Alaskan Malamute Pet Dogs

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Alaskan Malamute Pet Dogs

Alaskan Malamutes are a breed of Arctic dog, the largest, in fact. This dog has a physical characteristic similar to wolves, but Alaskan Malamutes have a very calm temperament and is obedient to its owner.

The Alaskan Malamute is named after the Mahlemut Inuit of the Arctic coast of Alaska. The Malamute was developed as a sled pulling dog necessary for the Mahlemut eskimos' nomadic lifestyle, where the dog aslo found a role in aiding the Mahlemut to hunt bears and seals (as blow hole spotters). This happened thousands of years before histories came to be written, as the Alaskan Malamute is now classified as one of the fourteen oldest dog breeds in the world. They may look like wolves, but they are very different from wolves.

At first the dogs were used as sled pullers in the snow in Alaska, but Alaskan Malamutes are now sought after as a pet dog, because they are loyal, sweet, very affectionate, nimble inside the house, and great with kids old enough to handle them.

This dog does have a physical form which is very interesting. Alaskan Malamutes look like a heavier, more powerful version of the Siberian Husky (although, in Alaskan Malamutes, standards groups think blue eyes are a fault). While Siberian Huskies are speedy and fine boned, Alaskan Malamutes are more able to meet tests of strength and endurance.

As shown in the pictures here, Alaskan Malamutes have a thick, dense fur coat, because Alaskan Malamutes come from cold temperate regions. Alaskan Malamutes have a coat color various shades of gray and white, black and white, black and white, red and white, or solid white.

Alaskan Malamutes are a medium sized dog, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard calls for a variety of natural size, with a desired height of 23 inches (58.4 cm) at the withers and 75 pounds (34 kg) for females, 25 inches (63.5 cm) and 85 pounds (39 kg) for males. Heavier individuals (90 lb (41 kg)) and dogs smaller than 75 pounds (34 kg) are commonly seen. Often there is a marked difference in size between males and females. Alaskan Malamutes reach a top weight of 120 pounds (54 kg).

A 2004 UK Kennel Club survey (based on a 64-dog sample size) reported that Alaskan Malamutes commonly suffer hip dysplasia and hereditary cataracts.

Alaskan Malamutes are also susceptible to inherited polyneuropathy, heart defects, chondrodysplasia, and other eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy).

The UKC survey also identified cancer (36%) as the leading cause of death among Alaskan Malamutes while, for Americans, that’s only the second leading cause of death behind heart disease (2009 data). Maybe people should start pulling sleds.

Alaskan Malamute Pictures