes have a high prey drive due to the way they were bred.  They needed that high prey drive to survive, and help their handlers survive, in the harsh frozen north.  Not all Alaskan Malamutes are suited to homes with smaller dogs, cats, or other small animals they might see as prey.  One’s best bet in getting an Alaskan Malamute that tolerates smaller pets is to socialize them well as a puppy and throughout adult life.  Let them grow up with smaller animals and correct them if they get too rough.  Another way is through a local shelter or rescue.  Many shelters and rescues temperament test dogs to see how they do around other dogs, big and small, and around cats and possibly other critters if asked.

These are very people-friendly dogs.  Everyone they meet is their friend.  For this reason, they do not do well as watchdogs except in the way an intruder may be scared off by their size.  They also don’t bark very much at all.  The sounds one might hear from an Alaskan Malamute is more often a “woo-wooing” sound or all out howling.  They’re active and outgoing and do best in homes with active people that will take them on adventures with them, whether that be running, hiking, biking, or dog sledding.

Their people-friendly nature also makes them highly sought after family dogs.  They’re careful around furniture and smaller objects, although they can get too excited and knock over a small child, and keep themselves meticulously clean in a very cat-like manner.

As an athletic breed, Alaskan Malamutes excel in weight pulling, skijoring, bikejoring, backpacking, mushing, carting, canicross, and agility, as well as more intellectual pursuits like conformation and obedience competitions.  Although some people see them as unintelligent or stubborn because of their independent nature, they are actually highly intelligent and resourceful when trained in a proper manner.  They’re often of the “what do I get out of it” mindset and become bored easily with repetitive tasks.  Training should, therefore, be fun, creative, reward-based, and done in short bursts in order to keep their attention from wandering.

Skijoring

Bikejoring

Canicross

Mushing

Bred to handle harsh, freezing environments, Alaskan Malamutes are quite happy to spend their time in the outdoors, even, or perhaps especially when it’s cold and snowy.  In areas where summer temperatures go above 70° Fahrenheit, Alaskan Malamutes should have 24/7 access to shade, drinking water, and a pool full of water for them to cool down in.  If they do not have 24/7 access to these things, they should be kept mostly indoors where the AC is on and they can then regulate their temperature.  Keep in mind, Alaskan Malamutes are diggers and fences should be erected accordingly.  Rather than trying to stop them from digging, as that is often a lesson in futility, it’s better to make a place where they are allowed to dig such as a dirt pile in the corner of the yard or a sand box.

Although Alaskan Malamutes are often mistaken for Siberian Huskies, there is a huge difference in size as shown below.  Hint:  the Alaskan Malamute is the bigger one 😋

Alaskan Malamutes have a thick double coat.  The outer coat, or guard coat, is short and coarse, while the dense but soft undercoat is 1-2 inches deep.  The under coat is often oily and has a wooly texture to repel wetness and insulate against the cold.  They shed heavily twice a year, but still she’d consistently throughout The year and should be brushed 2-3 times weekly to minimize the shedding of dead hair, prevent mats, and distribute skin oils.  The tail has a plume effect and can be shaped like cork screw at the end, which enables them to cover their nose with their tail to keep it warm.  Their nose is usually black, but can be what is known as a “snow nose” in which it is dark with a pink undertone and can change colors, getting lighter or darker, according to the seasons.  They are also equipped with “snowshoes,” that is, toes with webbing between them that allows them to walk closer to the top of the snow, thus making traveling in snow easier.

The coat colors are usually various shades of grey and white, sable and white, black and white, seal and white, red and white, or solid white.  They can have many different markings, such as, face markings, blazes, a splash at the nape of the neck, a collar, or a half collar.  The underbelly should be mostly white, as should the paws, parts of the legs, and part of the face markings.

