Alaskan Malamutes are ruggedly stunning and beautiful dogs that are sometimes mistaken for a wolf or Siberian Husky. Their affectionate and sociable personalities make them great family pets. Though this breed was crossed with wolves long ago, they still are great with children and have a very kind personality. Malamutes have been the stars in many movies and books such as White Fang, Balto and Call of The Wild. Not many people are aware that the noises of Chewbacca of Star Wars were based on the noises an Alaskan Malamute makes.
History
The Alaskan Malamute was very important to the Inuit tribe known as the Mahlemuts. The Mahlemuts were a tribe located in the northwestern part of Alaska, and these dogs played an important role in their everyday lives. They helped in bringing down large game such as polar bears, seals and caribou. They would then haul the carcasses back to camp.
This is an ancient breed that can be traced back 2,000 to 3,000 years. They are a member of the Spitz group of dogs and DNA evidence shows their closeness to wolves. They are one of the fourteen ancient breeds of dogs that can attest to this.
Malamutes were very valuable to the prospectors searching for gold in the late 1800s. Their use in pulling sleds was invaluable in the harsh environment. Admiral Richard Byrd used them to pull his sleds on his expedition to the South Pole. These dogs were not built to be fast, but instead be strong and steady workers and pullers. This led to some bad cross breeding during this time. North American breeders stopped this process before the true breed of Malamute was destroyed. In 1935, the American Kennel Club accepted the Alaskan Malamute into this prestigious canine club and it became a member of the working group of dogs.
Features
The most common color of Alaskan Malamute that most people recognize is the standard white with shades of gray, black, sable or red. These dogs can be solid white in color. Their face usually has a white mask; this is why many people mistake them for wolves. A Malamute's coat is medium in length and is course and thick. The dog's undercoat is thick and woolly.
Since they're made to haul heavy loads, their body is muscular and heavily boned. Malamutes have strong legs and a straight back. Since their feet are made to trudge through thick snow, they are generally large. Their ears are set far apart and their heads are large and broad. The brown almond-shaped eyes give the dog a loving and endearing expression.
A male weighs around 85 lbs. when fully grown, and a female weighs in around 75 lbs. The males generally stand around 25 inches tall and the female 23 inches. Life expectancy is anywhere from 10 to 14 years. A dog used for pulling sleds or working in harsh environments usually can expect a shorter life expectancy.
Malamute litters range anywhere from four to ten puppies.
Temperament
The Alaskan Malamute makes a loyal and loving member to any home, including those with children. It is friendly and accepting towards people; because of that, Malamutes are not very good watchdogs. Since this breed was bred to work in packs, it is very social with animals it knows and has a team-oriented personality. The dog can be aggressive towards other animals that it is not familiar with.
This is a dog that likes a job to do, and strong leadership is best. Don't expect the dog to listen to commands with an unquestioning nature like some breeds such as Retrievers. They are stubborn and strong willed. They are creatures of instinct and will disobey orders if they don't agree with them. When training an Alaskan Malamute, it's best to do so with a firmness and consistency.
Care
It's best to give the dog plenty of exercise everyday to expel the vast amount of energy that's been bred into the breed. The Malamute makes a great jogging, skijoring, bikejoring or mushing companion. Skijoring and bikejoring are sports where the dog is attached with a harness and pulls the person who is either on skis or a bike. If not enough exercise is given to the dog, destructive behaviors can develop, such as howling and digging. It is hard to distinguish the difference between the howl of a Malamute from that of a coyote or wolf.
Health Concerns
An Alaskan Malamute's coat never needs to be trimmed, but does need to be brushed once or twice a week. Since their coats are so dense and thick, this dog is not made to live in hot climates. In the warmer months, it is best to make sure the dog has plenty of shade and water. A small child's pool is recommended, so it can cool off.
Though this a hardy breed of dog, muscular and tendon problems are common. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, ligament ruptures, hypothyroidism and chondrodysplasia. As with any pet, it's best to get regular vet checkups so any symptoms of ill health can be found early and treated.
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