Also called Mally. It is native to the Arctic dog, and one of the oldest breeds within the sledge dogs.

It's a dog with a strong appearance, strong, with good musculature. It is capable of carrying significant weight (until 20 kg) for tens of kilometres. This is a very ancient race, from the first races of sled dogs.

Raised by a tribe of Inuit call mahlemiut. The meaning of the word mahle It is unknown, but it is known that mouse means “town of”. Mahlemiut as Mahle people can therefore be interpreted. Following the English phonetics, diction is then transformed into MALAMUTE.

The area inhabited by the people of the MALAMUTE were the banks of Kotzebue Sound, a territory between two large rivers: the Kobuk and the Noatak. Men and women of the tribe mahlemiut (MALAMUTE) They were highly prized among others Inuit tribes for their courage, his pride and his skill in hunting and fishing.

These dogs were famous for their beauty and characteristics of strength and endurance, they did of them optimal elements for shooting.

They were, in general, larger and more powerful than the other Nordic dogs, with similar in appearance to the Wolf and large and soft tails carried on the back. Contemporary witnesses tell it between 1870 and 1880 approximately, the caribou, for unexplained reasons, They changed their usual migration routes and taking away the Malamute tribes an important source of livelihood.

In these conditions families no longer could afford keep groups of dogs trained for more than two or three copies: testimonies of the time talking about men, women and even children helped their dogs to pull the sledges. So the population began to decline and the way they ran their dogs.

Its ability to carry heavy loads it is revealed when he is chosen for expeditions to the Arctic Circle, as the two who placed the Admiral Byrd. They were also used as a rescue of injured dog in World War II.

His presence, always with the head-up, It gives some impressive aspect that, However, It is not at odds with a very friendly and playful character with their owners, Although it gives the impression of being a very serious dog anyone that knows no race.

It has two layers hair: an external, thick and rough, and an internal feel oily and woolly, and it is longer in the area of the neck and shoulders, on the back and the tail. Its color It is predominantly gray but colors ranging from white to reddish sand allowed.

The tail is well covered and is carried over the back; has the appearance of a feather bush that sways.

The Malamute stands upright on its legs and embodies the pride and great joy of movement with its upright head posture and alert radiating eyes., interest and curiosity. His head is wide. Ears are triangular and are pricked when attention is drawn. The muzzle is massive and tapers only slightly from the base to the nose. It is neither pointed nor long nor short and thick. … The Malamute must have heavy bones and powerful legs, good legs, a deep chest, powerful shoulders and all the other physical conditions you need to do your job efficiently. Your movement should be smooth, harmonious, tireless and completely efficient. He was not bred as a racing sled dog for speed competitions.

In contrast to other races, When it gets wet is not drastically reduced its size.

There are different colors in the Alaskan Malamute, Black with white, coffee, reddish and recently found a color of white Malamute. The history of this color is equal to of the Siberian Husky; they are white to camouflage in the snow and thus be able to catch prey.

How big is an Alaskan Malamute?

Malamutes have a height at the withers of 64 cm in males and 59 centimeters in females. The weight is between 34 and 38 kg.

How long can an Alaskan Malamute live??

His life expectancy is more than 12 years.

It is a sled dog with ancient origins, little changed from its origin Wolf. This does not mean that it is aggressive. While his appearance and pride can impress the external observer, It's a playful animal (When you are invited to do so), faithful to his master and a great protective instinct with children.

It is a dog outside, She loves the outdoors and is happy to live in the open air; If locks it after a fence, It is very likely that finding the way to escape, because likes freedom and not lose a chance to go in search of an adventure or a career.

Shyness is usually not a good sign, but fortunately, seems to be a pretty rare feature in this race and if it occurs it may be due to causes outside of the animal genetics and having been produced by an owner who has failed to give a proper socialization, keeping it locked and devoid of psychic stimuli, interaction with the same kind and a very limited human contact. If it detects, It should be monitored and provide training to overcome the problem, that otherwise his behavior may become unpredictable and therefore dangerous.

On the other hand, given the way of Eskimo and nomadic life share everything, is not a race of protection, but it can be a good Dog Alert, It will notify the owner that he sees something strange, with the so particular sound it emits, It is a combination between howl and bark.

