Alaskan Malamute puppies for sale

Dogs Australia’s breed standard gives desirable sizes, not limits. For males that’s 63.5 cm at the shoulder and 38.5 kg, and for females 58.5 cm and 34 kg. It notes a natural range of size in the breed, and names no giant or miniature variety. Ask how big both parents grew.

It depends on the dog. Dogs Victoria describes an affectionate, friendly breed that does best when included in family life. It also lists pulling hard on the lead among the breed’s instincts, and says children must be supervised at all times when they’re with dogs. Meet the mother to see her temperament.

Sources differ. Dogs Victoria gives an average life span of 10 to 15 years. The Alaskan Malamute Club of NSW, on Dogs NSW’s breed page, gives 10 to 12 years. Neither is a promise for any one dog.

Yes. Dogs Victoria says the coat usually drops once a year for males and twice a year for females, and needs daily brushing with an undercoat rake while it does. It says the double coat is the dog’s insulation, and should never be shaved or clipped in summer. If you’re thinking of clipping, ask your vet first.

Take care in hot weather. The RSPCA names malamutes among the breeds prone to heat stress, and says that on hot days these dogs are best kept indoors in the cool, with air conditioning or a fan on. Before you buy, ask a vet near you how the breed would cope where you live.

Usually not. The Alaskan Malamute Club of NSW says the breed isn’t typically recommended for a first-time dog owner. It describes an extremely intelligent dog that can be very stubborn and easily bored, and says obedience training should start early.

Take care. Dogs Victoria says the breed’s friendliness often doesn’t extend to other animals, because small, fast-moving animals are often mistaken for prey. It says a malamute is unlikely to tolerate another dog of the same sex unless it was extensively socialised young. Ask the breeder how their dogs live with other animals.

Dogs Victoria names hip dysplasia, chondrodysplasia (dwarfism), day blindness (cone degeneration), cataracts, hypothyroidism, epilepsy and bloat as conditions that can occur. It recommends asking breeders about the breed’s health and the health testing they do.

An inherited nerve disease. The UK’s Royal Kennel Club says signs usually show in a dog’s first two years, and include tiring quickly on exercise, an abnormal gait and falling down. A dog is affected only if it inherits the faulty gene from both parents. The club lists a DNA test for the disease, so ask to see both parents’ results.

We show a price range once 8 listings from 3 sellers have asked a price. Size, colour and health testing drive the price.

Every seller passes an ID check before their first listing, and each listing shows its checks and their dates. Then meet the seller and the animal in person before you pay anything, including a deposit. For a breeder’s puppy or kitten, meet its mother too. Ask for the vet check and get papers at handover.

Victorian source numbers are checked on the Pet Exchange Register.

How to check a seller’s number