Alaskan sled dog (scientific name: Alaskan Malamute), also known as Alaskan dog, is the oldest One of the sled dogs. It takes its name from a tribe called the Malamutes of the Inuit tribe of the Eskimos. This tribe lives on a shore called Kotzebue in western Alaska. Before Alaska became part of the U.S. territory, the area was called Alashak or Alyeska, which translates to "the vast land," the name given to it by the Russians who discovered it. Unlike other dog breeds in Alaska, this dog has strong limbs and was bred for endurance rather than speed, so their main purpose is to pull sleds. [ 1 ] When mature, they have a very quiet and elegant temperament, and they are very loyal to their owners.

Alaskan Malamute To it, who is its master concept.

They are strong, muscular, and have deep chests. When standing, their heads are upright, their eyes are alert and curious, and they are full of energy and pride. The head is broad. The ears are triangular in shape and remain erect when alert. The muzzle is large, tapering in width from the base to the tip of the nose. The muzzle is neither long and prominent nor short and thick. The coat is dense and long enough to protect the soft undercoat. Alaskan Malamutes come in a variety of different colors. The markings on their faces are distinctive. There is a "hat" on the head, and the face is either all white or striped or marked. The tail has soft fur that rolls over the back and looks like wavy feathers. and Husky, Samoyed are collectively known as the "Three Fools in the Snow."

Alaska/Sledding Canine species distribution

The Alaskan Malamute has a long history of being named after the Russians sailed the Bering Strait and were blown to this cold land by storms. After the sailors returned home, they told other Russians about their situation here, including of course the special feature here - the Alaskan Malamute. The Alaskan Malamute is an ancient polar sled dog that is strong, powerful, muscular and deep-chested. It is a working dog and looks like a wolf. As the name suggests, this is a dog breed that hauls sleds and cargo in the polar regions

Alaskan/sled dog developmental origins

On the records of the original North American settlers , records of Alaskan Malamutes can be found. This dog is a well-proportioned physique and a dog breed with tenacious spirit and endurance. Alaskan Malamutes like outdoor sports. In the era of sleds, the Malamutes already have this strong and can travel in the arctic snow. They also use this dog to hunt polar bears, wolves and other animals, and also use it Take the job of guarding the reindeer. Alaskan Malamutes are famous for their physical strength and endurance. After white people gradually entered the Arctic Circle, they are often used for expeditions to the North and South Pole.

With the discovery of the Americas and the conquest of Alaska, whites began to cross-breed dogs from the Arctic Circle with exotic dogs. as they are in Greenland and Labrador peninsula Siberia and The other polar regions do the same. The most threatening period for the Alaskan Malamute was from 1909 to 1918. This crisis came from human greed. At that time, Alaskan racing dogs became more and more popular, and many racers tried to mate Arctic dogs with exotic dogs in the hope of finding better physical, faster and more beautiful dogs, but the results backfired. This period came to be known as "the decline of the Arctic sled dogs".

Due to interbreeding with imported dog breeds, some original native dog breeds have been mixed with the genes of various exotic dogs, but the Alaska Malamute tribe is located in a remote area and is basically isolated from the world , so that the breed maintains a pure blood in the original sense.

In the first 20 years of the 20th century, with the popularity of the sport of sled dog racing in North America, Americans realized that it was necessary to regain the native title of the Alaskan Malamute. Sled dog breeds In 1926, American sled dog lovers began to work on the systematic selection of purebred Alaskan sled dogs based on native sled dogs and huskies. After nearly ten years of breeding and development, in 1935, the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Alaskan Malamute as a dog breed.

The Alaskan Malamute has a long history of being named after the Russians were blown into the cold land by storms while sailing the Bering Strait. After the sailors returned home, they told other Russians about their situation here, including of course the special feature here - the Alaskan Malamute. The Alaskan Malamute is an ancient polar sled dog that is strong, powerful, muscular and deep-chested. It is a working dog and looks like a wolf. As the name suggests, this is a dog breed that hauls sleds and cargo in the poles.

In the modern dog show movement, Alaskan Malamutes are classified as "Spitz and Primitive types" (FCI) or "Working" ( AKC). [1]

The Alaskan sled dog is native to Alaska, USA, and its name comes from the Mahlemuts family name of Alaska. Extremely loyal and intelligent to their owners, lovable, affectionate, but aggressive fighters among dogs. Must be strictly managed and trained. Clean, no smell, no barking. It is a sled dog and has participated in many polar expeditions. Because of its tenacious character, strong sense of direction, and keen sense of smell, it is very suitable for polar expeditions.

