Breed Description
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A Brief History of the Alaskan Malamute
By Lynda Birmantas
ORIGIN
At least four thousand years ago, but very likely even earlier, the Eskimos crossed the Bering Straits when the tribes migrated East from the cold barren lands of Siberia. Arctic anthropology indicates the presence of Eskimo civilization at Cape Krusenstern as early as 1850 B.C.
Eskimo means "raw flesh eater" in the language of the Canadian Indians, the Eskimos referred to themselves as "Innuit" which means "the people". Culturally they are quite different from the other races in the New World; their history is mysterious and much of this surrounds the dog. Thus its history and early development are largely conjectural.
Early life for the Eskimo consisted of nomadic travel in extremely rigorous conditions. Dogs and sleds were essential to their way of life and were their most prized possessions. Without them travel and hauling would have been impossible.
Archaeological evidence indicates that sled dogs may have first been used no more than three to five hundred years ago, although they may have been used for dog-drawn sleds or as packdogs before that time. The dogs also hunted polar bear and other Arctic mammals for food. They are extremely hardy dogs and have adapted to the extremely low temperatures commonplace in Alaska.
On thing is certain - the innate quality of the dog we know as the Alaskan Malamute and its superb adaptation to its environment.
THE MALAMUTE ESKIMO
There are twenty native Alaskan languages, four are Eskimo. However, none were written down until the eighteenth century when Russian fur traders entered the country. The name Malamute applies to the regional dialect of the Alaskan Inupiaq Eskimos. The Malamute speaking tribe or tribes eventually settled in the Northeastern area of the Seward Peninsula.
It was here that the dogs we call Alaskan Malamutes are popularly supposed to have originated or to have settled after the great migration. Some early explorers also described similar dogs in coastal regions much further South. Obviously men and their dogs migrated to where there was the most food. Fishing and game possibilities varied according to the weather and coastal areas may have had more to offer. This accounts for the apparent spread of the dog population to both North and South from the original settlements around Kotzebue Sound. Nonetheless, Malamute dogs of excellent type could be found in that area even up to the mid-1960's.
Malamute Eskimos, now known as Kuuvangmiut or Kobuk people, had a good standard of life, working hard and developing their dogs to a high level of strength, intelligence and reliability. People of the Malamute region are said to have fed dogs as often as they themselves ate on the trail. This humane treatment may account for the rather better temperament of the Alaskan Malamute as opposed to certain other Arctic sled dog breeds. When you consider that many working dogs were badly mistreated, underfed and over-used it should not be surprising that many Arctic dogs had bad dispositions.
The Malamute Eskimos bred only the best and most promising youngsters and treated their dogs well and evidently did not do a lot of breeding because of the lack of food. White men found it difficult to purchase Malamutes because of the high value placed upon them which explains the relatively small foundation to which we trace today's Malamutes.
THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE'S ROOTS
The Alaskan Malamute is a member of the Spitz group of dogs. This group is well represented in the world, including the Akita, chow Chow, Elkhound, Finnish Spitz, and Samoyed to mention only a few. We may have the wandering merchants, explorers, and roving armies of yesteryear to thank for their wide distribution across the globe. However, until recently, the Alaskan malamute has remained almost completely native to Alaska.
Some naturalists think the Alaskan Malamute is a product of the early dog and domesticated wolf from centuries ago, whereas some Eskimo cultural experts and a number of Eskimo elders dismiss this idea, pointing out the anatomical differences between dog and wolf. One of the early Malamute breeders, Paul Voelker, believed the Alaskan Malamute to be the oldest breed on the North American continent and probably the breed longest associated with man. According to Voelker, bone and ivory carvings dated at twelve to twenty thousand years old show the Malamute essentially as he is today. Voelker is quoted as saying:
"Don't forget that the Alaskan Malamute for untold generations was raised with the Eskimos, pups and kids on the floor together. I've seen little babies crawling in among the pups to nurse the old mother dog."
THE GOLD RUSH
When the Gold Rush
began in 1896 prospectors discovered the need for sleds and dog teams. Teams
became very expensive; it was normal to pay $1,500 for a small team and $500
for a good dog. The Alaskan Malamute was the most prized and respected team dog
and his facial markings were much admired. However, the Alaskan malamute breed
could have been lost during this time of inter-breeding with smaller, faster
dogs for racing and also with larger dogs such as Saint Bernards for dog
fighting and weight pulling.
