About the Fabulous Alaskan Malamute

As I have stated previously within my web site, I am a new breeder, and this presents a range of interesting circumstances. First of all, I rely heavily on outside information. I have set high ethic standards for my kennel, and I felt the first way of doing so was to be as informed as possible. I did this by making close friends out of the breeders I chose to do business with. Chad Cooper, Tina Black, and Ruth Lafferty have been fabulous, but even they differ on occasion. So from there, I went to the next step.... I called upon my wealth of English teacher experience and I researched. I have read just about anything and everything I can get my hands on about these fabulous animals. This information came in the form of hours/ days/ weeks of web surfing, and after severel purchases and a lot of reading time - the following is a very important overview of important facts anyone interested in the breed should know.

I would very much recommend the following publications on Alaskan Malamutes ( I have followed each with their individual strengths and weaknesses ) :

Okay okay.... this is not exactly about Alaskan Malamutes.... infact, the breed is never even mentioned in the book at all. That said, Cesar Millan is my hero. This man is the most amazing individual who works with dogs that I have ever seen. He reminds me of my grandfather, myself (in my totally calm submissive and assertive moments) and has inspired me to take my dog loving life up a notch. This book is an ABSOLUTE MUST for every dog owner.... read it, love it, and most importantly LIVE IT. "I rehabilitate dogs and I train people"... yeah, isn't that the truth.

Please visit Cesar's site: Cesar Millan's Dog Psychology Center

This book is probably the cheapest - but is actually one of the most complete books on the breed. Major plus - it has a breeding section with discussions about whelping, breeding cycles, heat cycles, gestation periods, etc.

This book is the most expensive on the list, but I'm not sure if it is an complete as it likes to call itself. Major bonus - it is gorgeous! It has phenominal pictures and a very complete history section. Major disappointment - no breeding section. I think for the most part these books are written by professiona, show style breeders - and ( no offense ) they tend to be a bit snobbish about people getting into breeding. Now, in their defence, breeders just getting into the breed to make money - most of them I'm afraid - should be discouraged, but it would be nice to get the information if you are a serious breeder and want to do a good job as well.

This book is very comprable to the one listed above. It is a bit cheaper, not as glamourous, but covers basically the same material.

Gary Paulsen is my hero: a great children's author, a dog lover, and a two time Iditarod Racer! This book is funny, tragic, and moving in all ways. It will make you laugh on one page and cry on the next. A fantastic book, not specifally on Mals - but on the sled dog world.

A shorter version of the above. This version focuses more on training, love, and being with dogs. It is really a memoir to Paulsen's lead dog, Cookie. It focuses much less on the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, and more on the dogs themselves.

This book is an absolute MUST for dog sled drivers. It is the most complete book I have ever seen on the sport, and it even throws breeding, temperments, dog fights, training, first aid, and feeding in to boot. This book is worth its weight in gold!

Early History

The Alaskan Malamute was originally bred and used as a freight dog by the Mahlemiut (Malemut) Eskimos of Alaska. These amazingly powerful animals impressed all explorers coming into the great wide north. At this time they were as pure bred as the Inuit peoples could keep them, but as time progressed through the explorations of the 1800s the dogs were crossed with many "spitz" type dogs, all of which are northern sled dog types. The actual breed was not organized and recognized as a legitamate breed by the AKC until 1935.
The history then takes a turn in the mid 1940s when researchers into the breed were led to two distinct strains of Alaskan Malamute: the Kotzebue (named for Kotzebue sound on the Northwest Alaskan Coast) which were in general good type with good heads, and decent proportions but small, and the M-Loot (going back to the Mahlemiut tribes) which were slightly rangier, but more varied in colors and larger/ stronger dogs. (More on this below.)
Different than all other spitz style dogs, Malamutes have an extraordinary bond with people, especially children. It has been recorded that the Mahlemiut people were known to leave one of their female dogs to "mother the children" while the tribe was hunting. (On a personal note - I can attest to this. Ophelia has on more than one occasion "mothered" my son into the dog house and kept him there until one of the other kids have come in saying, "Dad, Ophelia has Aidan in the dog house again!")

The AKC Standard

General Appearance / Charactreristics - The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful and substantially built dog with a deep chest and strong, compack body, not too short coupled, with a thick, coarse guard coat of sufficient length to protect a dense woolly undercoat, from 1 - 2 inches in depth when the dog is in full coat. Stands well over pads, and this stance give the appearance of much activity, showing interest and curiousity. The head is broad, ears wedge-shaped and erect when alerted. The muzzle is bulky with only slight diminishing in width and depth from root to nose, not pointed or long, but not stubby. The Malamute moves with a proud carriage, head erect and eyes alert. Face markings are a distinguishing feature. These consist of either cap over head and rest of face solid color, usually grayish white, or face marked with the appearance of a mask. Combinations of cap and mask are not unusual. The tail is plumed and carreid over the back, not like a fox brush, or tightly curled, more like a plume waving. Malamutes are of various colors, but are usually wolfish gray or black and white. (Again on a persoal note, my dog Timber is a Mahogony / White Malamute: this is a very rare color.) Their feet are of the "snowshoe" type, tight, and deep, with well-cushioned pads, giving a firm and compact appearance. Front legs are straight with big bone. Hind legs are broad and powerful, moderately bent at stifles, and without cowhocks. The back is straight, gently sloping from shoulders to hips. The loin should not be so short or tight as to interfere with easy, tireless movement. Endurance and intelligence are showin in body and expression. The eyes have a wolf - like appearance by their position, but the expression is soft and indicates an affectionate disposition.
Temperment - The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog, not a "one'man" dog. He is a loyal, devoted companion, playful on invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity upon maturity.
Size - Males are usually 25 inches at the shoulders and 85 pounds. Females are 23 inches at the shoulder and 75 pounds. (More on this below.) However, size considerations should not outweight that of type, proportion, and functional attributes, such as shoulders, chest, legs, feet, and movement. When dogs are judges equal in all correct proportions the dog nearest the desirable freighting size is to be preferred. IMPORTANT - In judging Malamutes their function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting must be given consideration above all else.
Disqualifications - Blue Eyes.

