Page 105 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

SPITZ-TYPE DOGS

Alaskan Malamute WORTH THEIR WEIGHT
IN GOLD

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Variety of colors During the 1896–99 Klondike Gold Rush,
23–28in 84–123lb 12–15 years prospectors would pay huge prices, up
(58–71cm) (38–56kg) All dogs have white underparts. to $1,500, for a team of Malamute dogs to
transport their equipment from supply towns
such as Skagway and Dawson City to the gold
A large, sled-pulling dog that can adapt well to family fields. Each man was required to carry enough
life given sufficient space and exercise supplies to last him for one year, including
1,000lb (454kg) of food. In winter a team of
Malamutes could haul half a ton of equipment
The wolflike Alaskan Malamute is socializing can quickly become aggressive.
over the snow-covered terrain in subzero
named after the Native American Mahlemut The breed also has a strong chasing
temperatures. In summer, used as pack animals,
people who bred these dogs to pull heavy instinct and can disappear far and fast they could carry a 50lb (23kg) load over a
loads and travel great distances across in pursuit of small animals that it sees distance of 20 miles (32km).
the snow when sleds were the only mode as prey. Owners should be cautious about
of transport. Today it is still used to haul where and when to exercise this dog off
freight in remote North American locations, the leash. A quick learner, the Alaskan
and successfully takes part in dogsled Malamute has a strong will, so needs
racing competitions. Also used on polar firm handling and training in good
expeditions, this breed has staggering habits right from the start.
amounts of stamina, strength, and The Alaskan Malamute settles well into
tenacity combined with a highly tuned domestic life as long as it has at least two
sense of direction and smell. hours of exercise each day and a yard to roam
For all its toughness, the Alaskan in. A bored dog, with energy to spare, can be
Malamute is a friendly dog, at least toward destructive if left at home without
people, which means that it cannot be relied supervision. Although its thick coat sheds
on as a guard dog. It likes children but is in spring, there is a risk of overheating if
too big and boisterous to be left alone the dog is overexercised in hot weather,
with a small child. The Alaskan Malamute, and so needs access to shade. The hardy
especially the male, tends to be intolerant Alaskan Malamute is happy to sleep
of strange dogs, and without thorough outdoors, provided it has a companion. Erect, triangular ears Slight furrow
with rounded tips and between eyes
furry inner surfaces
Furry tail curls
up over back

Wolf-gray

Black nose

Thicker hair
around neck
PUPPY

Heavily Thick, coarse outer
muscled coat over oily,
thighs woolly, deep undercoat White predominates
on underbody

103