Canadian Breed Standard for the
Alaskan Malamute
The CKC has approved a revised breed standard for
the Alaskan Malamute which becomes 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 Clubís
request that breed clubs reformat their standards, utilizing Spiraís
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 colour 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 is in 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.