Alaska sled dogs are used for sled tours and consignment; some are also used for ski games, karts, and cross-country races. Most Alaskan Malamutes are domestic pets or animal shows. Compared to the smaller racing dogs, the Alaskan Malamutes are slower in long distance sled races. They help humans move heavy objects over short distances.

Compared to many other modern breeds, Alaska The sled dog has maintained a more primitive form and function. The Alaskan Malamute is very independent and quite active. If the dog owner can't cope with this kind of dog that doesn't obey commands, then the appropriate breed should be selected for feeding. This kind of dog lives in a very harsh environment for a long time. In order to achieve the purpose of "survival of the fittest", independence and wit are the common characteristics of Alaskan Malamutes. Because of their wit, Alaskan Malamutes are difficult dogs to train.

Alaskan Malamutes have difficulty getting along with small animals, including other canines. Their hunting instinct leads them to chase small animals, eg, rabbit a, squirrel and cat. Many dog owners noticed the behavior, and some speculated that the behavior was due to the Alaskan Malamute's wolf ancestry.

At the very beginning of natural evolution, Alaskan Malamutes tended to have a stronger hunting urge than other domesticated dogs. Therefore, Alaskan Malamutes are particularly affectionate with people around them, and owners can teach them to tolerate other pets. Alaskan Malamutes are very fond of humans, which makes them a popular domestic dog. Owners need to spend a lot of time outdoors to satisfy their cravings for exercise.

If you keep Alaskan Malamutes outdoors year round, let them cool off in the pool in the summer. In winter, they love snow very much. Alaskan Malamutes are not suitable as guard dogs, as they are also friendly with strangers. Alaskan Malamutes are usually quiet and rarely bark. When Alaskan Malamutes bark, they often make a "wooohoo" sound, and they also howl like wolves.

Alaskan sled dogs have high requirements on the environment. Because they originate from the cold zone, they are not very heat-resistant and need to maintain a relatively cool environment for a long time. This dog is very active, so its living environment needs to be relatively spacious, and more importantly, it is necessary to ensure sufficient exercise. Alaskan dogs are very large, with thick coats and love the cold I don't like heat. It's not easy to take care of them.

Alaskan sled dogs are very friendly and are considered "friend dogs", not "loner dogs." It is a loyal, affectionate partner who gives the impression of being noble and mature. Like all sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute maintains a high level of respect for humans. Extremely friendly, a sled dog that has been raised in a normal environment, very approachable, curious and exploratory. Also like other sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute is generally considered a breed that never attacks humans. If you provoke him and provoke him beforehand, he will fight back, and the consequences will be disastrous.

Precautions for feeding puppiesAlaskaSled dogs and common sense

1. Always have a clean Alaskan dog ready water.

2. Alaskan dogs should be fed dry food instead of soup. 3 months ago, puppy food (including dog food) should be completely soaked in water.

4. Don't overeat or feed irregularly. Due to the uniqueness of the Alaskan dog's stomach, remember not to feed too much at one time. It is also necessary to ensure that the feeding is regular, do not eat a full meal and starve one meal, which is easy to cause gastric torsion and gastric bleeding, and is not conducive to the absorption of nutrients. Be sure to eat small and frequent meals (puppies 3 to 4 times a day)

5. Alaskan dog food taboos human seasoning, chocolate, all nightshade (including tomatoes), onions (vitamin A poisoning) ), seafood and oily foods, after 3 months in Alaska and complete vaccination, you can feed raw chicken, raw ribs, and raw beef and fully meet the calcium and phosphorus supplementation without additional supplementation agent. Raw food feeding is not as aggressive as is commonly thought, depending on the owner's training skills rather than the type of feeding. Cooked bones are not acceptable for canine food, and when heated, calcified bone can become hard and prickly, difficult to digest and cause dusty stools. Raw food-fed Alaskans need oral deworming every six months.

6. In pure dog foodIn the case of feeding, if possible, mix two kinds of nutritional powders in the dog food, development treasure and calcium stomach energy. 2 to 3 raw egg yolks a day (the protein cannot be digested) will ensure that the Alaskan coat is black, shiny and smooth, which can add some lard to the dog to increase the cold resistance effect in winter.