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Grey and white

Sable and white

Black and white

Seal and white

Red and white

Solid white

If you are interested in purchasing or adopting an Alaskan Malamute, please, please, please do your research!  As stated above, this breed is not for everyone.  They are strong, energetic, get bored easily, need tons of exercise, dig, and can very easily get themselves in trouble if they don’t have enough physical and mental activities to drain their energy and keep them occupied.  But, if you’re looking for a great family dog that’s loyal, quiet but will talk back and forth with you, big and fluffy, clean as a cat, loves to run and pull, loves people, and will keep you on your toes, the Alaskan Malamute might be the dog for you!

Fun Fact:  The Alaskan Malamute is the state dog of Alaska and is often used in movies to portray wolves.

Do you or have you owned an Alaskan Malamute? Please tell us about him/her in the comments below!  I’d love to hear about your experiences with the breed.

Have suggestions?  Comment below!

Have a breed you’d like to see featured in our next Breed of the Week?  Leave your suggestion in the comments below!

If you liked this post, please consider becoming a part of our Fluffybutt Family by liking, sharing, and/or following our blog.  We’d love to share our journey with you!

Breed if the Week: Alaskan Malamute So, as some may have noticed, I'm having difficulty keeping Breed of the Week to Monday.  This is partially due to ongoing fatigue and partially due to the time requirements of the 4 kittens I'm currently bottle feeding, which adds to the fatigue. 

[animalluvr4u]

Breed of the Week!!

Hello, all! I have decided that I am going to try something new. Every week I will choose a new canine breed to post about. Pictures, statistics, fun facts, and more! To help start off our first week, please leave requests on what you’d like to learn more about.

[blokesworldtv-blog]

Have a good Friday everybody and Saturday will be even better, new episode 8-9 pm or 7-8 pm in QLD on ch 74 aka the @4meau channel @blokesworldcamera3 @blokesworld #blokesworld #ssaa #gundogsofinstagram #labrador #shotshow #blokesworld #breedoftheweek #dogs #workingdogs (at Brisbane, Australia)

[ruckustheeskie]

Look at me imitating my buddy @floppybear ! Read more on www.ruckustheeskie.com for the #breedoftheweek #samoyed! #dogoftheday #petsofinstagram #puppylove #pawpals #woof

[fluffybuttsfamily-blog]

The Harrier is a very rare and not very popular breed of dog.  Those who love it, though, may affectionately describe it as “a Beagle on steroids.”

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Beagle

Harrier

The origin of the Harrier breed isn’t rightly known.  Some believe they came about from the crossbreeding of the Bloodhound, Talbot Hound, and Basset Hound.  Others believe they are bred-down English Foxhounds.  Still others think they may have come about through the crossbreeding of the English Foxhound, the Fox Terrier, and the Greyhound.

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Bloodhound

Talbot Hound

Basset Hound

English Foxhound

Fox Terrier

Greyhound

Like Beagles and Foxhounds, Harriers were bred to hunt in packs.  They mainly hunted hare, but were later also used in fox hunting and the hunting of other game too fast for Beagles.  It is said the stamina of the Harrier is such that their prey would drop from exhaustion while being pursued by a pack of Harriers.  Even though the Harrier has now become primarily a family companion, that tirelessness has not gone away.  Harriers need plenty of exercise; a long daily walk, jog, run, bike, or hike will do.  They will otherwise get bored and may become desctructive or obnoxious.  For this reason, they do best with an active family or, at the very least, a family with a large, fenced yard or fenced-in acreage for them to roam.  When not within a fenced area, Harriers should always be kept on leash so they don’t take off after a rabbit or squirrel and end up getting lost.

As a typical hound, Harriers are independent-minded and can be stubborn.  Training should, therefore, be reward based and start at an early age.  Puppy classes and obedience classes are highly recommended for this breed!

Not quite as outgoing as the Beagle, Harriers are, nevertheless, very people and dog-friendly.  As pack animals, they should never be dog aggressive.  They are excellent with children with their playful, gentle nature and thick bones, which makes it harder to accidentally injure them.  Nevertheless, children and pets should always be supervised.  Harriers also require supervision when around smaller, non-canine pets as they may view them as prey.  They can get along with cats if introduced to them at a young age.

