Alaskan Malamute Breeders Know the History & Hard Work of the Dog

With a history longer than many other breeds, the Alaskan Malamute can be traced back nearly three thousand years to their ancestor dogs of the Mahlemuts tribe of upper western Alaska. For centuries, this breed has had a prominent role in the lives of their human companions. Alaskan Malamute breeders know the history of this dog and understand that they are made to be man’s companion.

A common misconception, Alaskan Malamute breeders do not typically raise these dogs to for dogsled racing. Traditionally, the Malamute’s working usefulness is limited to freighting or traveling over long distances at a far slower rate than that required for racing. Interestingly, a team of Malamutes ran in the 1994 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Though they did not finish the nearly 1200-mile race, they did complete over 600 miles. Alaskan Malamute breeders will tell you that this is a hardworking breed that will serve their masters endlessly.

Today, the Malamute is most commonly kept as a family pet or show dog. Alaskan Malamute breeders know this is a very “unaltered” breed, retaining a very constant form and function over thousands of years. Knowing this, an owner who cannot handle a dog who won’t obey his every command should select a more obedient breed. This breed is perhaps more “pack-oriented” than other breeds as they have a long genetic foundation of living in the wilderness with man and other domesticated animals of the same size (usually other Malamutes). Malamutes are quite fond of people, and their nimble agility around furniture and small items makes them a sought-after family pet.

The Malamute does come with a uniquely divergent ancestry, cross-breeding with wolves at one point. Though they do not typically bark, they may howl – a howl that is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish from a wolf. This breed is also known for “talking” in a “woo woo” kind of sound. In fact, the sounds of Star Wars’ character Chewbacca are based on George Lucas’ family Malamute!

In the way of appearance, the Alaskan Malamute is a majestic creature. Though it is often compared to Siberian Huskies and wolves, the Malamute is a distinct breed in itself. It is a large breed with an ideal weight of 75 to 85 pounds. The usual colors are various shades of gray and white, sable and white, black and white, red and white, or pure white. Above appearance, the primary criterion for judging the Malamute in a show is its function to pull heavy freight as a sled dog, as this has been the intention for the breed for so many centuries.