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CANADIAN BREED
STANDARD OF THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE
Revised breed standard
for the Alaskan Malamute, effective January 1, 2000.
Background
The breed standard for
the Alaskan Malamute was revised in the country of origin (United
States) in 1994 and became effective May 31, 1994. This revision
resulted from the American Kennel Club’s request that breed clubs
reformat their standards, utilizing Spira’s book Canine
Terminology as the official lexicon. The resultant standard
recommended by the Alaskan Malamute Club of America Breed Standard
Committee maintains the essential description of the Alaskan
Malamute with some rewording. The most significant changes are:
 acknowledges
the red color with liver pigment
defines
proportions for depth of chest in relation to height, and length of
body in relation to height
contains
discussion on proper gait
indicates
that trimming is to be restricted to neatening the feet
blue
eyes are a disqualification
In early 1996, the
Alaskan Malamute Club of Canada (AMCC), with the concurrence of its
membership, proposed to the CKC Breed Standards Committee that the
standard of the country of origin be adopted. The revised AKC
standard was reformatted in accordance with CKC requirements and was
subsequently published for comment in Dogs in Canada, receiving a
favourable response.
Origin &
Purpose
The Alaskan Malamute, one
of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, was named after the native Inuit
tribe called Mahlemuts (now spelled Malamute) who settled along the
shores of Kotzebue Sound in the upper western regions of Alaska.
Written accounts of Alaska from various explorers and travelers
rarely mention the Mahlemut people without reference to their dogs
which were of the spitz-type and described as being powerful looking
and of remarkable endurance and fortitude. These dogs were used
primarily as draught animals to haul heavy sleds, but were also used
to pack supplies, for hunting seals and in packs to track polar
bears. Early writings indicate that the dogs kept by the Mahlemut
people were better cared for than was usual for Arctic sled dogs,
and this seemingly accounts for the breed's affectionate
disposition.
General Appearance
The Alaskan Malamute is a
powerful and substantially built dog with a deep chest and strong,
well-muscled body. The Malamute stands well over the pads, and this
stance gives the appearance of much activity and a proud carriage,
with head erect and eyes alert showing interest and curiosity. The
head is broad. Ears are triangular and erect when alerted. The
muzzle is bulky, only slight diminishing in width from root to nose.
The muzzle is not pointed or long, yet not stubby. The coat is thick
with a coarse guard coat of sufficient length to protect a woolly
undercoat. Malamutes are of various colours. Face markings are a
distinguishing feature. These consist of a cap over the head, the
face either all white or marked with a bar and/or mask. The tail is
well furred, carried over the back, and has the appearance of a
waving plume. The Malamute must be a heavy boned dog with sound
legs, good feet, deep chest and powerful shoulders, and have all of
the other physical attributes necessary for the efficient
performance of his job. The gait must be steady, balanced, tireless
and totally efficient. He is not intended as a racing sled dog
designed to compete in speed trials. In judging Malamutes, their
function as a sled dog for heavy freighting in the Arctic must be
given consideration above all else. The degree to which a dog is
penalized should depend upon the extent to which the dog deviates
from the description of the ideal Malamute and the extent to which
the particular fault would actually affect the working ability of
the dog. The legs of the Malamute must indicate unusual strength and
tremendous propelling power.
Temperament
The Alaskan Malamute is
an affectionate, friendly dog, not a "one man" dog. He is
a loyal, devoted companion, playful in 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, 25
inches at the shoulders, 85 pounds; females 23 inches at the
shoulders, 75 pounds. However, size consideration should not
outweigh that of type, proportion, movement and other functional
attributes. When dogs are judged equal in type, proportion,
movement, the dog nearest the desirable freighting size is to be
preferred. The depth of chest is approximately one half the height
of the dog at the shoulders, the deepest point being just behind the
forelegs. The length of the body from point of shoulder to the rear
point of pelvis is longer than the height of the body from ground to
top of the withers. The body carries no excess weight, and bone isin
proportion to size.
