| The Alaskan Malamute |
Tkaya offers up his opinion...
Take the time to read this page
for information on the malamute
temperament and personality.
Take the time to read this page
for information on the malamute
temperament and personality.
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The Alaskan Malamute is blessed with a sunny disposition
and thrives when treated as an intelligent partner or family
member. Of an independent nature, Mals can be highly
cooperative although never slavish or fawning. An Alaskan
Malamute lives with you not for you. Sometimes aggressive
toward other dogs, especially those of the same gender, the
typical Mal is outrageously and almost universally friendly to
human beings. Malamutes do not guard property and virtually
always extend a tail-wagging, face-licking welcome to
strangers. Mals are pack-oriented and, as such, try to
establish and test the pack order, on a seemingly constant
basis throughout their adolescence. These dogs develop
deep, complex attachments to their owners, but they are not
one-person dogs. Adult rescue Malamutes readily bond with
their adoptive owners. The breed has a strong, predatory
streak, and, if allowed to run loose in rural areas, will reliably
slaughter livestock and wild animals. In urban and suburban
areas, a loose Mal is a menace to cats and other furry
creatures. Swift, fearless, and powerful, Malamutes have
been know to catch songbirds on the wing, and, if
challenged, to deal harshly with other dogs. A very few adult
rescue Mals get along well with cats and other dogs, but
most must go to homes with no other pets. Although the
breed boasts a few angels, most Malamutes will raid trash
and steal food inside the house. Anyone who is unprepared
to deal firmly and calmly with this wild streak should not own
a Malamute.
©1999 by Susan Conant and the Alaskan Malamute
Assistance League. Used with permission.
and thrives when treated as an intelligent partner or family
member. Of an independent nature, Mals can be highly
cooperative although never slavish or fawning. An Alaskan
Malamute lives with you not for you. Sometimes aggressive
toward other dogs, especially those of the same gender, the
typical Mal is outrageously and almost universally friendly to
human beings. Malamutes do not guard property and virtually
always extend a tail-wagging, face-licking welcome to
strangers. Mals are pack-oriented and, as such, try to
establish and test the pack order, on a seemingly constant
basis throughout their adolescence. These dogs develop
deep, complex attachments to their owners, but they are not
one-person dogs. Adult rescue Malamutes readily bond with
their adoptive owners. The breed has a strong, predatory
streak, and, if allowed to run loose in rural areas, will reliably
slaughter livestock and wild animals. In urban and suburban
areas, a loose Mal is a menace to cats and other furry
creatures. Swift, fearless, and powerful, Malamutes have
been know to catch songbirds on the wing, and, if
challenged, to deal harshly with other dogs. A very few adult
rescue Mals get along well with cats and other dogs, but
most must go to homes with no other pets. Although the
breed boasts a few angels, most Malamutes will raid trash
and steal food inside the house. Anyone who is unprepared
to deal firmly and calmly with this wild streak should not own
a Malamute.
©1999 by Susan Conant and the Alaskan Malamute
Assistance League. Used with permission.
One outstanding feature of the Alaskan Malamute breed is its superficial resemblance to the wolf. The stories that link
Malamute-wolf crosses to todays breed are sketchy at best, and the myths that surround such a romantic history have been pretty
well disputed. In fact, the Alaskan Malamute has been recognized as a pure bred dog by the AKC since before World War II.
Historically, the Malamute has been a true working dog. The Mahlemut natives of Alaska used their dogs to pull sledges, and two
of the Admiral Byrd expeditions used Malamutes for freighting and pack dogs. It is common place for Malamute breeders to
advertise that they work their dogs as well as show them, for most Malamute breeders are dedicated to retaining the breeds
original conformation for working as well as for showing.
Despite the breeds fame as a solid working dog (most can carry half their weight back-pack style) Alaskan Malamutes have been
known to give their owners more than a few moments of frustration either in the obedience ring or the backyard. Unlike some of
the more obviously obedient breeds in the Working Group, every Malamute typically has a mind of its own, when being
obedience-trained, and will defy any command on a mere whim. Many novice dog-people and ignorant breeders (who should
know better) mistake this blatant stubbornness for sheer stupidity. At least it seems they can cope better with that diagnosis. On
the contrary, the Malamute is highly intelligent to the point of craftiness. Although its likely that your Malamute would rather
investigate that strange noise he heard than the familiar one (your voice), Malamutes can and do work beautifully in obedience,
and such work is highly rewarding for both dog and owner. In obedience training it is important to keep the sessions short, and
never let the Malamute have his way in the end. Always make sure that the last thing your dog does is done your way, otherwise
you will have trouble establishing just who is in command. (Incidentally, this is true of any breed.)
