Malamutul de Alaska este una din rasele canine cele mai vechi ?

i mai pure din pu

nct de vedere genetic pe linia descenden?ei din lupul ancestral. ADN-ul acestor
cini dovede?te ca a fost domesticit de catre om cu mai bine de 4500 de ani n urma.
Se ncadreaza n grupa a?a numi?ilor "cini primitivi" din care fac parte toate rasel
e de tip Spitz. Grupurile umane care au migrat catre nordul extrem ?i au reu?it
sa se adapteze condi?iilor din acele zone prea pu?in primitoare au interac?ionat
cu ace?ti cini ?i i-au integrat n activita?ile lor specifice, cu roluri dintre ce
le mai importante pentru supravie?uirea ?i dezvoltarea comunita?ii.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard describes a natural range of size,
with a desired size of 23 inches (58 cm) tall and 75 pounds (34 kg) for females
, 25 inches (64 cm) tall and 85 pounds (39 kg) for males.[1] Heavier individuals
(90 lb (41 kg)) and dogs smaller than 75 pounds (34 kg) are commonly seen. Ther
e is often a marked size difference between males and females. Weights upwards o
f 100 pounds (45 kg) are also seen.[1]
The coat of the Alaskan Malamute is a double coat. The undercoat has an oily and
woolly texture and can be as thick as two inches.[1] The outer guard coat is co
arse and stands off the body longer at the withers but not more than one inch off
the sides of the body. Ears are small in proportion to the head and stand firmly
erect when at attention. The Alaskan Malamute is a heavy dog, with a more formi
dable nature and structure than the Siberian Husky, which is bred for speed. The
Alaskan Malamute is bred for power and endurance, which is its original functio
n and what the standard of the breed requires of Alaskan Malamute breeders.
The usual colors are various shades of gray and white, sable and white, black an
d white, seal and white, red and white, or solid white.[2] There are a wide rang
e of markings in the breed including face markings, blazes, a splash at the nape
of the neck, and a collar or half collar. In terms of color variants, some Mala
mutes exhibit a dark grey to buff-colored undertone around their trimmings and w
hite areas, presenting with a color-linked gene known as 'Agouti'. The eyes of t
he Alaskan Malamute are almond-shaped and are varied shades of brown; however, t
he darker eye is preferred. The physical build of the Malamute is compact and st
rong with substance, bone and snowshoe feet.
An adult Alaskan Malamute.
Alaskan Malamute puppy.
Alaskan Malamute with dark saddle.
According to the AKC breed standard, the Malamute's tail is well furred and is c
arried over the back like a "waving plume". Corkscrew tails are occasionally see
n but are faulted in the AKC breed standard (a corkscrew tail is commonly seen i
n the Akita). The Malamutes' well-furred tails aid in keeping them warm when the
y curl up in the snow. They are often seen wrapping the tail around their nose a
nd face, which presumably helps protect them against harsh weather such as blowi
ng snow. Their ears are generally upright, wedge-shaped, small in proportion to
the head and set to the side of the skull. The muzzle is deep and broad, taperin
g slightly from the skull to the nose. Nose and gums are black but some Malamute
s have a snow nose, which is black with a pink undertone that can get darker or
lighter, depending on the season.
Temperament[edit]
Alaskan Malamutes are still
ight, or helping move light
l pursuit of sledding, also
ng, carting, and canicross.
s or as show or performance
amutes are generally slower

in use as sled dogs for personal travel, hauling fre

objects; some, however, are used for the recreationa
known as mushing, as well as for skijoring, bikejori
However, most Malamutes today are kept as family pet
dogs in weight pulling, dog agility, or packing. Mal
in long-distance dogsled racing against smaller and

