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The Alaskan Malamute is a “Natural Breed” and it is not man made breed such as the Rottweiler,
Doberman, Labs and others.
Alaskan Malamutes are large and powerful dogs but very sweet and affectionate towards their owners and children
, and friendly towards people in general.
Alaskan Malamutes may look very " intimidating" but are very friendly dog.
This breed received recognition by the American kennel club in 1935
The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate,friendly dog , not a one man dog. he is loyal , devoted companion , playful
on invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity after maturity.
The Malamute makes a great family pet, enjoys being outside , but also loves being inside and spending time with
its human pack . These dogs are pack -oriented, and enjoy being around other animals but they do tend to be
same sex aggressive. And do not get along well with dogs of the same sex. They can be taught to get along with
smaller animals but it is best to be introduced at a young age then adult age.
We love the Alaskan Malamute but they are not for everyone. We try to provide you with information through out
our website. So you can decided if the Alaskan Malamute is the right dog for you and your home. we want you to
understand everything their is to know about them.
Mals are generally clean and don't "smell like dogs". They groom them selves like cats, removing dirt or mud from
themselves. They "blow" their undercoats two times a year in the spring and in the fall and will need daily brushing
during this major shedding time . During the rest of the year, a weekly brushing will do.
Malamutes need something to do or they tend to develop behavioral problems, like wrecking the house, and
digging up the garden and yard. , digging holes for fun, and to lay in the hole they dug.. You can allow them to use
the spot they have selected, and just give up putting plants there, or encourage them to use a particular spot, by
burying treats . Some Mals are more dedicated diggers than others. Keeping their life interesting cuts down on what
humans view as destructive. i also have heard of owners having dirt brought in to one place in the yard so their
malamute could just dig in that dirt in hope they wont dog up the rest of the yard. some say it works .
They can obviously be trained as sled dogs, and for weight-pull. Mals like to accompany their owners on long walks.
Alaskan Malamutes can have especially strong prey drives, and can take after cats. They were bred to be sled
dogs, not to do obedience exercises, so are best suited to this, if you can work them. Mals have also shown
themselves to be accomplished in Agility, Search & Rescue, and as Therapy Dogs. Remember to keep their training
interesting, not repetitious or boredom will take over.
Persons who are steady enough to cope with a growing malamute will be rewarded with a lifelong companion whose
devotion is boundless; but, they caution, it takes commitment and determination to get through to the often-
headstrong malamute puppy, whose ancestors were created to push on through ice, sleet, snow and impossible
storms. Such tasks required an inbred determination - that isn't something the malamute switches on and off . You
can guide a malamute in the direction you want it to go, but you can't push it there. Nor can you be heavy handed.
A malamute will not tolerate abuse. If subjected to abusive treatment on a continuing basis, the most amiable
youngster can become a neurotic and unpredictable adult.
Malamutes have incredibly great memories. They forget nothing. This is part of what made them invaluable at
following trails. This means you can't make a mistake in the rules for at least the first two years of their lives. No
slack until they're over two, or you just make your own job harder in molding a well-mannered Alaskan Malamute.
Malamutes can be a threat to livestock. "The ancestors of today's Malamute were sometimes forced to hunt, forage,
and compete for food," warns one malamute rescue group. "Consequently, malamutes have a predatory streak,
and, if allowed to run loose in rural areas, will reliably slaughter livestock and wild animals. In urban and suburban
areas a loose malamute is a menace to cats. Swift, fearless, and powerful, malamutes have been known to catch
songbirds on the wing and, if challenged, to deal harshly with other dogs ... Anyone unprepared to deal firmly and
calmly with this wild streak should not own a malamute."
The hunting style of a Mal is akin to feline style. Quiet, stealthy, stalking. They can catch mice, rabbits, birds and
cats - to name a few. If socialized with cats they tend to view them as part of their pack, but this may not translate to
cats encountered outside.
Because they were bred to be such Herculean workers, Malamutes need daily exercise on a leash or in an
enclosed area. The person who cannot provide that exercise, diversity and the firm-but-fair discipline that enables
the Malamute to function best in society should look for a less demanding breed of dog.
The Alaskan Malamute is a true pack animal with the natural instinct to "lead or be led." Originally bred to be a
freighting dog, this breed's strength is second to none. Therefore, training must begin as early as 3 to 5 months of
age.
It is imperative that the puppy you select shares your happiness about the commitment you've
made in selecting an Alaskan Malamute and grows to become a healthy, well-behaved and
majestic companion.
