MALAMUTES IN RESCUE: PLEASE READ TRAINING BELOW TO HELP

There are many wonderful Malamutes in Rescue if you don't want a puppy and don't want to deal with the puppy stage. Please look online or around for shelters and rescues. You will also find some puppies at rescues too, .. Unfortunately many wonderful dogs do not ask for this life, but many times end up there, due to people buying a puppy on impulse.. There are many beautiful Malamutes there, that just want to find their forever home..

Many Malamutes end up in rescue due to them being so bull-headed and stubborn. There are people who don't know how to cope with their behaviors. Malamutes have a high prey drive and tons of energy. They can be very destructive if left alone for hours. They love to dig and chew on anything that they feel fit to do so. The hair they leave in one's house is also an issue with people. Again, please do your research before bringing a Malamute home, even one from a shelter or Rescue.. As mentioned before they are strong-willed yet they can also be the greatest blessing to your life as long as you have the patience to get past all that they can do.
SO YOU THINK YOU WANT A MALAMUTE So you think that you want to own an Alaskan Malamute? Why? Are you out of your mind? I can tell you right from the start that we like to take control of every situation. Yes, we are beautiful, Yes, we look like wolves, Yes, we are cuddly and we do want to sit in your lap and be at your side at all times. But, are you humans prepared to live with a perpetual two year old for the next 12 years (we wish it could be forever), one that can really try your patience at times, make you laugh one moment and yet get you very quickly frustrated?

The Malamute is a beautiful and intelligent dog, but before you consider buying one please do your research. A Malamute is very unique in the way it is. Many Malamutes are abandoned or turned into shelters because the cute ball of fur it is when the pup is picked out turns into something the owner isn't expecting. Most everyone loves the looks of a Malamute but not everyone can live with one.

Why would anyone want a Malamute? They are stubborn, (only doing what they feel fit to do), chase cats, kill livestock, steal food, get on your counters, dig holes, and snuggle up with a burglar. When shedding, a Malamute leaves hair on everything - you'll be wearing Malamute hair to work. Malamutes are the worst obedience dogs.
Malamutes are big loves, enjoy being with their families and love to be lap dogs (don't tell them they're not, you will get a piece of their mind). Malamutes have no equal. They are intelligent, beautiful and make great companions.

Some people feel Malamutes don't make good house dogs, so they keep them outside in pens. (They have the coat for it). But ask any Malamute - they would rather be indoors with their families, being part of the activities their families have to offer. As house dogs they are quiet. From experience at times it doesn't even seem I have them in my house. They usually will go lay in a favorite spot and sleep, waiting patiently to go out. An unhappy Malamute can be a real nuisance - howling, digging and even escaping.

The Malamute is a working breed and is happiest when doing something. There are many things one can do with their Malamute. Swimming, skijoring, sledding, hiking (letting the Mal carry a pack), and they love to pull wagons. Running in a fenced area (never let your Mal off the leash when out in public) - they have a strong prey drive and will chase squirrels and other small critters.

Malamutes are seasonal shedders. They usually blow their undercoats once a year. Their coats will look pretty bad if you don't brush them regularly. Unspayed females may even shed their guard hairs and become almost bald - they then look like slick coated Malamutes. Females who have whelped a litter will have this appearance as well.

Malamutes rarely have an odor and try to keep themselves clean (much the way a cat does). Their fur repels dirt to a large degree. If kept clean from puppyhood they usually like to stay that way. A Malamute that is left outdoor most of the time will have a thicker, denser coat then a Malamute that is left indoors.
Malamutes do fine in southern climates when they have plenty of shade, water and access to an air conditioned home or basement. They will never grow or shed the same thickness of coat as one living in the northern climates.

Malamutes, when raised with kids, adore them. They are especially patient with their own. This is the same for a Malamute that is raised with smaller breed dogs, cats and livestock. However, PLEASE never leave your Malamute unattended with any small children or animals.

Expect a Malamute to be a puppy for a long time. A Malamute will be puppy-like in chewing habits and getting into trouble until about the age of two and a half years old. If you have no patience you may want to choose a different breed. Once you get past the puppy stage, they make wonderful companions and house-dogs and pets. However, one must teach a Malamute pup what is expected of them.

Malamutes love to dig! They will need strong correction and occasional reminders.

Malamutes love to pull and so enjoy doing it. An untrained Malamute on a walk will most certainly drag you down the street while you are hanging on for dear life. They are extremely strong. If you look at weight pulling in Malamutes the record for a Malamute that is trained and conditioned is more then 3,000 pounds.

Malamutes love to steal food, get in the garbage and on top of counters. Possessive behavior towards food and toys is not uncommon (this must be corrected immediately).

Malamutes are often overfed and under exercised. They become obese because they seem to always act hungry. Malamutes love to eat.

Malamutes are an independent breed. They will want to please you ONLY if it pleases them first. They need to learn that other dogs can be friends or they may become dog aggressive as an adult. It is normal for a Malamute to always look for the opportunity to test your authority. They are experts at selective hearing (only hearing what they want to hear). Consistency is important to owning a Malamute. Give a Malamute an inch he WILL take the mile. If you want a dog to obey instantly and without question DON'T get a Malamute.

Malamutes are a unique breed. They are not a cookie cutter breed. They all have their own personalities. Some are clowns, some are serious, some easy keepers, some handfuls, some are cuddly lap dogs, others always want their space. Every Malamute is different, so it is a good idea to talk to breeders about your lifestyle before purchasing one.

If lonely or upset Malamutes will howl. He may get a great idea and have to tell you about it. He will talk when he needs to tell you something, always speaking his mind. They are very opinionated.

Mature dogs become very dignified as adults (at least most do) - this is usually around the age of 3yrs old. He will still be friendly and will greet strangers happily, but won't necessarily be playful with persons outside the immediate family. Most will ignore a command given by someone other than a respected pack member. This is a breed of dog that the whole family must be involved in training.

They learn very fast, but will only obey when it suites their self-interest. They get bored quickly so repetition is not always a good idea. (Malamutes, I feel, are sometimes too smart for their own good)

If you are still wanting a Malamute please do more research then I have put on my  site. This is only the beginning of it.
SO YOU THINK YOU WANT A MALAMUTE? 







Here are some holes the Mals
have decided to start digging, and 
believe it or not there are more 
where those came from LOL







Someone told me China was here somewhere