Alaskan Malamute Club of America
The AKC Parent Breed Club for the Alaskan Malamute

 

Questions to Ask the Breeder

When going to select your Alaskan Malamute puppy, there are several very important questions to ask the breeder. These will help you determine if you have found a good and reputable person that you are comfortable with. After discussing the following points with the seller, ask yourself, "Is this the right breeder for me?"

Regarding the Puppy's Background:

  1. Specifically, how many dogs in this puppy's pedigree do you personally know and what can you tell me about them?

  2. In this puppy's pedigree, what is the incidence of deafness, allergies, infections, thyroid dysfunction, seizures, hip dysplasia, etc.? (Genetic defects such as hip dysplasia, and diseases related to immune system dysfunction such as allergies, are surfacing in alarming numbers. These problems are more evident now that reputable breeders are openly discussing them and sharing their experiences in the hopes of reducing the occurrence of these defects. Seriously question the breeder about the appearance of any of these faults in the puppy's ancestry.)

  3. Are there any temperament problems in this puppy's ancestry?

  4. Have the sire and dam been temperament tested?

  5. Do you offer Health/Temperament guarantees with your puppies?

  6. Can you show me certificates proving that the sire and dam are OFA certified? (This is important because it tells a lot about the dedication of the breeder to eliminate genetic problems in the breed).

  7. Will you provide me with the pedigree (at least 4 generations), the puppy's health record, and instructions on how to care for my new dog?

  8. Do you have evidence of the puppy's AMCA certification?

Regarding the Breeder:

  1. How knowledgeable about Alaskan Malamutes are you, and will you share that knowledge with me? (The breeder should be willing and able to answer most of your questions regarding medical care, feeding, diseases, training, what to expect as the puppy grows up, etc. If you have a question that the breeder cannot answer, he or she should have a network of sources available to get the answer for you.)

  2. Will you make yourself available to answer any concerns I may have at any time during the dog's entire life?

  3. Will you assist me if I cannot keep the dog? (Even with all the careful screening and education that breeders do, occasionally something happens where a purchaser must give up the dog. In the unlikely event that this should happen to you, the breeder should be willing to help place your dog in a suitable new home.)

  4. What are the most important things you strive for in your breeding program? (Temperament should be at the top!!!)

  5. How much time do you spend planning litters and rearing the pups?

  6. Do you require a spay/neuter agreement on the puppies you sell? (This is a good requirement and you want the breeder to say "yes")

  7. Will you ask me a lot of questions during an "interview" process? (All reputable breeders will have lots and lots of questions to ask you. This helps them determine if you are suited to Alaskan Malamutes in general, and to their line of dogs specifically. They need to be certain that you have what it takes to care for one of their dogs for the next dozen or more years. Don't be offended by these questions. Be happy that the breeder is doing all
    that he or she can to find a perfect match between dog and your family.)

Thinking of buying an Alaskan Malamute?