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The Alaskan Malamute
( Group 3 - Working Dogs )
Source :
The Canadian Kennel Club, www.ckc.ca
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 travelers rarely
mention the Mahlemut people without reference to their dogs which were of
the spitz-type 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 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 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 colour 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 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 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 though 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 centreline 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 spayed footedness, cowhocks, bad pasterns, straight shoulders,
lack of angulation, stilted gait (or an gait that isn't balanced, strong
and steady), ranginess, shallowness, ponderousness, lightness of bone, and
poor overall proportion.
High set ears. Overshot or undershot. A long loin that may weaken the back.
Disqualification
Blue eyes.
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