We always defer to breed experts, but we’ve read that Alaskan Malamutes can bark, but seldom do. This isn’t to say they’re not “talkers.”  They will tell you exactly what they think of someone, or readily share their opinion of a situation, but their preferred vocalization is a protracted series of “woo—woo—woos,” with a spice of yips, growls, rumbles, and “rrrrrrrrs” thrown in. Sometime their talking may be misinterpreted as a growl, but that’s just “Mal Talk” that defies any translation outside of “canine.” In the book, Bloodlines, author Susan Conant even referred to it:

“Rowdy and Kimi were dozing on the kitchen floor, and, in any case, malamutes don’t yap. They let out an occasional yip when the situation warrants it. They can bark, but seldom do. Sometimes they howl. They also speak their native language: RrrrIll.? Rrrwwww. Woo-woo-woo-woo. Talking, it’s called. It is, too. Once you’re used to it, it’s as plain as English.”

What say you, Malamute owners?

Image: “Snow Dog” by Blair
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