#and managing dog reactivity or aggression along with your disability

[darkwood-sleddog]

Hi there! Quick question, how much dog aggression would be normal for malamutes? At what point does it become something other than a breed trait? Is this comparable to other breeds with SSA?

Well I don't really know how to compare it with other breeds with SSA, just because I don't have experience with them.

Speaking generally, MOST adult dogs of any breed are dog selective to some degree, often preferring several compatible companions or friends over large groups of strange dogs.

A temperamentally sound malamute should generally be able to be walked on a leash past other dogs (no contact or greeting) and not be reactive. This is not a dog that should, in temperamentally sound cases, be straining to reach other dogs far off with single focus. Where the issue lies is in close contact, greeting, and interactions with strange dogs and/or dogs of the same sex.

Malamutes are very much oriented towards their pack and much like other sled dogs do very well when raised in a family structure. It is difficult to integrate a new adult dog into an existing pack of malamutes versus a puppy. Part of this is because malamutes do have their own form of communication, like many breeds do, and dogs raised outside of that communication can be deemed as "rude" or in need of telling off from the existing dogs, which creates conflict and an overall lack of harmony. Overall in this behavior an existing dog is much less tolerable of dogs of the same sex. And generally, Malamutes thrive and enjoy fighting when it occurs (see: trends towards running into conflicts not having to do with them in dog parks).

Same Sex Aggression behaviors can be on a sliding scale, much as other dog aggression, and I'd say all forms are present in the Malamute breed. For me personally I prefer if the dog can work in harness/team with other dogs as this is part of their purpose, however there are many in the breed that are both temperamentally stable, and absolutely cannot tolerate other dogs of the same sex in any regard. Now I personally wouldn't breed those individuals, but the dog would probably do well paired with an opposite sex dog as its only other non-human companion.

For me, indiscriminate dog aggression not related to "rude" behaviors or same sex interactions is not okay in the breed. Malamutes, although often same sex aggressive, should also never be human aggressive.