Alaskan Malamute

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
60+ min/day
Training
No training
Size of home
Large property & outdoor
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Donna Kerr (Longstrider)

lozndon@bigpond.net.au
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History

Some naturalists think the Alaskan Malamute is a product of the early dog and domesticated wolf from centuries ago, whereas some Eskimo cultural experts and a number of Eskimo elders dismiss this idea, pointing out the anatomical differences between dog and wolf.

Archaeological evidence indicates that Alaskan Malamutes may have first been used no more than three to five hundred years ago, although they may have been used for dog-drawn sleds or as pack dogs before that time. The Alaskan Malamute is an extremely hardy breed that was recognised by the AKC in 1935.

Characteristics

The phrase 'form follows function' applies to the Alaskan Malamute more so than any other breed. Every feature of the Alaskan Malamute relates to its function and its survival. The shape of its head, its top line, tail carriage, coat and colour help distinguish it from other Arctic sledding breeds, such as the Siberian Husky.

Appearance

The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful and substantially built breed with a deep chest and strong, well-muscled body. The breed's head is broad and the muzzle is bulky, only slightly diminishing in width from root to nose. Ears are triangular and erect when alerted. The Alaskan Malamute is made up of various colours: face markings are a distinguishing feature, consisting of a cap over the head, the face either all white or marked with a bar and/or mask.

Temperament

The Alaskan Malamute is a friendly, intelligent, independent dog that loves people. Because of this, it is not a guard dog, although its size and appearance makes the breed an effective visual deterrent. It is as strong-willed and determined as it is friendly and should have Obedience training from an early age.

Health

The Alaskan Malamute's average life span is 10 to 12 years, however, it does suffer from some health issues. These include Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Hypothyroidism (Thyroid), Polyneuropathy (DNA test available), Epilepsy and Bloat. Reputable breeders will test for these health issues.

Maintenance

The breed's coat may be medium or long in length and consists of two textures of dense hair, the outer coat and undercoat. Double-coated breeds do shed year round and routine brushing is the most important step in grooming the Alaskan Malamute.

Caution: do not shave your Alaskan Malamute in summer, as the hair that keeps the heat in, also keeps the heat out, and shaving could have long term effects. The breed usually sheds any unwanted hair in the warmer months.

Suitability

For those people looking for a dog with a lovable nature and outgoing personality, the Alaskan Malamute offers a lifetime of fun. The breed will insist on having a part in all family activities as it is a very pack-oriented breed and therefore does best when included in the family.

With this in mind, the Alaskan Malamute generally isn't a 'one man' dog. It is an extremely intelligent breed that can be very stubborn and easily bored, so it is not typically recommended for a first-time dog owner.

Words: Daniel Stevenson on behalf of the Alaskan Malamute Club of NSW Inc

In Conclusion

Now you know a little more about the Alaskan Malamute you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make you make your decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breeds and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Alaskan Malamute and its needs and whether this breed would indeed suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 21 May 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, is a powerful and substantially built dog with a deep chest and strong, well-muscled body.The Malamute stands well over the pads, and this stance gives the appearance of much activity and proud carriage, with head erect and eyes alert showing interest and curiosity. The head is broad. Ears are triangular and erect when alerted. The muzzle is bulky, only slight diminishing in width from root to nose. The muzzle is not pointed or long, yet not stubby.The coat is thick with a coarse guard coat of sufficient length to protect a woolly undercoat. Malamutes are of various colours. Face markings are a distinguishing feature. These consist of a cap over the head, the face either all white or marked with a bar and/or mask. The tail is well furred, carried over the back, and has the appearance of a waving plume.The Malamute must be a heavy boned dog with sound legs, good feet, deep chest and powerful shoulders, and have all of the other physical attributes necessary for the efficient performance of his job.The gait must be steady, balanced, tireless and totally efficient. He is not intended as a racing sled dog designed to compete in speed trials.The Malamute is structured for strength and endurance, and any characteristic of the individual specimen, including temperament, which interferes with the accomplishment of this purpose, is to be considered the most serious of faults.

Characteristics

Important: In judging Malamutes, their function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting in the Arctic must be given consideration above all else. The legs of the Malamute must indicate unusual strength and tremendous propelling power. Face markings are a distinguishing feature.