Despite this cross-breeding, the dogs quickly began to return to the Spitz type to which all Northern breeds belong. Even the first generation of cross-breds tended to look more like the Spitz dog than the other half of their breeding. Within three generations there would be no sign of outside blood. Why would this be so? The Arctic type has been dominant for many centuries and obviously those dogs not inheriting the survival characteristics of the Arctic breeds would not be able to survive. Additionally, many Arctic dogs are "easy keepers" and require much less food than dogs of comparable size. It has been speculated that those dogs that did not inherit these qualities may well have starved on the rations normally given to the sled dogs. These differences can partially account for slight variations found in modern Alaskan Malamutes. They do not indicate any impure breeding in present day dogs, nor any departure from true type.
THE THREE BASIC FOUNDATION LINES
Kotzebue
The Kotzebue line stemmed from Arthur Walden's dogs which were taken over by Milton and Eva Seeley when Mr. Walden went to Antarctica. The Seeleys' Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet, New Hampshire was the best-known sled dog headquarters in the United States. Dogs for both the Byrd Expeditions and for the United States Service Expedition (all to Antarctica) were trained and supplied by Chinook Kennels. The Seeleys deserve much of the credit for getting the AKC to recognize the Alaskan Malamute.
M'Loot
Paul Voelker originated the M'Loot line that figures strongly in many pedigrees, including the foundation of Silver Sled Kennels that is behind most of the Alaskan Malamutes you may find in the Midwest. Although Voelker was interested in the same breed, he came up with a slightly different type of Alaskan Malamute but did not pursue AKC registration.
Hinman (or Hinman-Irwin) Strain
This strain involved only a few dogs but made important contributions to breed quality. The Hinman line in combination with the M'Loot strain produced some of the best representatives of the breed. The Hinman strain also figured strongly in combination with M'Loot and Kotzebue in development of the "Husky-Pak" line, and produced many champion and foundation dogs for the breed.
AKC RECOGNITION OF THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE
Breed recognition for the Alaskan Malamute came in 1935, the same year that the Alaskan Malamute Club of America was formed. The original registration period for AKC was very short, just long enough to get enough dogs registered to provide a base on which the breed could grow and develop.
During World War II, many sled dogs, including many of the few registered Malamutes, were loaned for war duty. After the war many of these same dogs were used on an expedition to Antarctica. They served and then, due to some bureaucratic decision, were chained to an ice floe and destroyed by an explosive charge (this action nearly incited a mutiny among the Navy men involved). Some time after this tragic event, AKC realized the breed had hardly any registered Malamutes to support it. They reopened AKC registration, but on more rigid specifications. Quality had to be proved by showing each applicant as a "listed" dog and attaining ten championship points. During this time, many early fanciers registered their dogs under the new rules, adding the M'Loot and Hinman strains to the Kotzebues registered earlier.
Suddenly, the door to registration was closed by the AKC despite the protests of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America. All registered Alaskan Malamutes today go back to the original Kotzebues or to dogs registered during the open period in the late forties.
In closing, I would like to include a quotation from Natalie Norris, an early Alaskan Malamute fancier and one of the best-known women sled dog racers.
"The Malamute is too fine and distinguished a breed to be changed into anything but what centuries of adaptability to its environment has produced. Our efforts should be to breed not only beautiful Malamutes, but as good a specimens physically as were originally found in Alaska. It isn't a question of breeding a better Malamute, but as good an Alaskan Malamute."
The Alaskan Malamute, one of the
oldest Arctic sled dogs, is a powerful and substantially built dog with a ;
deep chest and strong well-muscled body. The Malamute stands well over the pads
and this stance gives the appearance of much activity and a proud carriage,
with head erect and eyes alert showing interest and curiosity. the head is
broad. Ears are triangular and erect when alerted. The muzzle is bulky, only
slightly diminishing in width from root to nose. The muzzle is not pointed or
long, yet not stubby. The coat is thick with a course guard coat of sufficient
length to protect a woolly undercoat. Malamutes are of various colors. Face
markings are a distinguishing feature. These consist of a cap over the head,
the face either all white or marked with a bar and/or mask. The tail is well
furred, carried over the back, and has the appearance of a waving plume. The
Malamute must be a heavy boned dog with sound legs, good feet, deep chest and
powerful shoulders, and have all of the other physical attributes necessary for
the efficient performance of his job. The gait must be steady, balanced,
tireless and totally efficient. He is not intended as a racing sled dog
designed to compete in speed trials. The Malamute is structured for strength
and endurance, and any characteristic of the individual specimen, including
temperament, which interferes with the accomplishment of this purpose, is to be
considered the most serious of faults.
