מרים עלען
#4 The gold rush period (1896-1899) is one of the most critical periods in the history of the breed.
In those days, the breed was practically wiped out: Malamutes were thoughtlessly crossed with smaller and faster dogs for sled racing, as well as with larger and more aggressive dogs for dog fighting and cargo handling competitions. By 1918, these Arctic sled dogs had all but disappeared.
#5 A story that took place in January 1925 in Alaska and became widely known in America contributed to attracting attention to the breed.
During the winter in the city of Nome, there was an outbreak of diphtheria, vaccine supplies were running out, weather conditions made it impossible to deliver the vaccine by airplane. Delivery by regular mail would have taken two weeks, and it was decided to organize a dog sled relay from Nenana to Rum. The 674 miles (1,084.7 km) were covered in 127.5 hours while the dogs were moving at their fastest speed in a typical Alaskan storm and in temperatures below freezing.