So... The Big Question - Why Giant?

The Alaskan Malamute is the draft horse of the dog world. These dogs were the very lively hood of the native peoples who raised them. As you look over my quoted information above, ask yourself why the standard is what it is? Historically, Russian explorers found the Mahlemuit people to have large dogs, that were stronger than all other spitz style dogs. Then they were brought to the lower 48 states, brought into the AKC, and popularized in sled dog events. Notice the lines in the standard, "the dog nearest the desirable freighting size is to be preferred." It is the goal of those of us who breed Gentle Giants to maintain the Alaskan Malamute temperment, disposition, and color variations, while returning to the original size and proportions of the M-Loot style ancestry of the breed. These dogs are strong, impressive, stunningly powerful, but lovealbe, friendly, and affectionate. Modern dog enthusiasts have brought the breed down in size to a hair above the Siberian Husky (Males standard 65-75 pounds / Females 45 - 55 pounds), but when the Russians themselves first laid eyes on the "domestic sled wolves" of the north, they were astounded by their size, grace, beauty, and raw power.

It is true, the Eucanuba Tournament of Champions will probably never choose a Giant Alaskan Malamute as the Best of Breed, or Best of Show, but the Mahlemuit people would have never chosen a Tournament Champion to trust their very lives to.!!These dogs where bred to be large, powerful, and dependable, and only in the last one-hundred years have we tried to change that. Those of us who love and breed M-Loot style Giant Alaskan Malamutes are committed to a preservation of the original breed standard.

In the picture below - Tundra is shown with our Siberian Male Romeo (Romeo is white). Romeo is a rescue from the local Humane Society and is two - three years old. He weighs about 60 pounds. Tundra is almost one year old in this picture and 120 pounds; I think the difference between the breeds is pretty obvious!

What is the difference between Siberians and Malamutes ?

I thought that the best way to show this - besides the pretty obvious pictures above was to look at several different head studies.

The three on the left are all AKC registered Alaskan Malamutes: Desdemona, Ophelia, and Timber ( in left - right order ). The dog on the far right is Romeo, a Siberian Husky. Notice the distance between the ears; the set of the jaw line, the length of the muzzle, the shape of the eyes (not to mention possible eye colors); the thickness of the face. Besides shere weight and size - the differences ( once you know what to look for ) are pretty apparent.

While on the Subject of Size...

The largest problem in large bodied dogs is Hip-Displasia, and the number ONE reason for hip-Displasia is for the dog's growth to be permitted faster than its bone structure. It has been said that, "There is danger in modern trends that encourage the breeding of giant Malamutes - dogs that can reach as much as 150 pounds. Such excess size and weight can stress the dog's muscles and bones, and theories suggest that they may stress the heart as well" (Siino 1997). This is true. Think about it; it's just like lifting weights in high school. You shouldn't start heavy lifting or protein drinks until you have reached maturity. Otherwise, you are likely to cause problems. Many of the "doom and gloom" prophesies of Giant critics are due to the fact that ANY dog will develope these problems if responsibile feeding, growth, and exercise are not regulated.

Feed your dog a high quality LARGE BREED PUPPY FORMULA for at least 18 months., and LARGE BREED ADULT FORMULA after.
Don't put any weight on the animal before he is a year old.
And when you do decided to exercise him / or add weight in harness or pack - do so in moderation and build the dog up to it.

Now - You Want a Giant to Call your Very Own...

Be sure before you attach yourself to a VERY LARGE responsibility....

Malamutes are FAMILY dogs. They expect and DESERVE to be part of your family. This does not mean they have to be an inside dog by any means (although ours are both inside/ outside dogs and it is great), but they are certainly not "buy one, play with it for a week, then let it rot in the backyard" dogs at all.
These Giants are WORKING dogs. They are active, and thrive off the activities that they were born and bred to perform. This does not mean that you need to buy a sled and move to Alaska (although we do provide some links if you would like to give snow sports a try), but you need to be active. Let them give you a pull around the block on your bike, take them hiking, just make sure you can GET them OUT and ABOUT.
Malamutes are SENSITIVE animals. They respond to emotion like no other dog will, and thrive off of your PATIENCE and KINDNESS, but will recoil from your stress or anxiousness. These animals love to be alive, and it is fitting that you as their owner should as well.
These dogs are amazingly PACK ORIENTED. I have never seen another canine breed, besides wolves of course, that follow pack hiearchy more closely. This has several elements to it that you have to be prepared for. 1) Do you have other dogs? How old are they? How "Alpha" are they, or do they wish to remain so? 2) You have to be strong enough physically and emotionally to be the ALPHA of your pack. These dogs are amazingly intelligent and stubborn. If they see you as their inferior, you are in for a wild ride. You have to be the head of your pack.