** Kennel Operation **
Maintenance of Our Kennel
Our dogs are maintained in pens which measure 45'x70' with LOTS of shade and water. Generally, 2 dogs are maintained in each pen, with the exception of the males, which are maintained in pens separate from the females (except for short periods of time for breeding purposes). The doghouses measure 4'x6' and are fully insulated. Pens are thoroughly raked, cleaned and mowed each week.
Nutrition and Veterinary Care.
Our adult dogs are fed Iams Mini-Chunks. Additionally, each dog receives a PetTab (a vitamin supplement) and Veterinary Formula ShedStop daily (a liquid vitamin supplement which helps to keep their coats healthy and prevents excessive shedding).
We use Ivomec as a heartworm preventative for our dogs beginning at 4 months of age and monthly thereafter. As for flea/tick prevention, we alternate between a granule produced by Ortho and a liquid concentrate attached to a hose ... both have proven extremely effective in killing/repelling fleas/ticks (as well as other insects). Tick prevention is a particular problem here ... our winters are simply not severe enough long enough to eradicate the ticks! Last year, we gave our dogs a garlic tablet daily ... while garlic IS a natural repellent of ticks, fleas, flies and mosquitos and we did notice a dramatic decrease in the number of flies and mosquitos in our dogs' kennels (and the ticks disappeared), we discovered that our kennels smelled horribly when it became humid. We keep VIP fly repellent/antibiotic on hand to combat the biting flies which are attracted to our dogs' ears.
We have a vet available 24/7 for emergencies. Our adult dogs are examined annually and receive all necessary vaccinations at that time. In the past, our adult dogs have been wormed every 6 months. But, if the garlic works effectively to repel the fleas and ticks, frequent worming may no longer be necessary!
Exercise. Exercise is VERY important. With 2 dogs in a pen, our dogs are self-exercising. A variety of chew ropes and balls are always available in the pens. The dogs are permitted to run about the yard (approximately 2 acres-fenced) 2-3 at a time for half an hour each evening while food is dispensed and for 1-2 hours throughout the weekend while the pens are being cleaned.
Training/Obedience. We enrolled our first 2 dogs, Dakota and Nakita, in obedience classes. Since that time, we have taught the remainder of our dogs the basic commands. This is a daily process but well worth the effort for two reasons. First, it is an opportunity for each of our dogs to receive the one-on-one attention that they desire, excuse me - DEMAND. The Alaskan Malamute prefers negative attention to NO attention, so, if you fail to give adequate attention, YOU will pay the price! Second, a well-behaved dog is much more enjoyable than an ill-behaved one. The Alaskan Malamute is a very intelligent dog and learns quickly, however, is easily bored and/or distracted and, therefore, "obedience" sessions are best kept short to be effective.
OFFA Certification. We purchased our dogs as puppies and verified at the time of our purchase that the puppies' parents and/or ancestors had been OFFA-certified clear of hip dysplasia. Nevertheless, most of our dogs were OFFA certified at 2 years of age. Those determined by OFFA to have "moderate hip dysplasia" (or worse) were retired from our breeding program, spayed/neutered and replacement homes were found. See, http://www.offa.org/hipinfo.html for more detailed information about the OFFA evaluation.
Now, there is another radiological examination available to determine whether hip dysplasia is present. There are a limited number of veterinarians in Oklahoma certified to conduct PennHIP evaluations/radiological exams. Not only is the PennHIP exam considerably more accurate because it provides a digital evaluation, but, your pet may be evaluated as early as sixteen (16) weeks of age (rather than 2 years as required by the OFFA exam). For those purchasing an Alaskan Malamute with the intent of breeding in the future, the PennHIP exam enables us to more quickly confirm the suitability of our Mal for breeding! See, http://www.pennhip.org/what_is_ph.html for more detailed information about the PennHIP diagnostic method.
DNA Profile. DNA profiles are available on our stud males in accordance with AKC regulations.
Breeding.
Generally, our females are bred once a year. The regularity of the breeding of our females is WHOLLY dependent upon their health. We strongly believe that the overall health of the female at conception is vital to her ease of whelping and to the puppies' health at whelping. Therefore, the female is given ample opportunity to regain her health and vitality after whelping and is bred again ONLY if our veterinarian, upon examination, determines that she is in optimum health. In the past, we have not bred our females (or whelp puppies) during the months of June through September for the reason that the summer heat and humidity is detrimental to the well-being of the females AND the puppies. Although we now have an air-conditioned nursery to ensure that "our girls" and their puppies are comfortable, we continue to limit "summer" puppies to one litter because puppies may not be shipped via air unless the animal cargo is temperature-controlled (currently, only Continental Airlines has temperature-controlled "pet cargo").
