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I need information about Alaskan Malamutes please?

My husband and I are considering adopting an Alaskan Malamute puppy. We've owned adult dogs before, but for both of us, this will be our first time ever owning a puppy. Are Malamutes good dogs for a dual-working child-free household with one adult German Shepherd (he's got a really mellow temperament and doesn't mind other dogs at all)? We don't have a yard (live in an apartment building), but plan to move in May into a "real" house. So while we're here, is a Malamute pup (born yesterday) going to be ok being crated for 4-6 hours at a time? I know he'll prefer being out, but because we work, we'll have to crate him. Also, how are adult Malamutes with children? We plan to start having children in a few years, so that's important. I'm a firm believer in adopting a dog for LIFE and not giving it away when it turns out to be a lot of work. And lastly, because we've never owned a puppy before, does anyone have any tips on training puppies? Thanks! Thank you for the answers so far. My Shepherd is old and also very submissive. But even so, I don't want any trouble between the two dogs. Would neutering the Malamute help that (the Shep is already neutered)? Well in either case, we'll probably look at females then. Thanks :)

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1. Here is some excellent information on the breed, and how to find one, from the Alaskan Malamute Club of America http://www.alaskanmalamute.org/publiced/questme.asp
2. Temperament and behavior "Because of its heritage, the Malamute is not a dog for the faint of heart or weak of purpose. Although friendly and affectionate, he is also dominant, self-confident, and strong-willed, and can be quite a handful if not properly socialized, trained, and exercised. An untrained, bored 85-pound Mal can be rowdy and destructive - a true terror to behold. Generally a happy breed willing to please its owner, the Malamute greets most people with gay abandon but may not be so accommodating with other dogs, particularly dogs of the same sex. When confronted by a canine challenge, the response may be fast and furious. The modern Mal also harkens back to ancestral days of foraging in the wild - he will raid trash and steal food if possible; is an able hunter and executioner of small game, including cats; and, if allowed to run loose, can be deadly to livestock. An owner must be prepared to deal with this wild streak if he plans to bring a Mal into his home. Malamutes need gentle, firm training based on rewards and encouragement, not force. Because of its northern heritage, the Malamute adapts readily to life outdoors, but should never be allowed to run loose or be tied on a chain, tie-out, or trolley. The indoor Malamute needs daily exercise on a leash or in an enclosed area; the outdoor dog needs daily doses of companionship and affection. Malamutes are exceptionally quiet dogs that seldom bark, but they may utter a surprising repertoire of yips, growls, rumbles, howls, and woo-woo-woos. Some Mals harmonize mournfully in concert with every passing siren, and others seldom or never howl. Malamutes not only crave attention, but they also demand it. If left to their own devices, a neglected Malamute can become mischievous. However, while a smaller dog's mischief causes a small amount of damage, these dogs can be quite destructive, tearing up furniture and anything else that they have access to! Malamutes can also be difficult to housebreak. Malamutes do well with other animals if they are socialized to them early; some Malamutes have even been known to raise kittens as their own. However, they also have strong preying instincts and should not be left alone with unfamiliar small animals. They are also good with children who are old enough and large enough to play with them. Remember that the Malamute acts like a puppy no matter what his age is; leaving him unsupervised with small children may cause an inadvertent injury. Malamutes can be combative with other dogs and should be trained well to avoid conflict. They should also be socialized with people and other dogs early in life to avoid timidity towards people and aggression towards other dogs. Once socially comfortable, the Malamute is lively, playful and devoted." ***** Generally speaking, if you already have a male dog, introducing another male dog to the house may not be a good idea. You may have a 'pwer struggle' on your hands. If you want another dog, a spayed female MUTT would be my option. Female spayed MUTTS tend to be more docile and adaptable to most any environment. MUTTS in general are much less prone to the various maladies that purebreds are because of purebred inbreeding. If you ask a vet what the best dog is, 99% of them will tell you to get a mutt................unless you walk into their office with a purebred.
3. The AMCA site (provided by Kermit) is really an awesome tool -- it is one of the most complete Parent Club sites I've seen. I think your puppy would likely be fine in the apartment for 3-4 months (assuming he goes home at 8+ weeks, as he would from a good breeder). I have some very good friends who raised/showed Malamutes for many years, all while raising 4 children. The dogs were incredible with the kids. Here is my only concern: It sounds like you're looking at a male puppy, and you have a male Shepherd. Malamutes can be same-sex dog aggressive. My fear is that your puppy would hit adolescence and start having "pack issues" with your Shepherd. Now -- if your Shepherd easily submits, this may not be a problem. But if the Shepherd wants to argue about who is the older, wiser, more entitled dog in the family, you could have some ugly fights between two big dogs. This is something you might want to consider -- a female might be a better choice. That will pretty well guarantee harmony. There are plenty of great puppy resources on the web, and a responsible breeder will be happy to provide you with more breed-specific puppy info, as well as support via phone or email during puppyhood. The best advice I can give you is plan to enroll your new Mal in a puppy obedience class, and practice firm, consistent training from Day One. Malamutes can be very domineering, especially the males.
4. Malamutes are great with Kids as long as the introductions are done properly, and that you maintain the rules. Having had 4 Malamutes in my lifetime, all around plenty of children (my wife does in home daycare) including my own 2 kids ages 5 and 1, they do fine. I currently have a 12 year old Mal and a 6month old Mal. My 6mo. pup is now about 60-65 lbs and is a complete bundle of energy. He is crate trained, and at times when he gets too rowdy, my wife has to put him in his crate during the day. Several things to remember about Malamutes: 1. They will act like a 2 year old child for their entire life, meaning that they will challenge your authority, get into trouble whenever possible, and try to get your attention when they are not being loved on. 2. Don't expect to have a pristine back yard as Malamutes are natural diggers, so just be forewarned about that one as there may be craters in the area that you let them roam in your yard. 3. Keep your rules, and don't change them to suit the dog. Malamutes do best in a relatively structured environment. Think of them as a kid with ADHD. They need PLENTY of exercise. 4. While they are not considered the best at obedience, they most definitely CAN be taught, but you need to reinforce what you have taught them on a very regular basis to keep them interested. 5. Malamutes can be breed and gender aggressive, so proper socialization of your puppy or adult is key to keeping a smooth temperment in your Malamute. Mals are GREAT family dogs, and as long as you maintain your position of pack leader, they will do just fine. Feel free to check out our Malamute Rescue site (http://www.amrescueohio.com). We've got all kinds of information to be found there, and also check out our yahoo group on Malamutes http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=42879/*http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohio_mal_rescue.