Dog people, advice needed: GF and I are looking at getting a new dog

[tranzformer]

My GF and I have been looking at getting a dog. I would appreciate opinions from those of you who have had experience with dogs. We have narrowed it down to either a Alaskan Malamute or a Siberian Husky. I have done research and I know that I will be getting my hands full with either dog and I plan on spending a lot of time training and exercising the dog. I am also prepared for their stubbornness and wanting to be the "alpha". From what I have read it seems the Malamutes have an easier tempermant, more mild mannered, well behaved and controllable than the Husky. I have also heard that the Mals tend to be more loyal. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[yourfather_luke]

malamutes are generally more mellow. if you go the route of a husky, make DAMN sure you have a big yard for it to play in. both will go crazy in cramped quarters, but the 'mute can learn to deal with it better. huskies are, in general, way more spastic and energetic. i've known people who end up chaining spare tires to poles (i.e. think of a tetherball setup) for the dog to play on.

both are notorious shedders. like my akita, they 'blow' coat seasonally, and will yield you huge ammounts of hair. be prepared to brush them constantly.

if you're planning on having a family anytime soon go with the mute. although, huskies generally adapt to kids fairly easily.

 

[Pro5Monkey]

Both are great dogs! Invest in a good vacuum cleaner with furnuitue attachments though. The amount of fur both of these shed is mind boggling. Also, I had a Husky when I was a kid and that dog ran off every chance he got, even with 1 1/2 acres to run around on. Good Luck (thumb)

 

[jmv]

My grandmother has about 8 alaskan malamutes. She takes em to shows and stuff, and adopts and rescues em. Pretty much all her freinds are fellow alaskan malamute owners. Most of the dogs are very nice, very freindly dogs, and they're all very beautiful. They had one or 2 tho, that had wolf blood in em.... they weren't quite so nice. They do have tons of property for them to run around on though.

My favorite one weighs about 130 pounds (that was more than me at the end of the summer), he's called Mac (like a mac truck), and he's the biggest sweetie you'll ever see.

 

[Hughes412]

Don't get the husky, they are wild (in a fun way) and are hard to train. Don't know much about the Malamute. But I do know Greatdanes are a blast and loyal and easy to train. But you need a big yard or take him to the park a lot. Labs are the best big dog IMO if you have an apt.

I think this will be my next dog.

<img src="http://www.dogs4sale.com/images_breed/pharoah_hound.jpg">

Pharoah Hound

Some say that I am the oldest dog in recorded history, since my likeness graces the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharoahs and merchant traders brought my ancestors to the island of Malta before the time of Christ. I am a multi-talented hunter, using speed, power, scent and sight in the persuit of my prey. I need lots of exercise, but my short, sleek coat is no problem at all. Since I have lived for centuries with civilized man, I am a natural companion. When fully grown, I am between 21 and 25 inches tall (53.3 to 63.5 centimeters).

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

I love pharoh hounds, so pretty. They are also the "cousins" of my dog. The Basenji or otherwise known as the African Barkless Dog...

 

[ZoomVT]

is it really barkless?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

had him for 2 years & he has barked all of 3 times...

they're not really "barkless". Its more that their bark is more of what is described as a "youdle". But most Basenji's are relatively unspoken....it doesnt mean he doesnt make noise tho...he whines like a damn child


More info + Pics: Basenji Owners!

 

[boostisgood]

<~~~Partial to Boxers. I have never seen a dog more loyal then my Maximus. He WILL run off, but as soon as I call him he will come back ASAP. If I tell him "down" while in full stride, he drops like panties on a hooker.

Hard to explain, but he is most loyal to me, and gives my wife and kids a bit of a hard time. We are breaking him of that as he is still only 14 months old.

 

[1sty]

Both Huskys and malamutes have "interesting" personalities and unless you are accustomed to taking them out for a BAJESUS of excercise every day, there will be problems.

I mulled over both dogs and there damands and personalities proved to much for me. So I ended upwith an Akita and will probably never have another type of dog. We adopted our second this spring and she's great.

Also, unless you are dead set on needing a puppy, consider adopting. There are a TON of all 3 breeds in rescue lequeas that need placeing.

