From: mlhb@mammoth.dr.att.com (Sky Warrior)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: MALAMUTE PUPPY WANTED
Date: 17 Aug 92 17:17:26 GMT

In article <1992Aug15.191630.55519@evolving.com>, mmf@evolving.com (Mark Frazier) writes:
|> Hello again. Several months ago, I requested information on Siberian Huskies
|> and Malamutes. Thanks to all who answered with the in depth info. We've decided
|> on a Malamute. My wifes nesting instinct is kicking in big time (she's 2 months
|> pregnant) and has decided she wants the dog NOW!
|> 
|> With all the expenses of a baby coming up, I'd rather not plunk out $250 for
|> a puppy (I still have to build the dog run, a deck, and finish to basement
|> since my weightlifting equip. has been exiled from the "baby" room!).
|> I saw an ad in the paper for Siberian puppies for $50. THey were pure bread,
|> but not registered, which is fine with us. 
|> 
|> Does anyone know where I could get a Malumute puppy w/o papers for a similar price?
|> Or are Mals rare enough that this is not feasible?
|> 
|> Thanks in advance.
|> 
|> MMF

If you can wait (I know its tough) I will have a litter of Malamute puppies ready
to go in November.  (I will accept payments).  Another person who is on the Net
is Stephen R. Lee, who has racing Malamutes.  Perhaps he has puppies he could
sell you.  If not, I can get you in contact with the Alaskan Malamute Rescue.  
(However, realize that these may be adults rather than puppies).

I seriously doubt you're going to be able to find a *reputable* breeder who sells
Alaskan Malamutes without papers.  (Read the discussion on puppy mills).  I would
never buy a "purebred" puppy from a backyard breeder who doesn't care enough to
have his puppies registered.  Chances are, he bought his dogs from another
irresponsible breeder or a responsible one who refused to give the person the
puppy's papers until that puppy was neutered (i.e. sold him a pet quality puppy
and would give the papers on receipt of proof of spay/neuter).  There are many
hereditary diseases such as day blindness, hip displaysia and chronodysplaysia
(sp?) that good breeders will guarantee a puppy will not have (they will replace
the puppy at no charge if the puppy is not in good health).  With a backyard
breeder you probably won't get such a guarantee.  Trust me, the heartache of hip
displaysia is far worse that a few hundred bucks.  Also, there are a number of
people who are breeding Malamutes with bad temperments and trying to claim them
to be guard dogs.  Malamutes are *not* suitable for guard work; they are sled
dogs, and while they are protective (as any dog is), you should definitely beware
of bad tempered Malamutes.  (These dogs are big enough to kill). 

You might ask why good breeders charge hundreds of dollars for a dog.  The first
reason is to offset the price of breeding and whelping.  Good breeders are *not*
rich.  They are careful to breed only the best with the best.  They have their
Mals OFA and CHD certified.  They provide wormings and shots until they are sold.
They feed high quality food and don't let the puppies leave until they are eight
weeks old.  They don't have puppies for Christmas.  (Yes, I know my puppies will
be ready in November, but I am *not* placing ads in papers.  This is the result
of an agreement between me and the person whom I am getting the bitch from.  I
get a free mating with her show quality Malamute and she gets a pick of the
litter bitch.  I'm keeping two puppies and the rest will be sold to private
parties who know of this arrangement, whom I will screen).  Another reason for 
selling a dog for prices mentioned is because people tend to evaluate the dog 
according to the sticker price (sad but true).  I could give away puppies and 
expect to see several turn up in the local shelters because "they didn't cost 
anything", when in fact they are worth hundreds of dollars.
    
Because what you're looking for is a pet quality puppy, I would consider a lower
price with a spay/neuter contract.  In the meantime, I suggest you decide if you
really have enough time for a puppy, especially a Mal.  I encourage you to read
as much as you can about the breed before you buy one (especially health
problems), and then either get back with me or contact the Alaskan Malamute club
in your area.  You will then have to pass *my criteria* for selling this puppy to
you  (this is normal for good breeders).  Furthermore, I will be following up
with you over the next several months and years as to how the arrangement is
working out.  Why?  because I am responsible for putting this little creature
here on the earth and I want to see it go to a good home.  If you buy a puppy
from someone who doesn't care what happens to the puppy after you buy it, you
didn't buy it from a breeder, you bought it from a puppy mill.

My $0.02.

Sky Warrior

-- 
-----------------------------                                              
SKY WARRIOR aka MLH Bonham  | "Good tea.  Nice House." -- Lt. Worf
mammoth!mlhb@druhi.att.com  |----------------------------------------------
mlhb@drutx.ATT.COM          | SKY WARRIOR RACING KENNELS - Coming to an
                            | Iditarod near you!
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