An Owners Resume' of Sorts

• Where do you live? You should have a large enough yard to permit the dog to run, again not to say they can't make great inside companions part-time. Let me add a bit here - I keep my dogs kenneled in 10 x 20 foot heavy gauge chain link dog runs. I usually keep them paired up, unless one of the females is in heat - then I seperate her into the whelping yard until she is done with her cycle - or until the puppies are 6 weeks and ready to be weaned. I think kenneling is the best thing for these dogs IF YOU ARE VERY ACTIVE or PLAN ON RUNNING THEM. My dogs see the harnesses and they go completely balistic! They see this as freedom, fun, and a chance to get out and stretch - not as WORK - and this is esential to keep their spirits up and their motivation strong! BUT this only works if you get them out often! I take each of my dogs out for at least 5 miles each at least 4 times per week. If you can't be that active - or - don't have a yard big enough to let them run and stretch - or - don't jog or hike at least a few times a week - THEN GO BACK NOW - THIS BREED IS NOT FOR YOU.

• What are your expectations? Are you ready for a savvy, strong-willed dog that will ultimately weigh more than your teenage son? I AM NOT KIDDING ( 6 of my last 8 puppies have all been OVER 100 lbs. BEFORE they were one year old. Do you have the time, inclination, and physical and tempermental ability required to mold the behavior of so complex, even dominant, an animal in positive directions? Malamutes are STUBBORN! They are smart - but oh my do they think they are the BOSS. They take a lot of consistent work to train for work and obediance. And it needs to be done when they are young - BEFORE they are heavier than you are! Do you truly want a dog that demands to be an integral part of every project, of every activity? Malamutes get bored! They want to be around you and your children. They want to go camping with you, hiking with you, fishing with you, running with you. They HATE being left home. And when they get bored - they get problematic. This is when they bark, howl, dig, or get destructive. They are jealous of your time! Are you active enough to allow the dog to be happy? Will a full grown Malamute fit in your car? I have a Ford Explorer and five dogs. I need a trailer with individual kennels built on. I don't have one yet, so use your imaginaition about my vehicle. Are there other pets in the household that may key off preditory instincts in the dog (cats)? We had a cat for a while. Some of the dogs were okay with it - others were not. It depends on the individual dog. We no longer have a cat - or any squirrels in our yard space either. Do you mind having a bit of hair (lots of it twice - three times a year) in your house? I keep both of my lead dogs, KONAN and ROMEO, inside. They are awesome - but we go through a lot of link rollers. They are great, trained, and wonderful - but you have to be willing to live with them! If you are finding yourself cringing at any of this information - THEN GO BACK NOW - THIS BREED IS NOT FOR YOU !

• What about the rest of your family? Is the rest of the family ready for a small pony living in the back yard, or climbing up on the couch? If this sounds like the answer to your dreams and prayers - but your husband is shaking his head, and saying "Whatever honey" - then you probably will have issues later on. IF THIS IS THE CASE - THEN GO BACK NOW - THIS BREED IS NOT FOR YOU !!

• Can you afford a Malamute? Can you deal with the costs of a dog that will need to go to the vet, be kenneled, and eat upwards of 8 - 12 cups of food / day? I have five dogs : One Siberian, One Malamute/ Husky Mix, and Three Malamutes. The two huskies eat 8 cups of high grade food per day together. The three malamutes eat 18 - 20 cups of high grade food per day. I go through two 40 pound bags of food in about 10 - 12 days ( shorter in the winter as they eat more when it is cold and they are running). Plus I give my dogs fresh meat twice a week in the winter running months and fresh bones and cutting in the summer months. I spend about $ 150 on food in the summer and $ 225 - 250 in the winter. But I have five dogs. If you have one of these animals - it will probably cost you $ 50 - $ 70 dollars / month in high grade food per month. IF THIS SCARES YOU - THEN GO BACK NOW - THIS BREED IS NOT FOR YOU !!!!

• Can you offer a LIFETIME COMMITMENT? There are many critics that come after dog breeders saying that there are already too many dogs in the pounds and Humane Societies already. They are right - there are. I have adopted two myself. But this is only the case because people DO NOT make informed decisions. There is nothing wrong with wanting a registered high quality AKC breed dog, but be sure that you are not going to add your name to the list of people who bought one without thinking about their decision. Here at Stratford Kennels, I LOVE my dogs. They are members of my family. I breed only as many puppies as I can place in safe, loving homes. I follow up on my dogs and make sure they are being cared for, and guarantee the owner's satisfaction. PLEASE do not be one of the already too numerous masses that have no business being responsible for a VALUABLE life. I cannot stress this enough. If you have looked through my website - you have seen that I have made some big mistakes in selling to a few people, and it breaks my heart to watch these dogs being given up, abandoned, or returned. I simply CANNOT take every one of them, from every litter, back. I do my best to place them, and help you place them, but I can only do so much. THE ANSWER IS FOR PEOPLE TO READ THIS RESUME' VERY VERY CAREFULLY AND MAKE AN INFORMED, THOUGHT THROUGH DECISION. Please! The dogs deserve it.

Really the Bottom Line is Just This...

I love these dogs. They are some of the most awesome animals you could ever hope to be around. They are loving, emotional, and remarkably intelligent, and as such they deserve to be treated with RESPECT . They will give you the happiness of their nature. They will love you when no one else will. They will give you the sheer force of their powerful hearts. I want my dogs to go to homes where they WILL BE TREATED just as well as they would be here. I do not breed Malamutes to establish a huge kennel and become rich. I breed Malamutes because they are my passion, my joy, and an integral part of my life.

If you are one of these type of people, with one of these types of families, with a loving nature and a great sense of humor - Please give me a call.