THE HEAVY HAULERS If Siberian Huskies are the Corvettes of snow dogs with their success in the world of sled dog racing then the Alaskan Malamute must be the Mack Truck. For while the Malamutes are plenty swift for ordinary sled dog work, their forte is not lightning speed but rather the strength and stamina to haul heavy freight loads over long distances. BY M.J. NELSON
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ut, they also had a prominent role in the lives of their human companions, the Mahlemut tribe of Inuit in the northeastern area of Alaska’s Seward Peninsula. To the Mahlemuits, the breed was a utilitarian dog, working, hunting and living alongside them. They valued their dogs, often feeding them better on the trail than they themselves were eating and they bred only the best and most promising of their dogs. As a result, bone and ivory carvings dated at 12 to 20 thousand years ago show the Malamute essentially the same as the breed appears today. The fact that the Mahlemuits used the dogs for a variety of tasks has resulted in a breed that not only can do a number of performance activities but excels in some of them. “Malamutes are a very versatile breed beyond sledding, weight pulling and packing” said Kim Sullivan, who owns “Marlin” (Rain Dance A Touch Of Gray RAE 5 GO CDX GN OAP NJP NFP CGC NADAC (Agility)-NAC) and “Tina” (Ch Stormrunner’s Sierra Windsong AXP AJP RA.) “There are many more events available now than in years past so if you have a dog who you work well with, why not see what both of you can do? Malamutes want to work as a team member. They love spending time with you working together. They are a hardy breed that is tough physically and mentally when they need to be and can bounce back from a less than optimal experience or correction. It is important to 44 Dog News
Dr. Tammy Doukas enjoys a pack trip with her Alaskan Malamutes, “Sahara” (Ch Sno Sire’s Sahara Snow Angel OAJ RN CGC WWPD and “Indiana” (Ch Halatsuu Indiana Snow Raider MX AXJ RN CGC TT WWPD.)
show the world how versatile a Malamute can be. Seeing one of these dogs in a performance activity can affect someone’s opinion of the breed forever.” “Malamutes are smart but they do not necessarily want to please you,” said Robin Haggard, who owns Ch Poker Flat’s Murphy’s Law WTD WWPD (“Tommy”), the first white male champion in the breed and “Marty” (Ch Poker Flat’s Wave of the Future CD RA.) “They are very interested in doing new things. As a trainer you can use that, and their love of food, to do almost anything with them. They do thrive on attention however they will become clowns if they sense that the spectators like what they’re doing. Obviously, in performance activities, this can become a problem. Also, they can be aggressive with others of the same sex, particularly other northern breeds. In conformation, this usually isn’t a problem if the
dog is properly socialized as they will then behave well in the ring. It can, however, be a problem in sledding. The dogs have to understand that this is work and pack hierarchy is not important. The driver has to maintain good control and discipline when you are running a team of dogs that do not like each other. One way we’ve tried to overcome this issue is by raising the pups with adult dogs so they form a pack hierarchy and get along with each other. If the dogs can run loose with each other in the yard or be kenneled together, they will get along well when in harness. We take all our dogs through puppy class and at least an introductory obedience class to the point where they can get their Canine Good Citizens title. If they are well socialized from an early age, they are much easier to run in harness. A stable, outgoing, confident dog also makes a great show dog as well.” “Malamutes are naturally intelligent and versatile. It is important to keep them stimulated by engaging in