First, you need to decide if you really want a puppy. Yes, I know that they are cute, but they are also a lot of work. Are you prepared for the housebreaking, chewing, and mischief that a puppy can get into? Are you ready for all of the time involved in properly training and socializing a puppy? Perhaps an adult rescue dog would be a better option, one who is housebroken and been screened for behavioural problems. Check out the web page of the Alaskan Malamute Protection League. You will find some information on breed rescue there.

FINDING AND SELECTING A BREEDER

So now that you are sure that a puppy is what you are looking for, you will need to find a breeder. Here are just a few tips on finding and selecting a reputable breeder.

WHERE(some places to look for a puppy)

Breed Clubs - Contact either a local malamute club or the Alaskan Malamute Club of America. They can help you find a breeder.

Obedience Clubs - If you have any local obedience or conformation clubs in your area, check with them and see if they know of any breeders near you.

Groomers

Veterinarians

People you know with Malamutes

Dog Shows - Go to several shows and look at the dogs there. Talk to the handlers of the ones you like and get more information on the breeders.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A BREEDER

Breed Standard - The breeder should be familiar with what a standard malamute should look like. This also means that you too should be familiar with the standard. Don't drill the breeder on it, but he or she should be comfortable enough with it to let you know how well his/her dogs stack up against the standard. And remember, there is no perfect dog and so no dog will perfectly match the "ideal" malamute.

Health Concerns - The breeder should be familiar with health concerns common to the breed. Make sure that the hips of both the sire and dam (mother and father) are certified either by OFA or Penn Hip and that their eyes have been cleared by a canine opthamologist. They also should discuss Chondrodysplasia (CHD) with you as well as any other problems that might be within their lines.

Questions - Be prepared to answer lots of questions. The breeder will want to know things like whether or not you have ever had a malamute (or other dog) before, what your living situation is like (own/rent, yard, people living in your home, children, other pets, etc.), where the dog will live (indoors or outdoors), how other members of the family feel about getting a mal, how long the dog will be home alone each day, etc. Do not be offended by these questions. The breeder just wants to make sure that his or her pup goes to a good home.

Contracts - Many breeders sell their pups with puppy contracts. These contracts may include health guarantees, spay/neuter clauses, replacement terms, specific health care requirements, and a return policy if you at any time no longer want your dog. This is certainly not an all inclusive list and you should be sure to find out the terms of any sale by discussing them with your breeder.

Breeder's Home - You should expect to be allowed to visit the breeder's home and meet at least the dam of your pup and see where the pup was raised. If the breeder does not allow this, go elsewhere. If you are unable, due to distance, to visit the premises, ask a lot of questions about how the pups were raised (you should do this any way). You want a pup that was raised as part of the household and well socialized with people.

Follow-up - You should expect a breeder to be available after you take your puppy home to help with any questions or concerns that might arise with you pup.

ODDS AND ENDS

Do your homework - Make sure that before you call a breeder you have a least researched malamutes and are truly interested in the breeder. That will save both of you time.

Ask questions - Have some questions ready that you want to know from the breeder. You'll want to know about the temperament of the breeder's dogs, physical soundness, are there any puppies from previous litters that you can meet (or call the owners), how were the pups raised, health guarantees, contractual terms, and anything else that you can think of. If you are not comfortable with the breeder and/or their answers to your questions, find another breeder!

Cost - Be prepared to spend a reasonable amount of money. Price can vary greatly in different areas of the country and with different breeders but, whether you want a pet quality or show quality dog, do not expect to spend a mere $100. You are paying for the breeder's time, good pre and postnatal care, socialization and rudimentary training. A good breeder's pup is well worth the cost. Note: A pet quality dog is not a dog of "lesser quality" as compared to a show quality dog. Pet quality simply means that there may be a slight "flaw" that would not make the dog a good canidate for the show ring (like ears that are a bit large).

Where not to get a puppy(if you follow this link, click on Getting a Dog once you are there) - 1) A pet store is not the place to buy a pup. Not only can you not talk to the breeder and find out important information, many of the dogs are from puppy mills (places that breed large numbers of dogs in poor conditions strictly for profit). You will pay just as much if not more from a pet store and you will probably not get as sound a dog (and will only be promoting the continuation of puppy mills). 2)Stay away from irresponsible or unknowledgable breeders. These are people who may be breeding only for money or may simply not know all that is involved in breeding (like health and pedigree checks). Just because a dog has some champions a few generations back in its pedigree does not mean that it should be bred. Remember, an AKC paper on a dog is nothing more than a registration. It is not a guarantee of quality. Think of it as a car registration. All it will tell you is make, model and year, not condition. Same is true with AKC papers. You know that the parents were mals and that the pup is a mal, nothing more.

The above information is by no means conclusive. There is more out there to learn. This is just meant to get you started. Check out my links page for some other sites with more information. Good luck in your search for a malamute. Believe me, you'll find the results well worth the effort.

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