Alaskan Malamute
Other names: Mal, Mally
The Alaskan Malamute was conceived for the hauling of heavy sleds, but the latter have since become an obsolete tool in the modern world: contemporary sled dog competitions are above all else a test of speed, which is better suited to more agile and flexible dogs (such as the Malamute’s nordic cousin, the Siberian Husky). Overtime, the Alaskan Malamute has therefore simply become a companion and show dog. Certain individuals- but by no means all of them- have a good watchdog capacity, but an authentic Malamute should never be vicious. The Malamute is extremely gentle and affectionate towards his family.
Key facts about the Alaskan Malamute
Origins and history
Originally from the Alaskan High North, he was bred by the Mahlemut people, where he gets his name from. The Mahlemut used to hunt for caribous- animals that have become extinct shortly prior to the gold rush, leaving the people without resources. The first Americans who arrived in the High North only found a few specimens of this breed. Luckily, they brought them back to the United States and further developed the breed as we know it today. The FCI officially recognised the breed in 1963.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 1 : Nordic Sledge Dogs
Physical characteristics of the Alaskan Malamute
Adult size
Female : Between 23 and 25 in
Male : Between 23 and 25 in
Weight
Female : Between 75 and 84 lb
Male : Between 75 and 84 lb
Coat colour
All colours ranging from grey to black are admissible, but always with some white patching on the paws, legs, and lower body. The head can be of a variety of masks, and they should always be symmetrical.
Type of coat
The coat is medium-long.
The coat is thick and coarse, with an abundant undercoat.
Eye colour
The eyes are brown, and should be as dark as possible. Blue eyes are considered a defect.
Description
The Alaskan Malamute is a classical nordic dog, with pronounced characteristics typical of Spitz dogs. He has a strong and compact frame, yet not overly stocky; straight and powerful limbs; a brush-like tail, carried over the back like a "waving plume", but never actually touching the back. The head is adorned by upright ears, quite far apart and directed towards the front. The muzzle is elongated but not pointy. The almond-shaped eyes have a typical nordic expression and are obliquely set. Even if he resembles the Husky in many aspects, the Malamute is mightier, more big-boned, and stubborn. The Siberian Husky is faster and more slender, while the Malamute is more enduring and can haul heavier freight for longer.
Do note that there also exists the Alaskan Giant Malamute, that can weigh up to 187 pounds for males, and 154 pounds for females. The latter is the result of a cross between the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the Newfoundland, and the Saint Bernard. This particular variety is sooner considered to be a large companion dog rather than a sled dog, since the crossing has distanced it from the ‘nordic’ aspect of the authentic Malamute.
Good to know
During the gold rush, these dogs were in extremely high demand, as the hopeful prospectors used them to transport enormous quantities of food and supplies over the mountain tops.
The Alaskan Malamutes have been used during the Second World War, to sniff out mines, carry firearms and serve as search and rescue dogs.
With regards to the Alaskan Giant Malamute, it was considered a separate breed in its own right and not a ‘kind of malamute’. He is, however, considered to be an outsized dog in Europe and is therefore rarely seen there. He is more often taken into account and bred in Canada and the United States.