The Alaskan Malamute has been called the "kindred soul" to humankind.  The fact that the Malamute loves his family without reservation, is usually very good with children, and is friendly towards strangers cannot be disputed.  However...

        "This dog is pushing, challenging, independent, hardheaded, impossible, exasperating...
        but I love him nonetheless."
    What is this Alaskan Malamute, that can be so devoted, yet be so difficult at the same time?

     If we look at the history of the Alaskan Malamute, an answer to the question of what shaped the personality of this majestic dog may be found..
    The Mahlemuts, an Inuit tribe located in northwestern Alaska, is credited with the development of the dog that eventually carried their name.  The process of cultivating the trust and purifying the bloodline of this breed took centuries.  The Mahlemut tribe used their dogs for sledging supplies from the seacoast to their villages.  Dogs, as a general rule, are able to pull twenty times their weight.  There is no domestic animal that can match this.  The Alaskan Malamute, according to standard, weighs approximately 85 pounds.  This dog should be able to haul 1700 pounds.  The Malamute can weigh over 100 pounds and be up to 30 inches high at the withers.  This is not a wimpy dog.  The owner must not be wimpy either.
     The Alaskan Malamute is a very powerfully built dog.  It has a dignity and majesty in movement, and the intelligence, affection and curiosity about what is happening around him, is reflected in his dark, almond-shaped eyes.  The life span of the Malamute is eight to fourteen years.
     The standard calls for the Malamute to weigh a maximum of 85 pounds for the male, and 10 pounds less for the female.  He should measure somewhere between 23 and 25 inches at the withers.  The Malamute has a double coat - this to protect him in temperatures that would go down to 70 degrees below 0.  The top coat is thick and somewhat coarse, the undercoat is dense, oily and woolly.  Despite this type of coat there is minimal bathing necessary, regular brushing and combing is required, nail trimming and ear cleaning needs to be done routinely.
     One drawback is this heavy coat gets "blown" twice a year for the outside dog.  The inside dog sheds constantly.  This means lots of vacuuming, and "furry" clothes for the owner of this affectionate animal.
     Most owners of the Alaskan Malamute admit that this dog has an attitude.  He is very independent thinking due to his high intelligence.  There must be something to do that will channel his energy everyday, being a high energy personality, if not entertained he will become artistically destructive.  Owners must have a sense of humor about this rambunctious, loving, spirited dog.  The Malamute does enjoy being a clown at times, but give him a job to do, and he will do it willingly, enthusiastically and with a dignity and grace that is a joy to watch.  It has been said that the Malamute has his own opinions about how his world should be run, and he will take over the world if allowed.  His family is his pack, and the Malamute will try to dominate the pack if possible.  That is why this breed is not a good breed for the first time owner of a dog.  The Malamute starts out as a sweet, cuddly little bundle of fur.  He picks up on the commands of sit, heel, stay, come, etc.  He's so smart, you'd think this business of training could be done by anyone.  Then at about four months, the dog starts thinking for himself.  He is no longer interested in coming to you.  This bird, neighbor's cat or dog, is so much more interesting.  He says to himself, "I've already done this "sit and stay" stuff.  Boring!!  I'm outta here".  The real Malamute has surfaced.  The Malamute is not eager to please his owner, nor is he particularly obedient.  These two tendencies, obedience and fawning devotion, would not help the dog survive in the arctic, and old survival habits do not die.
     A word of caution to the would be Alaskan Malamute owner.  No breed today is immune from genetic time bombs.  By this we mean that improper breeding practices can result in either a sickly animal, or a dangerous animal.  It is imperative that you, the buyer, take on the responsibility of getting the healthiest puppy possible, and that means getting educated about the breed of dog you're purchasing.  Locate 6 (six) owners, talk to them, get to know their dogs.  If you can develop a relationship with these dogs, you will have a good idea of what to expect.  Find out where these people got their dogs, what kind of medical history do the dogs have, the expenses involved in their ownership.  Find reputable breeders, not puppies from a puppy mill, or pet store.  The dogs from a puppy mill or pet store have not been socialized with humans.  These dogs, especially Alaskan Malamutes, will become a problem down the road.  The ideal puppy is one whose parents have documentation for being free from hip dysplasia.  Steer clear from dogs with chondrodysplasia, this is a form of dwarfism, which typically affects the two front legs.  The angles front to rear must be very balanced, to give the Malamute the movement and power that it is famous for.
     Familiarize yourself with the Malamute point of view before getting a puppy. The Malamute is a master of canine improvisation.  They not only are known to be the fastest learners of all the breeds, they also forget the fastest as well.  Their theme song has to be "I Did It My Way."