7. Shampoo cannot be used by us, because it will cause dogs The dog sheds heavily. Dry thoroughly after showering and avoid direct sunlight on damp hair, which can kill Alaska from heat stroke.

9. Alaska needs a lot of exercise, and it is best to take it for a run every day.

10. The environment should not be too humid, Alaska has thick hair, the moisture is not easy to escape, and it is easy to suffer from skin diseases such as eczema.

11. The collar for dogs should not be too wide, and it is best not to wear it when not going out, which will affect the straightness of the dog's hair.

12. Small Alaskan dogs have a bad stomach, so they can't eat too greasy things. It is best not to have oil in the dog food or rice that Alaskan dogs eat.

13. Before the dog is a minor, it is best to eat two calcium tablets a day to ensure the healthy development of the dog's bones.

14. The water cannot be cut off. It is best to bring two more bottles when you go out, otherwise you will spend money to buy mineral water for it to drink.

15. Alaskan hairs have strong self-cleaning ability and do not need to bathe often. If the environment is not particularly dirty, it is no problem to take a bath once every two weeks or three weeks if you feed them indoors.

16. Prepare a dog-specific comb when changing hair, and comb it several times a day, so that the house will not be covered with hair.

17. Little Alaskan Malamute6 The nutrition must keep up with the month before, otherwise it will affect the hair color and bones when it grows up.

The Alaskan is a large working dog with a thick coat, erect ears and a brush-like tail, showing genetic traits from northern regions. The gait is characteristic: smooth and effortless. Alaskans are typically friendly, they don't show a strong sense of territorial possession as guard dogs, they don't become too suspicious of strangers, and they don't attack other dogs. Adult Alaskans should possess a certain degree of caution and authority. Smart, docile, Alaskans are suitable companions and loyal workers.

The feed for summer dogs is easy to ferment and deteriorate, which can easily cause food poisoning. Therefore, it is best to feed Alaska with fresh food that has been heat-treated to prevent cold, and the feeding amount should be appropriate, and there should be no leftovers.

Because spoiled food may contain bacterial toxins, it is impossible to destroy it even with high temperature treatment. Dogs eat food containing toxins, can cause food poisoning, if not treated in time will lead to death. Therefore, whenever the dog is found to have vomiting, diarrhea, and general weakness shortly after feeding, you should immediately seek medical treatment from a veterinarian.

The temperature is high in summer, and it is easy to lose appetite. At this time, meat should be reduced, fresh vegetables and broth should be increased, or the type of feed should be changed appropriately, and more water should be supplied.

Alaska is prone to heat stroke due to the difficulty in dissipating body heat in an environment with high temperature and high humidity. For this reason, activities under the hot sun should be avoided, the kennel should be located in a shaded place, and the dog should be bathed in cold water frequently in hot weather.

When symptoms such as difficulty breathing, increased skin temperature, and rapid heartbeat are found in Alaska, immediately apply a cold compress to the head with a wet and cold towel, move it to a cool and ventilated place, and immediately seek veterinary treatment. In order to prevent moisture, it is necessary to change the bedding frequently, to dry the bedding frequently, and after washing the kennel with water, it must be thoroughly dried before entering the dog.

The dog should be wiped dry with a towel in time after being wet by the rain, and try not to be exposed to the rain.

Alaska has a larger body, fluffy hair, a handsome appearance, a wolf-like appearance, but a very friendly heart, and is often referred to as Husky is a bastard, he is bigger and has longer hair than a Husky.

morphological characteristics

according to the AKC description, Alaskan Malamute The ideal size for a male is 25 inches (63.5 cm) and 85 lbs (39 kg) at the shoulders for males; 23 inches (39 kg) for females at the shoulders (58.4 cm) and weighs 75 lbs (34 kg).

Generally, male Alaskan Malamutes with a shoulder height of 22 inches (55.9 cm) to 27 inches (68.6 cm) and female adult dogs of 21 inches (53.3 cm) to 25 inches (63.5 cm) are acceptable. Acceptable, meanwhile, individuals weighing more than 41 kg or less than 34 kg are common

Size Specifications

Occasionally over 120 lbs (54 lbs.) Kilogram) males, and breeders who have specially selected for particularly large dogs have called these large-sized breeds "giant Malamutes", although neither the AKC nor the FCI has approved the Alaskan Malamute. The upper limit of size for sled dogs is specified, but due to adverse effects on skeletal and physical development, such individuals are considered inappropriate for purebred Alaskan Malamutes and are not accepted by the AKC's purebred dog standards . (this is uncommon and such dogs are produced primarily by breeders who market a 'giant Malamute. ' These large sizes are not in accordance with the breed's history or show standards.)

