Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute

Nicknames:Mal
Country of origin:United States (Alaska)
Coat:Thick, a double coat, with plush undercoat
Color:Gray, sable, black, or red, always with white
Litter size:4-10 puppies
Life span:up to 14 years

The Alaskan Malamute is a generally large breed of domestic dog originally bred for use as an Alaskan sled dog. It is sometimes mistaken for a Siberian Husky, but in fact is quite different in many ways.

Description

Appearance
The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard calls for a natural range of size, with a desired freighting weight of 75 to 85 pounds (34 to 39 kg) and a height of 23 to 26 inches (58 to 66 cm).Some Malamutes have been known to reach 32 inches (810 mm), and to weigh more than 130 lb (59 kg). Heavier individuals (90lbs) and dogs smaller than 75 pounds are common. There is often a marked size difference between males and females. Weights upwards of 95 pounds are occasionally seen, but this is uncommon and such dogs are produced primarily by breeders who market a 'large Malamute.' These large sizes are not in accordance with the breed's history or show standards.

The coat is a dense double northern dog coat, somewhat "harsher" (in a certain sense) than that of the Siberian Husky. The usual colors are various shades of gray and white, sable and white, black and white, red and white, or pure white. Eyes are almond-shaped and are always various shades of brown (from dark to light, honey or hazel brown); blue eyes will disqualify the dog in shows. The physical build of the Malamute is compact with heavy bone, in most (but not all) cases.. In this context 'compact' means that their height to length ratio is slightly longer than tall, unlike dogs like Great Danes which are longer and lankier in their ratios.

The primary criterion for judging the Malamute in a show is its function to pull heavy freight as a sled dog; everything else is secondary. As many an owner has found out, the pulling power of a Malamute is tremendous.

The Malamute's tail is well furred and hangs just over the back like a "plume". This is the standard written in the breed book. Corkscrew tails can now be seen but is not the breed description (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 wrap the tail around their nose and face which helps protect them against harsh weather such as blowing snow.
Ears are generally upright.