Temperament

The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog, not a "one man" dog. He is a loyal, devoted companion, playful on invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity after maturity.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	The head is broad and deep, not coarse or clumsy, but in proportion to the size of the dog. The expression is soft and indicates an affectionate disposition.Skull: Is broad and moderately rounded between the ears, gradually narrowing and flattening on top as it approaches the eyes, rounding off to cheeks that are moderately flat; there is a slight furrow between the eyes. The topline of the skull and the topline of the muzzle show a slight break downward from a straight line as they join.Muzzle: Is large and bulky in proportion to the size of the skull, diminishing slightly in width and depth from junction with the skull to the nose. The lips are close fitting.Nose, lips and eye rims' pigmentation: Is black in all coat colours except reds. Brown is permitted in red dogs. The lighter streaked "snow nose" is acceptable.
Eyes	The eyes are obliquely placed in the skull. Eyes are brown, almond shaped and of medium size. Dark eyes are preferred. Blue eyes are a disqualifying fault.
Ears	The ears are of medium size, but small in proportion to the head. The ears are triangular in shape and slightly rounded at the tips. They are set wide apart on the outside back edges of the skull, on line with the upper corner of the eye, giving ears the appearance, when erect, of standing off from the skull. Erect ears point slightly forward, but when the dog is at work, the ears are sometimes folded against the skull. High set ears are a fault.
Mouth	The upper and lower jaws are broad with large teeth. The incisors meet with a scissors grip. Overshot or undershot is a fault.
Neck	The neck is strong and moderately arched.
Forequarters	The shoulders are moderately sloping; forelegs heavily boned and muscled, straight to the pasterns when viewed from the front. Pasterns are short and strong and slightly sloping when viewed from the side.
Body	The chest is well developed. The body is compactly built but not short coupled. The back is straight and gently sloping to the hips. The loins are hard and well muscled. A long loin that may weaken the back is a fault.
Hindquarters	he rear legs are broad and heavily muscled through the thighs; stifles moderately bent, hock joints are moderately bent and well let down. When viewed from the rear, the legs stand and move true in line with the movement of the front legs, not too close nor too wide. Dewclaws on the rear legs are undesirable and should be removed shortly after puppies are whelped.
Feet	Are of the snowshoe type, tight and deep, with well-cushioned pads, giving a firm, compact appearance. The feet are large, toes tight fitting and well arched. There is a protective growth of hair between the toes. The pads are thick and tough; toenails short and strong.
Tail	Is moderately set and follows the line of the spine at the base. The tail is carried over the back when not working. It is not a snap tail or curled tight against the back, nor is it short furred like a fox brush. The Malamute tail is well furred and has the appearance of a waving plume.
Gait/Movement	The gait of the Malamute is steady, balanced and powerful. He is agile for his size and build. When viewed from the side, the hindquarters exhibit strong rear drive that is transmitted through a well-muscled loin to the forequarters. The forequarters receive the drive from the rear with a smooth reaching stride. When viewed from the front or from the rear, the legs move true in line, not too close nor too wide. At a fast trot, the feet will converge toward the centreline of the body. A stilted gait, or any gait that is not completely efficient and tireless, is to be penalised.
Coat	The Malamute has a thick, coarse guard coat, never long and soft. The undercoat is dense, from 2.5 - 5 cm (1 - 2 ins) in depth, oily and woolly. The coarse guard coat varies in length as does the undercoat. The coat is relatively short to medium along the sides of the body, with the length of the coat increasing around the shoulders and neck, down the back, over the rump, and in the breeching and plume. Malamutes usually have a shorter and less dense coat during the summer months. The Malamute is shown naturally. Trimming is not acceptable except to provide a clean cut appearance of feet.
Colour	The usual colours range from light grey through intermediate shadings to black, sable and shadings of sable to red. Colour combinations are acceptable in undercoats, points, and trimmings. The only solid colour allowable is all white. White is always the predominant colour on underbody, parts of legs and feet, and part of face markings. A white blaze on the forehead and /or collar, or a spot on the nape is attractive and acceptable. The Malamute is mantled, and broken colours extending over the body or uneven splashing are undesirable.
Size	Size, Proportion and Substance: There is a natural range of size in the breed. The desirable freighting sizes are:Dogs 63.5 cm (25 ins) at the shoulders - 38.5 kg (85 lbs)Bitches 58.5 cm (23 ins) at the shoulder - 34 kg (75 lbs)However, size consideration should not outweigh that of type, proportion, movement and other functional attributes. When dogs are judged equal in type, proportion, and movement, the dog nearest the desirable freighting size is to be preferred.The depth of chest is approximately one half the height of the dog at the shoulders, the deepest point being just behind the forelegs. The length of the body from point of shoulder to the rear point of pelvis is longer than the height of the body from ground to top of the withers. The body carries no excess weight, and bone is in proportion to size.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dogThe degree to which a dog is penalised should depend upon the extent to which the dog deviates from the description of the ideal Malamute, and the extent to which the particular fault would actually affect the working ability of the dog.Serious Faults: Any characteristic of the individual specimen, including temperament, which interferes with his strength and endurance is to be considered the most serious of faults.Any indication of unsoundness in legs and feet, front or rear, standing or moving. Faults under this provision would be:Ranginess, shallowness, ponderousness Lightness of bonePoor overall proportions Straight shouldersLack of angulation Bad pasternsCow hocks Splay-footednessStilted gait, or any gait that is not balanced, strong & steady.Faults: High set ears Over- or undershotBroken colours extending over the body or uneven splashing.Disqualification: Blue eyes