Alaskan Malamute

 

Summary:

• The breed thrives outdoors and is perfect for nature lovers who want company in nature.
• The Alaskan Malamute is social and loves people.
• The breed is engineered for strength and endurance as a sled dog.
• The fur sheds in large quantities twice a year.
• The breed club gives breeding recommendations and follows the NKK’s ethical guidelines for breeding and husbandry.

Characteristics/Mentality:

The Alaskan Malamute is a devoted, friendly, playful and faithful dog. It is not a “one-man dog” and shows impressive dignity as an adult. Although it can be dominant towards other dogs, it needs consistent training. The breed does not have a distinct guarding instinct. The Alaskan Malamute was bred to work as a sled dog in polar regions and is known for its ability to pull heavy loads, not for its high speed.

Size and appearance:

The Alaskan malamute is one of the oldest arctic herding dogs and has a powerful and substantial body with a deep chest and strong muscles. It has an active appearance with a proud posture, head held high, and alert and curious eyes. The breed’s characteristic head markings include a hood, and the face may be completely white or marked with a stripe and/or mask. The powerful body and legs are designed for strength and endurance, not for competition on fast tracks.

Fur work:

Alaskan malamute does not need a lot of grooming. It sheds large amounts of fur twice a year, but otherwise the fur does not require much maintenance.

Health:

The state of health of the Alaskan Malamute is generally good. The breed is checked for health problems such as HD, eye diseases, and PN (polyneuropathy). There is a genetic test for PN, and the incidence of eye diseases is low. There has been a somewhat increasing incidence of HD in recent years.

History:

Alaskan malamute got its name from the Eskimo tribe “Mahlemiuts”, whose ancestors migrated from Siberia to Alaska. The Mahlemiuten’s sled dogs were, for many centuries, an authentic breeding product adapted to their surroundings. The indigenous people did not breed the dogs according to today’s standards, but based the selection on their ability as draft animals, guard dogs and hunters, as well as their resilience to survive in the harsh climate. Through centuries of isolation in the region, the Alaskan Malamute developed into a relatively uniform type.

Want to know more about the breed?

In general, anyone considering buying a puppy is advised to contact the breed club. The breed club has the expertise on the breed, an overview of breeders, and knowledge of the breed’s health. You will find a link to the breed club at the bottom of this page. You can also read more about the breed and its health in the RAS document below. RAS stands for Breed-specific breeding strategies and provides a good overview of the breed’s current status as well as the club’s focus on future breeding. The breed standard describes both the physical and mental characteristics of the breed and is also recommended as reading material for anyone considering buying a puppy of this breed.Good luck