The heavy—freighting dog of the Inuit people who inhabited
the shores of the Kotzebue Sound, the Alaskan malamute excels
as an adaptable, intelligent canine companion. A heavy—boned dog
with a bulky muzzle, a broad head, wide—set ears, and a thickly—
furred tail carried plume like over the back, the malamute is one
of the most beautiful dogs on earth and, pound for pound,
almost certainly the strongest.

        One of the many interesting features of the breed is the natural
range in size, color, and markings. The average weight for males is 85
TO 100 pounds, for females 70 TO 85 pounds. Many malamutes, including
show dogs, are larger or smaller than average and bigger is not necessarily
better. Most malamutes are gray with white trim or black and white, but
coats of silver and white, sable and white, red and white and sometimes
all white do occur. Patterns of facial markings range from the all— white
"open face" to the "full mask"——the combination of a black cap on the
head, goggles around the eyes, and a bar down the muzzle. All
malamutes have brown eyes.

        The breed is blessed with a sunny disposition. Happiest when
treated as an intelligent partner, the malamute is highly cooperative
but never slavish or fawning. The Alaskan malamute works and lives
with you, not for you. Sometimes aggressive toward other dogs,
especially those of the same sex, the typical malamute is outrageously
and almost universally friendly to human beings. As the dogs of a
peaceful, nomadic people, malamutes do NOT guard property and
virtually always extend a tail—wagging, face— licking welcome to
strangers. These dogs develop deep, complex attachments to their
owners, but are not one-person dogs and are  very capable of
adapting to most situations and owners.

     The versatile malamute is happy to pull a sled, but is equally glad
to accompany the backpacker or the casual walker. In cold weather,
the malamute makes an ideal skiing or skijoring partner. Malamutes are
large and powerful yet remarkably agile and take an alert interest in 
their surroundings.  They are excellent company and their personalities
are as varied as the breed itself.  Some malamutes love to swim; others
have a marked aversion to water. Most enjoy car rides; the breed is
not prone to motion sickness. Virtually all malamutes find their
greatest joy in human companionship and are perfectly content
to join their owners in watching television.

     The breed’s double coat consists of a short, dense undercoat and
an outer coat of coarse guard hair. Malamutes shed profusely about
twice a year. Except at those times, they require very little grooming.
Some malamute owners bathe the dog once a year, some, once a
month. Some run a brush over the dog now and then; others
groom the dog daily. A few malamutes have long coats that are
unacceptable in the show ring—but spectacular elsewhere. Woollies
or Long Coats, as these dogs are called, require frequent grooming
to prevent mats. Prospective adopters should bear in mind that
even a carefully groomed, relatively short—coated malamute that
is not actively shedding will nonetheless deposit some fur on carpets
and in automobiles. This is not the breed for the fastidiously house—
proud or car—proud.  

     Still interested? 

     Before you buy an Alaskan Malamute please educate yourself. Ethical
breeders ALWAYS take back the dogs they breed without exception. 
There are other breeders, including backyard breeders and a few show
kennels, that refuse to take responsibility for dogs they have bred. 
They do not prove their breeding stock in the show ring and they do
not have O.F.A. and CHD health clearances for their dogs.  Make
sure that you are purchasing from an experienced breeder that takes
the time to screen YOU for their dogs.  A responsible breeder will not
hesitate to decline to sell a puppy to an inappropriate home. They
should ask you as many questions of you as you should ask of them. 
They should have you sign a contract that insures the future of their
puppies and insures your understanding of dog ownership.  If you find
a breeder is spending more time trying to talk you into buying a puppy
instead of trying to advise you of the pitfalls of owning a puppy … 
be very careful.

     Just as it is very important to find a responsible breeder, it is just,
if not more important to be a responsible owner.  Each year many dogs,
even Alaskan malamutes are turned in to shelters or rescues by owners
who realize that a malamute——or any dog——was a bad mistake.
When the owners realized how much time and work is involved in
raising a well trained, socialized, happy puppy, it becomes easier
to neglect the dog than correct the problem. Many of these dogs have
simply been chained in back yards, given food and water, but deprived
of attention and affection. Some have proven too big and strong for
their owners. Owners who are moving, getting divorced, or making
other major life changes.  They are unable or more often, unwilling
to include the dog in their changed lives. 

     Owning a dog is a huge responsibility … A responsibility that should
never be entered into on a whim or impulse but with great forethought.
Dog ownership is a commitment that lasts for the lifetime of the dog. 
It is not based on how convenient it is to the owner or the owner’s
circumstances but again, for the life of the dog.

      As an Arctic dog, the malamute is physically able to live outdoors
in a sturdy kennel with a high,strong fence but as outside kennel dogs,
they rarely get the emotional interaction or the daily affection that
they crave.  Malamutes make splendid, almost odorless housedogs.
They thrive on the social interaction of being part of the family
household and become a wonderful family companions.  Several people
will give the excuse that a malamute is too large to be inside the house. 
In reality, the dog weighs less than the owner and the owner lives inside
the house. So it is apparent that it is actually a training issue and not
a size issue.  Malamutes need to be in the house to learn house manners
and with training, develop into house companions.  Under no
circumstances should a malamute be allowed to run loose or be
kept on a chain, tie— out, or trolley. The indoor dog requires daily
exercise on leash or in a completely enclosed area such as a tennis
court or a fenced yard; the outdoor dog has an equally strong need
for daily companionship and affection.

     The ancestors of today’s malamute were sometimes forced to hunt,
forage, and compete for food. Consequently, malamutes have a predatory
streak and if allowed to run loose in rural areas, will reliably slaughter
livestock and wild animals. In urban and suburban areas, a loose malamute
is a menace to cats. Swift, fearless, and powerful, malamutes have
been known to catch songbirds on the wing and, if challenged, to
deal harshly with other dogs. Some malamutes get along well with
cats and with other dogs, but some malamutes must live in homes
with no other pets.  It usually depends on the type of environment
that they were exposed to as a youngster as to their ability to interact
with other animals as they become adults.

     Furthermore, although the breed boasts a few angels, some
malamutes will raid trash and steal food inside the house. Anyone
unprepared to deal firmly and calmly with this wild streak should not
own an Alaskan malamute.

    Fortunately, the Alaskan Malamute has a life—span of about
12 to 14 years. Thus a 5—year—old malamute has, on the average,
more years ahead of him than does a five-day—old Irish Wolf hound.

     Malamutes can bark, but seldom do. The characteristic vocalization
is a long series of woo—woo—woos, but malamutes also produce yips,
growls, rumbles, and an immense variety of wwrrrs and other sounds
not readily translated into English. Some malamutes never howl,
others sound a spine—tingling reply to every passing fire engine,
ambulance, and police cruiser. The neglected malamute inappropriately
chained in a back yard or ignored in a kennel will loudly and indefatigably
protest his situation, but happy malamutes are exceptionally quiet dogs.

      Still interested?

     If you would like more information about the Alaskan malamute
and about purchasing a puppy, please fill out a puppy application
and send it to us … then give us a call.

     We look forward to sharing our love of the Alaskan malamute
with you!

Tina & Tom Dunn
DOUBLE T KENNELS

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