Get to know Max
Alaskan Malamute, 11 years old
My favourite thing about Max is...
Max is a very affectionate dog who loves fuss and cuddles and expects everyone to give him attention - he doesn't understand that some people don't like big dogs. It does mean every walk is longer than you anticipate! Max is also very keen on helping with recycling. If he finds a bottle when out on a walk he carries it home, and compacts it before I get to put it in the bin.
The biggest challenge with Max is...
Max is typical of the breed - they tend to be super possessive of food and have a strong prey drive so chase or launch at most things that move near them - he is particularly fond of men in lycra on bikes or running! It's not a breed to have off lead unless in a controlled environment.
The most surprising thing about owning a Alaskan Malamute is...
We don't have kids but I was really surprised how good they are with them. You have to be careful if kids have food and be mindful of their size so they don't squash anyone, but generally they like the attention.
What I wish I’d known about Alaskan Malamutes is...
They are a stubborn breed so if they don't want to walk somewhere you have to manage that. There have been days where I was out for nearly 3 hours as he wanted to explore more. They aren't as high energy as huskies but you have to be prepared for the walks you get taken on.
Did you know?
This breed was used to sniff for mines, carry weapons and act as search and rescue dogs in World War II.
