The History
Deep in the vast frozen wilderness of Alaska we have come Across many beautiful things. One of which includes the amazing Alaskan Malamute! Said to hail from the Kotzebue sound on the Northwest coast of Alaska, the Alaskan Malamute was bestowed its name by the native Eskimos/ Inuits who resided there and were known as the "Mahlemuts".
Living in the frigid lightly vegetated lands of Alaska man and dog relied heavily on one another. The Mahlemut people depended on their Malamutes as partners for the hunt of large game and the hard track home after successful missions. This dog had to be a strong and powerful beast with impeccable instincts, high endurance, and stamina, all of much more importance than speed. This beautiful freighting dog didn't require large teams to help the people with the challenges of daily life. With the amount of muscle per dog they also required less fuel than one would expect from such a large and powerful beast.
A Malamute
Alaska's Malamutes were not only given the name of their people but became mirrors of those they shared their life with. Evolving together through the centuries, they took on similar characteristics enhancing the interdependence on which the survival of both relied. For example, the Mahlemut people were tireless workers, so the greatest insult they could level is to expect their dogs to sit idle, or to make matters worse have them stay home when the time came to embark on a hunt. With the knowledge on both sides that survival required cooperation & teamwork the Mahlemut people and the malamutes made for a beautiful long-lasting team. With master & dog sharing the same strong independent personality anything was possible. On the ice their dog's instincts were trusted much more than their own, placing the masters lives in the care of their dogs, creating an unbreakable bond.
Malamutes and Family
The Mahlemut's loved their children treating them with kindness and respect. Their dogs bonded with the children of the village, as well sparking the legendary love for children that remains in an outstanding characteristic even to this day. Thus another example of the beautiful Malamute mirroring its people.
The Mahlemut's treated their Malamutes almost as family, and better than most in the Arctic treated their dogs. The bond that existed between them was unique and the admiration which the people held for their canine partners was genuine. The dogs became immortalized in journals kept by the 1st explorers who ventured into the frozen unknown corner of the world in the 1800's, for they could not resist the beauty, warm personalities, and bonds between the Malamutes and their people.
With the new explorers venturing into the frozen tundra because of the gold finds prospectors began to seek out the services of freighting dogs. Others filled their idle hours by pitting dogs against each other for contests such as weight pulling and racing, although racing the dogs isn't what drew the most enthusiastic following. While the Alaskan Malamute earned the title of Alaska's premier freighting dog, racing was better suited for smaller and lighter dogs that could reach and sustain higher speeds, in which the great malamute is not capable of. Consequently the Malamutes bloodline as well as many others were used to create the development of what would later become favored racers: Siberian Husky and Alaskan Husky. Often mistaken as one because of similar markings, this assumption couldn't be more wrong. With a broader head, at least double the size, triple the muscle, and calmer demeanor than their Siberian counterpart the Malamute has remained a better freighter than racer. As time continued the Malamutes with their indomitable strength, stamina, courage, and heart continued to make themselves known. Later recruited for very admirable missions such as Admiral Richard E Byrd's expeditions to the South Pole and their contribution to World War II, later becoming known as today's modern Malamute.
Todays Malamutes
Today's lovely "Moots" carry the heritage of their predecessors. They revel in the family pack, crave human companionship, & enjoy children. Continuing to excell as freight dogs, thriving when it gets cold, even competing in pulling competitions, & dog shows. All while seeking adventure & bringing smiles to those they love. A sucessful partnership with a Malamute requires an owner willing to share the same adventurous spirit of the breed. An owner who puts effort into the relationship will be who the Malamute will best connect with.