The Alaskan Malamute has his beginnings in the arctic as freight or sled dog for the native group of Innuits who were known as the Mahlemut. The Mahlemut lived primarily neat the Anvik River in Alaska. However, their group did stretch out to other areas.
Originally, these dogs of long ago were powerful creatures that were capable of hauling extreme amounts of weight. In particular, they were used to haul large amounts of supplies such as food, to the villages During the gold rush in the late 1800s, the Alaskan Malamute was in high demand for his skills
Two different types of Alaskan Malamutes are recognized today- the Kotzebue and the M'Loot. The Kotzebue is slightly smaller and only has a coat in the gray coloring. The M'Loot is available in a variety of colors. In addition to these differences, the Kotzebue is less aggressive. Moreover, the Kotzebue is more active or hyper than the M'Loot.
The Alaskan Malamute is known for his powerful build with his strong muscles, deep chest, and strong stance. He holds his head in an erect posture that clearly indicates his proud nature. His eyes are always alert and curious, taking in his surroundings at all times
The Alaskan Malamute's head is large and broad. His ears are triangular and typically held erect above the head, especially when he is alerted by noise or movement. His muzzle is neither long or short. His tail is full of fluff and character, rising above and over the back in a seemingly waving gesture.
His body is heavily boned providing him with strength and power to perform his tasks efficiently. He is a tireless dog that is not designed for speed, but rather, for endurance and stamina.
The Alaskan Malamute needs lots of exercise to keep him healthy and content. Daily walks and periods of exercise including play are recommended. Although it is important not to over exercise the dog particularly in hot weather, it is essential to his well being to keep him fit. If boredom sets in due to a lack of attention, he can become destructive in his behavior out of frustration as well as a lack of anything else to do.
This is a highly trainable breed that responds well to positive reinforcement, especially in regard to obedience training. However, training must be consistent to achieve desired results Early socialization with other dogs is important for the best results.
The Alaskan Malamute is a very friendly breed that does well with groups of people. Therefore, he makes an exceptional family pet. His tendency to be affectionate is notable. Likewise, he is an extremely loyal and devoted dog.
Their coloring ranges from light gray to black and gold to liver. White is always the color on the under body. Any solid coloring other than white is frowned upon with this particular breed. Face markings are quite distinguishable. They typically involve a cap over the head with a mask or bar of color on the face. The coat of an Alaskan Malamute is double coated. It is quite thick with a coarse topcoat that protects a soft, long, and rather wooly undercoat. Trimming is not required at any time.
However, shedding occurs on a semi-annual basis and can be quite troublesome due to the excessive amounts of hair. The summer months typically encourage a coat that is less dense in nature; and therefore, one such period of shedding occurs at this time. During the rest of the time, very little shedding is noticed.
Additionally, the Alaskan Malamute does not exude any odor. He is a rather fastidious animal, and like a cat, will clean himself. Bathing may not be necessary more than once or twice a year. Grooming needs are minimal, although a regular brushing is certainly enjoyed by the dog and will produce a shine to his coat.
