Dogs
By Ruthie Bently
The Alaskan Malamute’s origins go back 2,000 to 3,000 years, and their creation is credited to the Mahlemut Inuit tribe of northern Alaska. Most experts agree that the Malamute is one of the earliest dog breeds of North America. It is debated that they owe their existence to the breeding between domesticated Arctic wolves and early dogs owned by the tribe. It has not yet been scientifically confirmed, but the Alaskan Malamute might be the nearest living relative to the “First Dog” according to Mietje Germonpré, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. He feels that 30,000 year old dog remains recently found closely resemble the Alaskan Malamute due to their size.
I find it easy to believe that this breed is descended from wolves, as they do tend to howl more than they bark. I have had the chance to hear wolves howling, and the similarity is interesting. An extended family member owns a Malamute with ice blue eyes (this is a disqualification in the confirmation ring). When she looks at you, you get the impression that she is looking into your soul.
The Malamute was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935. An adult male may range in height from 24 to 26 inches at the withers and weigh between 80 to 95 pounds. An adult female may range in height from 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 70 to 85 pounds. They have a life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years. A Malamute is a large, deep-chested breed and is prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts and bloat. It is a member of the AKC’s working group and is a good example of the group.
Malamutes have a long, dense double coat of hair, well suited to the northern climes and cold weather. If you live in a state like Arizona, you might want to think twice before getting a Malamute. They blow coat profusely in the spring and the fall, and brushing several times a week outside is suggested. The undercoat comes out in clumps. Coat colors can be solid white, black and white, sable and white, red and white, blue and white, or gray and white.
The early Mahlemuts used Malamutes (their only mode of transportation) for pulling travel sleds, hauling sleds loaded with supplies and food, and for hunting polar bears. Malamutes were highly prized for their willingness to work and their endurance and strength. They are still used for hauling freight over long distances and moving heavy objects.
Highly athletic dogs, Malamutes are frequently used for skijoring, bikejoring, canicross (the sport of cross-country running while hitched to a dog), agility, backpacking, carting, dog sledding, jogging, mushing, packing, search and rescue, and weight pulling. In long distance races, they are slower and heavier than their smaller cousin, the Siberian Husky.
As sled dogs, Malamutes are suited more for hauling and transport due to their accomplished sense of smell, courageous tenacity and sense of direction. These traits make them an invaluable addition to any expedition. Malamutes were used in 1896 during the gold rush in the Klondike. They were used frequently in Admiral Byrd’s expeditions to the South Pole and were used during World War II for search and rescue in Greenland, as well as being immortalized in books written by Rudyard Kipling and Jack London. The Alaskan Malamute was voted as the state dog of Alaska in 2010.
Malamutes need daily exercise. They like to wander, and a stout fenced yard or a dog run is suggested. If you build a dog run, the fence should be buried several inches below ground, as they will dig their way out. They make a good family pet, but if there are smaller household pets, care should be taken due to the Malamute’s strong prey drive. Due to their size, care should be taken when they are around small children, as they may knock them over. Obedience training is strongly suggested, and Malamutes need to be properly socialized with other dogs and humans. This breed needs an owner who is a strong alpha; otherwise they may be unruly and try to rule the roost.
If you live in a northern climate, love exercise and winter sports, and don’t mind cleaning up dog hair, this affectionate, versatile arctic dog may be the right one for you.
Read more articles by Ruthie Bently
- Made In America Dog Breeds
By Linda Cole Most dog breeds originated in other countries and migrated to the United States with immigrants. The most popular dog in the United States is the Labrador Retriever, a breed that hails north of our border in Canada. However, we do have...
- Dog Breed Profile: Korean Jindo
By Ruthie Bently The Korean Jindo is a Spitz type dog of a medium size with a double coat native to Korea, specifically the island of Jindo in South Korea. It is believed that the breed originated on Jindo Island where they were bred several centuries...
- Which Breeds Make The Best Sled Dogs?
By Linda Cole The Siberian Husky is the breed most people associate with pulling a sled, but they aren't the only breed to make up a dog team. Teams of dogs can be made up of 10 different breeds, but there are only 3 breeds considered to be true...
- The Story Of Balto Is A Tribute To All Dogs
By Linda Cole Every now and then an exceptional dog rises above expectations. Balto was such a dog, who despite difficult odds guided a life saving dog sled team into Nome, Alaska in 1925 after a diphtheria epidemic threatened to wipe out the entire...
- Husky Dogs (siberian Huskies)
Brief HistorySiberian Huskies were used for centuries by the Chukchi Tribe, off the eastern Siberian peninsula to pull sleds, herd reindeer and as a watchdog. They were perfect working dogs for the harsh Siberian conditions: hardy, able to integrate into...