 

[MAHAN]

I have a 8 month old Siberian Husky he sweet, he is a little hyper but so far i've been able to train him pretty good, the only problem i've been having is that when friends come over my house he'll jump all over them for the first couple of mins, but he is getting better as he gets a little older but other than that i think thier great dogs and they do shed but its not that bad i don't think

 

[1sty]

<~~~Partial to Boxers. I have never seen a dog more loyal then my Maximus. He WILL run off, but as soon as I call him he will come back ASAP. If I tell him "down" while in full stride, he drops like panties on a hooker.

Hard to explain, but he is most loyal to me, and gives my wife and kids a bit of a hard time. We are breaking him of that as he is still only 14 months old.

EXTREAMLY loyal dog.
The drooling I could do without. We just had to put down my fiances' mothers boxer. sad

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

LOL My dad's boxer is a big lovable goof

<~~~Partial to Boxers. I have never seen a dog more loyal then my Maximus. He WILL run off, but as soon as I call him he will come back ASAP. If I tell him "down" while in full stride, he drops like panties on a hooker.

Hard to explain, but he is most loyal to me, and gives my wife and kids a bit of a hard time. We are breaking him of that as he is still only 14 months old.

 

[Perro del Sol]

I would recommend checking out a few reputable breeders of both types of dogs. Research pedigrees, etc., make sure there are no hip issues and so forth. Please remember that these are working dogs and that they need to be kept busy.

I used to breed German Shepherds and would never sell my dogs to people who were not going to train the dogs, or had apartments or would just chain the dog. They had to sign an adoption agreement. Most went to various police departments, service organizations and the like.

To this day, I still run my dogs thru their regiments, tracking, bite work, etc., along with their basic obedience training as well, they are 8 and 9 years old. Just do you research and make an informed decision, check out both parents, any reputable breeder will have the parents on site, if they don't, please look elsewhere! Don't buy puppies from shops, look for a breeder, not backyard breeders and puppy mills.

Interact with the litter, see if the puppies are active, interested/curious, but not afraid of you. Good luck to you!

 

[Rawyzf]

Rescue a mutt! Oh, and a good vacuum is the best idea.

 

[Replica]

I "rescued" a dog....it killed my other dog with Parvo. True, our puppy wasn't up to date on his shots, but ill NEVER adopt a dog again. You never know what you're getting even when it is from a repultable shelter that claims to have current shots etc. There's a reason they put homeless dogs to sleep. I guess I'm a bad person but I'm touchy about the issue. The mut i adopted looked alot like Rawyzf's dog but smaller. I hope the shelter killed it when i took it back.

 

[Rawyzf]

I "rescued" a dog....it killed my other dog with Parvo. True, our puppy wasn't up to date on his shots, but ill NEVER adopt a dog again. You never know what you're getting even when it is from a repultable shelter that claims to have current shots etc. There's a reason they put homeless dogs to sleep. I guess I'm a bad person but I'm touchy about the issue. The mut i adopted looked alot like Rawyzf's dog but smaller. I hope the shelter killed it when i took it back.

I can see why you are touchy, and sorry for your loss. I read your thread a while back.

People just have to make sure that the dog's they get from shelters are up to date with shot and have records on them.

Also, I hope they did not kill that dog. They could treat it just as easily.

-Ryan

 

[orphman]

My GF and I have been looking at getting a dog. I would appreciate opinions from those of you who have had experience with dogs. We have narrowed it down to either a Alaskan Malamute or a Siberian Husky. I have done research and I know that I will be getting my hands full with either dog and I plan on spending a lot of time training and exercising the dog. I am also prepared for their stubbornness and wanting to be the "alpha". From what I have read it seems the Malamutes have an easier tempermant, more mild mannered, well behaved and controllable than the Husky. I have also heard that the Mals tend to be more loyal. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

have you looked into AKITA's they were russian bear hunting dogs originaly... and resemble the dogs your looking at but a lil bigger...if your good wiht dogs... great house dog and good wiht kids.. Great Protector... imop....

 

[jophus14]

My girlfriend and I have a teacup chihuahua and he is the best. They are hilarious, plus he's full grown and weighs only 4lbs. Actually he's almost 5lbs because i feed him everthing. Hate if you want, but i love my dog.

 

[Hedges]

haha i'm loving the analogy!