This is the breed of dog you are likely to see running in front of the sled on polar expeditions, where the cold keeps normal humans away. They have a very thick and soft coat that easily protects them from the cold, and they are also used to cold climates. It is a breed of dog that will grow into a very calm and intelligent adult, but will never lose its joy. However, they have a very strong natural hunting instinct and although they are very loyal and easy to teach, they will react naturally when “prey” appears.
They love to run and need as much exercise as possible. Most Alaskan Malamutes live for approximately 10 years, and the only known health problem for this breed is cancer (which kills approximately 36%). Alaskan Malamutes exist in warmer places around the world, but they are not suitable for this and should generally be kept in a colder environment where their thick fur coat is well worn. Although Alaskan Malamutes are typically used to transport people or material on sleds, they also sometimes participate in races and are kept as family pets. Although they are excellent companions and very affectionate, the Alaskan Malamute can be very stubborn, so they are best suited to those with experience in dog ownership who can quickly establish who the boss is. The Alaskan Malamute is also very possessive when it comes to food, so feeding should be separate from other dogs or animals.
The Malamute is a descendant of dogs from the Mahlemuits tribe of Upper West Alaska. This race had an important role towards its human companions: working, hunting and living with them. The relationship between the Mahlemuits and their dogs was good for both of them. They helped each other and managed to survive in the otherwise unwelcoming Arctic Circle. For a brief period during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, Malamuites and their sled dogs became valuable to settlers who roamed the area, frequently interbreeding with imported breeds as an attempt to improve the breed, or just create more of them. To be used. This appears to have had no lasting effect on the modern Malamute, and recent DNA analysis shows that Malamutes are one of the oldest dog breeds, genetically distinct from other dog breeds. The Malamute is one of the most “unaltered” breeds, retaining its original form and function.