Snowlion Alaskan Malamutes—Our Breeding Program

Raising Snowlion Puppies

Snowlion Alaskan Malamutes are raised to be well-bred companions. They are family pets, some of whom also happen to sled, skijor, and compete in AKC shows. These dogs have good dispositions that reflect many years of careful breeding and selection. A  great deal of planning & research precedes each Snowlion breeding in order to produce healthy, long-lived Alaskan Malamutes with good temperaments.  Temperament comes first as it is vital to the performance of our sled teams and to the dynamics of our household pack.

Snowlion puppies are born in our home and raised as family dogs indoors where they are handled frequently from birth and socialized with friends and family as well as our adult females—all of whom love puppies! Our pups are kept with their dams past weaning age for thorough socialization. Moms as well as other adults will gently correct the pups so they learn appropriate behavior around other dogs. 

Our pups get a good start in life. We feed our Alaskan Malamute puppies high quality foods: goat’s milk, kefir, eggs, cottage cheese, lean meat and rice cereal. Our adult Malamutes are fed a combination of premium fish/chicken kibble and home prepared meals comprised of human grade meat, cooked fish, whole grains, yogurt, fresh vegetables & fruit. Our dogs have lived long healthy lives on this diet.

We are fortunate that none of the malamutes we’ve raised and kept here have developed cancer. Our dogs drink well water and have minimal exposure to toxins, chemicals and pesticides. We don’t use fertilizers, weed killer or any bug sprays in our garden or yards. Nor do we use and topical or tick/flea insecticides on our dogs. We encourage dog owners to look to natural alternatives for the sake of their dogs’ health. We make sure that our puppies have the best possible start in life; the rest is up to you. 

We are here to help you with any issues or questions you might have pertaining to your puppy’s care or training so don’t hesitate to contact us. You will receive guidelines for feeding, grooming & training your Malamute pup. Prior to leaving at 8 weeks, your puppy will be examined by our veterinarians and receive its first vaccination along with a recommended schedule of vaccinations. Remember, we have over forty years experience this breed, so call us with any concerns.  

Snowlion Alaskan Malamutes are the product of our unique outdoor lifestyle which embraces all that our mountain surroundings have to offer: sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing—a lifestyle where our dogs are occupy a central part of our lives. We feel our Alaskan Malamute pups are born into the best possible home; they deserve nothing less from their future owners. 

Snowlion Puppies—Past Litters

Exceptional Quality, Extraordinary Beauty

Things to consider before buying an alaskan malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a natural breed that evolved in harsh arctic conditions; certain ancestral survival characteristics--strong prey drive, same sex aggression at maturity, an obsession with food (resource guarding)--may emerge in the absence of consistent, firm guidance from owners. These breed instincts must be tempered with ongoing training and socialization to ensure that your Alaskan Malamute  develops into a good canine citizen and a pleasant family companion. 

For training, we recommend that all Malamute puppies attend two courses (6 weekly sesssions each) in a group setting during the first year (beginning at 10-12 weeks), followed by an advanced class (or refresher course) in the following year. Group classes are fun social occasions both owners & their dogs and a better option than hiring a private trainer to come to your home. To learn more about canine behavior & training methods, we highly recommend Patricia McConnell’s, “The Other End of the Leash” and any of the books by the Monks of New Skete.

With proper handling and management, the Alaskan Malamute is a remarkable breed—intuitive, smart, and capable of forming deep bonds with humans, but it is very different than a Golden Retriever.  Malamutes are smart, stubborn, funny; they can be a little bit wild, with over-the-top energy in their youth. They do best with  active, athletic families individuals who can provide them with daily exercise. The Alaskan Malamute is a magnificent dog, but it is not the right breed for everyone. We encourage prospective owners to contact us with any questions. We realize there is a lot of misinformation on the internet, but we have lived with Malamutes since the late 1970s and are quite happy to discuss the pros & cons of this versus other breeds. Adding a dog to your household is a big commitment; let us help you find the right puppy.