Alaskan Malamute: description of the breed

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The Alaskan Malamute is a very beautiful dog, energetic and agile. This dog needs a very active owner who will be willing to spend enough time with his friend, working with him and exercising.

Alaskan Malamute: description

The Malamute is a beautiful arctic dog. Initially, it was intended for a team. However, at present, dogs of this breed have become the favorite pets of a large number of dog breeders. The Alaskan Malamute has even earned the nickname "snow train" or "northern train." But this dog can adapt to the most difficult conditions of the north, where eternal winter, snow and frost reign. Malamutes can drag a sled with people or a cart with luggage for several kilometers. This breed is considered very ancient among sled dogs. And the name of this species comes from the name of one of the tribes in Alaska.

The Alaskan Malamute is an incredibly friendly, hardy, strong and outgoing dog that needs human attention. The breed stands out for its amazing intelligence and the strongest stubbornness, which causes its desire to always rule.

Malamute is considered a working dog. Physical activity and labor is the norm for a dog of this breed; without them, the animal can turn into a stupid, weak-willed and lazy creature. If you decide to get yourself such a dog, then in his person you will find devotion, love, good nature. For those looking for a true loyal friend, the Alaskan Malamute is a good option, but don't expect obedience and obedience from a dog.

Differences between Husky and Malamute

The Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute have some superficial resemblance, which is why they are sometimes confused. However, these similarities end on the outside. I must say that the Alaskan Malamute differs from the wonderful Husky by its too stubborn character and great endurance. Huskies are also capable of being in a harness, but they will not be able to drag a load for a long time.

The Malamute is a bit larger and slower dog, but such an animal can handle the hardest work. This breed is the largest of all riding species, which is explained by strong muscles and strong bones. Undoubtedly, both breeds are good. Alaskan Malamute and Husky, the difference between which is obvious, tolerate cold well due to their coat.

An interesting fact is that the Malamute is hardy in cold conditions, but in the heat he feels extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, they require more careful care at such a time. This feature is explained very simply. The reason for everything is the thick coat and undercoat of the animal. However, getting into its usual environment, the Malamute can tirelessly run slowly for a day.all the way. In this case, the animal will not show signs of fatigue.

History of the breed

Alaskan Malamute (photos are given by us in the article) has its own interesting history. As we mentioned earlier, the breed got its name thanks to the malemutes that inhabited the coast of Alaska. The people were very hardworking. The ancestors of modern Malamutes were very strong, powerful and well-groomed animals with good thick hair. They were infinitely devoted to their masters, worked in teams and helped to carry loads (boats).

At the very beginning of the last century, Alaska was struck by the “gold rush”. This event had a rather favorable effect on the further development of the breed. The demand for animals of this breed began to grow.

An incredible number of gold prospectors overwhelmed the lands of Alaska in search of gold. Many died before they could get to the place. Only those who used teams with Alaskan Malamutes managed to achieve the goal. This historical fact was even reflected in the adventure novels of the famous Jack London.

The number of Malamutes grew, but at the same time there were also negative aspects of this demand. Gold diggers tried to randomly crossbreed a variety of breeds with Malamutes in order to get an animal with even greater endurance and speed. Such crazy experiments have reduced the number of purebred dogs to a few litters.

Then the "gold rush" changed to sports. The Americans fell in love with luge racing and began to spend money and time on restoring the purity of the breed. After all, only real and purebred animals are able to win the race. Good results were achieved by 1926. By this time, it was possible to significantly increase the number of purebred animals. Since then, purebred dogs have been bred.

And in 1935 the Alaskan Malamute breed was recognized worldwide, its own club was created and standards were published. However, World War II resulted in only thirty purebred dogs remaining. The reason for this was the people themselves, who left the dogs to die of hunger. Regular measures to restore the breed began after the war. And only by the sixties of the last century was it possible to achieve an increase in the population. Already in the 1970s, there were a lot of Malamutes throughout Europe. And now the breed occupies the eighteenth place among the most popular in the world. In 2010, the Malamute even became an honorary symbol of America.