faster breeds and their working usefulness is limited to freighting or traveling

over long distances at a far slower rate than that required for racing. They ca
n also help move heavy objects over shorter distances. An adult male Alaskan Mal
amute can pull around 500 1,500 kilograms (1,100 3,300 lb) of weight, depending on b
uild and training.
The Malamute retains more of its original form and function than many other mode
rn breeds.[citation needed] The Malamute personality is one of strong independen
ce.[citation needed] This dog has a long genetic foundation of living in harsh e
nvironments, and many of its behaviors have adapted to survive in such environme
nts.[citation needed] Independence, resourcefulness, high intelligence[3] and na
tural behaviors are common in the breed.
Malamutes, like other Northern and sled dog breeds, can have a high prey drive,
due to their origins and breeding. This may mean in some cases they will chase s
maller animals, including other canines, as well as rabbits, squirrels, and cats
; however, this has been difficult to document in detail beyond anecdotal, obser
vational data and many Malamute owners have observed varying levels of prey driv
e between individual dogs. So while Malamutes are, as a general rule, particular
ly amicable around people and can be taught to tolerate smaller pets, it is nece
ssary to be mindful of them around smaller animals and small children.
Malamutes are very fond of people, a trait that makes them particularly sought-a
fter family dogs, but unreliable watchdogs. Malamutes are nimble around furnitur
e and smaller items, making them ideal house dogs, provided they get plenty of t
ime outdoors meeting their considerable exercise requirements.[4] If they are ye
ar-round outdoor dogs, letting them play in a baby pool filled with cold water i
n summer keeps them cool. In the winter, they love snow.
Malamutes are usually quiet dogs, seldom barking.[citation needed] When a Malamu
te does vocalize, it often appears to be "talking" by vocalizing a "woo woo" sou
nd. It may howl like a wolf or coyote, and for the same reason.
Health[edit]
There is only one known health survey of Alaskan Malamutes, a 2004 UK Kennel Clu
b survey with a small sample size of 14 dogs.[5] The median lifespan of 10.7 yea
rs measured in that survey is typical of a breed their size; however, this study
had a sample size too small to be considered reliable and much anecdotal eviden
ce suggests they have on average one of the longest lifespans of large dogs, up
to 15 years.[6] The major cause of death was cancer (36%).[7]
The most commonly reported health problems of Alaskan Malamutes, in the 2004 UK
Kennel Club survey (based on a sample size of 64 dogs) were musculoskeletal (hip
dysplasia), and hereditary cataracts. There are additional health issues in the
breed whose origins are unknown at this time including varied seizure disorders
found in young puppies as well as adults, epilepsy, congenital heart problems,
kidney problems and skin disorders.
Other health issues in Malamutes include Elbow dysplasia, inherited polyneuropat
hy, chondrodysplasia, heart defects, and eye problems (particularly cataract and
progressive retinal atrophy).[8] A growing problem among arctic dog breeds, inc
luding the Alaskan Malamute, but especially their cousin, the Samoyed, is canine
diabetes with onset occurring typically in middle age (5 to 7 years).[9]
History[edit]
An Inupiat family with a Malamute from 1915.
Red-White Alaskan Malamute female.
In some accounts, the Alaskan Malamute is described as a descendant of dogs of t

he Mahlemut (now known as Kuuvangmiut or more commonly Kobuk) group of Inupiat i

n upper western Alaska. These dogs had a prominent role with their human compani
ons
as a utilitarian dog, working, hunting, and living alongside humans.[10] The
dogs were renowned for their excellent hunting abilities and were used to hunt
large predators such as bears. They also aided their owners in finding seals by
alerting to seal blow holes. The interdependent relationship between the Mahlemu
t and their dogs fostered prosperity among both and enabled them to flourish in
the inhospitable land above the Arctic Circle.
For a brief period during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, the Malamute and other
sled dogs became extremely valuable to recently landed prospectors and settlers
, and were frequently crossbred with imported breeds. This was often an attempt
to improve the type, or to make up for how few true Malamutes were available to
purchase.
The Malamute has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of
the modern breeds in the 19th Century. A study in 2013 showed that the Alaskan
Malamute has a similar east Asian origin to, but is not clearly related to, the
Greenland Dog and the Inuit Sled Dog (Canadian Eskimo Dog), but contains a possi
ble admixture of the Siberian Husky.[11]
(AKC) "Breed recognition came in 1935, largely through the efforts of Mrs. Eva B
. Seeley. At that time many dogs were of unknown ancestry. Those who appeared pu
rebred were used for breeding, others weeded out. After a few years the registry
was closed." [12]
"Losses from service in World War II all but eliminated the breed. In 1947 there
were estimated to be only about 30 registered dogs left, so the stud book was r
eopened. Mr. Robert J. Zoller became involved in the breed and took this opportu
nity to combine M Loot and Hinman/Irwin dogs with selected Kotzebues to create wha
t became the Husky-Pak line. All modern Malamutes are descended from the early s
trains, and show combinations of characteristics in greater or lesser degree. Th
us the natural differences we see today." [12]
The Malamute dog has had a distinguished history; aiding Rear Admiral Richard By
rd to the South Pole, and the miners who came to Alaska during the Gold Rush of
1896, as well as serving in World War II primarily as search and rescue dogs in
Greenland, although also used as freighting and packing dogs in Europe. This dog
was never destined to be a racing sled dog; it was used for heavy freighting, p
ulling hundreds (maybe thousands) of pounds of supplies to villages and camps in
groups of at least 4 dogs for heavy loads.
The Alaskan Malamute is a member of the Spitz group of dogs, traced back 2,000 t
o 3,000 years ago to the Mahlemuits tribe of Alaska.
In 2010 the Alaskan Malamute was named the official state dog of Alaska.[13][14]