The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful breed, considering her large build and independent personality, yet very sociable and sweet towards her owners. She is family-oriented and a very devoted pet. She loves to run around and play all day. She even finds delight in pulling your sled for you. Although these dogs are very friendly to people, she can be aggressive towards other animals at times.

A Brief History of the Alaskan Malamute

As you can probably deduce from the name, this dog breed originated in Alaska. She was bred to be a working dog, hunting large prey and pulling heavy sleds. Today, she's more commonly used for sled pulling.

Originally bred in a cold country, the Alaskan Malamute is used to living in cold places. She can fare well in cold climates. This breed was said to have lived with a tribe called the Mahlemuts on the northwest coast of Alaska. The tribe's name came from the words "Mahle" which is a tribal name, and "mut" which means village. Although this breed came from the Spitz family, she is called the Alaskan Malamute because of her historical background.

These dogs were a very good hunting dog before. She was particularly used to hunt and retrieve large prey such as polar bears and seals. She banked on her large size and incredible strength to accomplish her hunting task. She wasn't very fast -- that's why she was usually accompanied by smaller yet faster dogs to search for game before attacking.

This dog breed was a very important part of the families in Alaska. They relied on this dog to help them survive. The Alaskan Malamute was highly respected but wasn't as pampered as the house dogs today. In fact, if she refused to hunt in bad weather, most owners would opt to kill her because of her uselessness.

They were also used during World War II as search-and-rescue dogs. She was also used to transport cargo. Because of her great worth, especially during World War II, her breed became popular and increased in number. The American Kennel club (AKC) recognized the Alaskan Malamute in 1935.

Taking Care of an Alaskan Malamute

She is used to working heavily every day. She likes running around non-stop, pulling sleds to and fro, and hunting game. If you own an Alaskan Malamute, make sure to fulfill her daily exercise requirements. You have to allot ample time for her to run around and wear herself off. You can also play fetch with her or jog around the neighborhood. She can become very destructive if she isn't given enough exercise daily because she really needs to spend all her energy.

This breed also needs a lot of attention and affection because she is so affectionate herself. She needs to socialize with people and other dogs. Although she can tolerate very cold weather, she still likes to keep warm and sleep inside the house with her owner. Her thick coat needs brushing at least twice a day or every other day during shedding season to get rid of dead hairs.

The Alaskan Malamute's Health Concerns

The Alaskan Malamute can live up to 12 years. She is very prone to acquiring cataracts and coronary heart disease. She may also suffer from minor diseases such as hypothyroidism and chondrodysplasia. Vets recommend that you bring your Alaskan Malamute to the clinic to be tested for potential eye, hip and thyroid diseases.