Before you buy an Alaskan Malamute, there are some important things you need to establish about the breeder and their dog/s to ensure the puppy you buy is purebred and has minimal risk of developing hereditary health disorders.

Dedicated breeders are trying to eradicate hereditary diseases by screening their dogs before using them for breeding, ensuring that the puppies they produce are as healthy as possible.

Some diseases can't be tested for, so a dedicated breeder will research the dogs in their pedigrees to ensure they aren't effected with any serious diseases. 

I would just like to tell you about my dear Alaskan malamute, Tex, whom I purchased from a pet shop in Port Macquarie 16 months ago.

I have had continual health problems with him starting with a growth that had to be removed from his groin before his first birthday. On his birthday, after a day out at the beach, I thought he had a tick, as he was almost lame. After several visits to the vet and x-ray's it has been discovered he has hip dysplasia. Tex has to have Cartrophen every 6 months with a 4 week course for any sort of breakdown in between. I find he can now only handle 30mins at the beach or longer if walking gently on a lead. Anything more than this and he is stiff and sometimes even cries, which is very upsetting for him and for us to witness. A hip replacement has been recommended at $10,000 or his life expectancy would be about 8 or less.

Tex has also had several courses of antibiotics for his penis, which regularly became pustulated, covered in blackheads and looked very sore. Eventually a different vet suggested a skin scrapping as other areas of his
body (such as where hair had been removed for anaesthesia) were becoming infected and not growing hair. It seems Tex has a rare form of 'Demodex' or 'Mange'. He has had more antibiotics and is now on an anti-parasitic drug for approximately 9 months. This medication is $64 per yellow specimen jar.

The vet has told me that Hip Dysplasia is hereditary and Demodex is also hereditary coming from his mother. I love Tex immensely and find it very cruel that this is happening to him. I guess I am an example of exactly what pet shop owners prey on as I didn't heed the advice of purchasing from a reputable breeder.

Regards
Georgie Mavin
PORT MACQUARIE