Characteristic of the breed

The Alaskan Malamute, whose characteristics are given in the article, has gained such popularity due to its friendliness and goodwill. This dog loves to be the center of attention. It is for this reason that the animal is very suitable for large families with children. It will always play the role of a nanny and play with the kids.

Although the Alaskan Malamute (photos are shown in the article) is very attached to its owners, it will certainly demand reciprocity from a person. This breed is a flock, and therefore needs a family. And it doesn't matter what kind of family it is: human or canine. An aviary is by no means suitable for a Malamute. If athe dog is deprived of communication, he quickly withdraws, and you will forever lose his trust, respect and love.

Malamutes have their own peculiarity. Animals of this breed do not get hung up on one owner. If you offend him at least once, then the dog, having lost confidence in you, will quickly switch to another person. It is even difficult to say whether this is a betrayal on the part of the animal or not. It's just that Malamutes quickly get bored with monotonous actions. For example, if a dog is given a daily task to bring slippers, then he will negatively perceive such requests and consider it disrespectful.

It is precisely because of such nuances that beginners are not recommended to purchase such a dog as an Alaskan Malamute. The characteristic of the breed is such that in the absence of proper experience in communicating and raising dogs, beginners will make such mistakes that are unacceptable for these animals.

Stubbornness makes training and learning much more difficult, although natural curiosity and intelligence allow Malamutes to remember any commands the first time. The dog will even be able to fulfill your desires a couple of times, but nothing more. She will get tired of it very quickly.

Is the Malamute good as a guard?

If you are attracted by the impressive size of the breed and you decide to get yourself such a pet for protection, then you are deeply wrong. The fact is that external strength and power are very deceptive. A dog never uses them against a human. She is incapable of being aggressive. This is explained by natural kindness and friendliness. Malamute will never pounce on someone who is dangerousFor you. And the dog will treat all your guests extremely good-naturedly. The only thing that can scare an animal is its size.

Of course, there are exceptions when Alaskan Malamute puppies, having suffered psychological trauma, become aggressive. Experienced breeders do not advise taking such an animal. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope with such a problem on your own. This will require the work of specialists.

Breed Standard

The Alaskan Malamute is an agile, powerful dog. She has a strong build, deep chest and compact body, the coat is very thick, with a dense and soft undercoat. The height of males varies from 60 to 63 centimeters, and females - from 57 to 59 centimeters. The weight of the animal is 35-38 kg.

The head of the dog should be powerful and wide, which reflects the level of intelligence. The muzzle of the animal is voluminous, the ears are triangular and erect. The eyes of the dog should be almond-shaped, but small in size. The neck of the dog is slightly curved, which makes it more graceful. The back is straight and muscular. But the tail should curl.

Wool is the main distinguishing feature. Since we are talking about a northern breed, a thick undercoat was conceived by nature. And for greater water resistance, wool is always a little greasy. The color of the animal can be from light gray to black and white, sometimes even blue.

Maintenance and Care

Malamute needs careful care. Dogs of this breed are very fond of water, so bathing is their favorite pastime. Because the Malamute haschic thick wool, then water procedures are simply necessary for him in hot weather. However, there are some features that owners of such pets should be aware of. Let's talk about the color of animals. The fact is that dark and light stains should be washed with different detergents. This is primarily due to the fact that the light areas of the coat are more polluted, and the dark ones can lose color depth due to the wrong shampoo. After bathing, the wool must be rinsed well from the detergent and dried, otherwise it will simply roll up. Drying can take up to an hour, because you also need to comb the fur at the same time.

In spring and autumn, dogs begin to shed. During these periods, animal care should be more thorough. The undercoat will have to be combed daily, otherwise tangles will form.

In addition, caring for a Malamute includes cutting the claws, which are very sharp and long in representatives of this breed. Dogs' eyes are wiped once a week, and their ears are cleaned at least once a month. You should always monitor the discharge from the spout, this is a very important indicator.

Malamutes love to dig holes, even if kept in an apartment they may try to dig the floor. For animals, this is not even entertainment, but rather an instinct. It is impossible to wean them from such an occupation, so the best place to keep them would be a summer house or a house.

