Mary Allen
Malamutes are among the oldest dog breeds in the Americas, having arrived across the Bering Strait with Siberian settlers about 4,500 years ago. The national dog of Alaska ensured the survival of the first settlers for thousands of years. Compared to other arctic breeds, they are very strong and persistent, but less light-footed and agile.
The Appearance of the Alaskan Malamute – The Powerhouse Among the Sled Dogs
The malamutes are the snow hound among arctic dogs. He is tall, broad, and has very strong bones. He doesn’t look clumsy like bulldogs, but extremely agile and dignified. Size varies among different bloodlines, but 63.5 cm for males and 58.5 cm for females is said to be ideal for pulling sleds. The ideal weight is around 38 kg for males and 34 kg for females. According to the standard, however, body size plays a subordinate role when selecting breeding dogs.
From head to tail
- The head is broad and deep like other arctic breeds, but overall the expression is friendlier than that of the Yakut dog or Siberian husky.
- The muzzle is large and massive in relation to the skull, with moderately flattened cheeks and tight lips. The nose is pigmented black, it may only be brownish if the coat color is red. The so-called winter nose is not to be regarded as a fault – the nose of some dogs naturally brightens in winter.
- The almond-shaped eyes are set at an angle and should never be blue. They are usually framed by black lid rims.
- The triangular erect ears appear to protrude slightly from the skull at an angle. They are tilted forward, sometimes worn backward when working.
- The neck and body are strong, compact, and very well muscled. The chest is well developed and reaches its deepest point just between the forelegs.
- The fore and hind legs are built like powerful snowplows for pulling heavy loads. They are extremely strong-boned and packed with strong muscles. The four paws are compared to snowshoes in the breed standard, they are very large with thick pads and short claws. Thick tufts of hair also grow between the toes.
- The richly hairy tail is usually carried over the back.
Coat and Colors – Made for cold winters
The Malamute’s coat should never be long and soft, but rather medium-length and very thick. The structure is rough and the dense undercoat is about 2.5 to 5 cm long, which makes the body appear even broader and rounder. The hair is very short on the legs and face, medium length on the sides of the body, and long and very bushy on the tail. A bushy mane forms around the neck and shoulders, and the hair also grows a little longer on the croup.
Summer coat and winter coat
- In summer, the fur is less dense and shorter than in winter.
- In the winter months, the nose of some Malamutes brightens significantly (winter nose).
Permitted colors: Precisely specified drawings
- Monochrome is only permitted in pure white.
- White should be the predominant color on the underside of the body, legs, paws, and part of the facial markings in other colorings.
- A coat pattern with clearly defined colored areas is desired.
- Light gray to black with shading is the most common coat color found.
- Sable from dark to red with shades is also considered purebred.
Differences from other arctic races
- Arctic dogs still look very similar to wolves today. They share many more genes with their wild ancestor than modern breeds.
- The malamute is the strongest of the sled dogs. Other huskies like the Yakut dog are faster and lighter, but not as enduring.
- The Malamute also never has blue eyes, which are quite typical for other sled dogs.
The Story of the Malamute – Companion of the First Native Americans
The oldest bones found of domestic dogs in Alaska are about 12,000 years old. Nevertheless, the origin and spread of the breed are attributed to settlers of the Paleo and Thule peoples around 2500 BC. The malamute lived closely with the nomads and settlers in the Norton Sound region and was an irreplaceable helper there:
Duties of the Malamute
- sleigh pulling
- Hunting (including large animals such as bears and sea lions)
- defense of tents
- Used as a search and rescue dog in Greenland during World War II
Breed ups and downs
- In the 19th century, the so-called Klondike Gold Rush led to a surge in Alaskan settlers who, without a family malamute, could hardly cope with the area’s harsh weather. Malamutes were particularly popular during this period.
- The breed reached its lowest point after the Second World War. In 1947 it was estimated that there were only 30 examples left worldwide, but the stock recovered. He has been the national dog of Alaska since 2010.
The Essence of the Alaskan Malamute: Happy in the Pack
The sled dogs, affectionately known as Mals, are very sociable and easy-going. They are not one-man dogs like many herding dogs and companion dog breeds but prefer to live in the midst of the turmoil between humans and animals. The close relationship between humans and mars in the Arctic, which has lasted for thousands of years, is still in their blood today. The pack obediently follows the pack leader, loves to be close to humans, and adheres to strict hierarchies.
Character traits
- Affectionate and friendly
- Loves working outdoors
- Favors strength exercises
- Strong hunting instinct – watch out for cats and small children
- Compatible with conspecifics
- Fearless fighter when attacked by dogs
- Hardly howls or barks, sometimes vocalizes more spoken sounds
- Corrupt and not suitable as a guard dog
- Independent and idiosyncratic
- A cuddly dog in the house, a workhorse outside
As a family dog
Keeping a Malamute purely as a companion dog is next to impossible. If the intelligent animals are not challenged physically and mentally, destructive behavior will show up. Only with a meaningful task and professional dog sports (dog scooting, bike during, canicross, hiking) will you be able to meet the demands of the big snowy breakers. In the family, the pack behaves gently towards smaller fur noses if they are well trained, but unfamiliar cats are hunted down mercilessly.