Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a large northern dog breed originally bred for use as a sled dog. Alaskan Malamute AppearanceThe AKC breed standard calls for a natural range of size, with a desired freighting weight of 75 to 85 pounds (34-38.5 kg) and a height of 23 to 25 inches (58-63.5 cm). Heavier individuals (100+ pounds) and dogs smaller than 75 pounds are common--there is often a marked size difference between males and females. Weights upwards of 140 pounds or more are occasionally seen; these dogs are uncommon and are produced primarily by breeders who market a "giant" malamute. These "giant" sizes are not in accordance with the breed's history or the AKC standard. The coat is a dense double northern dog coat, somewhat harsher than that of the Siberian Husky. The usual colours are various shades of grey and white, sable and white, black and white, red and white, or pure white. Eyes are almond-shaped and brown; blue eyes are sometimes found, but will disqualify the dog in shows. The physical build of the Alaskan Malamute is compact with heavy boning. In this context 'compact' means that their height to length ratio is fairly even, unlike dogs like Great Danes which are longer and lankier in their ratios.
According to the American Kennel Club, the primary criteria for judging the Alaskan Malamute in a show is its function to pull heavy freight as a sled dog; everything else is secondary. As many an owner has found out, the pulling power of a Alaskan Malamute is tremendous, and if this trait is lacking in a show dog, it is enough for a disqualification. Alaskan Malamute CharacteristicsAlthough still in use as sled dogs for recreational mushing, most Alaskan Malamutes today are kept as family pets or show dogs. They are unable to compete successfully even in long-distance dogsled racing against smaller and faster breeds and their working usefulness is limited to freighting. The Alaskan Malamute is one of the most "unaltered" of breeds, retaining its original form and function. Responsible breeders will want to preserve this heritage of the Alaskan Malamute's working abilities. They are widely regarded as handsome, affectionate toward humans, intelligent, resourceful, and hardworking. While they may bark like other dog breeds, Alaskan Malamutes normally tend to "talk" by vocalizing a "woo woo" sound (the characteristic vocalisation of Chewbacca in the Star Wars films are based upon a Alaskan Malamute named Indiana, once owned by George Lucas). They may howl like wolves or coyotes when feeling excited, sad, or lonely. Alaskan Malamute TemperamentUnderstanding Alaskan Malamute behaviour requires understanding life in an aboriginal Arctic village. Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred to think and act independently for the sake of protecting the sled team. Hazardous and unpredictable Arctic trail conditions rewarded the ability of a Alaskan Malamute to rely on its own senses and, when necessary, override the sled driver's judgment and commands. As such, the breed is notorious for displaying a highly independent streak that manifests itself as stubbornness. Alaskan Malamutes are sometimes downright insubordinate toward their human handlers and may ignore commands, particularly when young. At the same time, Arctic life required that Alaskan Malamutes be bred to behave as consummate members of the sled team, family, and village community. Therefore they are usually very affectionate to members of their own pack - human and dog members alike. A Alaskan Malamute may take glee in greeting a returning family or pack member after a period of separation, and howl in protest when it feels ignored, neglected, or excluded from group activities. Also, Alaskan Malamutes are usually friendly to other humans outside their own pack, often demanding their attention and affection as well. The Alaskan Malamute's gregariousness and tendency to openly, unreservedly give affection make them highly attractive to many dog owners; these same qualities make a Alaskan Malamute a poor guard dog. The harsh conditions for which Alaskan Malamutes were bred rewarded a strong prey drive, as food was occasionally scarce. Consequently, Alaskan Malamutes may instinctively attack animals such as house cats, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, quail, and even deer (however, many households enjoy harmonious, mixed "packs" of cats and Alaskan Malamutes). Historic competition for food is also a reason why Alaskan Malamutes may regard dogs outside their own pack or team with disdain or hostility. Alaskan Malamutes dug for food when required, and digging is now a common way in which Alaskan Malamutes deal with boredom. It is not uncommon to see a Alaskan Malamute digging madly in pursuit of a mouse, mole, or gopher. Alaskan Malamutes may also dig to escape a fenced yard, and have been known to dig escape tunnels underneath houses. This tendency to dig can be particularly frustrating to owners who maintain yards or gardens. Owing to the Alaskan Malamute's independent nature, physical strength, and its high levels of energy and intelligence, most experts on the breed advise that Alaskan Malamutes not be adopted by people who: are inexperienced in training dogs lack the time, energy, and space to exercise them, or lack the patience and stamina to repeatedly engage in contests of willpower with a large, powerful animal without becoming angry. Alaskan Malamute HealthHealth issues in the Alaskan Malamute are hip dysplasia, inherited polyneuropathy, chrondo dysplasia, and the usual northern-breed eye problems (particularly cataract and progressive retinal atrophy). While Alaskan Malamutes have been successfully raised in places such as Arizona, their dense coats generally make them unsuited for hot climates. When the weather gets hot, they—even more than other dogs—need plenty of water and shade. Also, being a winterised breed they will grow a winter coat and subsequently, come spring, shed it again. Dogs cool themselves internally by panting, not externally by sweating like humans do. Cooling internally means that their thick coats allow them to be more resistant to heat, the same as their coats allow them to be resistant to cold. Shaving a dog for the summer will have the opposite effect than what is intended. The idea that thick coats mean bad heat tolerance is a myth. Alaskan Malamute HistoryThe Alaskan Malamute is a descendant of dogs of the Mahlemut tribe of upper western Alaska. These dogs stood prominently on equal footing with their human companions - working, hunting, and living alongside them. The interdependent relationship between Mahlemut and their dogs fostered prosperity among both and enabled them not just to survive, but to flourish in the inhospitable land above the Arctic Circle. For a brief period during the Gold Rush, the Alaskan Malamute and other sled dogs became extremely valuable to recently landed prospectors and settlers, and were frequently crossbred with imported breeds. This was often a misguided attempt to improve the type, or to make up for how few true Alaskan Malamutes were up for sale. This genetic dilution seems to have had no long standing effect on the modern Alaskan Malamute, and recent DNA analysis shows that Alaskan Malamutes are one of the oldest breeds of dog, genetically distinct from other dog breeds. The Alaskan Malamute dog has had a distinguished history; aiding Admiral Richard Byrd to the South Pole, and the miners who came to Alaska during the Gold Rush of 1896. This dog was never destined to be a racing sled dog; instead, it was used for heavy freighting, pulling hundreds (maybe thousands) of pounds of supplies to villages and camps in groups of at least 4 dogs for heavy loads. |
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