TheAlaskanMalamute

The Alaskan Malamute is an ancient breed that evolved with the Mahlemut Inuit tribe in the Northern arctic, in what is now the northern coast of Alaska and perhaps reaching to parts of northern Canada.

The Malamute is also closely related to other spitz type dogs that evolved to perform similar functions, such as the Canadian Inuit Dog and the other heavier-boned "huskies" of northern North America and Greenland.

The Alaskan Malamute

The dogs performed various functions for the tribe, most infamously pulling large heavy sledges tirelessly over long distances. The Malamute may not be fast, but these dogs pulled the heavy loads steadily for mile upon mile, day after day, over varied and difficult terrain.

In this way they varied somewhat from their Russian cousins, the Siberian Husky, who were bred for speed as well as strength. The Malamute was also expected to perform a variety of other tasks, from assisting in hunting seal and polar bear to packing loads on their backs for short excrusions.

A Brief Background regarding this Ancient Breed

Because of the harsh conditions, the Malamutes evolved in an environment that truly exemplified the survival of the fittest. While the myth that Malamutes are part wolf is just that - a myth - Malamutes retained the sharp intellect and pack instincts of their wolf ancestors during the constant struggle to survive.

Part of the reason so many people think Malamutes have recent wolf heritage is that they have retained many of these original characteristics. Man did relatively little to change the Malamute as the breed first evolved, and so they remain close to their "wild" heritage - this is why Malamutes are considered a "primitive" breed.

This does mean that Malamutes are simple or undeveloped - in fact, ironically, it actually means that they have retained a sharply honed intelligence and independence surpassing that of many breeds. Many other modern breeds were altered, through selective breeding, to be unquestionably responsive to people. In other words, they are more "puppylike", and follow their human's directcion without question. But such a trait could mean death in the artic - a Malamute needed to be able to make its own instinctive and learned judgments in order to survive, both on its own and when out in front of a sled.

While Malamutes certainly bond and develop a special relationship with "their" people and close family, the general make-up and practical social reality of the Inuit tribes created the Malamute as a breed that is friendly to just about any human he meets. There just was no use or room for a "one man dog" in the Arctic, and a Malamute with the proper temperament should never be aggressive towards humans. In addition, the tribes' nomadic lifestyle meant that the Malamute never developed strong territorial instincts - they are simply not a guard dog.

The Malamute's known affinity with children has its roots in the very origin of the breed, as the Malamute pups were often raised with the human children until the dogs were physically able to become a working member of the tribe. It is rumored that Malamutes were even utilized as babysitters on a frequent basis.
(This is not to say that you should employ the same methods!! ALL children should be supervised around any large dog - including the family malamute!)

This "primitive" nature of the Malamute is part of what makes the breed such an incredible and interesting companion - and is also why the breed is simply not for everyone.

One result of this trait is that Malamutes have retained a very highly developed sense of pack heirarchy. Malamutes exhibit a very wide range of subtle signals among pack mates - in other words, a highly complex "dog language." This is partly why many malamutes may exhibit dog aggression, though good breeding programs and proper socialization both as a pup and throughout the dog's life can temper this inherent trait to a great degree.

The Malamute's keen sense of pack heirarchy means that it will often challenge other dogs, especially those of the same sex, and must be socialized to other dogs from a very eary age throughout its life. Even then, not all Malamutes will get along well with many other dogs. Socialization, training, thoughtful breeding practices and intelligent supervision on the part of the owner go a long way towards mitigating this natural trait. But the Malamute owner must always take responsibility for making sure that they show common sense when deciding what is a safe and reasonable situation for their dog. It is ALWAYS the dog owner's responsibility to ensure the safety of their dog, and the safety of their Malamute's fellow canines.

Given the proper guidance and training, and a safe environment, the Malamute becomes an unsurpassed companion - a unique combination of intelligence with a grand sense of humor, of close loyalty with a happy-go-lucky approach to everyone she meets, of a gentle soul with a working drive that will humble you. For the right owner, there simply is no other breed that can compare -
but be sure it IS the right breed for YOU.

The nomadic roots of the Malamute also mean that any given individual has the innate "drive" to see the horizon ... therefore, combined with their infamous selective hearing and natural independent streak, Malamutes are rarely good off-lead candidates, with very limited exceptions for certain special individuals under controlled circumstances.

Furthermore, left to their own devices, malamutes are nearly incurable predators. They used to hunt for their own survival, so it should come as no suprise that they will gladly chase - and even kill - a running cat or scared livestock.

Finally, Malamutes seem to love destruction for the sake of destruction. It can be a great source of amusement - or a great source of frustration and financial loss. It is a rare Malamute that can be left for long periods alone in a house or loose in the yard ... at least if you expect to find your house or yard as you left it!

Therefore, a responsible Malamute owner ALWAYS keeps their Malamute properly contained and under their control, for both your sanity and the safety of the dog. What exactly that means depends on the individual dog and owner and the given environment, but there are certain basic rules of thumb. Your breeder, rescue coordinator or other malamute owners or resources should be able to help you assess what you need to provide a safe enviroment for your dog.

Unfortunately, the Malamute's intelligence, independence and stubborness often leads too many people to conclude that they are "dumb" - suprisingly, even experienced dog trainers who should know better fall back on this uninformed stereotype. It's tremendously unfair and totally inaccurate to say that Malamutes are "untrainable" - they are simply very, very smart, and have their own ideas about, well, just about anything! Nonetheless, many Malamutes, with the right training & dedicated owner, become hugely successful competitors in obedience, agility, and just plain ol' well-mannered housedogs.

Contrary to the opinion of some less competent trainers, Malamutes are anything but stupid - instead, it is their very intelligence that demands a more interesting, often more innovative approach to training than some other breeds.

All it takes is a trainer familiar with northern breeds, and a dedicated owner - one with a lot of patience, the drive and desire to work with that amazing Malamute intelligence, and a healthy dose of humor.

One thing training a Malamute will do -
it WILL teach you humility!

More About the Malamute

See links at bottom for more about breed information ... Also, check back as historic pictures are added.

The tribal members relied upon the Malamute's inherent intelligence and yes, even their independence and stubborness. The relationship between the Malamute and its tribe was very symbiotic, as the humans often depended on the dogs for their very lives. The Malamute's rather intense level of independence and close connections to its primal insticts served both dog and master -
a dog that ran over thin ice simply because the musher told it too would not live very long, and neither would its owner.

The Malamute's sense of pack is not restricted to canines, but - like most other dogs - the Malamute will try to sort out its place in the human pack as well. While a Malamute of normal temperament will not normally show any kind of agression towards people, a malamute in a family where it is not offered clear guidelines as to its place in the pack can, and often will, "challenge" its human family in an attempt to achieve the highest possible rank. It's a natural and normal instinct, and one seen in many breeds - it is just a bit more intense in many Malamutes. Therefore, this trait must be managed through training and constant guidance.

Thus, like the Malamutes themselves, the best Malamute owner has a gentle nature with a stubborn core of steel. Malamutes do not respond well to violent handling, but firm and consistent rules and life-long training are a must. People already familiar with the more subtle aspects of dog behavior and language are often best equiped for the task, as reading the signals and providing the necessary guidance on a daily basis comes more naturally to them.