User:Krasniy/Alaskan Malamute
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| Alaskan Malamute | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 An Alaskan Malamute |
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| Country of origin | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nicknames | Mal Malamute |
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The Alaskan Malamute is a large northern dog breed originally bred for use as an Alaskan sleddog.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Origins
The Alaskan Malamute was originally bred around Kotzebue Sound by the Mehletmut[1] people. It was used as a both a sled and hunting dog, going after large game such as bears. The needs of its human partners included a dog that could pull large loads in adverse weather and across arduous terrain. The Malamute also had to subsist on little food while retaining its unity with other dogs and people. The harsh environment rewarded its high intelligence and independent nature, both of which are important characteristics of the breed.
[edit] Gold Rush
The Malamute became well known to the gold-seekers of the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800's, and this would eventually lead to it being brought to the Lower 48. It was used by many, such as miners and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as a sled and pack dog. It was during this time that the Alaskan Malamute saw its darkest years. Many "outside" dogs[2] were brought to Alaska to supply the great demand for large dogs. These included many types of dogs, from mastiff to sporting dogs. and were crossed into the native Alaskan breeds.[3] The pure Malamute line also suffered as the popularity of dogsled racing rose, when it became further diluted for better racing ability.
[edit] Kennel-driven development
[edit] Chinook and Kotzebue Kennels
[edit] M'loot Kennels
[edit] Hinman-Irwin dogs
[edit] Husky-Pak Kennels
[edit] AKC recognition
[edit] Around the world
[edit] Appearance
The AKC breed standard calls for a natural range of size, with a desired freighting weight of 75 to 85 pounds (34-38.5 kg) and a height of 23 to 25 inches (58-63.5 cm). Heavier individuals (100+ pounds) and dogs smaller than 75 pounds are common--there is often a marked size difference between males and females. The coat is a dense double northern dog coat, somewhat harsher than that of the Siberian Husky. The usual colors are various shades of grey and white, sable and white, black and white, red and white, or pure white. Eyes are almond-shaped and brown; blue eyes are sometimes found, but will disqualify the dog in shows. The physical build of the Malamute is compact with heavy boning. In this context 'compact' means that their height to length ratio is fairly even, unlike dogs like Great Danes which are longer and lankier in their ratios.
One of the more serious faults in malamutes is the tail carriage, you should be able to fit your hand through the circle created by the tails curl, it should not lie flat against the body of the dog or hang down one side.
According to the American Kennel Club, 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, and if this trait is lacking in a show dog, it is enough for a disqualification.
[edit] Characteristics and temperament
[edit] Versatility
blah blah blah various activities Although still in use as sled dogs for recreational mushing, most Malamutes today are kept as family pets or show dogs. They are unable to compete successfully even in long-distance dogsled racing against smaller and faster breeds and their working usefulness is limited to freighting.
The Malamute is one of the most "unaltered" of breeds, retaining its original form and function. Responsible breeders will want to preserve this heritage of the Malamute's working abilities. They are widely regarded as handsome, affectionate toward humans, intelligent, resourceful, and hardworking.
While they may bark like other dog breeds, Malamutes normally tend to "talk" by vocalizing a "woo woo" sound (the characteristic vocalizations of Chewbacca in the Star Wars films are based upon a Malamute named Indiana, once owned by George Lucas). They may howl like wolves or coyotes when feeling excited, sad, or lonely.
Understanding Malamute behavior requires understanding life in an aboriginal Arctic village.
Malamutes were originally bred to think and act independently for the sake of protecting the sled team. Hazardous and unpredictable Arctic trail conditions rewarded the ability of a Malamute to rely on its own senses and, when necessary, override the sled driver's judgment and commands. As such, the breed is notorious for displaying a highly independent streak that manifests itself as stubbornness. Malamutes are sometimes downright insubordinate toward their human handlers and may ignore commands, particularly when young.