Head

The Alaskan Malamute's head is broad and deep, not rough or clumsy, and in proper proportion to the body. The expression is soft and friendly. The eyes are slightly slanted on the head, brown in color, almond-shaped, and medium in size. The darker the eye color, the better. Blue eyes are a disqualification. The ears are medium in size, but slightly smaller than the head. The ears are triangular with slightly rounded tips.

The Alaskan Malamute's ears are wide apart and set back on the outside of the head, in line with the outer corners of the eyes. When the ears are erect, it is like standing on the head. The erect ears may lean forward slightly, but sometimes the ears are folded toward the head when the dog is at work. Too high ear position is a defect.

The head of the Alaskan Malamute is broad and slightly raised between the ears, narrowing and flattening from the top of the head to the eyes, and flattened near the cheeks. There are slight wrinkles between the eyes.

The outline of the head and muzzle of the Alaskan Malamute are like two straight lines folded down slightly and connected together. The muzzle is long and large compared to the head, decreasing in width and depth from the point where it joins the head towards the nose.

Alaskan Malamutes should have black noses, eye rims and lips on all dogs except the red-backed dog. Red-coated dogs are permitted to have brown noses, eye rims and lips. "Snow noses" with light stripes are permitted. The lips are tightly closed. The jaws are wide and the teeth are huge. The bite is scissors, and the upper jaw or lower jaw are both faulty.

Back coat

The Alaskan Malamute's back coat is a "dense, polar" double coat. The inner layer is thick down and the outer layer is a hard needle-like hair, which is generally similar to the husky's back coat, but slightly rougher than the husky's back coat to a certain extent. The outer acicular hair must not be too long or soft in texture, which is considered a defect.

The common color of the back coat is a combination of white and smoke gray, black, sable, red, sand, etc. Colors other than white are acceptable regardless of shade. The coat pattern on the face tends to show a criss-cross with two-point white eyebrows or an all-white appearance and everything in between. The back coat color of the Alaskan Malamute is not substantially different from that of the Husky.

In the giant populations specially selected by some breeders in some areas, there are also elongated back hairs that do not match the polar characteristics. Long-haired individuals are not accepted by the AKC and FCI, do not meet purebred standards and cannot compete, but in some areas, the appearance of long-haired individuals is also favored by some owners. Because the hair quality of long-haired individuals is greatly deteriorated compared with that of normal back-haired individuals, and the accompanying problems of bone and joint genetic diseases are prominent, the breeding association of purebred dogs does not encourage long-haired individuals to breed.

Neck Topline Body

Neck is strong and slightly curved. The chest is quite developed. The body structure is simple, but not short and small. The back is straight, sloping slightly toward the hips. The loin is firm and muscular. A waist that is too long will weaken the entire back, which is a defect. The position of the tail is at the end of the spine. When they're not working, their tails roll up behind their backs. Their tails are not tightly curled around their backs, nor are their hairs short like brushes. The Alaskan Malamute has soft fur on its tail that looks like wavy feathers.

Forerunner

Shoulders moderately sloping; forelegs well-boned and muscular, straight from shoulder to wrist when viewed from the front. Viewed from the side, the wrists are short and strong, slightly sloping. The claws are snowshoe-shaped, tight and deep, and with suitable pads, they appear stable and concise. Feet large, toes tight and slightly arched. Protective hair grows between the toes. The pads are thick and tough; the toenails are short and strong.

Hindquarters

The hind legs are broad and well muscled throughout the thigh; the hind knees are moderately sloping; the hocks are moderately sloping and well down. Observed from behind, whether standing or walking, the hind legs are in the same line with the corresponding front legs, neither too far apart nor too close. The dewclaws on the hind legs are not required and need to be removed when the puppy is born.

Tail

The tail keeps them warm as they curl up in the snow. They wrap their tails around their nose and face, which helps them resist bad weather such as snowstorms.

Life

Alaska's lifespan is not very long, it can live for about 11 to 12 years, depending on its living environment and diet And the amount of daily exercise is closely related.