Description

This is a large, solid dog with a thick weatherproof coat that can be black, gray or red with distinctive white markings. In many ways, the Malamute is visually like his distant cousin the wolf. However, the Malamute is a domesticated dog and is not a wolf hybrid.

Color

Colors are wolf gray, black, sable and red, all with white markings. White markings normally appear as a cap or mask on the face, on the legs and feet and on the belly. A white blaze on the forehead or a spot on the neck is also seen.

Category Size

Large

Coat Length

Short/Medium

Weight/Height Range

Dogs ideally measure between 25 - 28 inches at the withers and females measure between 23 - 26 inches. Both dogs and females weigh between 84 - 123 lbs.

HEIGHT	MIN	MAX	WEIGHT	MIN	MAX
Female	23"	26"	Female	84 lbs.	123 lbs.
Male	25"	28"	Male	84 lbs.	123 lbs.

Ailments

This is a strong and naturally hardy breed, their most significant problem being Hip Dysplasia. Malamutes may also be prone to copper and zinc deficiencies.

Suitable Breed for Allergy Sufferers

No

Common Ailments

Bones (Developmental) - Hip dysplasia, Endocrine - Hypothyroidism, Endocrine - Pituitary dwarfism, Chondrodysplasia, Haemeralopia, Factor VII disease, Zinc related dermatosis

Personality

With their physical resemblance to wolves, most people assume Malamutes will be good guard dogs. Nothing can be further from the truth! They are extremely friendly, affectionate dogs even to complete strangers and they seldom bark! They are loyal and noble dogs but can display dominant behavior to other dogs of the same sex. They will get on well with children but there should be supervision from an adult at all times. Whilst inherently gentle, Malamutes need to learn at an early age how fragile human children are in order to prevent accidental injuries. As long as they have been introduced to other household pets from a young age, they will accept them. This breed should never be left alone as they are 'pack' dogs and can become sullen and withdrawn, causing behavioral problems. Owners should make allowances for the breed's need to both howl and dig, providing an appropriate time and place to do both. Some breeders say the scavenging instinct is also strong in the Malamute and warn against a tendency to raid the bin. It is not recommend for novice dog owners to acquire this breed.

Intelligence

As this is a dominant breed, especially with the same sex, it is essential the dog be thoroughly socialized before allowing free play in the park with other dogs. A Malamute needs a confident handler who will clearly take on the role of pack leader and train the dog with kind, but firm methods. Although the Malamute will never respond to commands at lightening speed, it can learn obedience and agility commands and will perform them competently.

Energy

High

Tendency To Bark

Low

Overall Exercise Requirement

Whilst this breed will adapt themselves to family circumstances, owners should still allow at least an hour a day of hard exercise. Some owners join sledging clubs to compete in races thus giving the dogs plenty of exercise. It should be noted that Malamutes do have a tendency to run off so they should be well trained to recall before being let off the leash.

Suitability for Personal Protection

Low

Suitability as a Guard Dog

Low

Suitability for Children

Medium

Ease of Transportation

Low

Level of Distress caused if left alone

Low

Level of aggression

Medium

Other animal compatibility

Medium

Breeding & ownership

If being used to sled, this dog should be on a 'performance' diet, as it will burn off an extraordinary amount of calories. As a house pet, a normal maintenance diet should be acceptable. As a giant breed, it may need to be on a specially formulated puppy diet for giant breeds. This diet is helpful in preventing joint and bone problems that these breeds sometimes develop.

Food Cost

Expensive

Average Puppy Price

Expensive

Other Expenses

The cost of a puppy will range from $1500 to $1600. Once purchased, apart from feeding, there will be little further expenditure. They are a hardy breed; therefore veterinary costs should be low.

Grooming & showing

The dog should be given a 5-minute brushing daily. Dogs will shed heavily once a year and females twice a year during their seasons. Uniquely, Malamutes are reported to be free of doggy odor so they should not need to be bathed frequently.

Grooming requirements

Every Day

Trimming required

None

Tendency to shed hair

Heavy

Show characteristics

This is a powerful, heavily- boned dog. The head is broad, especially between the ears and there should be a slight furrow between the dark, almond shaped eyes. Bulky in proportion to the skull, the muzzle has an almost uniform width and depth throughout its length. A black nose is preferred but a brown nose or a streaked 'snow nose' is acceptable in lighter-coated dogs. The teeth should be large and meet in a scissor bite. Medium in size, but small in relation to the head, the ears are triangular in shape with rounded tips. They are set wide, on the outside back edge of the skull, almost in line with the upper corner of the eyes. A strong and moderately arched neck leads into a deep chest that should be equal to half the height at the withers. The body is compact but not short coupled so that the length of the body is slightly more than the height to the withers. There is a gentle slope to the hips and the loins should be well-muscled and of a moderate length. The tail follows the line of the spine, not tightly curled to rest on the back, nor like a fox-brush, but carried with the appearance of a waving plume. The shoulders have a moderate slope and lead into the heavily boned foreleg. Straight to the pastern, which is short, strong and almost vertical, the legs end in large feet with close toes and very thick, tough pads. Broad through the thigh, the hind legs should show a moderate bend in the stifle and hock joints. Overall, the legs should give the impression of tremendous soundness. A Malamute must exhibit an efficient and tireless gait with impressive forward reach and rear propulsion. The outer coat is thick and coarse, while the undercoat is woolly and greasy. The insulating undercoat can be 1-2 inches deep! Acceptable colors for the show-ring are wolf gray, black, sable and red, all with white markings. White markings should appear as a cap or mask on the face, on the legs and feet and on the belly. A white blaze on the forehead or a spot on the neck is acceptable. Splashes of white on the back are not allowed. The only solid color recognized is white.

Breed classification

Alaskan Malamutes belong to the Working group and are used for sled-pulling, sled-racing, as companions and seen in the show-ring.

Origin

In Northwestern Alaska, a tribe of Innuit, called the Mahlemuts, developed a breed of dog for hauling heavy loads in harsh weather and assisting with hunting. The dog they developed shares its ancestry with other arctic breeds: the Samoyed of Russia, the Siberian Husky and the Eskimo dogs of Greenland and Labrador. However, the Mahlemuts dog was not built for speed, but for power and his impressive stature supports this fact. It has been stated that the Mahlemuts staked out females in heat so that wolves could interbreed with them. However, the Malamute is not a wolf hybrid and any breeding in that direction is strongly discouraged. Although the American Kennel Club till 1935 did not officially recognize the breed, it is surmised that Malamutes contributed to the polar expeditions of Perry, Cook and Byrd. As they are not racing dogs, it was in pulling loads that Malamutes made their contribution to expeditions. Some outcrosses to the faster arctic dogs were made during the gold rush era but the Seeleys (breed enthusiasts) did their utmost to purify the breed back to its original purpose.

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