Breed Information

Is This Breed For You?

The Alaskan Malamute is a strong willed powerful breed that may not be suited for everyone. This breed is intelligent and independent by nature, with a strong working instinct, great strength and boundless energy. The Alaskan Malamute thrives on personal attention, which they demand much of from their owners. They are one of the strongest willed and independent members of the canine family! This affectionate breed makes a good family pet with proper training and socialization.

An Owners Resume

Living with a Malamute is considerably different than living with most other breeds. The decision to own an Alaskan Malamute should be reached after careful consideration and research about this Arctic breed. One must take into account where you live, and realize that country living doesn't always make the ideal living situation, for having a fenced yard or a kennel is a MUST for this breed! Trouble will result from a Malamute running at large!

Will a Malamute fit in well with the family? They make great family pets, but what must be remembered is they can mature to be very large and very strong, so supervision is required around small children. Their prey drive is strong, and as a result they may not get along well with other pets and small animals.

Can You Afford An Alaskan Malamute?

After the initial purchase price of the puppy, there will be additional costs involved, such as; follow up vaccinations, spaying or neutering, dog food,

a crate for training purposes and transport, obedience and/or conformation classes, and possible boarding should you wish to travel or holiday.

As with any puppy, there is the risk of costs involved with chewing damage or digging if left unsupervised. Puppies do get into things they shouldn't when they are allowed to choose their own pass time! The costs far outweigh the love and devotion that comes with dog ownership. You cannot set a price on loyal companionship.

Grooming The Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a coated breed that carries a dense undercoat. They do not mat like other coated breeds do, but do shed considerably when they cast their undercoat twice a year. Grooming your Malamute will result in less hair being shed around the house, and your dog will look its best!

How Much Time And Training Is Involved?

Your Malamute is a part of your family, and is a lifetime commitment!! An excellent first step would be to seek out some kennels and spend some time with Malamutes to see first hand what the breed is like and how much time and training will be required before you make a solid commitment.

You do not have to start with an 8 weeks old puppy! There are far too many Malamutes that have been surrendered to the Malamute Rescue and the SPCA, from people who claim they have done their research on the breed by reading about them. A Malamute, at minimum, should be well socialized, and taken out into the public and taught how to be a member of society. One of the most important training tools would be Puppy Classes and Obedience Training Classes. Do you have time for a Malamute if you work 12 hours a day? The answer is clearly, that you do not have enough hours in the day to spend with your Malamute. A bored puppy will become very destructive and learn to howl to no end! Can you blame them? They seek your attention and want to spend QUALITY time with you, and will look up to you to teach them what it is you expect of them. They will need a pack leader and if you cannot assume that role, they will have no choice but to take that poisition, and that's where problems could arise. Make sure you have the time to invest in the dog so that they are not just an ornament in the back yard and living a life of loneliness!