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Ok, I got it

Much has been written about the temperament of the breed….so I’m going to write about the temperament of the human being instead.

So you want to own a pure bred Alaskan Malamute? Do you possess the necessary personality traits?

You may have to wait a long time for the right puppy.

You will have to spend hours researching the breed. You may have to make structural alterations to your home to accommodate the new lifestyle
You may get turned down for a puppy. Or there may not be enough in the litter. The breeder may not approve your lifestyle. If you work long hours would it be fair to leave a puppy alone? You will have to convince a reputable breeder why this is the right breed for you. If for example you want a Malamute to guard your home you should for look for a different breed…mals don’t do guard!

Are you willing to survive that first year or so of puppy-ness? Malamute puppies are the cutest darned things you could ever see but will the novelty wear off when they have chewed your best slippers to shreds for the third time and sunk those needles into the back of your hand for the twentieth time today? Can you remain consistent and be a teacher to your pup?

A commodity needed in great abundance. You will bite the dust early as a Malamute Owner if you don’t possess the ability to see the funny side of the worst situations.

These dogs need lots of exercise. Are you fit? If no…t you’re going to be.

You need to keep at it. .what ever it is….because Malamutes need consistent positive reinforcement. It’s no good teaching them how to do something then expecting them to do it 6 months later if you don’t reinforce in-between.

Your Malamute is mostly the product of what you have taught him…if you act like he’s something else because you had a bad day….that’s mean. As Ian Dunbar said to me once (name dropper that I am); “Never pick a fight with a Malamute”

Your dog will look to you to be his leader….if he doesn’t think you are up to the job he will make a takeover bid.....and then you’re in big trouble!

Bringing a Malamute into the house is saying goodbye to life as you know it…..things will never be the same again. Not least the ‘moon-scape’ style lawn and the interior re-design.

Malamutes are not a cheap option. A puppy can set you back the best part of £1000….but that’s just the start. The Rig and the Transit van to transport it in can put a dent in the bank a/c as will the 15ft freezer full of animal parts, the gravelling of the back garden, the backpacks that you had to have but never use, the course of ring-craft classes, the new home in the countryside, the crates, the grooming sessions, the training permits, the pet insurance, the fees for all the clubs you need to join, the show entry fees, etc etc and then the second puppy which will set you back another £1000……need I go on.?

If you still want an Alaskan Malamute after all that…….think carefully whether you want a puppy or could you offer a home to one who is desperate to be loved?

Piczo