Why do malamutes dig? and can they be stopped or is it like sibes which are genetically inclined to run and pull and can't go off leads, can a mals inbred disposition be changed i.e no chasing with their strong prey drive, leaving off lead, and interaction with other animals or are they of a similar nature to sibes?

I'm sure others will agree with me here....
malamutes are a sled dog so born to pull like a frieght train. i definately would not let mine off lead unless in a totally secure area as they develope selective hearing as and when they feel like it, usually when they have spotted a rabbit or other such furry/feathered animal.
So yes same rules apply to mals as to sibes.

As for digging, i dont know definatively why they dig, but they do. mine loves to dig especially around the bottom of plants ( any that are left in the garden ). the only way you could stop it is not to have them on ground that they can dig in in the first place. :)

I can only guess as to why Mals dig, but mine seem to dig large holes to sleep in. Maybe this goes back to times when they dug holes in the snow to sleep in as protection from the wind. I only have one Mal that actually digs to bury things! I suppose with close supervision they could be taught to dig only in a set area, but most Mal owners either fence off an area for the dogs, give up and hand the whole garden to the dogs or end up paving the whole thing :D

Malamutes and Sibes are very similar. They are both working breeds but you can think of the sibes as the sports cars - small and fast, and Mals as the 4X4s - slower but can go on forever through rough terrain. They both run for fun and both have strong prey drives. As to whether they can be changed... mine go to training classes and do quite well but yesterday morning I nearly came a cropper when a cat ran out in front of them... it's instinct for them to chase! I certainly wouldn't suggest a Mal was let off lead in a suburban area where other dogs, cats, squirrels are common.

Living together is different though. I have never owned a Sibe but my observation seems to point towards the fact that Sibes are easier to keep in large packs and don't squabble nearly as much as Mals.