Training. It has been our experience that the Alaskan Malamute learns very quickly, however, possesses a short
attention span (bores easily). We have found that training is best kept to 15-20 minutes in length, but, that training
"sessions" may take place as often as you have time. Commands should be kept simple, i.e., "sit", "down", "walk",
or "stay," and must be consistent. The use of hand signals together with verbal commands is recommended as well.
The Alaskan Malamute is extremely eager to please and, therefore, it is important that your puppy/dog is praised
vigorously when he/she obeys your commands. Personally, we use treats as a training tool only occasionally (and
only in the beginning) ... we prefer the praise method.
Other Pets. A majority of our adult dogs were purchased as puppies and became accustomed to other pets
(particularly, cats) at a young age while housed in our home. while inside the house, the dogs pay little attention to
the house cats and make no move to harm the cats. Nevertheless, when the dogs are permitted to run our fenced
yard, they are closely supervised - a small animal of any kind running across the yard becomes fair game . We
tend to make certain that our outdoor cats are on the exterior of the fence before releasing the dogs from their
pens into the yard.
If you already possess a smaller pet, or, if it is your intent to adopt another smaller pet, it is recommended that an
Alaskan Malamute be introduced (to smaller animals) as a puppy - within the first year - not as an adult. Also, if the
new pet is to be another canine, it is best that the new puppy be the opposite sex as the Alaskan Malamute
Shedding. Our dogs do come indoors, we found that the shedding is easily controlled by a daily brushing. they
shed in spring and late summer. I use a "rake" to reach the undercoat and comb the dogs thoroughly. Thankfully,
all of our dogs relish the individual attention given during a brushing!
Living Conditions
The Alaskan Malamute is not recommended for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and should have at
least a large yard. If you live in a suburban area, a high fence is a must, but bury the base, because they are likely
to dig their way out. Alaskan Malamutes like to roam in what he considers to be his territory.
ADOPTION OF AN ADULT DOG vs. A PUPPY
Whether to purchase a puppy or adopt an older Alaskan Malamute, the Alaskan Malamute is a great companion
and an older Alaskan Malamute adapts easily to its human companion and environment (this is not always the case
with smaller pets or other dogs of the same sex).
While a puppy is playful and adorable, a puppy represents a greater responsibility in terms of housebreaking and
training. Only you can determine whether your lifestyle and/or home environment is best suited for a puppy or an
adult dog. If you are the least bit hesitant about your ability (or degree of patience) to properly train a puppy,
please check our website for the availability of an older Alaskan Malamute. Our policy is: If for any reason
whatsoever, an "adoptive parent" finds he/she can no longer keep a puppy purchased from us, CONTACT US and
give us an opportunity to place the puppy/dog with new "parents".
If we don't have an adult Alaskan Malamute, contact an Alaskan Malamute rescue organization about adopting an
older Alaskan Malamute. Often, older Mals are placed for adoption merely because, for one reason or another,
their owner(s) can no longer care for them. There will likely be an "adoption fee," however, a reputable rescue
organization will have had the dog spayed/neutered (if not already upon placement with the organization) and its
shots will be current. In most instances, those persons within the organization will have had an opportunity to
interact with the dog and will be able to place the right adult dog in your home (once your interests and home
environment are known).
Also, consider searching Alaskan Malamute breeders who have "retired" their dogs in need of a loving and
nurturing home in their "golden years".
Remember, FIRST AND FOREMOST, it is important that BOTH you and the puppy and/or dog are happy with your
decision to welcome an Alaskan Malamute into your family.
THE GOLD RUSH
When the Gold Rush began in 1896 prospectors discovered the need for sleds and dog teams. Teams became
very expensive; it was normal to pay $1,500 for a small team and $500 for a good dog. The Alaskan Malamute was
the most prized and respected team dog and his facial markings were much admired. However, the Alaskan
Malamute breed could have been lost during this time of inter-breeding with smaller, faster dogs for racing and also
with larger dogs such as Saint Bernards for dog fighting and weight pulling.
Despite this cross-breeding, the dogs quickly began to return to the Spitz type to which all Northern breeds belong.
Even the first generation of cross-breds tended to look more like the Spitz dog than the other half of their breeding.
