Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are still used as sled dogs for personal transportation, hauling freight or to help move light objects; some, however, are used for recreational sledding, also known as mushing, as well as skijoring, bikejoring, carting, and canicross. However, most Malamutes today are kept as pets or as show dogs or performance dogs in weight pulling, dog agility, or freighting. Malamutes, like other northern and sled dog breeds, can have a strong prey drive, because of their origins and breeding. This can mean that in some cases, they will pursue small animals, including other canids, as well as rabbits, squirrels and cats. Although Malamutes are, as a general rule, particularly friendly with people and can be trained to tolerate small pets, it is necessary to remain vigilant with them around small animals and young children. Malamutes are very affectionate toward people, a characteristic that makes them particularly sought-after family dogs, but unreliable guard dogs because they do not tend to bark. Malamutes are agile around furniture and small objects, making them ideal house dogs, provided they spend a lot of time outdoors to meet their important exercise needs. Alaskan Malamutes also often participate in animal therapy programs, such as visiting patients in hospitals, because of their gentle nature. If they are year-round outdoor dogs, letting them play in a small pool filled with cold water in summer keeps them cool. In winter, they prefer snow. Malamutes are generally calm dogs that rarely bark. When a Malamute vocalizes, it often seems to "speak" by producing a "woo woo" sound. A similarly appearing Spitz dog, the Siberian Husky, is much more vocal.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard describes a natural range of sizes, with a desired height of 23 inches (58 cm) and 75 pounds (34 kg) for females, 25 inches (64 cm) of height and 85 pounds (39 kg) for males. Heavier individuals (90 lb (41 kg)) and dogs under 75 pounds (34 kg) are commonly observed. There is often a marked size difference between males and females. Weights exceeding 100 pounds (45 kg) are also observed. The Alaskan Malamute's coat is a double coat. The undercoat has an oily and woolly texture and can measure up to two inches thick. The outer guard coat is coarse and stands on the body, longer at the withers but no more than an inch on the sides of the body. The ears are small in proportion to the head and remain firmly erect when alert. The Alaskan Malamute is a heavy dog, with a more imposing nature and structure than the Siberian Husky, which is bred for speed. The Alaskan Malamute is bred for power and endurance, which are its original function and what the breed standard requires of Alaskan Malamute breeders. Usual colors are various shades of grey and white, sable and white, black and white, seal and white, red and white, or solid white. There is a wide variety of markings in the breed, including facial markings, blazes, a spot on the nape, and a collar or half-collar. White is often the predominant color on the body, some parts of the legs, feet, and part of facial markings. In terms of color variants, some Malamutes display a dark grey to fawn shade around their trimmings and white areas, displaying a gene linked to color known as Agouti. Two agouti alleles, with the possibility of a third, seem to be found in Malamutes: aw (Agouti Pattern or Wolf/Wild Pattern), at (Tan Point Pattern or Black Pattern), and awat (Heterozygous Agouti or Dark Agouti). The Alaskan Malamute's eyes are almond-shaped and are various shades of brown; however, the darker eye is preferred. Pure-bred Alaskan Malamutes will not have blue eyes. The Malamute's physical build is compact and strong with substance, bone and snowshoe feet. According to the AKC breed standard, the Malamute's tail is well-haired and is carried on the back like a waving plume. Corkscrew tails are sometimes observed, but are considered a fault in the AKC breed standard (a corkscrew tail is commonly observed in the Akita). The well-haired tails of Malamutes help them stay warm when they curl up in the snow. They are often seen wrapping their tails around their nose and face, which probably protects them against the elements, such as blowing snow. Their ears are usually erect, wedge-shaped, small in proportion to the head and placed on the side of the skull. The muzzle is deep and broad, tapering slightly from the skull to the nose. The nose and gums are black, but some Malamutes have a "snow nose," which is black with a pink shade that can darken or lighten depending on the season.