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Alaskan Malamute
Family: Spitz, Northern (draft)
Area of Origin: Alaska
Date of Origin: ancient times
Original Function: heavy sled pulling, large game hunting
Today's Function: sled pulling
Avg Size of male: Height: 25 Weight: 85
Avg Size of Female: Height: 23 Weight: 75
Other Name: none
History
Like most of the dogs of the spitz family, the Alaskan Malamute evolved
in the Arctic regions, shaped by the adverse climatic conditions. Its
origin is unknown, but it was first described living among the native
Inuit people known as the Mahlemuts, who lived along Norton Sound on
Alaska's northwest coast. The word Mahlemut comes from Mahle, an
Inuit tribe name, and mut, meaning village. The dogs served as
hunting partners for big game (such as seals and polar bears), and
hauled the heavy carcasses back home. These dogs were, of necessity,
large and strong rather than fast, enabling one dog to do the work of
many smaller dogs. They were an essential cog in the Inuits' lives and
were treated almost as one of the family, although they were never
pampered as pets. The unforgiving environment meant that a less than
optimal dog would probably not have been kept. When the first outside
explorers came to the region in the 1700s, they were impressed not only
by the hardy dog but also by their owners' obvious attachment to them.
With the discovery of gold in 1896, a flood of outsiders came to Alaska;
for entertainment, they staged weight-pulling contests and races among
their dogs. The native breeds were interbred with each other and those
brought by settlers, often in an attempt to create a faster racer or
simply to provide the vast numbers of dogs needed to supply the gold
rush. The pure malamute was in danger of being lost. In the 1920s, a New
England dog-racing enthusiast obtained some good specimens and began to
breed traditional malamutes. As the breed's reputation grew, some were
chosen to help Adm. Byrd in his 1933 trek to the South Pole. During
World War II, malamutes were once again called into service, this time
to serve as freight haulers, pack animals and search-and-rescue dogs. In
1935, the breed received AKC recognition and began a new phase as an
imposing show dog and loyal pet.
Temperament
The Alaskan malamute is powerful, independent, strong-willed and
fun-loving. Its idea of great fun is to pull a sled or cart, but it also
loves to run and roam. It is family-oriented, and as long as it is given
daily exercise, it is well-mannered in the home. Without proper
exercise, it can become frustrated and destructive. It is friendly and
sociable toward people, but it may be aggressive toward strange dogs,
pets or livestock. Some can be domineering. It tends to dig and howl.
Upkeep
The Alaskan malamute loves cold weather and especially loves to haul a
sled through the snow. It can run for miles and needs to have adequate
exercise every day, either in the form of a long walk on leash or the
opportunity to run or mush. It can live outdoors in temperate to cold
climates, but it does better inside during warm weather. Its coat needs
brushing once or twice a week — more often when shedding.
Health
• Major concerns: CHD, ChD, cataracts
• Minor concerns: renal cortical hypoplasia
• Occasionally seen: gastric torsion
• Suggested tests: hip, eye, ChD clear rating
• Life span: 10 – 12 years
Form and Function
The Alaskan malamute is a powerfully built dog of Nordic breed type,
developed to haul heavy loads rather than race. It is slightly longer
than it is tall. It is heavy-boned and compact, designed for strength
and endurance. Its gait is steady, balanced and tireless. Its coat is
thick and double, with a coarse outer coat and dense, wooly, oily
undercoat, providing the ultimate in insulation. Although its eyes have
a "wolf-like" appearance, its expression is soft.
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