There is a natural range in size in the breed. The desirable freighting sizes are males, 25 inches at the shoulders, 85 pounds; females, 23 inches at the shoulders 75 pounds. However, size consideration should not outweigh that of type, proportion, movement and other functional attributes. When dogs are judged equal in type, proportion, movement, the dog nearest the desirable freighting size is to be preferred. The depth of chest is approximately one half the height of the dog at the shoulders, the deepest point being just behind the forelegs. The length of the body from point of shoulder to the rear point of pelvis is longer than the height of the body from ground to top of the withers. The body carries no excess weight, and bone is in proportion to size.
The head is broad and deep, not coarse or
clumsy, but in proportion to the size of the dog. The expression is soft and
indicates an affectionate disposition. The eyes are obliquely placed in the
skull. Eyes are brown, almond shaped and of medium size. Blue eyes are a
Disqualifying Fault. The ears are of medium size, but small in proportion to
the head. The ears are triangular in shape and slightly rounded at the tips.
They are set wide apart on the outside back edges of the skull on line with the
upper comer of the eye, giving ears the appearance, when erect, of standing off
from the skull. Erect ears point slightly forward, but when the dog is at work,
the ears are sometimes folded against the skull. High set ears are a fault. The
skull is broad and moderately rounded between the ears, gradually narrowing and
flattening on top as it approaches the eyes, rounding off to cheeks that are
moderately flat. There is a slight furrow between the eyes. The topline of the
skull and the topline of the muzzle show a slight break downward from a
straight lines as they join. The muzzle is large and bulky in proportion to the
size of the skull, diminishing slightly in width and depth from junction with
the skull to the nose. In all coat colors, except reds, the nose, lips, and eye
rim's pigmentation is black. Brown is permitted in red dogs. The lighter
streaked 'snow nose' is acceptable. The lips are close fitting. The upper and
lower jaws are broad with large teeth. The incisors meet with a scissors grip.
Overshot or undershot is a fault.
The neck is strong and moderately arched. The chest is well developed. The body is compactly built but not short coupled. The back is straight and gently sloping to the hips. The loins are hard and well muscled. A long loin that may weaken the back is a fault. The fail is moderately set and follows the line of the spine at the base. The tail is carried over the back when not working. It is not a snap tail or curled tight against the back, nor is it short furred like a fox brush. The Malamute tail is well furred and has the appearance of a waving plume.
The shoulders are moderately sloping; forelegs heavily boned and muscled, straight to the pasterns when viewed from the front. Pasterns are short and strong and slightly sloping when viewed from the side. The feet are large, toes tight fitting and well arched. There is a protective growth of hair between the toes. The pads are thick and tough; toenails short and strong.
Hindquarters
The rear legs are broad and heavily muscled through the thighs; stifles moderately bent; hock joints are moderately bent and well let down. When viewed from the rear, the legs stand and move true in line with the movement of the front legs, not too close or too wide. Dewclaws on the rear legs are undesirable and should be removed shortly after puppies are whelped.
The Malamute has a thick, coarse guard coat, never long and soft. The undercoat is dense, from one to two inches in depth, oily and woolly. The coarse guard coat varies in length as does the undercoat. The coat is relatively short to medium along the sides of the body, with the length of the coat increasing 'around the shoulders and neck, down the back, over the rump, and in the breeching and plume. Malamutes usually have a shorter and less dense coat during the summer months. The Malamute is shown naturally. Trimming is not acceptable except to provide a clean cut appearance of feet.
Color
The usual colors range from light gray through
intermediate shadings to black, sable, and shadings of sable to red. Color
combinations are acceptable in undercoats, points, and trimmings. The only
solid color allowable is all white. White is always the predominant color on
underbody, parts of legs, feet and part of face markings. A white blaze on the
forehead and/or collar or a spot on the nape is attractive and acceptable. The
Malamute is mantled, and broken colors extending over the body or uneven
splashing are undesirable.