Within three generations there would be no sign of outside blood. Why would this be so? The Arctic type has been
dominant for many centuries and obviously those dogs not inheriting the survival characteristics of the Arctic
breeds would not be able to survive. Additionally, many Arctic dogs are "easy keepers" and require much less food
than dogs of comparable size. It has been speculated that those dogs that did not inherit these qualities may well
have starved on the rations normally given to the sled dogs. These differences can partially account for slight
variations found in modern Alaskan Malamutes. They do not indicate any impure breeding in present day dogs, nor
any departure from true type.
The Three Bloodlines
The following three bloodlines contributed Robert Zoller's "Husky -Pak" line, the source of
many champions and foundations for the breed.
1. Kotzebue: This line stemmed from Arthur Walden's dogs. Later, Eva Seely took over his
dogs when he went to Antartica. Eva Seely is the owner of Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet,
New Hampshire. Chinook Kennels is the most renowned sled dogs headquarters in the
USA. The Seeleys deserve much credit for getting AKC to recognize the Alaskan Malamute.
One of Eva's dogs, "Gripp of Yukon," was the 1st champion in breed competitions (1936),
and the first Alaskan Malamute to be registered with AKC. His attributes were used to set the
standard for the breed.
2. M'Loot:
Credit for the M'Loot bloodline goes to Paul Voelker. He was the founder of the M'Loot strain
of Alaskan Malamutes.
Some of these dogs saw service in both World War I and World War II, and with Admiral
Byrd's second expedition. Ralph and Marcheta Schmitt, of Silver Sled Kennels, purchased
some of the Voelker dogs and further established the “M'Loot” strain.
Ralph & Marchetta Schmitt were the founders and owners of Silver Sled Kennels until their
death, when Lorraine Sharp inherited the kennel property and remaining dogs.Voelker
owned M'Loot Kennels near Marquette Michigan
The M'Loot line contributes to most pedigrees of modern day Alaskan Malamutes . Despite
Voelker's interest in maintaining the breed, his dogs varied slightly in appearance from the
Kotzebue, perhaps due to some selective interbreeding. For unknown reasons, he chose not
to pursue AKC registration.
3. Hinman: (or Hinman-Irwin): Details about this strain are not widely known; however, it did
make contributions to the quaility of the Alaskan Malanute.
AKC RECOGNITION OF THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE
Breed recognition for the Alaskan Malamute came in 1935, the same year that the Alaskan Malamute Club of
America was formed. The original registration period for AKC was very short, just long enough to get enough dogs
registered to provide a base on which the breed could grow and develop.
During World War II, many sled dogs, including many of the few registered Malamutes, were loaned for war duty.
After the war many of these same dogs were used on an expedition to Antarctica. They served and then, due to
some bureaucratic decision, were chained to an ice floe and destroyed by an explosive charge (this action nearly
incited a mutiny among the Navy men involved).
Alaskan Malamutes were bred to pull sleds in the artic.
Modern homes who consider a sled dog as a pet must understand that everything about Malamutes stems from
this one overwhelming characteristic. Fussing, railing, or despairing about these characteristics -- trying to change
them -- is like training a retriever to not chase or trying to train a cat to not stalk.
Malamutes are born travelers and can never be trusted off leash. They are often escape artists. They are high-
maintenance. They can be small animal and livestock killers. They are noisy and useless as watchdogs. They are
people dogs love to be around people.
Many people meet a Malamute and decide they want a "pretty sleddog" without knowing just what sort of trouble
they are borrowing. Most people who have never lived with one think this is exaggerated. Until it happens to them.
The movie Snow Dogs has come out recently. They are just like that - destructive, loud, energetic, rambunctious,
obstreperous, willful, and flight risks. And you must love them because of, not despite, all those things. i myself will
never be with out mals. but they are not for everyone. so please study the breed before buying one.
Size
There is a natural range of size in the breed. The desirable "standard" AMCA freighting sizes are:
Males, 25 inches at the shoulders, 85 pounds.
Females, 23 inches at the shoulders, 75 pounds.
However, size consideration should not outweigh that of type, proportion, movement, and other functional attributes.
From AKC Standard
Barking, Talking, and Howling
Alaskan Malamutes are rather quiet dogs. They generally do not bark at all. They do tend to "talk," however. The
best way to describe the talking is to recall Chewbacca, the Wookie in the movie "Star Wars." It is sort of a soft "woo
woo woo" sound. Malamutes can howl the roof however. Owners of multiple Malamutes have noticed that when their
dogs howl, they will all stop simultaneously. Again, this behavior is due to the fact that they are a very pack-oriented
breed.
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We believe every dog should have a good home and that every home should have a dog the hard
part is finding the right dog for the right home thats our job
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