BlackSummit Breed Information

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THE EXACT ORIGINS OF THIS FASCINATING BREED CAN BE A HOT TOPIC OF DEBATE AMONGST ITS OWNERS. SOME BELIEVE THE MALAMUTE HAS EXISTED AS A BREED IN ITS OWN RIGHT FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, OTHERS BELIEVE IT IS DERIVED MORE RECENTLY FROM THE BLOODLINES OF THE GENERIC INUIT OR ESKIMO DOG. HOWEVER, WHERE BOTH SIDES AGREE IS THAT MALAMUTES SERVED OUR ANCESTORS IN ALASKA THROUGH HAULING HEAVY LOADS AND HUNTING. THE MALAMUTE AS IT EXISTED THEN, HAD TO SURVIVE IN THE HARSHEST OF ARCTIC CONDITIONS, DOGS WERE REQUIRED TO WORK HARD AND THOSE WITH A RELUCTANCE TO WORK WERE CULLED. THE EXTREME CLIMATE CALLED FOR TOUGH FEET AND A HARSH, DENSE, OILY COAT TO REPEL THE MOISTURE FROM SNOW AND ICE. GOOD BREEDERS TODAY AIM TO PRESERVE THESE TRAITS. PICTURED RIGHT IS 'ROWDY OF NOME' THE FIRST EVER REGISTERED ALASKAN MALAMUTE OWNED BY EVA SEELEY AND REGISTERED WITH THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB IN 1935.

H I S T O R Y A N D O R I G I N S

O F T H E A L A S K A N M A L A M U T E

"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, but as good specimens physically as were originally found in Alaska. It isn't a question of breeding better, but as good as an Alaskan malamute."

Natalie Norris

A P P E A R E N C E A N D C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

O F A L A S K A N M A L A M U T E S T O D A Y

WHILST THE BREED HAS EVOLVED OVER YEARS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THAT THE MALAMUTE OF TODAY SHOULD BE MORE THAN JUST A LARGE, IMPRESSIVE SHOW DOG. GOOD BREEDERS SHOULD NOT ONLY STRIVE FOR SOUND CONSTRUCTION, BUT ALSO THE ARCTIC TRAITS, TEMPERAMENT AND MINDSET NEEDED BY THESE DOGS TO FULFIL THEIR ORIGINAL FUNCTION. IN ESSENCE, A WORKING SLED DOG NEEDS A GOOD WORK ETHIC!

BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR AN ALASKAN MALAMUTE IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY BEHIND THE BREED, AS THIS HELPS TO ENSURE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE BREED CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTRIBUTES. MALAMUTES ARE INTELLIGENT, BUT STUBBORN DOGS, THAT IN THE WRONG HOUSEHOLD CAN BECOME DESTRUCTIVE, DOMINANT AND NOISY. THE DEMANDS OF OWNING MALAMUTES ARE MUCH GREATER THAN OWNING OTHER BREEDS SUCH AS GERMAN SHEPHERDS OR LABRADORS. THIS BREED NEEDS AN OWNER THAT IS WILLING TO LEAD FIRMLY BUT FAIRLY, COMMIT TO HOURS OF TRAINING, STIMULATION AND EXERCISE BUT ABOVE ALL, CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATE LOVE AND PATIENCE. MALAMUTES ARE PACK ANIMALS THAT LIKE TO FEEL PART OF A FAMILY OR A TEAM. IF PURCHASED FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER, MOST MALAMUTES SHOULD HAVE SOUND TEMPERAMENTS WHICH ALLOW THEM TO LIVE HARMONIOUSLY WITH OTHERS.

B R E E D S T A N D A R D

U K K E N N E L C L U B

A BREED STANDARD IS A SET OF GUIDELINES ABOUT THE APPEARANCE OF A DOG BREED. EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF THE BREED STANDARD FOR AN ALASKAN MALAMUTE IS BASED ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE BREED. YOU CAN FIND THE LINK TO THE UK ALASKAN MALAMUTE BREED STANDARD FURTHER DOWN IN OUR LINKS SECTION. HERE IS THE HEADLINE EXTRACT:

"Characteristics - a freighting sled dog capable of surviving in Arctic conditions and of pulling heavy loads at steady speeds."

W H E R E C A N I L E A R N M O R E ?

A B O U T A L A S K A N M A L A M U T E S

THE INTERNET IS A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. WE RECOMMEND THESE LINKS:

WORLD MALS - A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO LEARNING ALL ABOUT MALAMUTES INCLUDING A LARGE SECTION ON HISTORY AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE BREED.
AMCUK THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE CLUB OF THE UNITED KINGDOM - THIS IS THE OFFICIAL KENNEL CLUB AFFILIATED BREED CLUB IN ENGLAND, THE WEBSITE CONTAINS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE BREED.
AMCA THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE CLUB OF AMERICA - THE USA IS THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE, THIS SITE CONTAINS SOME VERY EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION.
UK KENNEL CLUB - HERE YOU WILL FIND THE BREED STANDARD FOR THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE.

SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT MORE IS TO VISIT AN ACTUAL KENNEL, PICK UP THE PHONE OR EMAIL TO ASK QUESTIONS. MOST RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS WILL OFFER ADVISE ABOUT THE BREED. WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AND WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

H O W A B O U T R O W D Y ' S R E C O M M E N D E D R E A D I N G L I S T B E L O W ?

The Alaskan Malamute - Yesterday and Today by B. Brookes
A New Owners Guide to Alaskan Malamutes by M.J Holabch
The New Complete Alaskan Malamute by Riddle and Michael Harris
Alaskan Malamutes: A Complete Pet Owners Manual by B.S Siino
Alaskan Malamute (Dog Expert) by Michael James