Coat and Colour
The Malamute has a thick,
coarse guard coat, never long and soft. The undercoat is dense, from
one to two inches in depth, oily and woolly. The coarse guard coat
varies in length as does the undercoat. The coat is relatively short
to medium along the sides of the body, with the length of the coat
increasing around the shoulders and neck, down the back, over the
rump, and in the breeching and plume. Malamutes usually have a
shorter and less dense coat during the summer months. The Malamute
is shown naturally. Trimming is not acceptable except to provide a
clean cut appearance of feet. The usual colours range from light
grey through intermediate shadings to black, sable and shadings of
sable to red. Colour combinations are acceptable in undercoats,
points, and trimmings. The only solid colour allowable is all white.
White is always the predominant colour on underbody, parts of legs,
feet, and part of face markings. A white blaze on the forehead
and/or collar or a spot on the nape is attractive and acceptable.
The Malamute is mantled, and broken colours extending over the body
or uneven splashing are undesirable.
Head
The head is broad and
deep, not coarse or clumsy, but in proportion to the size of the
dog. The expression is soft and indicates an affectionate
disposition. The eyes are obliquely placed in the skull. Eyes are
brown, almond shaped and of medium size. Dark eyes are preferred.
The ears are of medium size, but small in proportion to the head.
The ears are triangular in shape and slightly rounded at the tips.
They are set wide apart on the outside back edges of the skull on
line with the upper corner of the eye, giving ears the appearance,
when erect, of standing off from the skull. Erect ears point
slightly forward, but when the dog is at work, the ears are
sometimes folded against the skull. The skull is broad and
moderately rounded between the ears, gradually narrowing and
flattening on top as it approaches the eyes, rounding off to cheeks
that are moderately flat. There is a slight furrow between the eyes.
The topline of the skull and the topline of the muzzle show a slight
break downward from a straight line as they join. The muzzle is
large and bulky in proportion to the size of the skull, diminishing
slightly in width and depth from junction with the skull to the
nose. In all coat colours, except reds, the nose, lips and eye rims
pigmentation is black. Brown is permitted in red dogs. The lighter
streaked "snow nose" is acceptable. The lips are close
fitting. The upper and lower jaws are broad with large teeth. The
incisors meet with a scissors grip.
Neck
The neck is strong and
moderately arched.
Forequarters
The shoulders are
moderately sloping; forelegs heavily boned and muscled, straight to
the pasterns when viewed from the front. Pasterns are short and
strong and slightly sloping when viewed from the side. The feet are
of the snow-shoe type, tight and deep, with well-cushioned pads,
giving a firm, compact appearance. The feet are large, toes tight
fitting and well arched. There is a protective growth of hair
between the toes. The pads are thick and tough; toenails short and
strong.
Body
The chest is well
developed. The body is compactly built but not short coupled. The
back is straight and gently sloping to the hips. The loins are hard
and well muscled. The tail is moderately set and follows the line of
the spine at the base. The tail is carried over the back when not
working. It is not a snap tail or curled tight against the back, nor
is it short furred like a fox brush. The Malamute tail is well
furred and has the appearance of a waving plume.
Hindquarters
The rear legs are broad
and heavily muscled through the thighs; stifles moderately bent;
hock joints are moderately bent and well let down. When viewed from
the rear, the legs stand and move true in line with the movement of
the front legs, not too close or too wide. Dewclaws on the rear legs
are undesirable and should be removed shortly after puppies are
whelped.
Gait
The gait of the Malamute
is steady, balanced, and powerful. He is agile for his size and
build. When viewed from the side, the hindquarters exhibit strong
rear drive that is transmitted through a well-muscled loin to the
forequarters. The forequarters receive the drive from the rear with
a smooth reaching stride. When viewed from the front or from the
rear, the legs move true in line, not too close or too wide. At a
fast trot, the feet will converge toward the centreline of the body.
A stilted gait, or any gait that is not completely efficient and
tireless, is to be penalized.
Faults
The Malamute is
structured for strength and endurance, and any characteristic of the
individual specimen, including temperament, which interferes with
the accomplishment of this purpose, is to be considered the most
serious of faults. Any indication of unsoundness in legs and feet,
front or rear, standing or moving is to be considered a serious
fault. Faults under this provision would be splay-footedness,
cowhocks, bad pasterns, straight shoulders, lack of angulation,
stilted gait (or any gait that isn't balanced, strong and steady),
ranginess, shallowness, ponderousness, lightness of bone, and poor
overall proportion. High set ears. Overshot or undershot. A long
loin that may weaken the back.
Disqualification
Blue Eyes
Information provided
by The Alaskan Malamute Club of Canada
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