Dogs
The Alaskan Malamute, a True Arctic Breed
The Alaskan Malamute’s origins go back 2,000 to 3,000 years, and their creation is credited to the Mahlemut Inuit tribe of northern Alaska. Most experts agree that the Malamute is one of the earliest dog breeds of North America. It is debated that they owe their existence to the breeding between domesticated Arctic wolves and early dogs owned by the tribe. It has not yet been scientifically confirmed, but the Alaskan Malamute might be the nearest living relative to the “First Dog” according to Mietje Germonpré, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. He feels that 30,000 year old dog remains recently found closely resemble the Alaskan Malamute due to their size.
I find it easy to believe that this breed is descended from wolves, as they do tend to howl more than they bark. I have had the chance to hear wolves howling, and the similarity is interesting. An extended family member owns a Malamute with ice blue eyes (this is a disqualification in the confirmation ring). When she looks at you, you get the impression that she is looking into your soul.
The Malamute was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935. An adult male may range in height from 24 to 26 inches at the withers and weigh between 80 to 95 pounds. An adult female may range in height from 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 70 to 85 pounds. They have a life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years. A Malamute is a large, deep-chested breed and is prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts and bloat. It is a member of the AKC’s working group and is a good example of the group.
Malamutes have a long, dense double coat of hair, well suited to the northern climes and cold weather. If you live in a state like Arizona, you might want to think twice before getting a Malamute. They blow coat profusely in the spring and the fall, and brushing several times a week outside is suggested. The undercoat comes out in clumps. Coat colors can be solid white, black and white, sable and white, red and white, blue and white, or gray and white.
The early Mahlemuts used Malamutes (their only mode of transportation) for pulling travel sleds, hauling sleds loaded with supplies and food, and for hunting polar bears. Malamutes were highly prized for their willingness to work and their endurance and strength. They are still used for hauling freight over long distances and moving heavy objects.
Highly athletic dogs, Malamutes are frequently used for skijoring, bikejoring, canicross (the sport of cross-country running while hitched to a dog), agility, backpacking, carting, dog sledding, jogging, mushing, packing, search and rescue, and weight pulling. In long distance races, they are slower and heavier than their smaller cousin, the Siberian Husky.
As sled dogs, Malamutes are suited more for hauling and transport due to their accomplished sense of smell, courageous tenacity and sense of direction. These traits make them an invaluable addition to any expedition. Malamutes were used in 1896 during the gold rush in the Klondike. They were used frequently in Admiral Byrd’s expeditions to the South Pole and were used during World War II for search and rescue in Greenland, as well as being immortalized in books written by Rudyard Kipling and Jack London. The Alaskan Malamute was voted as the state dog of Alaska in 2010.
Malamutes need daily exercise. They like to wander, and a stout fenced yard or a dog run is suggested. If you build a dog run, the fence should be buried several inches below ground, as they will dig their way out. They make a good family pet, but if there are smaller household pets, care should be taken due to the Malamute’s strong prey drive. Due to their size, care should be taken when they are around small children, as they may knock them over. Obedience training is strongly suggested, and Malamutes need to be properly socialized with other dogs and humans. This breed needs an owner who is a strong alpha; otherwise they may be unruly and try to rule the roost.
If you live in a northern climate, love exercise and winter sports, and don’t mind cleaning up dog hair, this affectionate, versatile arctic dog may be the right one for you.
Read more articles by Ruthie Bently
- Made In America Dog Breeds
By Linda Cole Most dog breeds originated in other countries and migrated to the United States with immigrants. The most popular dog in the United States is the Labrador Retriever, a breed that hails north of our border in Canada. However, we do have...
- Dog Breed Profile: Korean Jindo
By Ruthie Bently The Korean Jindo is a Spitz type dog of a medium size with a double coat native to Korea, specifically the island of Jindo in South Korea. It is believed that the breed originated on Jindo Island where they were bred several centuries...
- Which Breeds Make The Best Sled Dogs?
By Linda Cole The Siberian Husky is the breed most people associate with pulling a sled, but they aren't the only breed to make up a dog team. Teams of dogs can be made up of 10 different breeds, but there are only 3 breeds considered to be true...
- The Story Of Balto Is A Tribute To All Dogs
By Linda Cole Every now and then an exceptional dog rises above expectations. Balto was such a dog, who despite difficult odds guided a life saving dog sled team into Nome, Alaska in 1925 after a diphtheria epidemic threatened to wipe out the entire...
- Husky Dogs (siberian Huskies)
Brief HistorySiberian Huskies were used for centuries by the Chukchi Tribe, off the eastern Siberian peninsula to pull sleds, herd reindeer and as a watchdog. They were perfect working dogs for the harsh Siberian conditions: hardy, able to integrate into...