The Alaskan Malamute is a large
breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) originally bred for hauling
heavy freight because of their strength and endurance, and later a sled dog.
They are similar to other arctic breeds, such as the Greenland Dog, Canadian
Eskimo Dog, the Siberian Husky, and the Samoyed.
Lineage
The
first dogs arrived in the Americas 12,000 years ago; however, people and their
dogs did not settle in the Arctic until the Paleo-Eskimo people 4,500 years ago
and then the Thule people 1,000 years ago, both originating from Siberia.
Malamutes were thought to be created by the Malemiut Inupiaq people of Alaska's
Norton Sound region, who were a Thule people.
The
Malamute has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of
the modern breeds in the 19th Century. A study in 2013 showed that the Alaskan
Malamute has a similar east Asian origin to, but is not clearly related to, the
Greenland Dog and the Canadian Eskimo Dog, but contains a possible admixture of
the Siberian Husky.
In
2015, a study using a number of genetic markers indicated that the Malamute,
the Siberian Husky, and the Alaskan husky share a close genetic relationship
between each other and were related to Chukotka sled dogs from Siberia. They
were separate from the two Inuit dogs, the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland
Dog. In North America, the Malamute and the Siberian Husky both had maintained
their Siberian lineage and had contributed significantly to the Alaskan husky,
which showed evidence of crossing with European breeds that was consistent with
this breed being created in post-colonial North America.
Appearance
The
coat of the Alaskan Malamute is a double coat. The undercoat has an oily and
woolly texture and can be as thick as two inches. The outer guard coat is
coarse and stands off the body—longer at the withers but not more than one inch
off the sides of the body. Ears are small in proportion to the head and stand
firmly erect when at attention. The Alaskan Malamute is a heavy dog, with a
more formidable nature and structure than the Siberian Husky, which is bred for
speed. The Alaskan Malamute is bred for power and endurance, which is its
original function and what the standard of the breed requires of Alaskan
Malamute breeders.
According
to the AKC breed standard, the Malamute's tail is well furred and is carried
over the back like a "waving plume". Corkscrew tails are occasionally
seen but are faulted in the AKC breed standard (a corkscrew tail is commonly
seen in the Akita). The Malamutes' well-furred tails aid in keeping them warm
when they curl up in the snow. They are often seen wrapping the tail around
their nose and face, which presumably helps protect them against harsh weather
such as blowing snow. Their ears are generally upright, wedge-shaped, small in
proportion to the head and set to the side of the skull. The muzzle is deep and
broad, tapering slightly from the skull to the nose. Nose and gums are black
but some Malamutes have a snow nose, which is black with a pink undertone that
can get darker or lighter, depending on the season.
Temperament
Alaskan
Malamutes are still in use as sled dogs for personal travel, hauling freight,
or helping move light objects; some, however, are used for the recreational
pursuit of sledding, also known as mushing, as well as for skijoring,
bikejoring, carting, and canicross. However, most Malamutes today are kept as
family pets or as show or performance dogs in weight pulling, dog agility, or
packing. Malamutes are generally slower in long-distance dog sled racing
against smaller and faster breeds, so their working usefulness is limited to
freighting or traveling over long distances at a far slower rate than that
required for racing. They can also help move heavy objects over shorter
distances. An adult male Alaskan Malamute can pull around 500–1,500 kilograms
(1,100–3,300 lb) of weight, depending on build and training.
The
Malamute has a long genetic foundation of living in harsh environments, and
many of its behaviors have adapted to survive in such environments. Independence,
resourcefulness, high intelligence and natural behaviors are common in the
breed.
Malamutes,
like other Northern and sled dog breeds, can have a high prey drive, due to
their origins and breeding. This may mean in some cases they will chase smaller
animals, including other canines, as well as rabbits, squirrels, and cats;
however, this has been difficult to document in detail beyond anecdotal,
observational data and many Malamute owners have observed varying levels of
prey drive between individual dogs. While Malamutes are, as a general rule,
particularly amicable around people and can be taught to tolerate smaller pets,
it is necessary to be mindful of them around smaller animals and small
children.
Malamutes
are very fond of people, a trait that makes them particularly sought-after
family dogs, but unreliable watchdogs. Malamutes are nimble around furniture
and smaller items, making them ideal house dogs, provided they get plenty of
time outdoors meeting their considerable exercise requirements. If they are
year-round outdoor dogs, letting them play in a baby pool filled with cold
water in summer keeps them cool. In the winter, they love snow.
Malamutes
are usually quiet dogs, seldom barking. When a Malamute does vocalize, it often
appears to be "talking" by vocalizing a "woo woo" sound. It
may howl like a gray wolf or coyote, and for the same reason.
Health
There
is only one known health survey of Alaskan Malamutes, a 2004 UK Kennel Club
survey with a small sample size of 14 dogs. The median lifespan of 10.7 years
measured in that survey is typical of a breed their size; however, this study
had a sample size too small to be considered reliable and much anecdotal
evidence suggests they have on average one of the longest lifespans of large
dogs, up to 15 years. The major cause of death was cancer (36%).
The
most commonly reported health problems of Alaskan Malamutes, in the 2004 UK
Kennel Club survey (based on a sample size of 64 dogs) were musculoskeletal
(hip dysplasia), and hereditary cataracts. There are additional health issues
in the breed whose origins are unknown at this time including varied seizure
disorders found in young puppies as well as adults, epilepsy, congenital heart
problems, kidney problems and skin disorders.
Other
health issues in Malamutes include Elbow dysplasia, inherited polyneuropathy,
osteochondrodysplasia, cerebella hypoplasia, heart defects, and eye problems
(particularly cataract and progressive retinal atrophy). A growing problem
among arctic dog breeds, including the Alaskan Malamute, but especially their
cousin, the Samoyed, is canine diabetes with onset occurring typically in
middle age (5 to 7 years).
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