Breed History
The Malamute is a descendant of dogs of the Mahlemiut tribe of upper western Alaska; native dogs were probably crossed with larger "white man's breeds" during the Gold Rush to increase their size for use as heavy freighting dogs. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog.
At least four thousand years ago, but very likely even earlier, the Eskimos crossed the Bering Straits when the tribes migrated East from Siberia. Arctic anthropology indicates the presence of Eskimo civilization at Cape Krusenstern as early as 1850 B.C.
The history of the Alaskan Malamute is one where the bond between man and canine is most clear. The beginning of the Malamute breed has been traced to the Mahlemuts, an Inuit tribe of northwestern Alaska. The Mahlemuts cultivated and bred this dog for use in sledging supplies from seacoast to village, for hunting seals, and for protection against the polar bear. The Malamute has a double coat that protects it against wind, snow, ice, and 70-degree-below-zero temperatures. It is one of the oldest breeds of dog that is still true to its original size and use. Without these dogs, the Mahlemuts may not have survived the rigors of the Arctic. The Malamute dog has had a distinguished history; aiding Admiral Richard Byrd to the South Pole, and the miners who came to Alaska during the Gold Rush of 1896. This dog was never destined to be a racing sled dog; instead, it was used for heavy freighting, pulling thousands of pounds of supplies to villages and camps. It is a heavy-boned dog, with powerfully built, strong shoulders. When working, the Malamute shows a steady, balanced, tireless gait. It is not built for speed, but for heavy draft work.
Responsible breeders will want to preserve this heritage
of the Malamute's working abilities. This dog is not necessarily
a beauty queen; he is an intelligent, resourceful, hardworking
animal with a major attitude. Originally bred to survive
the rigors of the Arctic, he views the world in a singular
manner. He has certain expectations of humans, and not everyone
can measure up. He is friendly to his family members, and
demands a lot of attention. Socialization of the Malamute
is imperative. With the size of this dog, the strength and
intelligence, he is very formidable. Malamutes do not normally
bark. They tend to "talk" or how !
Eskimo means "raw flesh eater" in the language
of the Canadian Indians, the Eskimos referred to themselves
as "Innuit" which means "the people."
Culturally they are quite different from the other races
in the New World; their history is mysterious and much of
this surrounds the dog. Thus its history and early development
are largely conjectural.
Early life for the Eskimo consisted of nomadic travel in extremely rigorous conditions. Dogs and sleds were essential to their way of life and were their most prized possessions. Without them travel and hauling would have been impossible, The dogs also hunted polar bear and other Arctic mammals for food. They are extremely hardy dogs and have adapted to the extremely low temperatures commonplace in Alaska.
During World War II, many sled dogs, including many of the few registered Malamutes, were loaned for war duty. After the war many of these same dogs were used on an expedition to Antarctica. They served and then, due to some bureaucratic decision, were chained to an ice floe and destroyed by an explosive charge (this action nearly incited a mutiny among the Navy men involved).
Color Description
Black and White - Black guard hair with black or dark grey undercoat.
Alaskan Seal and White - Black or black tipped guard hairs with white or cream undercoat. Dog appears black at a distance but is not a true black because of the light undercoat.
Sable and White - Black or gray guard hairs with a reddish undercoat and red trimmings. Both black and red factors evident.
Gray and White - Gray guard hairs with light gray, cream, or white undercoat. Dog definitely appears gray even though there may be some black hairs on the topline. No red factor evident.
Silver and White - Light gray guard hairs with white undercoat.
Red and White - A definite shade of red, either light or dark; with light points (lip line and nose), and eye color. No black factor evident.
All White - Both guard hairs and undercoat are white. Often evidence of a mask in cream color. Only solid color allowed.
Trimmings
Shadings of gold, cream, buff, brown or reddish hues often found on legs, ears, tail and face between white areas of the underbody and the dark color above.
Face Markings
Cap - A cap of color covers the top of the head and ears usually coming to a point in the center of the forehead.
Goggles - Dark areas under the eyes and extending sideways to the cap.
Bar - A dark area extending from the center point of the cap down the nose.
Eye Shadow - Dark markings under the eyes but not extending out to the cap.
Star - A small white spot in the center of the forehead.
Blaze - A white mark extending from the center point of the cap back up the forehead. Width and length can vary.
Closed Face - Dark coloring covering the face with no distinct markings on the face.
Open Face - A cap covering the top of the head and no other markings on the face.
Full Mask - The combination of cap, goggles and bar.
Mask - The combination of cap and goggles.
Chest Markings
Necklace - A curving band of dark color across the chest.
Eagle - Two bands of dark color protruding partially across the chest forming a pattern resembling the eagle emblem.
Neck Area
Collar - A white band of color encircling the neck.
Withers Spot - A white mark varying in size but centered on the withers or at the base of the neck.
Mismarkings
Mismarkings - Undesirable, uneven splashings.
Anchorage - Iditarod Dog Sled Race
When:Mar 2006 (annual) - Where: Anchorage, USA
>The Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Anchorage
was inspired by the events of 1925, when deadly diphtheria
broke out in Nome, remotely located along the Bering Sea.
Between the stricken town and the nearest serum in Anchorage
lay nearly 1000 miles of Alaskan wilderness...
The Alaska Railroad ferried the medicine 250 miles north
to Nenana. From there, 20 volunteer dog-sled drivers relayed
the serum non-stop for the remaining 674 miles in temperatures
hovering at 50 below zero. They arrived in Nome five days
and seven hours after leaving Nenana and the town was saved.
Today, although the lives of the people of Nome no longer hang in the balance, the journey is just as challenging. The modern race from Anchorage to Nome, considered by many to be the last great race on Earth, has existed since 1973. In its history, it has been won by women five times.
The Iditarod is steeped in Alaskan history; although the actual distance of the trail is 1131 miles, the race is always considered to be 1049 miles long in honour of Alaska, the 49th state to enter the Union.
After the ceremonial start of the race, spectators gather at the finish and at the various checkpoints along the route to witness history in the making.