General Description: Strong, compact body with a heavy and thick coat Height: 58 – 71 cm Weight: 38 - 54 kg Colour: White under-body and face with remaining coat is grey, black, golden or red Working group Temperament The Alaskan Malamute is a friendly, gentle and affectionate breed. They are naturally well-balanced and make an excellent companion. They are great with children who are old enough to play safely. However, the Akita is not good around other dogs and will therefore require a firm, strong owner. This breed is very devoted and they tend to favour one person, but will love everyone within the family. The Alaskan Malamute will gladly be friendly to all, including strangers and even intruders. They are too friendly to be of much use as a watchdog, although their wolf-like appearance will help to deter intruders. Alaskan Malamutes love outdoor life and can be very obedient with firm encouragement from an experienced owner. Some dogs may be difficult to housebreak. Malamutes are quiet compared to most dogs but they do like to howl occasionally. Exercise The Alaskan Malamute will need a reasonable amount of exercise to stimulate both body and mind. Be careful not to over exercise this breed during the summer months. Alaskan Malamutes are surprisingly small eaters and will require less food than you may think. Grooming Regular grooming with a firm brush is sufficient. Bathing is unnecessary because the coat will naturally shed dirt. Health The Alaskan Malamute is generally a healthy breed, although they can be prone to hip dysplasia and eye trouble. This breed is not suited to life in very hot climates due to the thick woolly coat. Life Expectancy 12 – 15 years History As the name suggests, the Alaskan Malamute originated in Alaska. Archaeological evidence shows that the breed may have first been used three to five hundred years ago to pull sleds and hunt food for the Eskimo people. The breed has amazing strength, endurance and stamina. Packs of Alaskan Malamutes have participated in many polar expeditions; in fact the Alaskan Malamute was used by Admiral Byrd in his expeditions to the pole. This extremely hardy breed has adapted to the extremely low temperatures in native Alaska and posses a brilliant sense of direction and sense of smell, which makes them perfect for this type of work. The Alaskan Malamute has a superb adaptation to its environment. The Alaskan Malamute is one of the breeds most closely related to the ancestral wolf. (Others are the Shar-Pei, Lhasa Apso, Basenji, Samoyed,Afghan Hound, Pekinese, Shih Tzu, Akita, Siberian Husky and Chow Chow)