So, you want a Malamute!

Do yourself a favour. Before you go visiting breeders with litters, go and visit the finished article. That is, go and visit dog shows, working rallies, or even breeders without litters and see the size of the breed you are interested in. Malamute puppies are the cutest things on earth and once you get hold of one you don't want to let it go but this cute bundle of fluff is likely to make 35-45 kilos, roughly 6 or 7 stone.

Malamutes are an intelligent breed. Don't let people think they are untrainable because they aren't! The trick is to keep training them, or they'll train you! They will draw you into a false sense of security where you think you've got it all sussed and then at around a year old someone flicks a switch and they become a "Malamonster". No they don't forget what they've been taught, they start to question it..... WHY? Why should they come, what's in it for them? If they do something else or ignore you, what are the consequences? You see, they are VERY intelligent. At this point you have to show strength and consistency in your training - let them get away with it once and they'll remember. Have you got the time to put into attending socialisation classes and training?

Malamutes aren't quite as bad as Huskies in the escapology department. Generally a 6 foot fence is adequate. It's not that they couldn't get over it, more that they can't be bothered. Again, there is a belief that they can never be let off the lead. I know quite a few people who do, but these people either live in the middle of nowhere, or drive to the middle of nowhere. Most Mals will run off but return when they want to but generally ignore your shouts until they are ready. Most people aren't in a position where they have acres of free land though and to let your Mal off on the street or on a small open area is asking for trouble! The first dog, cat, squirrel etc. that your Mal sees and it'll be off without a second glance..... can you take the chance?

Grooming a Malamute is easy. They don't take much effort a couple of times a week to keep them looking good until..... the dreaded moult. Malamutes "blow" their coats. Twice a year (it's worse for bitches) they will start to lose their undercoat. It will come out in large tufts and a bag of fur a day is not unusual, but don't think you're there because the next day there'll be the same amount again! Tumbleweed balls of fur are all over your house and your garden, meals come with added fur, the chances of getting out of the house without you clothes being covered in fur is remote, your carpet is covered in fur and you only vacuumed ten minutes ago! Can you seriously see yourself putting up with this amount of fur?

Do you like gardening? Yep, so do Mals! If your idea of a perfect garden is green lawns, smart borders filled with flowers and shrubs and somewhere you would proud to bring your family and friends to, forget it! Malamutes have a completely different view. They like holes - the bigger the better and usually in the middle of the lawn. They can't see the point in flowers, apart from the fun they have digging them up! Can you honestly see yourself living with something resembling a moonscape, or giving up and paving the whole thing?

Malamutes are working dogs. That doesn't mean that you have to put them in harness and travel around joining in the rally scene (although they love it), but it does mean that you have to be prepared to put in the time and effort to exercise your Mal regularly. Do you have the time? A minimum of an hour a day EVERY day in all weathers? When it's hot, can you see yourself getting up at 5am because it's the only cool time to walk the dogs?

Malamutes like small animals - cats, rabbits, squirrels, birds.... They love to chase them and will think nothing of killing them. Generally, pets that are in place when the Mal puppy comes home are safe but anything else is fair game! Some Mals are worse than others, but don't think that your bundle of fluff wouldn't do that because it more than likely will!

So, has that put you off? No? Well your next step is to go and visit breeders, either at home or at rallies/shows. Most reputable breeders will be happy to have you visit even if they don't have puppies due. They will talk to you about your lifestyle, your intentions to work, or show or just own a Mal as a pet and will help you to decide whether this is the breed for you.

And should you get a puppy, don't forget to drop me an e-mail and tell me about him/her!