Alaskan Malamute – Snow dog extraordinaire
Featured image by © bigstockphoto.com / travelarium
What is an Alaskan Malamute?
Affectionate, loyal, and playful, the Alaskan Malamute evolved throughout the Arctic regions of the world as a sled dog. They are among the oldest of the sled dog breeds of the Arctic and are distinct looking with their thick coats, muscular build, short ears and a curly tail. Malamutes are an immensely strong, heavy-duty worker that are physically built to endure harsh cold climates, and even today remain treasured for their strength and stamina.
The breed’s name is derived from the Mahlemiut people, a nomadic Inuit tribe that resided in northwestern Alaska. The Alaskan Malamute is descended from the domesticated wolf-dogs who accompanied the Paleolithic hunters that crossed the Bering Strait roughly 4,000 years ago. It is much larger in stature than its cousins, the Siberian and American Husky, and is regarded as a heavy freight sled dog, capable of pulling tremendous amounts of weight over long distances. Nowadays they are seen participating in professional sled racing all over the world.
Pros and Cons
- Large, imposing wolf-like appearance, yet is affectionate, friendly and loyal
- Thick coat repels dirt and keeps dog smell-free
- Playful and cheerful, and good with older children
- Extremely possessive of food. Can be an issue with children and other animals
- Very trusting breeds, and as such do not make good watchdogs
- Since they are arctic dogs, they are highly sensitive to heat
- Malamutes have high prey instincts, causing them to kill small animals
- They are very intelligent yet stubborn. May be difficult to handle for some owners.
Appearance and Size
Group: Working Dogs
Height: 22 – 26 inches
Weight: 70 – 95 pounds
The Alaskan Malamute is easily recognizable by his well-furred tail, erect ears, and substantial bone. Everything about the Malamute suggests strength and stamina. They have a heavy bone, deep chest, powerful shoulders, dense, weatherproof coat, and are the largest of the Arctic breeds. They are a long-haired breed with a coarse coat that protects a woolly undercoat. This dense undercoat acts as insulation against heat and cold whilst the guard coat protects from dampness and dirt. The most common color is grey and white, or black and white with a white or grey muzzle.
Temperament
The Alaskan Malamute is extremely intelligent, learns quickly and loving, but also strong-willed, independent. easily bored and has very strong dominant instincts. When these traits are combined with their size and strength, it can lead to destructive behavior such as chewing and digging. This is particularly true of Malamute puppies.
The Malamute should not be relied upon as a watchdog, despite their large and intimidating presence. Socialization is recommended early on so that your Malamute can get used to other household pets. Keep your dog under close control when outside the family home, as they are not be trusted around other animals.
Generally speaking, the Alaskan Malamute is sensitive and needs plenty of attention, affection and companionship. The breed doesn’t really bark much, but may howl quite loudly and incessantly if bored. They are vocal in other ways, and apparently, some owners can convince them to sing too.
Grooming
A Malamute’s thick, waterproof double-coat adapted to freezing Arctic life, and it requires regular upkeep. An Alaskan Malamute should be brushed every day with a pin brush. They are able to adjust to most climates and should never be clipped. During molting season, the dog should be groomed once daily with an undercoat rake. A Malamute’s coat is absolutely beautiful, and many people would find it quite huggable. The downside is that twice a year, these dogs inevitably shed a lot of fur. Fortunately, most of the shedding occurs during a short period, so you’ll only have to endure a few of weeks of extra vacuuming. After that, it’s hugs for the rest of the year.
Health
The Alaskan Malamute has three major health issues. Reputable breeders should screen for these disorders prior to breeding. Day blindness, also characterized by an inability to see in bright light, although able to see in decreased light. Hip dysplasia, a disease which affects the joints of the hips. Nutritional disorders -Alaskan Malamutes are a rapidly growing breed, thus a well-balanced diet must be provided to growing puppies. Poor nutrition leads to bone disorders that will remain for the duration of the dog’s life. Some Malamutes are prone to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland), and von Willebrand’s disease (hereditary blood-clotting disorder), elbow dysplasia, thrombopathia, and chondrodysplasia (dwarfism). Check their ears regularly to avoid a wax buildup and debris. Nails should be clipped, and teeth should be brush regularly as well
Life Expectancy
The Alaskan Malamute lives for around 11-14 years.
5 Fun Facts about Alaskan Malamutes
- The breed dates back 5,000 years ago to the first settlers of North America who kept Alaskan malamutes as their companions and as work dogs.
- Alaskan Malamute thrives in a pack. It likes to live surrounded with many people and animals, and be part of everyday family life.
- The Alaskan Malamute is the state dog of Alaska, and is credited with helping to open Alaska up for settlement and development by transporting supplies and other tasks
- During World War I, 450 Alaskan malamutes were sent to France to deliver supplies to isolated French troops in mountain outposts.
- Alaskan malamutes were also used in World War II to sniff for mines, carry weapons and act as search and rescue dogs.
Environment
Due to their independent nature, intelligence and strong dominant instincts, obedience training and socialization is essential. Training your Malamute can be quite challenging and should be commenced at a very young age. They do not fully mature until 18 months of age and unless they are correctly educated, they may become a large, unmanageable and stubborn adult. Because of this, there are many reported instances of abandonment. Malamutes are not recommended for first time dog owners as they are a working dog and require lots of exercise. Beware of over pampering this dog as a puppy as this will only lead to future behavioral problems. Many owners have parted with them because they have tried to assert themselves over the dog far too late in the process. Be firm, and consistent from the very beginning.
Malamutes require a lot of exercise and would thrive in a home with a large, fenced in yard. We aware though, that these dogs have a natural instinct to dig, so any yard fencing must continue into the ground.
If you’re looking to add an Alaskan Malamute to your family, consider adopting one instead. Rescuing and animal is a win-win for all. Its way cheaper and you save a life.
