Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is known to be intelligent, hard-working, active and usually friendly. In addition to these traits, their dense coat made the Alaskan Malamute breed extremely well suited for their original use as sled and pack dogs.

Historically, Alaskan Malamutes were good hunters which has now led to their use as search and rescue dogs. As with other working breeds, the stamina of the Alaskan Malamute requires physical and mental stimulation in the family environment. Dog sports such as sled, cart, or freight racing, weight pulling, packing, skijoring (where a dog pulls a skier), pulk sledding (pulling a small sled called a pulk), agility and obedience as sport provides this stimulation while at the same time allowing the dog to bond well with the family.

Alaskan Malamute History:

The Alaskan Malamute is an ancient breed named after a native tribe in Alaska. Around 1000 BC the tribe began breeding Alaskan Malamutes, making the breed one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs around today.

Between 1909 and 1918, breeders experimented by breeding the Alaskan Malamute in crosses with other Arctic dogs. With the aim to produce an even stronger and more resilient breed that would be better equipped to survive in the hostile environment of the Arctic. In 1926, an effort to protect the bloodline was initiated, they have been recognised by the American Kennel Club since 1935.

The Alaskan Malamute over the past 20-30 years has become more popular in the United Kingdom. It is now the largest of the five sled dog types recognised by the Kennel Club.