Once our females have been bred, they are removed from the males' pens and returned to their own pens with a female companion. The expectant mother-to-be is removed from her pen, bathed and moved to the "nursery" 10-14 days before the anticipated whelping. The "nursery" is secluded from the "general population" and provides the mother with privacy while whelping and caring for her puppies and, at the same time, protects both the mother and the puppies from inclement weather. The mother is exercised daily and provided fresh water and food twice daily. The nursery is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected twice daily.
After whelping is completed, the mother is again thoroughly bathed and returned to her puppies. Once the puppies have been weaned, the mother is, again, bathed and returned to a secure pen, by herself, for a month (mothers newly separated from their puppies can be a challenge to secure). Thereafter, she is returned to her usual pen with her usual pen mate for companionship and exercise.
Care of Puppies.
We've been extraordinarily fortunate to date ... our females have proven themselves to be EXCELLENT mothers. Thus far, we merely supervise the whelping, i.e., assist with cleaning the puppies as they are born, change the linen in the whelping box, offer her water periodically and, of course, emotional support throughout the whelping process.
When possible, the puppies' dewclaws are removed when the puppies are 3-5 days old. The puppies are bathed and wormed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of age (we alternate between Strongid-T and Panacur) and receive their first shots at 6 weeks of age (we use Fort Dodge). A booster shot is administered at 8 weeks of age, provided the puppy is not scheduled for shipment within 48 hours of vaccination.
We occasionally supplement the puppies' diet beginning at 4 weeks of age by offering Iams Puppy Original blended with warmed evaporated milk. Generally, the puppies are fully weaned at 5-6 weeks of age and, provided ALL puppies are weaned and eating solid food, the mother is removed from the nursery, bathed, and returned to an outside pen to recover from whelping/nursing. Separation is a difficult time for the mothers ... they may have reached the point that they want little to do with their offspring, BUT, they want to be able to WATCH them!
For the reason that Alaskan Malamutes are LARGE dogs, we highly recommend either Iams Puppy Original, Iams Large Breed Puppy, or Eukanuba Puppy Large Breed for the puppies' first year to ensure that the puppies' bones develop at a rate proportionate to their weight. NOTE: The Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed is much higher in protein and a puppy will gain weight more quickly, however, a puppy's "infrastructure" must be able to support its weight.
At the time each puppy is picked up by its adoptive family, an application for the puppy's registration with AKC is provided, together with the puppy's worming and shot record, an application for the registration of the puppy's Avid microchip (implanted at 2 weeks of age), a Contract which sets forth our health guarantee Click here to view Contract, and a "Puppy Pak" containing helpful brochures about caring for your puppy (compliments of AKC).
Shipping. If necessary, we will ship our puppies, however, ONLY on a "Priority" basis - at the expense of the purchaser and in compliance with all restrictions and/or guidelines established by the commercial carrier for the shipment of live animals. We prefer QuikPak (Continental Airlines) which provides for the comfort and safety of the puppy - minimizing the flight time, as well as the time between flights and, thus, the time spent in the kennel. Our second choice is Priority Parcel (American Airlines). Shipping costs within the continental United States includes airfare, a kennel and a health certificate. WE WILL NOT SHIP "FREIGHT" or "CARGO". Puppies are shipped the weekend immediately FOLLOWING the date the puppies reach 8 weeks of age, provided, of course, that they have successfully passed the exam for their health certificate.
Identification of Puppies. We have implemented a sytem of identification by means of AVID microchipping. Puppies are microchipped at 2 weeks of age. Upon delivery of a puppy, the new "parents" will be provided a form for registration of their puppy (its microchip #) with Avid's PetTrac for a nominal fee. Also, AKC now offers a tracking system for puppies newly registered with AKC. In the event a puppy is lost and taken to a local shelter or veterinarian, it may be identified via its microchip and its owners notified of its location so that the puppy may be returned home safely. We highly recommend that photographs of your puppy be taken periodically as it grows so that, in the event your puppy is lost or stolen, a photograph is available to shelters, veterinarians or law enforcement officials. In fact, I maintain a "family album" of each dam and her litters on our website and encourage adoptive parents to e-mail photos periodically for posting ... in the event an adoptive parent needs a photograph e-mailed to shelters, vets, etc. to assist in finding a lost puppy or dog that was originally purchased from us, I will be happy to do so upon request.
