The Alaskan Malamute is blessed with a sunny disposition and thrives when treated as an intelligent partner or family member. Of an independent nature, Mals can be highly cooperative although never slavish or fawning. An Alaskan Malamute lives with you not for you.

Sometimes aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same gender, the typical Mal is outrageously and almost universally friendly to human beings. Malamutes do not guard property and virtually always extend a tail-wagging, face-licking welcome to strangers. Mals are pack-oriented and, as such, try to establish and test the pack order, on a seemingly constant basis throughout their adolescence.

These dogs develop deep, complex attachments to their owners, but they are not one-person dogs. Adult rescue Malamutes readily bond with their adoptive owners.

The breed has a strong, 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 Mal is a menace to cats and other furry creatures. Swift, fearless, and powerful, Malamutes have been know to catch songbirds on the wing, and, if challenged, to deal harshly with other dogs. A very few adult rescue Mals get along well with cats and other dogs, but most must go to homes with no other pets.

Although the breed boasts a few angels, most Malamutes will raid trash and steal food inside the house.

Anyone who is unprepared to deal firmly and calmly with this wild streak should not own a Malamute.

©1999 by Susan Conant and the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League.

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www.CanAmarok.com last revision February 2010