The Malamute.

The Alaskan Malamute is a thick, well built dog and often confused with the Siberian Husky, although very similar in temperament the Malamute is a larger dog and if you are ever needing to tell the difference a Malamutes tail will curl over their back. A Husky can also have brown or blue eyes or one of each while a Malamute can only have brown eyes.
The Malamute is the largest of all Arctic dogs and can grow as tall as 66cm and weigh up to 43kgs. The breed descended from the Arctic wolf and used as Nordic sled dogs by the Alaskan tribe, Mahlemuts – hence their name. They were used as far back as 3000 years as a form of transportation and have participated in many polar expeditions over the years. They were ideal for this line of work due to their will to work, their strength and endurance and also their excellent sense of direction and sense of smell. They are cousins to the very similar Husky, Samoyed and American Eskimo dog.

The Malamute is a very intelligent and extremely loyal breed of dog. They bond well with their master and are very affectionate towards them. They are excellent with children once the child is old enough to play safely and they do mature as they age. Due to their very friendly nature they aren’t suitable as guard dogs but more as family pet. As with all dogs the Malamute must have a firm leader that can keep them as part of the pack, this is only in their natural instincts to follow their leader and without this can be a difficult dog. This is especially important if you have a male Malamute as they can be quite dominating. They are happy to live outdoors providing they are still included in the family and require plenty of daily mental stimulation. They love outdoor activities and although can be difficult to train do well with firm encouragement. They will surprise you at feeding time as they don’t tend to eat as much as you would expect but they are prone to bloat so be cautious during meal times. It's safe to leave them alone with smaller animals but due to their natural instinct to prey it best to supervise, but there have also been stories of Malamutes raising kittens as their own. In comparison to a lot of other dog breeds they are considered a quite dog though do like to howl and dig especially if bored. Both male and female Malamutes can be combative with other dogs to socialization from a young age and firm training is needed to avoid this.

They require as much mental exercise as they do physical exercise and are not ideal for smaller living. Large yards are a must and daily walks are essential, though watch them in the warmer weather. Their thick dense coat is designed to protect them from the cooler weather so they can over heat easily. There coat is very durable and odorless, they don’t require regular bathing as it tends to shed dirt readily. They do need a good brush out at least twice a week and their undercoat will shed in clumps twice yearly.

The Malamute is a great family pet for someone who is willing to take control and be a firm yet calm pack leader. A family that has the time to spend with dog will reap the best benefits and gain a loyal friend for life.

Chris, showing off how beautiful she is!