Are you insane??? Ahhh, you are - well, you are in good company :) The following links should help you out when searching for that wonderful, beautiful, handsome, playful, goofy, stubborn, independent free spirit we call Mals - the Alaskan Malamute. But a word of warning here - once a Mal calls you Mum or Dad, you are hooked! For not many other breeds will be able to claim your heart so thoroughly, not many other breeds will be able to impress you quite so emphatically, not many other breeds will cause you to keep anything edible (and some things not so edible) under lock and key!
Still interested? Then read on. Mals have a very loyal and loving pack of devoted followers behind them. You will be able to recognize us by the hair left on our clothes, unnoticed by us (yes, ALL Mals shed quite a bit!), our sometimes hoarse voices (yes, Mals are VERY good at ignoring that 'Here' command!), and our willingness to be pulled hither and yon (yes, Mals are VERY strong and were bred to pull & haul!).
Are you still interested? The Alaskan Malamute is a beautiful, regal, and striking dog, and many people want one for that reason alone, but you must look past the surface to the dog beneath. The Mal is not a 'stupid' dog - they are known for their independence and their ability to think on their own! Mals can & do excel at obedience but it has to be worth it to them :) For many years, they had to think on their own - their lives and that of their 'pack' (both human & canine) often depended on the Mal's ability and instinct. The Mal was known to refuse to cross areas of ice that were not completely frozen solid. Had the Mal blindly obeyed, then he may have very well drowned in the icy waters that were flowing beneath the loosely packed ice - along with any packs & sleds that he was hauling! If you are looking for the quick & obedient reaction of the Golden Retriever or the Border Collie, then the Mal is definitely not a breed for you!
They are devoted family members, who need to be with their family and included in activities. A bored Mal is a destructive Mal - one that can do major amounts of damage in a very short period of time! Although the Mal is not a barker (in general), they do love to howl, and at the most inappropriate times (like 3am)! It is a lovely sound to those of us who love them; but to others it can be very annoying. 'WoooWoooWooo' is what it can sound like and can take some getting used to.
The Alaskan Malamute is a more primitive breed that has kept many of his original instincts - like his phenomenal prey drive. For many Mals, if it is not in 'their' pack, it is seen as 'game' to be hunted down and consumed. Prey can consist of any small, and not so small, furry or feathered creature - like the neighbor's cat, the squirrel minding his own business, or the bird that dared to fly in your Mal's face! This trait was not bred into the Mal, but rather came about naturally as his people would move around and sometimes food had to be caught as it came along.
The Mal is also a more dominant dog than some other breeds. A firm hand is needed in guiding him, but never a heavy one! The Mal is not aggressive, as a rule, but does like to be 'top' dog - whether it is with human, canine, feline, or some other 'pack' member, or another dog not of his pack. So, you must always be the 'alpha' to the Mal - otherwise, your Mal will be running your household. Even the most gentle of the breed will administer a quick paw thump to those that don't recognize him as a superior being :)
Mals are also very good thieves, moreso than most any other breed - if it is not nailed down (and sometimes even if it is!) and catches your Mal's eyes, it will eventually become his. They are great at counter surfing and can snitch plates & glasses off your table without your ever hearing the telltale 'clink' of teeth on china!
As with any northern breed of dog, Mals love to roam - and they can go pretty far without ever realizing it! If you have a yard you will need to make sure that it has a good, sturdy, and 'escape proof' fence - preferably buried in the ground with concrete. Mals can dig great big trenches just for the love of digging. They have also been known to scale 6-foot chain link fences out of boredom or just to see what is on the other side. Please read each of the links below before you consider bringing an Alaskan Malamute into your life.
If you are still interested in sharing your home with an Alaskan Malamute, please read everything that you can about the breed. Then, visit some dog shows where you can speak to both breeders & handlers those that know the breed best. You will be able to ask questions, and also meet all the Mals at the shows! Then, if you still think a Mal is right for you, you can contact reputable breeders and rescue organizations. They will grill you, but it is in the best interest of their 'babies' to ensure that they are placed with only loving and dedicated homes. This is a lifetime commitment and not something that should be done without much consideration and thought. A Mal will be a loyal and loving family member, but you must dedicate yourself to his welfare - for his entire life! A word of warning when researching breeders - please be aware that some breeders advertise 'giant' Malamutes. This is not a breed of Mal, but rather some breeders have chosen to breed ONLY for size - without giving thought to any other consideration. If you read the AKC standard, you will see that there is supposed to be a 'natural' range for size among the Alaskan Malamute. It is no longer 'natural' when someone deliberately breeds for just size alone. My opinion is that any breeder that advertises their dogs as being 'giant Malamutes' IS NOT a breeder that you would want to deal with.
Whatever you do - please never, ever, buy a puppy from a pet store, a back yard breeder, or a broker. If you do, you & your new pup may very well suffer some heartbreak :( Good luck!
This Alaskan Malamutes NetRing site
