Alaskan Malamute

Other names: Alaskan Malamute, Alaskan Malamute

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Hair type	Half-long
Origin	United States
Template	Big
Head shape	Long

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 34 kg to 38 kg	From 56 cm to 61 cm
Male	From 34 kg to 38 kg	From 61 cm to 66 cm

History of the breed

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Nordic sled dog breeds . It originated in Northwestern Alaska (Kotzebue region), where the Mahlemiut tribe raised it for its qualities as a sled dog and a hunting dog. It is also this tribe that gave it its name.

During the Gold Rush in the 19th ^century, many of Alaska Malamutes were used to transport gold researchers and their equipment. The breed was definitively recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) on May 13, 1963.

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Physical features

His coat: thick, rough, neither too long nor soft associated with a dense and woolly undercoat.
Its color: from light gray to black, passing through intermediate colors (sable to red). The only unicoloured variety must be white.
His head: broad, strong, but without coarseness. Well proportioned to the dog’s body. The skull is slightly rounded, with the presence of a slight groove between the eyes. The stop is light, the muzzle strong and massive and the jaws wide.
Its ears: triangular in shape, slightly rounded at their tip, medium in size, set wide apart, pointing slightly forward when erect, sometimes folded against the skull when the dog is active.
His eyes: brown, almond shaped, medium size. Display a gentle and affectionate expression.
Its body: robust and compact construction. The neck is strong and slightly arched, the back straight and sloping gently towards the hips, the loins solid and well muscled, the chest well developed.
Its tail: well supplied. Carried on the back when the dog is at rest.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

The Alaskan Malamute is a dog with an affectionate , friendly and sociable personality . In family, his loyalty and his attachment make him a most pleasant companion. The great dignity that characterizes him does not prevent him from being extremely playful when encouraged to do so. If its main function is that of sled dog, a job for which it shows remarkable aptitudes, the Alaskan Malamute is nonetheless a very good pet . He doesn’t like loneliness .

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Education

The Alaskan Malamute needs a firm education from an early age. Nor is it a question of seeking the balance of power. Intelligent, active and dedicated , this dog loves to learn as long as you respect its pace and do not drown it under instructions. He is not necessarily recommended as a first dog , as he is not very docile like many Nordic dogs. He likes to stand up to his owner to test him . The latter should take a firm education, strict but gentle at a young age to expect the best possible results.

Living conditions

The Alaskan Malamute acclimates to the harshest weather conditions . He greatly prefers life outdoors , in a house with a large fenced garden, otherwise his temperament could lead him to run away. Apartment life suits him much less, where he could quickly get bored. He needs space and freedom.

Health

The Alaskan Malamute has iron health . He is only prone to hip dysplasia due to his large size. Thus, physical exercise should be moderate in its first months of life. In addition, the Alaskan Malamute cannot stand very hot weather. It is essential to put it in the shade during the summer period. No hereditary pathology is to be emphasized.

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends an Alaska Malamute dog insurance .

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Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

the   Alaskan Malamute experiences 2 fairly substantial moults per year , mainly in the fall and spring. Apart from these periods, its maintenance is very easy , since it has the reputation of a naturally very clean dog.

It is recommended to brush the dog twice a week . During moulting, brushing becomes more frequent to remove dead hair. The Alaskan Malamute does not need to be washed . If baths are necessary, do not do more than 2 per year so as not to alter the protection provided by her dress and her skin. We will also avoid cutting the hair, except possibly those of the limbs if necessary.

Brushing the Malamute’s teeth helps eliminate tartar buildup and bacteria growth. If they do not wear out naturally, his nails need to be cut regularly. If you are new to this, it is recommended that you seek advice from a veterinarian. Finally, the eyes and ears should be checked weekly to ensure that there are no traces of dirt or any infection. The ears should be cleaned with cotton soaked in a neutral pH ear product.

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Food

This dog feeds mainly on human food . Its rations therefore consist of raw meat , starchy foods such as pasta and rice, as well as fresh vegetables . His diet must be adapted to his daily energy expenditure. Do not hesitate to turn to a veterinarian for a diet adapted to your morphology and physical activities.

Physical activity

The Alaskan Malamute being a sled dog, he needs to stay active on a daily basis . As such, he needs at least two long walks a day. All activities that can involve his formidable endurance and his great coordination are welcome: hiking, treks, agility …

Famous Alaskan Malamute Dogs

Buck and Shadow : these Alaskan Malamutes appear in the film Antartica, prisoners of the cold , directed by Frank Marschall and released in 2006. Both are part of the sled dog team (the other 6 are Siberian Huskys ). The film tells the story of geologist Davis McClaren and guide Jerry Shepard , who lead an expedition in the heart of Antarctica. Due to extreme weather conditions, the 2 men were forced to evacuate the premises as a matter of urgency and to leave the canines in place. Left to their own devices, the 4-legged companions will try to survive while waiting for the return of their owner, Jerry , determined to get them back.

The film was inspired by the Japanese expedition that took place in Antarctica in 1958 .

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FCI Information