Great! In my personal opinion, you couldn't do better than this vivacious, loving, cuddly, intelligent breed, but that's my personal opinion only.  I know they suit me, my lifestyle, my expectations and my temperament.  That does not mean they will do as well for you.  This is a step that should be taken carefully because your puppy will be dependant on you for the rest of his life, which averages about twelve years but could reach up to fifteen.

First and foremost, potential homes must have a fenced yard.  These are strong willed, independent dogs that view the world as their playground and have little respect for boundaries.  A fenced yard is essential to allow them free roaming exercise without getting into trouble in the neighborhood and to protect them from the dangers of the outside world.  Alaskan Malamutes are not for everyone and prospective owners should research this breed's characteristics.  There are pros and cons to owning a Malamute, as there are with every breed.

On the plus side, the Alaskan Malamute is a great companion for lovers of the outdoors, all seasons but especially the winter.  They are very affectionate and unsuspicious of strangers but, due to their size, should be supervised around small children under five years old.  They are personable and very intelligent, at times conniving and humorous.  They love human contact and prefer to be nearby, on your bed or snuggling at your feet.  They are not a "one man dog", adjusting easily to new situations and people.  They are an independent breed that does well in periods of separation when they are accustomed to it.  However, crate training is a must in the early stages to protect your environment from their active minds and strong jaws.  Possessing little or no guarding instinct, they will welcome anyone into your house and make no warning alarm at strange or unusual sounds or approaching footsteps.  This does not make them entirely speechless, however, as many malamutes enjoy carrying on lengthy conversations with their human partners with their "wooing" and "rrrrring", one of the greatest charms of the breed.  They are confident and outgoing, and enjoy outings of any type to anywhere.  They will accommodate any level of exercise, from all day sledding excursions to watching TV from the couch.  The Alaskan Malamute is not typically an escape artist and is easily contained with regular, secure fencing.

On the down side: The Alaskan Malamute is a double coated breed that sheds its coat once and sometimes twice a year.  They are extremely pack oriented and require a human companion that can remain in the top or alpha position to retain their respect.  All members of the family must be involved in their training and discipline in order to ensure the dog's place at the bottom of the family unit.  Malamutes insist on their daily quota of freedom and human contact, without which they can become incessant howlers, diggers and chewers.  They are a family dog, happiest with a secure place in the family in a home environment. While their double coat can withstand the rigors of any outdoor environment, their hearts and minds require regular human contact.  The Alaskan Malamute can be aggressive toward same sex dogs and their dominant nature discourages new canine friendships.  Spaying/neutering, as well as obedience classes and regular socialization, are extremely helpful to reduce this reaction.  They are not a breed to be walked off lead or let loose to roam.  Strongly predatory and with a wolfish appearance, they are not looked upon fondly by farmers and should never be loose in a rural environment.  While they do well with most dogs and cats that they are accustomed to, their strong prey drive can make them very destructive to other small animals which may cross their path.  Please take the time to visit this link at the Alaskan Malamute Club of America's site for more information about this wonderful breed.