At the same time, Arctic life required that Malamutes be bred to behave as consummate members of the sled team, family, and village community. Therefore they are usually very affectionate to members of their own pack - human and dog members alike. A Malamute may take glee in greeting a returning family or pack member after a period of separation, and howl in protest when it feels ignored, neglected, or excluded from group activities. Also, Malamutes are usually friendly to other humans outside their own pack, often demanding their attention and affection as well. The Malamute's gregariousness and tendency to openly, unreservedly give affection make them highly attractive to many dog owners; these same qualities make a Malamute a poor guard dog.
The harsh conditions for which Malamutes were bred rewarded a strong prey drive, as food was occasionally scarce. Consequently, Malamutes may instinctively attack animals such as house cats, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, quail, and even deer (however, many households enjoy harmonious, mixed "packs" of cats and Malamutes). Historic competition for food is also a reason why Malamutes may regard dogs outside their own pack or team with disdain or hostility.
Malamutes dig for food when required, and digging is now a common way in which Malamutes deal with boredom. It is not uncommon to see a Malamute digging madly in pursuit of a mouse, mole, or gopher. Malamutes may also dig to escape a fenced yard, and have been known to dig escape tunnels underneath houses. This tendency to dig can be particularly frustrating to owners who maintain yards or gardens.
Owing to the Malamute's independent nature, physical strength, and its high levels of energy and intelligence, most experts on the breed advise that Malamutes not be adopted by people who:
- are inexperienced in training dogs
- lack the time, energy, and space to exercise them, or
- lack the patience and stamina to repeatedly engage in contests of willpower with a large, powerful animal without becoming angry.
[edit] Health
Health issues in the Malamute are hip dysplasia, inherited polyneuropathy, chrondo dysplasia, and the usual northern-breed eye problems (particularly cataract and progressive retinal atrophy).
While Malamutes have been successfully raised in places such as Arizona, their dense coats generally make them unsuited for hot climates. When the weather gets hot, they—even more than other dogs—need plenty of water and shade. Also, being a winterized breed they will grow a winter coat and subsequently, come spring, shed it again.
[edit] Care
many people care them as a pet23:31, 31 October 2007 (UTC)23:31, 31 October 2007 (UTC)~~
[edit] Training
specific malamute stuff
[edit] Grooming
specific malamute stuff
short clipping info: basically best to brush dog thoroughly and often, if you can't for some reason then clip but don't clip too short & it can make dog susceptible to sunburn.
[edit] Feeding
(more specific malamute stuff) They eat fishes
[edit] Notable Malamutes
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Mehlemut was the language spoken by these people, and has also been spelled Malemiut, Mahlmuit, and Malemuit. They are now known as the Kuuvangmiut or Kobuk people.
- ^ Outside dogs is used to refer to dogs not of Alaska, as is common.
- ^ It is worth noting that the progeny of these crosses were often bred again to northern-type dogs, so as to eventually nearly make these crosses moot.
[edit] References
- Alaskan Malamute Club of America. Retrieved on 1 February, 2007.
- Brooks, Barbara A.; Sherry E. Wallis (1998). The Alaskan Malamute: Yesterday and Today. Loveland, CO: Alpine Publications. ISBN 0-931866-96-0.
- Siino, Betsy Sikora (1997). Alaskan Malamutes (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals), illustrated by Tana Hakanson, Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc.. ISBN 0-7641-0018-1.
[edit] Further reading
- Brooks, Barbara A.; Sherry E. Wallis (1998). The Alaskan Malamute: Yesterday and Today. Loveland, CO: Alpine Publications. ISBN 0-931866-96-0.
[edit] External links
- Breed Registries
- Clubs, Associations, and Societies
- Directories and Informational Pages
- Some of the breed's history
- Alaskan Malamute - A place for Malamute lovers to share pictures and stories.
- Pedigree Databases
Category:Dog breeds Category:Sled dog breeds Category:American dogs
