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It may seem like a strange name, but there’s a reason for the moniker “malamute” in the dog breed Alaskan Malamute.
The powerfully built sled dog is named after an Inuit tribe called the “Mahlemuts”. The Inuits are an indigenous people who inhabit parts of Alaska, Canada and Greenland.
Dogs play a central role in Inuit culture. They are used for pulling sleds across snow and ice, to aid in hunting and tracking, and for security around villages. In fact, the term “Alaskan Malamute” is kind of a misnomer – the dog was used for many centuries before Alaska became a state in 1959.
Malamutes are strong, heavy dogs, not surprising given their heritage as workhorses deployed in teams to haul loads for long distances. Males can weigh more than 120 pounds, and stand 28 inches at the shoulder. (Females are usually a bit smaller.)
Their strength is incredible. Although not the fastest dogs for sled racing, a well-trained male Malamute can pull between 1,100 and 3,300 pounds!
And with that thick, beautiful coat, the freezing temperatures of the North are not a problem.
In more modern times, Malamutes were essential animals in the Alaskan Gold rush of 1896 and later explorations of the South Pole. Malamutes also have been used as search and rescue dogs. They still perform the basic function of hauling dogs, too.
In 2010, the Malamute was named the official state dog of Alaska.
If any of our readers own an Alaska Malamute, we’d love to see a photo of this handsome breed. Just send us an email. Maybe we can post a blurb about your dog!
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
Sources and Links:
The Complete Book of Dogs by Rosie Pilbeam (Lorenz Books, Arness Publishing LTD, 2019)
Photos: File:Alaskan Malamute.jpg – Wikipedia
File:Eskimo family with Malamute from 1915.JPG – Wikimedia Commons
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
