Origin and Purpose
The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, was named after
the native Inuit tribe called Mahlemuts (now spelled Malamute) who settled along the
shores of Kotzebue Sound in the upper western regions of Alaska. Written accounts
of Alaska from various explorers and travellers rarely mention the Mahlemut people
without reference to their dogs which were of the spitz-type and described as being
powerful looking and of remarkable endurance and fortitude. These dogs were used
primarily as draught animals to haul heavy sleds, but were also used to pack
supplies, for hunting seals and in packs to track polar bears. Early writings
indicate that the dogs kept by the Mahlemut people were better cared for than
was usual for Arctic sled dogs, and this seemingly accounts for the breed's
affectionate disposition.
General Appearance
The Alaskan Malamute 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 slight diminishing in width from root to nose. The
muzzle is not pointed or long, yet not stubby. The coat is thick with a coarse guard
coat of sufficient length to protect a woolly undercoat. Malamutes are of various
colours. 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.
In judging Malamutes, their function as a sled 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.
Temperament
The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog, not a "one man" dog. He
is a loyal, devoted companion, playful in invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity
after maturity.
Size
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.
Coat and Colour
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.
The usual colours range from light grey through intermediate shadings to black,
sable, and shadings of sable to red. Colour combinations are acceptable in undercoats,
points and trimmings. The only solid colour 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 colours extending over the body or
uneven splashing are undesirable.
Head
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. Dark eyes are preferred. 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 corner 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.
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 line 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 colours, except reds, the nose, lips and eye rims' 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.
Neck
The neck is strong and moderately arched.
Forequarters
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 of the snow-shoe type,
tight and deep, with well-cushioned pads, giving a firm, compact appearance. 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.
Body
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.
The tail 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.
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.
Gait
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.
Faults
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.
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 splay-footedness,
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 over-all proportion.
High set ears. Overshot or undershot. A long loin that may weaken the back.
DISQUALIFICATION
Blue Eyes
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