Deron and I each owned one Alaskan Malamute before we hooked up. Beautiful Breed! We both worked them (each our own, separately) in Harness, Sled Dog Running, Pulling Wagons, and Weight Pulling. The dogs both worked hard. They also each carried Backpacks and went many miles with us (separately and as Club Members together). Mine did tricks and was part of a "Gospel Dogs" Trick Troupe act. But Malamutes are not for everyone, and probably not a good "first dog" for most families.

Why? Most Alaskan Malamutes do not get along with other dogs of the same sex. It takes a lot of work on the owner/trainer's part to make it work out between the dogs if that person owns more than one dog of the same sex with one or both being an Alaskan Malamute. Also, most Alaskan Malamutes do not get along with small dogs or cats or other small animals. Alaskan Malamutes see those animals as prey, that would be food. An Alaskan Malamute is NOT a dog that you take to the Dog Park and turn loose to run with all the other dogs....that would be very dangerous.

Most people that drive Alaskan Malamute Sled Dog Teams work very hard to keep a team that will work peacefully together. And those mushers, when racing, will ask to go last out. The reason is they do not want fights and tangles out of the trail.

Deron and I know a LOT of people that have owned, worked and even bred Alaskan Malamutes. Not too many of them would recommend a Mal for a first dog. And any breeders of Mals that we knew/know, won't let there puppies go to homes that already have dogs of the same sex or small dogs or cats, and some, even small children.

Don't get me wrong. Alaskan Malamutes are wonderful, beautiful dogs, that with the right owners are lovely well behaved dogs. But it is not a breed for everyone. An Alaskan Malamute is NOT a Labrador Retriever in a longer, more colorful, coat. I am asking you to please do your research before you decide to buy an Alaskan Malamute.

I wish I had photos of our dogs. We had Black Mold in our home in WI and did not know until it was too late that our photos and books and other items were ruined.

much more to come

The contents of this page for Alaskan Malamutes is still under construction. Please check back later!

-- The Working Big Dogs Team
Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:59:24 -0400