The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful and substantially built dog with deep chest and strong compact body, not too short coupled, with a thick coarse guard coat of sufficient length to protect a dense, wooly undercoat, from 1 to 2 inches (3-5 cm) in depth when dog is in full coat. Stands well over pads, and this stance gives the appearance of much activity, showing interest and curiosity. The head is broad, ears wedge shaped and erect when alerted. The muzzle is bulky with only slight deminishing in width and depth from root to nose, not pointed or long, but not stubby. The Malamute moves with a proud carriage, head erect and eyes alert. Face markings are a distinguishing feature. These consist of either cap over head and rest of face solid colour, usually greyish white, or face marked with the appearance of a mask. Combination of cap and mask are not unusual. The tail is plumed and carried over the back, not like a fox brush, or tightly curled, more like a plume waving. Malamutes are of varying colours, but are usually wolfish grey or black and white. Their feet are of the "snowshoe" type, tight and deep, with well cushioned pads, giving a firm and compact appearance. Front legs are straight with a big bone. Hind legs are broad and powerful, moderately bent at stifles, and without cowhocks. The back is straight, gently sloping from shoulder to hips. The loin should not be so short or tight as to interfere with easy tireless movement. Endurance and intelligence are shown in body and expression. The eyes have a "wolflike" appearance by their position, but the expression is soft and indicates an affectionate disposition. In judging Alaskan Malamutes their function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting must be given consideration above all else. The judge must bear in mind that this breed is designed primarily as the working sledge dog of the North for hauling heavy freight, and therefore, should be a heavy boned, powerfully built, compact dog with sound legs, good feet, deep chest, powerful shoulders, steady, balanced, tireless gait, and the other physical equipment necessary for the efficient performance of his job. He isn't intended as a racing sled dog designed to compete in speed trials with the smaller Northern breeds. The Malamute as a sledge dog for heavy freighting is designed for strength and endurance and any characteristics of the individual specimen, including temperament, which interfere with the accomplishment of this purpose are to be considered the most serious of faults.
Temperament -
The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog, not a "one man" dog. He is a loyal, devoted companion, playful on
invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity after maturity.
Size -
There is a natural range in size in the breed. The desirable freighting sizes are: MALES - 63.5 cm at the shoulders - 38.56 kg
(25"/85 lbs). FEMALES - 58.42 cm at the shoulders - 34.02 kg (23"/75 lbs). However, size consideration should not outweigh that
of type, proportion and functional attributes, such as shoulders, chest, legs, feet, and movement. When dogs are judged equal in
type, proportion, and functional attributes, the dog nearest the desirable freighting size is to be preferred.
Coat and Colour -
The Malamute should have thick, coarse, guard coat, not long and soft. The undercoat is dense, from 1" (3 cm)to 2" (5 cm) in
depth, oily and wooly. The coarse guard coat stands out, and there is a thick fur around the neck. The guard coat varies in length
as does the undercoat, however, in general, the coat is moderately short to medium along the sides of the body with the length of
coat increasing somewhat around the shoulders and neck, down the back and over the rump, as well as in the breaching and
plume. Malamutes usually have shorter and less dense coats when shed out during the summer months.
The usual colours range from light grey through the intermediate shadings to black, always with white on underbodies, parts of
legs, feet and part of mask markings. Markings should be either cap-like and/or mask-like on face. A white blaze on forehead
and/or collar spot on nape is attractive and acceptable, but broken colour extending over the body in spots or uneven splashing is
undesirable. One should distinguish between mantled dogs and splash-coated dogs. The only solid colour allowable is the all-white.
The following are all colours allowed in the breed Black&white,Grey&white,WolfSable&white, Red&white,
Seal&white, Silver&white and All White the colours range from darker to lighter shades of the colour.
Head -
The head should indicate a high degree of intelligence, and is broad and powerful as compared with other "natural" breeds, but
should be in proportion to the size of the dog so as not to make the dog appear clumsy or coarse.
The skull should be broad between the ears, gradually narrowing to eyes, moderately rounded between ears, flattening on top as it
approaches the eyes, rounding off to cheeks, which should be moderately flat. There should be a slight furrow between the eyes;
the top line of skull and top line of the muzzle showing but little break downward from a straight line as they join. The muzzle
should be large and bulky in proportion to size of skull, diminishing but little in width and depth from junction with skull to nose; lips
close fitting. Nose: black. Mouth: upper and lower jaws broad with large teeth, front teeth meeting with scissors grip but never
over-shot or under-shot.Eyes: Brown, almond shaped, moderately large for this shape of eye, set obliquely in skull. Dark eyes
preferred. The ears should be of medium size, but small in proportion to head. The upper halves of the ears are triangular in shape,
slightly rounded at tips, set wide apart on outside back edges of the skull with the lower part of the ear joining the skull on a line
with the upper corner of the eye, giving the tips of the ears the appearance, when erect, of standing off from the skull. When
erect, the ears point slightly forward, but when the dog is at work are sometimes folded against the skull.
Neck -
The neck should be strong and moderately arched.
Forequarters -
Shoulders should be moderately sloping; forelegs heavily boned and muscled, straight to pasterns, which should be short and strong
and almost vertical as viewed from the side. The feet should be large and compact, toes tight fitting and well arched, pads thick
and tough, toenails short and strong. There should be a protective growth of hair between toes.
Body -
The back should be straight and gently sloping to the hips.The chest should be strong and deep; body should be strong and
compactly built but not short coupled. The loins should be well muscled and not so short as to interfere with easy, rhythmic
movement with powerful drive from the hind quarters. No excess weight.
Hindquarters -
Hind legs must be broad and powerfully muscled through thighs; stifles moderately bent, hock joints broad and strong, moderately
bent and well let down. As viewed from behind, the hind legs should not appear bowed in bone, but stand and move true, in line
with movement of the front legs, and not too close or too wide. The legs of the Malamute must indicate unusual strength and
tremendous propelling power. Dewclaws on the hind legs are undesirable and should be removed shortly after the pups are
whelped.
Tail -
Moderately set and following the line of the spine at the start, well-furred and carried over the back when not working, not tightly
curled to rest on back, or short-furred and carried like a fox brush, a waving plume in appearance instead.
Faults -
High set ears are a fault. A long loin which weakens the back is also a fault. Any indication of unsoundness in legs or feet,
standing or moving, is to be considered a serious fault. Faults under the provision for worthiness for heavy freighting would be
splay-footedness, any indication of unsoundness or weakness in legs, cowhocks, bad pasterns, straight shoulders, lack of
angulation, stilted gaits or any gait which isn't balanced, strong and steady; ranginess, shallowness, ponderousness, lightness of
bone, poor overall proportion and similar characteristics.
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