?'s for Malamute folks, I know your out there.

[shootingstar]

So we recently agreed to foster a Malamute that was at a local rescue organization. The foster quickly turned into an adoption as he has crept deeply into our hearts.

The initial phone call said 3 years old and 60 lbs.
The furry idiot that showed up at our door is way bigger than our 65lb husky/lab cross and me thinks he is much younger than 3.

So, looking for some assistance from the Malamute "staff" on-site.

As a breed, in general, would you consider them "slow to mature". I am trying to compare him to our existing dog that was still a psycho puppy at 3.

I know that no 2 dogs are the same but looking for some general guidelines, or recommendations for websites where I might find the info.

He seems to still be in that transition phase from squatting to lifting his leg. I remember my dobie switched over between 1 and 1.5 years but I don't know if that can even be used as an estimate of age.

Also looking for recommendation on a hopefully Canadian Company that makes decent durable dog backpacks. We are walking 3-5 miles a day to manage his endless energy but I think a backpack with a bit of weight in it might be a way to give him the workout he needs in a shorter distance on those 40 below Jan nights (which I know won't bother him at all - it will be me that thinks the temps suck)

And finally, here is a pic.