Alaskan Malamute: |
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CLASSIFICATION Alaskan Malamutes are classified differently in different continents and countries. In North America, Malamute belongs to the ,Working Dog" class. The same in England. In Australia, Mal belongs to "Utility Dog" class. In North America, the Mal is classified by the American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club (AKC, CKC), in Australia by the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) and in England by the English Kennel Club (EKC or simply KC). Other situation is in all countries that are registered by FCI (Féderation Cynologique Internationale - International Cynological Federation) that is all European countries (except Great Britain) and in some other countries such as Russia, Japan, Southern Africa, etc. There, the Malamute belongs to the class 5 ,Spitz and Primitive breeds" and in section 1 - ,Nordic sled dogs -without working tests", where there are four classified breeds. These are the Mal, the Siberian Husky, the Samoyed and the Greenland Dog. RELATIVES Alaskan Malamute have many relatives in spitz-type dog breeds, but the most closely related are these three, respectively five: the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Greenland Dog, FCI, AKC, EKC and ANKC unadmitted Canadian Eskymo Dog and worldwidely unadmitted Alaskan Husky. These all are sled dogs as they have been created and bred for the same purpose as an Alaskan Malamute (altrough they have sometimes played other roles such as hunting, carrying packs and sometimes even herding)! I will try to introduce you these breeds shortlyÉ SIBERIAN HUSKY The Husky is smaller than the Alaskan Malamute. He can be from 53 to 60 cm (20,9 to 23,6 inches) tall in withers, ideal size is from 55,1 to 58 cm (21,7 to 22,8 inches) for males and 52,6 to 54,5 cm (20,7 to 21,5 inches) for females. He can have two blue coloured eyes, one brown, one blue or two brown. His coat can be of any colour, but the only admitted solid colour is white. Huskies have not been bred for strength, but to be fast. They are the most popular nordic breed worldwide. They love activity and have a strong pack and hunting instinct. Huskies don't bark much and they aren't good watchdogs. They hate to be alone all day and if left then they may run away. They need a lot of exercise regularly. They're kind and friendly and that makes them also very good companions. SAMOYED The Samoyed is beautiful dog with a characteristic "smile". Ideal size for the males is from 56,1 to 58 cm (22,1 to 22,8 inches), for the females from 52,1 to 54 cm (20,5 to 21,3 inches). Eyes can be only brown. Colours are pure white, cream or biscuit. Samoyeds are the third most popular of the nordic breeds. Samoyed have been bred in Siberia for many purposes, like pulling sleds, herding reindeer, hunting, etc. Samoyeds bark more often than other sled dogs. Like all their relatives, they need and love activity. Samoyeds aren't agressive, they're loyal and they love their family. Their longer coat needs a lot of care. GREENLAND DOG The Greenland dog is a typical natural breed that has been raised by the Greenland people for centuries, maybe for thousands of years. Ideal size for the males is 60 cm (23,6 inches) and more and for the females 55 cm (21,7 inches) and more. Eyes are only brown. The Greenland Dog can have almost all colours, such as brown, black, grey or white with or without white markings. The Greenland Dog is the rarest of all the nordic dogs. This breed really loves to work.Greenland Dog is always ready for action. He's more independent than other nordic breeds, altrough of course he can be a good companion. But the best thing that you can do with these dogs is to hook them up to the sleds... ALASKAN HUSKY Another example of a officially unadmitted breed of nordic dog is the Alaskan Husky. This dog breed isn't very old, we can trace it's origin to 60 or 70 of years to the past, altrough some of the other nordic breeds are maybe thousands of years old. We too can't call it a real breed, it's only a type of dog. Alaskan Huskies haven't any official standard. The dogs have been raised and bred only for character and their working abilities. Alaskan's can have eyes of any colour including blue. They haven't any definite size or coat colours or markings. Alaskan's love to work and they are one of the most popular working sled dogs of the world. Alaskan Huskie's were (and are) crossed with other breeds such as Greyhounds to produce faster dogs. These dogs are called "hounds". They are too sometimes crossed with Alaskan Malamutes or Siberian Huskies or they are crosses of these two (or other nordic) breeds together... CANADIAN ESKIMO DOG The Canadian Eskimo Dog (or simply the Eskimo Dog) is unadmitted by all of the leading cynological organizations except Canadian Kennel Club. This breed is very old, we can date it's history back some 2000 years. It nearly became extinct when its numbers dropped from about 20,000 dogs in the early part of the century, to only 200 in the 1970's. Fortunately, it was re-established with the help of the CKC and the diligent breeders. Sadly, it's still very rare... Ideal size for the males is from 56 to 64 cm (22 to 25 inches) and for the females from 51 to 58 cm (20 to 23 inches). The dog can be any colour, or pattern of colour. The only colour that will disqualify a dog is that of the albino. Eyes should be only brown. The Eskimo Dog is though, eager, untiring and powerful breed when working, but it isn't the ideal family dog. Eskimo Dogs are very strongly pack oriented. They're sometimes quarrelsome and dominant, altrough the females can be charming and lovable personalities (the males are more dignified). But put these dogs in the harness and you will make them the happiest. OTHER RELATIVE BREEDS We can say that every other spitz-type breed can be near or distant relative of the Malamute. I don't want to bore you with a list of these breeds because there is many of them. I have tried to introduce you the most closest relatives of the Alaskan Malamute. I hope you have enjoyed this article and "see" you next time... Photos & text copyrighted 1999 by Katerina Scheuflerova © 1999, Planet-Pets.com, All rights reserved
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