The Alaskan Malamute

Origins

The Alaskan Malamute is an ancient arctic breed. Its origins are believed to go back to the dogs that came across the Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska during the last ice age with the ancestors of today's Inuit people.
The Inuit tribe from the area around Kotzebue Sound of Alaska, called the Mahlamuits or Mahlemuts are credited with the development as the breed we know today as the Alaskan Malamute.
The tribe's dogs were reported to be of remarkable beauty and endurance. The Malamute dog is much larger than the Siberian Husky and slightly larger than the Greenland dogs. The Malamute's coat has fewer variations in markings and colours than the Siberian or Greenland dogs. Their appearance often leads people to believe they were crossed with wolves, which did happen on occasion. However these wolf-dogs were usually neutered and not used for breeding, as they were very unpredictable.
The type of terrain and weather conditions in different regions also led to the variations in the types of Arctic dogs in North America.

Breeding for many generations, building on the characteristics that make a good sled dog, is how the Malamute breed developed. A harsh coat, cooperation, obedience, immense strength, and endurance were key traits the breed was built on. Because of the dogs relationship with the Inuit he is extremely trusting of humans.

The Malamute was used as a freight dog, pulling heavy loads over long distances. He was also used to hunt and defend the Inuit from polar bears. After the introduction of the snow machine, sled dogs lost a lot of their status as a working dog. However the popularity of racing in the arctic helped to keep an interest in maintaining the arctic breeds. However, the focus now was for very fast dogs, not necessarily strong dogs.
Malamutes Of Present Day

Fortunately there were individuals like Eve Seely, who is credited with having a major impact of the preservation and foundation of the breed as we know it, a large, extremely strong, affectionate, friendly, comedic, yet often laid back breed. Although sometimes labeled stubborn, Malamutes are a highly intelligent breed who have an impressive dignity and approach people with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Today's standard male Malamute is 25" and 85 pounds. Females are 23" and weigh 75 pounds. While this is the standard height for both the AKC and the CKC, you will often see Malamutes that range larger than this. The malamute expression is soft and indicates their affectionate disposition. His head is broad and deep.
His eyes are always brown and are almond shaped. His ears are wedge shaped and wider set than those of the Siberian. He has a bulky muzzle, with a black nose, except for reds, which have liver coloured nose and lips. The Malamute has a strong neck, which is moderately arched. The body should be compact, but not short coupled. The top-line of this dog is gently sloping to the hips. The chest depth is approximately one-half the height of the dog at the shoulders. The tail of the malamute is carried over the back like a waving plume. The malamute comes in colours ranging from light gray to black. Shades of sable and red are also recognized in the breed standard. In all colours, white is always predominant on the underbody, parts of legs, feet and part of the face and tip of the tail. White is the only solid colour allowed.
Today's Malamutes are used for many activities including; family pet, show dog, obedience, agility, flyball and of course weight pulling, sledding and skijoring.

Recommended reading:
The Alaskan Malalmute, Yesterday and Today Barbara A. Brooks and Sherry E. Wallis( available from Alpine Publishing)
The New Complete Alaskan Malamute by Maxwell Riddle and Beth J. Harris

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