I am looking to buy an alaskan malamute puppy for my son and really dont know  where to start. I want the puppy to be available about a week before christmas.I live in manchester but can travel within a limit of course .... can anyone help please  my name is lyndsay and my email address is hunichol@aol.com  please help

I can understand you want a puppy now but please be aware that reputable breeders tend to have a waiting list, or at least don't breed until they have a few people interested. There are more breeders now, so the wait is getting shorter but please be careful of people advertising litters or people with puppies already available - it does happen, but not often! Could I also ask how old you son is? A Malamute is not a dog for a child, they can be a handful for a lot of adults ;) :D

At ALL costs, avoid the free ads webpages and papers, reputable breeders do not offer Malamute puppies for sale in them and you *could* end up with a substandard puppy and a *breeder* who will not give you the back up you will need.

A few pointers to help you on your quest for a Mal pup....

Ensure that both the sire and dam are KC registered - if they aren't, you can't be sure that you are getting a pure Malamute!

Ensure that the sire and dam have been hip-scored and eye-tested and ask to see the results.

Make sure the dam is over 2 years of age and no older than 7 - and has had no more than four litters in her lifetime

Where possible, see both parents and see how friendly they are. Mals should never show fear or aggressiveness towards people.

Ask the breeders whether they show or work their dogs.

Ensure that breeders will take the dogs back should you need to re-home for whatever reason in the future.

All reputable breeders will sell puppies with a contract. This safeguards you as well as them and gives you a chance to return the puppy if a veterinary  surgeon finds a problem. This contract will carry endorsements to stop you from exporting the dog or from breeding unless the puppy subsequently has good hip scores and eye tests. Please avoid breeders who do not sell with a contract.

Ask the breeders if they are members of the breed clubs (AMCUK  or AMWA - Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK or Alaskan Malamute Working Association)

Good luck in your search and if I can help in any way, please contact me. There are lots of us owners and prospective owners about who are happy to talk!