As stated, Mals have no more wolf in them than any other breed of dog... They've been registered with the AKC since 1935 and the stud book was closed (however, later it was reopened, but that's really just a historical mal story... no wolf was added).

If you socialize your mal properly, they'll probably be fine with other dogs. Intact same-sex groups aren't smart, but with some people they work. My boy, Rien, is having some problems with dog aggression now. He's convinced that the whole ISLAND that my dad lives on is his territory and no other dog belongs on it. We're working on that.

However, he lives with two small furries (one at a time... both are cats, at seperate houses) and one aging mutt. He has no problems with the animals in his pack, and once a dog is introduced to him (which sometimes takes longer than I would like and is sometimes a hell of a task), he is very friendly and sweet.

IMHO, you need to do a LOT more research before adding any dog to your home, and I'm very glad that you've "started" with a golden rather than a Mal.

Someone mentioned that you might want to rescue a Mal, but that might take a while to find a dog that will fit into your situation (a dog friendly mal in rescue is sometimes hard to find).

Please, please, PLEASE, if you do decide to add a Mal to your family any time in the future, do TONS of research and I would NEVER advocate purchasing from a breeder of "GIANT" mals (there are many in California, where I hear you live).

Of course, after what seems like listing all the bad traits of the Mals, I couldn't live without my Riri. <3 He's my heart and soul, and I love him dearly, but even after a year of research before getting him, I could've stood to do more. I'm STILL researching the breed after having had Rien for almost two years.

But I can see why your husband wants one, I mean, who could resist this face?