ALASKAN MALAMUTE

The Alaskan Malamute is a large domestic dog which was originally bred for use as an Alaskan sled dog.  This breed is very often mistaken for a Siberian Husky.

The Alaskan Malamuteâs average weight is between 75 to 85 pounds (34 â 39 kg) and a height of 23 to 25 inches (58 - 64 cm).  The coat of the Alaskan Malamute is a dense double northern dog coat, which is particularly harsher than the coat of the Siberian Husky.  The typical colors include various shades of:

• grey and white, 
• sable and white, 
• black and white, 
• red and white, 
• pure white.

The eyes of Alaskan Malamute are almond-shaped and are always brown.  Blue eyes signify mixed breeding and will disqualify the dog in shows.  The Malamute has a physical build, which is compact with heavy bone.

The American Kennel Club states that the primary criteria for judging the Malamute in show, is its ability to pull heavy freight as a sled dog.  Everything else is secondary.  The pulling power of the Malamute is absolutely incredible.

The tail of the Alaskan Malamute is plume-like which hangs just over the back like a âplumeâ.  The Alaskan Malamuteâs well-furred tail helps them to keep warm in the snow.  They wrap their tail around their nose and face in order to protect them against bad weather, such as blowing snow.

Even though Alaskan Malamuteâs are still used as sled dogs for personal travel, hauling freight, or helping to move heavy objects, they are generally kept as family pets nowadays.

The Alaskan Malamute is one breed that has unaltered, retaining its original form and function.  They have a loving nature, which does not make them the best guard dogs.  If a dog owner wishes for their dog to follow every command that it is given, the Alaskan Malamute is not the one for them, as this breed does not always comply.

It is believed that Alaskan Malamuteâs behave badly with smaller pets, including other dogs.  Therefore, even though Malamuteâs are generally well behaved around humans and children, it is always a good idea to keep an Alaskan Malamute away from smaller animals until you have become better acquainted with its behavior.  Time and experience is the only way in which you can be certain as to whether this is in actual fact correct.

Most malamuteâs are fairly quiet and hardly ever bark like most other dog breeds.  When they do vocalize, they generally âtalkâ by vocalizing a âwoo wooâ sound.  They may even howl like wolves or coyotes.  When they do howl, it is the identical sound to that of a wolf.

A UK Kennel Club survey was undertaken in 2004 with a small sample size of 14 dogs.  It showed that the general lifespan of this breed in 10.7 years.  Results also showed that the major cause of death in this breed was cancer.  The most commonly reported health problem in this breed is hip dysplasia and Hereditary Cataract.

While Arizona has been a successful place to raise Alaskan Malamuteâs, their dense coats generally make then unsuitable for hot climates.  When the weather becomes hot, the malamute needs a great deal of water and shade.  They will grow a winter coat that they will shed again in the spring, which makes for an immense amount of unwanted hair.

The Alaskan Malamute is a member of the Spitz group of dogs, and they have been traced back 2,000 to 3,000 years ago to the Mahlemuits tribe of Alaska.