Breed: Alaskan Malamute | Size: Large | Average lifespan: 10+ years | Temperament: Loyal, | Coat: Semi-long | Origin: United States.
People often confuse the Alaskan Malamute with its cousin, the Siberian Husky. However, the Alaskan Malamute is a breed in its own right. The Alaskan Malamute is a loyal companion who’d be delighted to follow you in all your outdoor physical activities.
The origins of the Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute has characteristics that are very specific, but let’s talk about the origins of the breed.
A breed from long ago
It was at the heart of the gulf of Kotzebue, in the high regions in the west of Alaska, that this robust dog saw the light of day! This northern breed is named after the Inuit tribe that developed it: the Mahlemiuts. This group of Eskimos brought up the Alaskan Malamute in packs as sled dogs and hunting dogs. The tribe also used them to protect their children. Their incredible resistance to the cold, their solid muscles, and their endurance were indispensables to the survival of these ancient caribou hunters.
The Alaskan Malamute through the ages
In 1896, during the Klondike Gold Rush, the colonies appreciated the Alaskan Malamute. The Gold Miners used them notably to transport their excavation material. The breed started to leave the territory and spread out to the north of the United States.
An endangered breed in the 1930s
Sled races became a very lucrative and appreciated event, to the point where Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies almost disappeared. This was because the participants wanted to cross them, in order to create a faster dog that is more efficient. Fortunately, in the 1930s, purebred breeding programs were set up, saving this magnificent Nordic companion. With that being said, the Alaskan Malamute was not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) until 1963.
The character of the Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes get very strongly attached to their owners. While they are gentle and affectionate, they also know how to be independent.
What are the qualities of the Alaskan Malamute?
The Alaskan Malamute is a calm, but determined companion. As they come from a Northern breed in packs, they are very loyal to their owners. If you socialize your dog correctly while they are young, they will be playful and protective. This makes them good guardians. They also know how to demonstrate great serenity and dignity because they are rather independent dogs. This breed barks very rarely because they communicate through howling like their wolf ancestors.
What are the downsides and challenges of having an Alaskan Malamute?
Coming from a breed that has been very little modified by humans, the Alaskan Malamute is very independent and has strong predatory instincts, which can lead them to run away to walk around on their own. Therefore, it’s necessary to have an outside area that is well-closed. While they are certainly independent, these dogs hate solitude. This is because the breed used to live in packs. Finding themselves alone can lead them to destruct objects in the house to occupy themselves. Therefore, they need owners that are athletic and available often. Apartment life is not suitable for this breed at all because they really needs to exercise. Even though they can live outside on large terrain, active and regular walks are necessary for their development. Lastly, because they are a breed from long ago made for hunting, they can have a hard time living with cats.
The physical characteristics of the Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is physically imposing and elegant.
General
This breed has a physique typical of large Nordic dogs and pullers, and is thus classified in the sled dog section. It also possesses pronounced characteristics found in the Spitz.
Head
The Alaskan Malamute’s strong head balances harmoniously with the rest of its body. The breed has a slightly rounded skull, with a fine furrow between the eyes. When it comes to the muzzle, it is massive, elongated but not pointed, with a slight stop and a broad jaw. Their ears are triangular and rounded at the tips. They are medium-sized and spread wide apart on their head. They point slightly forward when erect. Alaskan Malamutes have very expressive, gentle almond-shaped eyes, always brown or dark brown, but never blue.
Body
This dog has a robust, compact body, without being too heavy. They have straight and powerful limbs. Their neck is strong and slightly arched. The breed’s solid back slopes gently to the hips. The loins are strong and the chest well developed. Alaskan Malamutes have a brush-like tail, carried over its back when at rest. Compared to the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute is much stockier, more powerful, and also more enduring.
Coat, color, and grooming
The Alaskan Malamute is majestic and grooming them is relatively simple.
Coat
The Alaskan Malamute has semi-long thick hair that is rather rough to the touch. They also have a dense undercoat with a woolly tendency, making them highly resistant to low temperatures.
Colors
The Alaskan Malamute’s coat can vary from light gray to black. It always has white patches on its legs and lower body. Its head can have a wide variety of masks, but is always symmetrical. Its hues can also range from sable to red. However, the only single-color variety allowed for this breed must be white.
Grooming the Alaskan Malamute
The breed is naturally clean, so it doesn’t need to take a bath. However, if they do, they should not take more than two baths a year to avoid altering the protective properties of their hair and skin. Alaslan Malamutes shed heavily twice a year, in spring and autumn. To keep their coat looking beautiful, they should be brushed regularly, at least twice a week. It is best to avoid trimming their hair, except on the limbs if necessary.
Did you know?
In attempts to save the breed, three lines stood out. Eva Seeley originated the first, the “Kotzebue” type. She bred selected dogs that Admiral Byrd took with him on his expeditions to the South Pole. Paul Voelker developed the “M’Loot” line, which was larger and heavier dogs. Robert Zoller. developed the the third line, the “Hinman-Irwin”. He considered the “Kotzebue” too small.
The Alaskan Malamute at a glance
Size: females generally measure between 56 and 61 cm, and males between 61 and 66 cm.
Weight: varies between 34 and 38 kg (≈ 75 to 83.7 lb)
Health: You need to be vigilant for diseases specific to large dogs, such as stomach torsion, hip dysplasia, etc. It’s advisable to wait until the dog is fully grown before taking part in sporting activities.
Average lifespan: between 10 and 12 years, and they can sometimes live until 15 years old.
Is this breed good with children? If the children are well behaved, the Alaskan Malamute is tolerant and protective of them. However, as an adult, the breed is no longer very playful.
Is the Alaskan Malamute easy to train? As an independent breed, they are not very docile. Without force, but with firmness, their owners can teach them the basics of education. On the other hand, their intelligence and physical aptitudes are perfectly suited to agility courses or any kind of traction sport.