It is not a dog to guard and defense than by nature tend to be friendly with humans.

As a result of his former life, It is a dog with strong herd instinct and hierarchy, which results in frequent attacks with other animals. In addition, males are very territorial and competitive among themselves so it is not advisable to accommodate them together. Females may be easier to train and better adapted to living in houses. This race like the company human, has huge doses of loyalty, love and willingness to work, What makes a good dog home.

It is affectionate with children, even with strangers, and he loves to accompany them on all sides. Because of its independent character is reputed to be stubborn and difficult to train among people who do not know. However, There are Malamutes champions working with blind obedience.

They are sensitive, affectionate and playful, but they know to protect themselves effectively. With a good training and socialization are balanced dogs, both physically and psychologically, because they have good potential for learning because they are quick to learn and acute reflexes.

Mixtures of Alaskan Malamute with other dog breeds are common in the sled dog scene. Many ⓘ mushers they try it to improve the performance of their dogs. Individuals who from the point of view of the mushers do not bring optimal performance against the sled, they are then sometimes in the shelter or offered as a companion dog.

How much care does an Alaskan Malamute need?

The Alaskan Malamute needs regular brushing, at least weekly, of the coat. Change of coat, twice a year, is particularly intensive. Then your house, his car and his clothes will be full of his long hair, even though they brush it daily. But the main effort for its care is due to its nature as a sled dog.

Is there a typical Alaskan Malamute disease?

The Alaskan Malamute it is a very healthy breed of dog, as long as it is not bred in extreme form, which fortunately is seen very little so far: too heavy dogs with too short legs.

What food is best for an Alaskan Malamute?

The Alaskan Malamute is often a picky eater. The ⓘ mushers they have secret recipes with treats to provide their dogs with enough energy before races. Like most dogs, likes a meaty beef bone and fresh meat.

Activities

The Alaskan Malamute has to work. This usually means its use as a sled dog.. An attitude like that of a farm or family dog ​​would not be appropriate for the species.

Considerations before purchase

Where can you buy an Alaskan Malamute?

If you are interested in a Alaskan Malamute, the first thing to do is visit some sled dog races. Then you should check if you want to spend at least the next ten years a common life, sporting and intensive with these dogs and also having the objective conditions for it. Then you should get information from a local breeder who is affiliated with a sled dog club.. If everything goes well, you will have a wonderful experience.

Is an Alaskan malamute good for me?

The Alaskan Malamute a dog is not for beginners. You have high demands on your attitude, stemming from its destiny as an original sled dog. All the lives of their caregivers, your human family must adjust to your needs. The real MALAMUTE needs the challenge to the sled physically and mentally. Here are several replacement possibilities even without snow. We see a kind of sled on wheels like a tricycle or a training car with four tires. Especially for Malamutes, drag competitions are organized, that are accepted by dogs with great joy and full commitment. Especially the sport of dogsledding has something very special. Driving with the sleigh of the MALAMUTE through a snowy landscape in winter is one of the greatest experiences of all.

It also allows you to experience a deep unity between man-dog and nature in a way that is hardly possible otherwise.. Of course it is also good for your health.

When traveling, it is better to take the MALAMUTE in an aluminum transport box. The Malamute is not a dog for an apartment. A house with a “garden” should be an ideal space for this breed.

The MALAMUTE it is one of the few dog breeds that can be kept as a pack in a kennel without any problem. But this kennel must be well secured. It is not that Malamutes are a danger to the environment, but they are kings of escape and they dig well and with gusto. You can hardly believe, through which little holes these heavy dogs can escape.

To the malamutes they like to sleep outside and snuggle with their head under their tail during the biggest snowstorm. The garden, where the Malamutes, should not be considered an ornamental garden, to put it in a nice way. The malamutes require the whole lifestyle to be in tune with this association.

The Alaskan Malamute can be well trained by an experienced dog owner. One must accept the challenge, even love, of fighting mentally with these primitive and self-assured dogs. They will gladly accept their masters and caregivers, will be loyal to them, but they must have leadership qualities combined with a lot of doggy mind. You have to fully commit to the experience of having a MALAMUTE. Not a dog for people without deep canine experience.

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed “Alaskan Malamute” you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, You must take into account their character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, your care and if you have young children, their level of tolerance towards them.