The gait of the Malamute is steady, balanced, and powerful. He is agile for his size and build. When viewed from the side, the hindquarters exhibit strong rear drive that is transmitted through a well-muscled loin to the forequarters. The forequarters receive the drive from the rear with a smooth reaching stride. When viewed from the front or from the rear, the legs move true in line, not too close or too wide. At a fast trot, the feet will converge toward the centerline of the body. A stilted gait, or any gait that is not completely efficient and tireless, is to be penalized.
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 after maturity.
Summary
IMPORTANT: In judging Malamutes, their function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting in the Arctic must be given consideration above all else. The degree to which a dog is penalized should depend upon the extent to which the dog deviates from the description of the ideal Malamute and the extent to which the particular fault would actually affect the working ability of the dog. The legs of the Malamute must indicate unusual strength and tremendous propelling power, any indication of unsoundness in legs and feet, front or rear, standing or moving, is to be considered a serious fault. Faults under this provision would be splayfootedness, cowhocks, bad pasterns, straight shoulders, lack of angulation, stilted gait (or any gait that isn't balanced, strong and steady), ranginess, shallowness, ponderousness, lightness of bone, and poor overall proportion.
DISQUALIFICATION Blue Eyes Revised May 1994
The Alaskan Malamute, like most large breeds, suffers from a higher incidence of canine hip dysplasia. To put it in basic terms, hip dysplasia is an imperfect formation of the ball and socket assembly in the pelvis. The degree of imperfection can vary, from very slight, which does not visibly affect a dog, to very severe, in which the animal is so badly affected that euthanasia is the only human course.
Veterinarians and medical researches are divided in their opinion as to the exact cause of hip dysplasia. Although the mode of inheritance has not been fully determined, it is generally felt to be polygenic in nature with possible influence from environmental conditions.
While much remains unknown about hip dysplasia, it has been conclusively demonstrated that the breeding of dogs with affected hips substantially increases the incidence of hip dysplasia in the puppies. Since such a pattern could, if continued, lead to a large population of affected dogs, it becomes important to restrict breeding stock to those dogs with sound hips. Although a dysplastic puppy can still occur from mating of clear parents, the chances are much smaller than a one or both parents are themselves dysplastic.
Since dogs with hip dysplasia can present a completely normal appearance, a conclusive method of detection must be employed. This method is the pelvic radiograph, or x-ray. Such radiographs, taken and evaluated by trained personnel, sustain a high degree of accuracy in dysplasia diagnosis.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has established a hip control registry for all breeds. Radiographs submitted to OFA are evaluated by three radiologists. If the consensus diagnosis is clear, a certificate is issued. Minimum age for certification is two years, although radiographs of younger dogs will be read.
When contemplating purchase of an Alaskan Malamute for breeding stock, you will want to ensure, as best as possible, that the dog has sound hips. In buying a dog over one year of age, the hips should be radiographed and read normal by either OFA or a certified radiologist. In buying a puppy, both parents should be cleared by either OFA or a certified radiologist. No breeder can absolutely guarantee that your particular puppy will not be dysplastic, but the reputable breeder, using only clear stock, will give you the best possible chance.
In spite of the most conscientious efforts, a majority of breeders produce a small percentage of dysplastic dogs. These dogs, if not badly affected, can lead normal and happy lives. They should not, however, be used for breeding. Many breeders will place such dogs into homes at a reduced price, on the condition that the animal must be rendered incapable of reproduction.
Hip dysplasia is not an easy subject to understand, and even the most experienced breeders and researchers admit frustrating gaps in their comprehension.
Chondrodysplasia (CHD) is a genetic disorder in the Alaskan Malamute which manifests itself in puppies born with crippling deformities, eventually evident in the abnormal shape and length of their limbs. Chondrodysplasia is present in adult carriers as an autosomal or simple recessive gene. Therefore, both the sire and dam must carry this gene in order to produce an affected (chondrodysplastic) puppy.
Malamute owners and prospective owners, have an opportunity to control the proliferation of chondrodysplasia in the Alaskan Malamute. The Alaskan Malamute Club of America (AMCA) maintains and administers a registry of CHD CERTIFIED dogs. Certification is done by checking a five generation pedigree of the dog. If this examination reveals the dog's ancestors are certified a certificate is issued to that dog bearing an AMCA number. If the pedigree research reveals the dog is non-certifiable, the AMCA recommends the dog no be bred.
Last updated: May 2000
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