Boarding/Return of Puppies. For those "adoptive parents" who live in the Tulsa area, we will be happy to board your puppy/dog while you are away - provided we have a pen available. We ask only that 1) vaccinations are current (a copy of your veterinarian's record of most recent vaccinations will be required); 2) your female pup/dog is NOT in heat (or we are, at least, informed that she is so that we can take the necessary precautions to avoid an unwanted/unplanned litter), and 3) you provide the brand of food your pup/dog is accustomed to eating (if not Iams). Please contact us 2 weeks in advance and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR BOARDING ... WE DO THIS AS A COURTESY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SELECT A PUPPY FROM OUR KENNEL.
It is our policy that, if for any reason whatsoever, you can no longer keep your puppy/dog in the future, PLEASE CONTACT US FIRST. If we are unable to locate a replacement home in your area within a reasonable time, we will make arrangements to either pick up your puppy/dog or have him/her shipped "home" for re-adoption. Often, I receive inquiries for "older" Mals and I will make every effort to find a good home for your beloved Mal.
Spay/Neuter Rebate. Unless it is your intent to breed your Alaskan Malamute at a future date, or to competitively show your dog, we strongly encourage you to have your puppy spayed/neutered at one (1) year of age. Spaying/neutering promotes a healthier, more even-tempered dog and prevents unwanted puppies. Shelters and rescue organizations across the nation are overwhelmed and need the help of responsible pet owners!
We do not require a "spay/neuter contract" with the purchase of our puppies. However, in an effort to encourage future "adoptive parents" to practice responsible pet ownership by having their pups spayed/neutered - doing so also enhances the health of the pups - in August, 2005, we began offering a "rebate" upon receipt of proof from your veterinarian that a pup purchased from us has been spayed/neutered. The "rebate" ($50.00) will not apply a) in conjunction with the purchase of a puppy at a discounted price; b) if the dog has whelped/sire a litter prior to spay/neuter, or c) towards the adoption/purchase of an adult Alaskan Malamute (as a rule, adults available for adoption are already spayed/neutered).
Limited or Full Registration. In the past, we have always sold our pups with "Full" registration. "Limited" registration indicates that, at the time the pup was purchased from us, it was the stated intent of the purchaser that the pup was NOT being purchased for breeding. Simply put, a limited registration prohibits the registration (by AKC) of litters sired/whelped by pups originating from our kennel.
Although we are very proud of those few of "our pups" that participate and place in AKC-sponsored events, the reality is that a vast majority of the pups purchased from our kennel are merely great pets - loved members of the family. And, unfortunately, while purporting to promote "responsible pet ownership", AKC "punishes" responsible pet owners who spay/neuter their dogs - AKC does not always permit the showing of an "altered" dog, regardless of its registration as "Full" or "Limited".
There are other issues to consider as well. First, mandatory spay/neuter laws are becoming more prevalent in municipalities around the country - exemptions, and additional licensing fees, are available to those who wish to breed and/or "show" their purebred dog. Second, our nation's animal shelters are overwhelmed with dogs and cats that are victims of irresponsible pet owners: 1) those who refuse to have their pets spayed/neutered and/or properly confined and, then, are unable to find good homes for the puppies and kittens born twice a year, or 2) those who are unwilling to visit their local animal shelter in search of their lost "pet" because they wish to avoid being cited for failure to confine their pet and/or spay/neuter their pet. Third, we wish to continue our goal of offering beautiful, healthy, even-tempered, well-socialized purebred dogs as pets - for a reasonable price.
So, beginning this Fall (2008), we will be promoting "responsible pet ownership" by offering a choice between "Full" or "Limited" registration. "Full" registration will be available - at an increased sale price - to those who purchase our pups with the intent to breed and/or "show" their dog. "Limited" registration will be available - at our standard price WITH the spay/neuter "rebate" - to those who purchase our pups as pets. The spay/neuter "rebate" is not available to those who purchase an older puppy at a reduced price.
Health Guarantee. We guarantee the overall health of our puppies for 30 days upon delivery and encourage you to present your new puppy to your veterinarian within 48 hours of delivery. Additionally, we offer a conditional "replacement" guarantee that your puppy is clear of hip dysplasia for 2 years + 2 months from his/her whelping date. For further details, please refer to our Contract for Sale of Puppy Click here to view Contract.
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