As pack dogs, Harriers prefer not to be left on their own for long periods of time.  If left alone too long, they may start baying constantly, which will most certainly get on the nerves of neighbors within hearing distance.  One should take this into consideration before purchasing or adopting a Harrier.  Even though they dislike being left alone, Harriers do not demand constant attention.  They are very capable of doing their own thing, but it’s up to their owners to be sure they’re behaving and not creating mischief.

Harriers are excellent watchdogs as they will bark or bay at anything they see, hear, or smell that’s strange or wrong.  They should not be kept as guard dogs, though, as they will happily greet anyone that gets close enough and then sit and watch as they make off with the household goods.

The coat of the Harrier is short and shiny.  It comes in several different colors, but the most common are tricolor (black, tan, and white), and red and white.  Grooming is easy as it’s needed only once a week, sometimes less, and need only last a couple minutes, enough to remove loose fur and distribute skin oils.

Fun Fact: The Harrier breed is still not recognized in England even though there are many working Harrier packs.

Do you or have you owned a Harrier? Please tell us about him/her in the comments below!  I’d love to hear about your experiences with the breed.

Have suggestions?  Comment below!

Have a breed you’d like to see featured in our next Breed of the Week?  Leave your suggestion in the comments below!

If you liked this post, please consider becoming a part of our Fluffybutt Family by liking, sharing, and/or following our blog.  We’d love to share our journey with you!

Breed of the Week: Harrier The Harrier is a very rare and not very popular breed of dog.  Those who love it, though, may affectionately describe it as "a Beagle on steroids."

[fluffybuttsfamily-blog]

She’s beauty.  She’s grace.  She’s … a Poodle!  That’s right, this week we’re taking a closer look at another popular dog breed, the Poodle.

Many of you may not know this, but the Poodle isn’t a dog bred all for show.  They were actually bred as water retrievers first and foremost.  Even those strange haircuts may have had a purpose.  Some believe the extravagant show clips evolved from working clips meant to protect joints and major internal organs from cold water while the rest was shaved to reduce drag while swimming.  Of course, there are also those that theorize the show clips came from the unique clips used to garner attention when poodles were trained to do tricks in the French circus.

Dated 1849-1858

Most agree the Poodle came from Germany, but was more fully developed as a water dog in France.  It is also believed to be one of the oldest breeds developed for hunting waterfowl.  There are, however, several theories regarding its ancestry.  Was it a descendant of crossbreeds between Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Hungarian, and Russian water dogs?  Or does it descend from the North African Barber that was imported to the Iberian Peninsula and the transported to Gaul where it was used for it’s hunting abilities.  Or was it descended from Asian herding dogs, which were then crossbred with dogs traveling with the Germanic Goth and Ostrogoth tribes and eventually came to be used as a water dog?  Or, this last theory, was it a descendant of dogs brought out of the Asian steppes by the conquering North African Berbers and found it’s way to Portugal with the Moors?  Whichever theory is correct, scholars agree the Poodle is a very old breed.  In fact, there are illustrations depicting dogs that look very much like modern-day Poodles on both Roman and Egyptian artifacts dating back to early B.C.

  They were later bred (small Poodle to small Poodle, not Poodle to a different, smaller breed of dog) to create smaller Poodles, the Miniature and Toy varieties.  Miniature Poodles were then used to sniff out truffles, a strong-smelling underground fungus that resembles a rough-skinned potato and is considered a culinary delicacy, while Toy Poodles were bred to be companions to the nobility and wealthy merchant class.  Poodles have also contributed to the development of several breed including the Miniature Schnauzer, the Standard Schnauzer, and dogs of the Bichon type.

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Standard

Miniature

Toy

Today, Poodles are mostly companion dogs, though some Standard Poodles are still used as hunting and water dogs.  As companions, they are dignified and intelligent, but are not without their playful side.  They can be both goofy and mischievous and are always up for a good game.  Poodles are also very people-friendly and are eager to please.  This makes for a highly trainable dog and those that are taught manners from a young age and are consistently exercised to drain excess energy, often end up having an overall calm disposition.  Miniature and Toy Poodles may or may not be higher strung than their larger counterparts.

