The Alaskan Malamute Club
The Alaskan Malamute is an ancient breed of dog created by the native tribes of Alaska and named after the Mahlemut. They are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and potentially the oldest domestic breed in North America, where cave paintings dating up to twenty thousand years old depict dogs bearing striking resemblence to the Alaskan Malamute have been found. The Malamute was incredibly important to tribal life, where their primary function was as a freight and pack dog, but they were also known to perform such duties as hunting seals and coursing polar bears.
In the late 1800s, gold was discovered in Alaska and the need for freight dogs increased. As people flocked to the region to try to make a profit, the dogs they brought mixed with the local sled dogs and the Malamute breed was nearly destroyed. Thankfully, the native "Mahlemut" was kept safe and pure thanks to its relative isolation from society.
The "Great Race of Mercy" was the name given to the serum run from Nenana, Alaska, to Nome, Alaska in the 1920s. Though the greatest credit for the serum run's success was given to the two teams of Siberian Huskies, the vast majority of the run was powered by teams of Alaskan Malamutes. The Alaskan Malamute is perfectly well suited to the far subzero Arctic temperatures and were bred to be able to haul heavy loads over long distances at low speed. Their thick double coat and tough paw pads make them well suited to life in the snowy north and being built like a brick wall is certainly helpful for the work they were bred to do. They are among the strongest breeds in the world and excel in competitions like weight pulling. They are medium energy dogs with a friendly disposition and an easygoing attitude. While highly intelligent and with a stubborn streak like most primitive breeds, the Malamute excels both as a work dog and a family pet.
In the late 1800s, gold was discovered in Alaska and the need for freight dogs increased. As people flocked to the region to try to make a profit, the dogs they brought mixed with the local sled dogs and the Malamute breed was nearly destroyed. Thankfully, the native "Mahlemut" was kept safe and pure thanks to its relative isolation from society.
The "Great Race of Mercy" was the name given to the serum run from Nenana, Alaska, to Nome, Alaska in the 1920s. Though the greatest credit for the serum run's success was given to the two teams of Siberian Huskies, the vast majority of the run was powered by teams of Alaskan Malamutes. The Alaskan Malamute is perfectly well suited to the far subzero Arctic temperatures and were bred to be able to haul heavy loads over long distances at low speed. Their thick double coat and tough paw pads make them well suited to life in the snowy north and being built like a brick wall is certainly helpful for the work they were bred to do. They are among the strongest breeds in the world and excel in competitions like weight pulling. They are medium energy dogs with a friendly disposition and an easygoing attitude. While highly intelligent and with a stubborn streak like most primitive breeds, the Malamute excels both as a work dog and a family pet.