The apartment is not very suitable for Malamutes, as they are very freedom-loving, mobile and active. For them, limited space is a disaster. Large dog sizesincompatible with our apartments, Malamutes will unintentionally destroy everything around them. Such a large animal needs a lot of space.

How to choose the right puppy?

If you decide to get yourself a dog, you need to know how to choose the right Alaskan Malamute puppies. Of course, you should not buy a baby somewhere on the market, this is simply unacceptable. You need to contact the nursery of Alaskan Malamutes, where you can take a closer look at a potential candidate. Be sure to pay attention to his behavior: the puppy should be cheerful, active, eat well. Outwardly, the baby should look he althy, his coat should be thick and shiny. Also pay attention to the ears and eyes. Be sure to check the vaccinations of the animal. The most common problem with this breed is gastric torsion. Also, the owners must have certificates of the parasite run.

We have already mentioned all the virtues that the Alaskan Malamute has. Animal mating plays a huge role in the heredity of puppies. If possible, you should definitely get to know the parents of the baby. Check the pedigree and awards. Puppies are a reflection of their parents. Do not take the first baby offered to you. Better spend a little time, but watch all the puppies. It is important that the animal does not have overt or covert aggression. It is good if a spark of love and understanding runs between you and the baby. Only in this way can you acquire a true friend and companion.

Price of puppies

I would like to note that prices for puppies in different regions may vary. So how much does an Alaskan Malamute cost? Moscow is the most expensive city in this regard. Here, the cost of an animal ranges from ten to twelve thousand rubles for a baby without a pedigree. If you want to have a Malamute with a pedigree, then a puppy will cost you from fifteen to thirty thousand rubles. The most expensive are individuals with titled parents who were winners of prestigious exhibitions. The cost of such elite puppies will start from thirty thousand rubles.

Malamute training

As for education and training, it is immediately worth remembering the stubbornness of the Alaskan Malamute and his desire to dominate everything. You need to start the educational process from the first days of the appearance of a puppy in your home. We immediately advise you to have patience and endurance, because the matter will not be easy. To bring it to the end, you will need to go through numerous difficulties.

You need to understand that the Malamute is an accumulation of enthusiasm and energy. This is an inquisitive dog that grasps everything on the fly, if it is interesting to her. But she gets bored quickly. Therefore, you must become a leader for her. You should always remember the special temperament of the animal and try not to put pressure on him.

Remember from the early days that your little puppy will soon become a big dog. If you do not resist his charm and affection at the very beginning and allow, for example, to sleep with you in bed, then do not count on the fact that, having matured, the dog will be able to unlearnthis habit. You're more likely to get off the couch or bed than you can get your friend out of there.

We have already mentioned that the Malamute is a pack creature, it needs a leader. The owner must become not only a friend, but also a leader. At the same time, you should respect the animal so that it begins to trust you.

Malamute is a very intelligent dog. She herself will think and evaluate the situation, deciding whether to obey her or not. Therefore, you always need to control her behavior. You can not let her down even petty faults. To curb the indefatigable temperament of the animal is possible only with the help of work and physical exertion. To make everyone feel good, the Malamute should be loaded with work, in which the owner himself will also participate. It can be active games with an animal, long walks, hikes and even picnics.

Reviews of Malamute Breeders

If you want to have a big, kind friend, then the Alaskan Malamute will certainly suit you. Reviews of inexperienced breeders sometimes amaze with ignorance of the breed. Some people consider a dog to be stupid because it refuses to follow any commands. However, this is not at all the case. On the contrary, an intelligent animal assesses the situation. And if he does not see the point in doing something, then he will not fulfill your desires. Dogs need motivation. Connoisseurs are well aware of such a character trait of the Malamute as stubbornness, and are able to cope with such a problem. According to breeders, this kind and intelligent breed of animals is the best friend for humans. However, at present, a lot of dogs have been bred,which do not meet the standards, but have a long beautiful coat. Connoisseurs do not advise acquiring such animals, since uncontrolled mating leads to a deterioration in the he alth of dogs. You want to buy not a fluffy toy, but a good he althy friend.