Buttercup,

Ok, I'll drop the sarcasm. It's a natural defense of mine.

I still stand by my opinion. I don't know where you're coming from when you say you can find well trained adult Malamutes in rescue. Not that I'm saying it isn't possible -- it is. However, Malamutes that appear to be perfectly well behaved at first may be simply going through a "honeymoon" period.

Fostering is something I'd be leary about telling someone who wants a Malamute to do. These are dogs who HAVENT had time with someone experienced with the breed, and thus are more unpredictable in temperment and behavior.

If the OP does want to go the rescue route with Malamutes, my first suggestion would be to get a dog from Golden Years in Michigan. Not only are you rescuing a dog, you're rescuing an old soul. In this case, absolutely everyone would benefit. A senior Malamute will *probably* be comparably mellow. www.goldenyearsamr.org

The Alaskan Malamute Assistance League is located at http://www.malamuterescue.org/, more specifically by states at http://www.malamuterescue.org/rescue/listorg.html

What it all comes down to is both choosing the breed and specific DOG that is right for you. Personally I believe that a puppy is best to start out with if you are committed to raising the dog right.