Perhaps you wonder how an 85 pound dog that stands some 25 inches or so at the withers (Breed Standard) would conduct
himself around children who inevitably pull tails, roll on the floor, and so on. Because the breed is fairly large and Malamutes have
excellent dispositions they make ideal pets for children. And what greater fun than to hook your dog to a wagon or sled and let him
do the work that comes so natural to the breed? Of course, if there are no youngsters around, your Malamute would be just as
happy pulling an adult!
Above all else, the Malamute is a true people-dog and becomes socialized quickly. For this reason, few Malamutes are one-man
dogs, but rather are affectionate, dependable and even-tempered. Most have a distinct way of talking in a rumbling voice instead
of a bark, although they do bark on occasion. It is not at all unusual to see a Malamute with tail down, ears back, when being
scolded, only to have him lick you, with wagging tail, the very next minute - there are no grudges or hurt feelings for this breed.
Many dog people have dubbed the Alaskan Malamute the personality dog and some breeders refer to their dogs as public
relations dogs. It isn't difficult to understand why. The Malamute personality is quite aptly described as gentle strength coupled
with generous portions of affection and companionship.
©1973 by Peggy Hindman as printed in Dog Fancy magazine
Malamute-wolf crosses to todays breed are sketchy at best, and the myths that surround such a romantic history have been pretty
well disputed. In fact, the Alaskan Malamute has been recognized as a pure bred dog by the AKC since before World War II.
Historically, the Malamute has been a true working dog. The Mahlemut natives of Alaska used their dogs to pull sledges, and two
of the Admiral Byrd expeditions used Malamutes for freighting and pack dogs. It is common place for Malamute breeders to
advertise that they work their dogs as well as show them, for most Malamute breeders are dedicated to retaining the breeds
original conformation for working as well as for showing.
Despite the breeds fame as a solid working dog (most can carry half their weight back-pack style) Alaskan Malamutes have been
known to give their owners more than a few moments of frustration either in the obedience ring or the backyard. Unlike some of
the more obviously obedient breeds in the Working Group, every Malamute typically has a mind of its own, when being
obedience-trained, and will defy any command on a mere whim. Many novice dog-people and ignorant breeders (who should
know better) mistake this blatant stubbornness for sheer stupidity. At least it seems they can cope better with that diagnosis. On
the contrary, the Malamute is highly intelligent to the point of craftiness. Although its likely that your Malamute would rather
investigate that strange noise he heard than the familiar one (your voice), Malamutes can and do work beautifully in obedience,
and such work is highly rewarding for both dog and owner. In obedience training it is important to keep the sessions short, and
never let the Malamute have his way in the end. Always make sure that the last thing your dog does is done your way, otherwise
you will have trouble establishing just who is in command. (Incidentally, this is true of any breed.)
Perhaps you wonder how an 85 pound dog that stands some 25 inches or so at the withers (Breed Standard) would conduct
himself around children who inevitably pull tails, roll on the floor, and so on. Because the breed is fairly large and Malamutes have
excellent dispositions they make ideal pets for children. And what greater fun than to hook your dog to a wagon or sled and let him
do the work that comes so natural to the breed? Of course, if there are no youngsters around, your Malamute would be just as
happy pulling an adult!
Above all else, the Malamute is a true people-dog and becomes socialized quickly. For this reason, few Malamutes are one-man
dogs, but rather are affectionate, dependable and even-tempered. Most have a distinct way of talking in a rumbling voice instead
of a bark, although they do bark on occasion. It is not at all unusual to see a Malamute with tail down, ears back, when being
scolded, only to have him lick you, with wagging tail, the very next minute - there are no grudges or hurt feelings for this breed.
Many dog people have dubbed the Alaskan Malamute the personality dog and some breeders refer to their dogs as public
relations dogs. It isn't difficult to understand why. The Malamute personality is quite aptly described as gentle strength coupled
with generous portions of affection and companionship.
©1973 by Peggy Hindman as printed in Dog Fancy magazine
| The Alaskan Malamute Personality |
Frannie...A sunny disposition,
indeed!
indeed!