The Alaskan Malamute is named after the native Innuit tribe called Mahlemuts. It is one of the oldest arctic sled dogs. The tribe and Alaskan Malamute dogs inhabited the upper-western part of Alaska generations prior to the Asiatic sailors visiting their shores and returning to their homes with stories about the native people using dogs to haul sledges. Other than these sailor stories, the exact origin of the people and dogs has never been discovered. It is confirmed, however, that the Alaskan Malamute sledge dogs were used as draft animals.
The Arctic breed may have become mixed with outside dogs when Alaska became settled by white men. There is further speculation that mixing of lineage for faster dogs occurred as the lure of sled dog racing became popular.
After the sport of sled dog racing became popular in the US, interest developed in a pure strain of Alaskan Malamute around 1926.
The Alaskan Malamute is cousin to the Samoyed of Russia, Siberian Husky, and the Eskimo dogs of Greenland and Labrador.
The following information is offered to help you decide if the Alaskan Malamute breed is right for you, your family and lifestyle. The descriptions are also meant to fit a dog true to the breed standard.
Origin: Probably upper-western part of Alaska
Special Abilities: Popular sled dog
AKC Classification: Working Group
Appearance Description:
" Powerful and substantially built dog " Deep chest and strong, well-muscled body " Heavy boned " Desirable size of males is 25 inches at the shoulder, 85 pounds, females is 23 inches at the shoulders and 75 pounds " Head is broad and deep " Eyes are obliquely placed in the skull " Eyes are brown, almond shaped and medium size, dark eyes preferred " Ears are of medium size, but small in proportion to the head " Ears are triangular in shape and slightly rounded at the tips set wide apart on the outside back edges of the skull " Neck is strong and moderately arched " Body is compactly built but not coupled " Loins are hard and well muscled " Forelegs heavily bone and muscled " Hindquarters broad and heavily muscled " Coat is thick, coarse guard coat, never long and soft " Undercoat is dense from one to two inches in depth, oily and woolly " Coat is relatively short to medium along the sides of the body, with the length of the coat increasing around the shoulders and neck " Colors range from light gray through intermediate shadings to black, sable and shadings of sable to red, the only solid color allowable is all white " The gait of the Alaskan Malamute is steady, balanced and powerful " He is agile
Personality Description
" Affectionate " Friendly " Not a one person dog " He is loyal " Devoted " Playful in invitation " Generally impressive by his dignity after maturity
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Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved Connie Limon