AMCUK Rescue - FAQs, Application

● Wouldn’t it be easier to just get a
dog off the Web or the free ads or
from the fellow up the street?

It would probably be easier, and it might take less time, and it could cost you less money but, in the long run, you may also be buying someone else’s problems—and with no recourse if something goes wrong. We could write a book of horror stories from such purchases! 100% of the KC-registered dogs who were requested for rehome in the UK in the past six months were bred by non-AMCUK-member breeders who do not follow the stringent breeding guidelines that assure you, the customer, of a lifetime of support for your purchase. If they did, they would have been helping their customers when the need to rehome arose.

Before you acquire a puppy, be sure to familiarize yourself with the AMCUK Code of Ethics and be certain that your breeder offers the same guarantees, particularly about rehoming assistance.

Remember, when you purchase from a professional breeder—one who adheres to both the KC AND the AMCUK guidelines for ethical breeding, or adopt an AMCUK Rescue dog, you have a lifetime’s commitment of support for your dog. If something goes wrong—and sometimes it does, no matter how hard you try—you will get the help you need, instead of a story about why you were told they’d help you...and now they won’t.

● Is Kennel Club registration important?

In a word, YES. While you may say “We only want a pet; it doesn’t matter,” consider these things, though there are others:

(1) If, for some reason in the future, you have to rehome YOUR dog, you may find that it’s not eligible and you’ll find heartache and distress.

(2) There is probably a reason the dog isn’t KC registered. Common ones include the sire or dam was bred too young; there were breeding restrictions on one or both of the parents; the bitch was bred too often; or the breeder didn’t want people following up on what they were doing.

Ask yourself if YOU want to continue to support an industry that includes “backyard breeders” and “diy” breeders who don’t play by the rules, over-breed their bitches and are in it for the money—but not to take care of the puppies they sell or the customers they sell them to.

● Can I adopt a malamute if I’ve never
owned a dog before?

No. We would not consider a first time dog owner a suitable home for an Alaskan Malamute.

● What if I work full time?

If you are out all day, we wouldn’t turn you down immediately but the chances of us finding a dog that would be suitable for you are much reduced. In general, Malamutes do not like being left for long periods of time. Consider the possibilities, though, and if you are serious and committed, you may find a way to restructure something to accom- modate a new ‘pack’ member and its needs for companionship and, importantly, exercise.

● Will I be able to stud or have puppies
       from a rescue dog?

Absolutely not. One look at the statistics for indiscriminate breeding in this country will convince you that no more “backyard breeders” are required. It’s one of the reasons that so many Malamutes end up in rescue. It’s a firm policy that all Malamutes be neutered before being found a home and neutering (and therefore not breeding) is a both a condition of adoption and a sound practice.

● We have a young family. Will that
      exclude us from having a rescue dog?

When placing a dog, we carefully consider the well-being and safety of the dog and the family it is to be homed with. A large breed like a Malamute can be fairly boisterous and could easily knock a small child off their feet without meaning to. It is unlikely that we would re-home a Malamute with a family with children under 5 years of age for those reasons.

● Do rescue dogs come in all colours,
      ages and sizes?

Absolutely! Keep in mind that all Malamutes are (or will be) BIG dogs. Rescues come in a wide variety in colours and ages. You might need to go on a waiting for a specific colour and/or age but we do get them all, from puppy to adult to senior, from wolf-grey to red to black...and everything in between.

● What about exercising off-lead?

To put it simply, “There is no lazy way of living with a Malamute.” The Alaskan Malamute is a large, active dog that requires an owner who is equally dedicated to activity. Many, if not most, Malamutes, are independent, highly intelligent and can

Big dog. Big commitment.

A New Hope.

Text Box: be selectively deaf to commands (they hear them, they understand them, they may just march to a different drum). They can also have a high prey drive and find a squirrel or deer more fascinating than you for just a few moments...or longer. Learn more about their history and intelligence and you’ll understand why. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is a dog you can just turn loose and let it lope around to get the exercise and activity it needs. Working dogs need working owners, too! ● Do all rescue dogs have problems? Not at all! Dogs are given to rescue for a number of reasons, for example divorce or serious incapacity of the owner. In these cases, the owners have the problem—not the dog. Possibly, it’s a simple case of someone making the (sometimes necessary and wise) decision that they cannot accommodate their pet but are committed to “doing the right thing” for their beloved friend and make the difficult decision to find him or her a new situation where he or she can thrive. Particularly in times of economic downturn, such as 2009, we are seeing a larger number of rehome requests due to unfortunate job losses, relocations and moves into smaller accommodation, for instance. ● What sorts of problems are common? For dogs who do have problems needing special attention, it’s generally due to previous neglect, abuse or a simple lack of socialization and human care. Often, all it takes is a little bit of TLC and time. Sometimes, more extensive training and rehabilitation is required for a successful placement; this is part of the process of matching dog to adopter—and then providing ongoing support to those who take on challenging Malamute rescues to ensure you’re never left without resources. ● How can I learn more about the
Alaskan Malamute? There is a lot of material available on the Web. Also, consider visiting AMCUK-member breeders in your area or invest in a basic book like Barron’s Alaskan Malamutes: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual, available on Amazon for about £5 or in many pet shops. Understanding this breed’s unique characteristics and challenges is critical to enjoying a successful relationship with your Alaskan Malamute. ● What does it cost to adopt a rescue
Malamute? There is a nominal fee to adopt a rescue Malamute, with monies all going toward care, neutering, veterinary and other animal-related costs. At present, this is £200 but includes the cost of spay or neuter for your new pet. Keep in mind, however, that the cost of taking on a new dog is always higher than just the fee or price paid. You’ll need (if you don’t already have) the proper equipment for caring for and exercising your Malamute, as well as optional or ongoing items like insurance, worming, vaccinations, boarding kennels if you travel, and so on. ● Can I show my rescue Malamute? You won’t be able to show your rescue Malamute in “breed” classes but there’s plenty to do to enjoy many years of companionship and exercise and competition with your new friend. And it’s vital that you plan appropriate exercise and recreation into your regimen for this member of the “working dog” family. In addition to such all-breed activities as walking, jogging, ski-joring, bike-joring, backpacking and hiking, your AMCUK Rescue Malamute may be eligible to compete in a number of increasingly popular activities across the UK of special interest to “sled dogs” and Northern breeds. These include scootering, weight pull and “dryland” racing in competitions sponsored by various UK dog sporting associations. ● How can I join the AMCUK? You can visit the AMCUK website at any time for an application OR, when you adopt an Alaskan Malamute, you will receive your first years’ membership free of charge.