Poodles can be wonderful companions to children, but caution should be taken with Toy Poodles as they are more delicate than the larger Poodle varieties and may get hurt more easily.  Poodles can also do well with other pets as long as they have exposure to them often enough from the time they’re a puppy.  Introductions of new dogs or other animals might otherwise take more time and specialized training.

Poodles have a great deal of energy and will need plenty of exercise as well as intellectual games to keep them from getting bored, which will also keep them out of trouble.  They get lonely when left at home by themselves or when left out of activities their family is participating in and may developed separation anxiety if this is a frequent occurrence.  That reserve of energy and intelligence also means, however, that they can and often do excel in dog sports such as, agility, flyball, dock diving, field tracking, and schutzhund.  They also excel in show and obedience competitions.  So, too, have they been used as war or army dogs by the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard.

Unlike many water, hunting, and gun dogs, Poodles do not have a double coat.  They have one layer of dense, curly fur.  They shed very minimally, so much so that they are often considered hypoallergenic and many people with dog allergies can keep a Poodle with no issue.  But they do shed, the dead hair simply gets tangled in their coat rather than falling loose.  For this reason, Poodles need to be brushed daily to remove dead hair as, without it, their coat will very quickly develop mats.  They should be groomed every 6-8 weeks, whether that be at home or at a professional groomer.  Pet clips are usually much less elaborate than show clips, but is ultimately dependant upon the owner’s preference.  Many owners maintain a puppy or lamb clip, as these tend to be simpler.

In the show ring, most breed registries only allow certain types of clips for Poodles competing in conformation.  The American Kennel Club allows 2 types for adult Poodles, and these are, the “Continental” clip and the “English Saddle” clip.  Puppies under 12 months of age can be shown in a “puppy clip,” and Poodles being shown in the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes may be shown in a “Sporting” clip.

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“Continental” clip

“English Saddle” clip

“puppy clip”

“Sporting” clip

Corded coats, like those seen on Komondors or a person with dreadlocks, were once as common on Poodles as the curly coat, but the trend as fallen out of favor with most Poodle owners.  It is now considered rare, but a Poodle with a corded coat can be shown in any major kennel club.

Corded coat

  A Poodle’s coat can be a wide variety of colors including white, black, brown, parti, silver, grey, silver beige, apricot, red, cream, sable, and patterns such as phantom and bridle.  Those with phantom, bridle, or sable colors or patterns are not recognized by any major registries.

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White

Black

Brown

Parti

Silver

Grey

Silver beige

Apricot

Red

Cream

Sable

Phantom

Brindle

If you are considering purchasing or adopting a Poodle, please research them beforehand!  Poodles are amazing and diverse dogs, but they are not necessarily for everyone.  Their energy and intelligence means they can get bored easily and may turn to destructive or obnoxious behaviors to occupy themselves.  They are also one of the few dogs with an intense keenness to express instinctive behaviors like marking and hunting, which may make training a bit more difficult than it might otherwise be.  Their coat care is considered high maintenance due to the need for daily brushings and the need for grooming every 6-8 weeks.  However, if you’re looking for a happy but dignified companion with a mischievous and goofy streak, that is people-friendly, loves being included in family activities, is a great adventure buddy, and is pretty much hypoallergenic, the Poodle might just be the dog for you!

Fun Fact: Poodle owner’s in the Renaissance era often carried their Toy Poodles in their large shirtsleeves, thus giving rise to the name “sleeve dog.”

Do you or have you owned a Poodle? Please tell us about him/her in the comments below!  I’d love to hear about your experiences with the breed.

Have suggestions?  Comment below!

Have a breed you’d like to see featured in our next Breed of the Week?  Leave your suggestion in the comments below!

If you liked this post, please consider becoming a part of our Fluffybutt Family by liking, sharing, and/or following our blog.  We’d love to share our journey with you!

Breed of the Week: Poodle She's beauty.  She's grace.  She's ... a Poodle!  That's right, this week we're taking a closer look at another popular dog breed, the Poodle.