Alaskan dogs are extremely athletic, agile, and blessed with great
endurance, so their exercise requirements are as extensive as any
dog breed known. From centuries of pulling sleds for hours on end,
these dogs will need a huge amount of daily activity--and that activity
should challenge them mentally as well as physically. They also make
fantastic jogging and bicycling companions.
In a nutshell, an Alaskan dog will need as much daily exercise as you
can possibly give it. 90 minutes of proper physical activity a day
should be the minimum, and your Alaskan dog can handle much more than
that! You can start exercising your Alaskan dog at three months of age
by taking it on short (10- to 15-minute) leashed walks, then you can
increase the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.
There are, of course, some precautions to consider when exercising
your Alaskan dog: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't
participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and
navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing
joints and bones. And all Alaskan dogs, regardless of age, require a
leash when in public. These dogs are playful, curious, independent,
and social, and many have high prey drives, so they will quickly run
off in search of new playmates, environments, or smaller animals if
not closely controlled with a leash. Even when exercising in your own
yard, the area must have a high, secure fence; dogs of this breed
category are notorious for their jumping skills and wandering tendencies,
and will easily leap a five-foot fence and run off if given the chance,
so close supervision is required during yard play. And finally: because
they were developed in Arctic climates, Alaskan dogs suffer terribly in
heat. Owners are advised not to exercise their Alaskan dogs in temps
above 75 degrees, because their dogs will be susceptible to heat stroke.
Generally speaking, if you live in a hot climate, the Alaskan dog is
not the dog for you.
Safeguards aside, exercising your Alaskan dog every single day is an absolute
must. Constant physical activity is in this breed type's nature! If bored
or restless, an Alaskan dog will bark, chew, dig, and simply be miserable,
so consistent Alaskan dog exercise (and plenty of it) will be great for
both the dog's and your own sanity. A few exercise ideas:
If your Alaskan dog must spend long periods indoors, it's a good idea to give the dog access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow it to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you establish a consistent exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.
In terms of shedding and drooling, dogs of this breed type need low to moderate
care. Alaskan dog shedding is light for most of the year, but heavier during
the spring and fall shedding seasons. They also drool a little, particularly
after exercising.
Alaskan dogs have thick, double-layered coats that shed a little for most of
the year--but when they "blow" their coats in the spring and fall, the shedding
is heavier. Owners will need to brush their dogs once or twice per week (and
daily during shedding season) to keep the shedding to a minimum. Occasional
hair cleanup may be needed for most of the year, but during the 2- to 3-week
shedding seasons, vacuuming the floors and lint rollers use on clothes and
furniture will be necessary every few days.
An Alaskan dog may drool a
bit in anticipation of food or after drinking water--but these dogs are known
to pant heavily after exercising, during which time they'll drip saliva from
their tongues. It might be best to leave your Alaskan dog outside for a few
minutes after the dog finishes exercising, so it can cool down and stop panting.
As an athletic breed type, the Alaskan dog diet will need to include food that
has plenty of animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy; vitamins, minerals,
and fiber for digestive and immune health; and omega fatty acids for coat and
skin wellness. This means the best choice of food for Alaskan dogs is the
premium dry kind, because it has balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients
--nutrients your Alaskan dog will need to sustain its health in the long term.
Orijen, Royal Canin, and Taste of the Wild are three recommended brands that
have excellent lines of premium dry kibble.
Some owners and breeders choose
instead to feed their Alaskan dogs a diet of fresh/prepared foods including
lean meats, fruits and vegetables, eggs, and other protein sources--and while
this food source is a great choice, many find such a diet for their dogs to be
too expensive and time-consuming, and prefer premium dry food. Owners wanting to
bolster their dogs' diets can can add some prepared food (a bit of chicken and a
few raw baby carrots, for example) to one meal a day, if they desire. Cheap,
generic dog food is not recommended for Alaskan dogs, because it contains mostly
empty "filler" ingredients that simply won't keep a Alaskan dog healthy and
energetic.
In regards to portions: the typical adult Alaskan dog, depending
on its age, size, and activity level, will need about 3½ cups of dry food per day,
divided into two meals. Puppies, again depending on their age, will need a bit
less: about 2½ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months
of age. Alaskan dogs aren't especially prone to obesity--but these dogs can become
overweight if constantly overfed and under-exercised. A fat Alaskan dog will have
major joint, breathing, and digestive problems, not to mention a shortened lifespan.
You can help control your Alaskan dog's weight by having consistent feeding and
exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food
in the dog's bowl all the time, thereby allowing it to eat anytime it wants.
It's better to put your Alaskan dog's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick
it up a few minutes after the dog begins eating.
If you're worried your
Alaskan dog is overweight, give the dog this simple test: run a hand along its
side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time. Reduce the dog's daily
food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk, jog, bike ride, or
play period to its daily exercise schedule.