| When Jack London wrote the novel "Call Of The | | | | interactions to human society than the |
| Wild", the main canine character "Buck" was | | | | "society" of a team of sled dogs. In the |
| more than likely a dog which had at least | | | | animal kingdom, the society of wolves is very |
| some Alaskan Malamute in his bloodline. This | | | | similar. Despite his "pack" mentality, the |
| dog is a native of Alaska, tracing his roots | | | | Alaskan Malamute possess an affinity to |
| back to the Mahlemut tribe , an ancient | | | | humans, loving not only to work for man, but |
| Indian culture which is seldom mentioned | | | | loving humankind altogether and without |
| without a mention also of their faithful | | | | reserve.The Alaskan Malamute is a beautifully |
| dogs. These dogs helped them with almost | | | | marked dog, with sharp contrast of white and |
| every aspect of their daily living, from | | | | black or white and gray, with the darker |
| fishing and hunting to hauling in the hunt. | | | | colors being grizzled with silvery tips on |
| The Alaskan Malamute is just one | | | | the ends of the hairs. He gives the |
| representative of the many different breeds | | | | impression of great strength and heavy bone, |
| which were used in the settling of the great | | | | even though he is not particularly tall and |
| territory of Alaska, a region whose vast | | | | is not considered a giant breed like the |
| reaches of inhospitable climate required a | | | | Mastiff or the Newfoundland. His height is |
| beast of burden who could live off the land, | | | | 25 inches at the shoulder. The coat is |
| who had great speed and who could pull heavy | | | | double and dense and off standing, one or two |
| loads. The fact that there were already | | | | inches in length all over the body with a |
| large numbers of dogs being used for these | | | | large ruff around the neck of longer hair, |
| purposes made it natural that the cold | | | | providing weather resistant protection |
| reaches of the northern territory would be | | | | against the elements. Weekly brushing is |
| mostly explored and populated with the help | | | | required for good coat care and skin |
| of the dogs.There is a historical possibility | | | | health.The Alaskan Malamute has a long |
| that the Alaskan Malamute, one of the largest | | | | history of being a companion to man, so it is |
| of the sledge dogs, owes some of his size and | | | | no wonder that he is so affectionate. He is |
| strength to the Arctic Wolf, a very large | | | | one of the dogs that often excels as a |
| white animal nearly twice the size of the | | | | Therapy Dog, seeming to have an understanding |
| Alaska Malamute. This may be true or not. | | | | of people that is beyond the norm and many |
| Crosses are routinely engineered today in | | | | people react to this large, loving, bushy |
| captivity, but no one really knows whether | | | | haired dog in the same way. He has gained |
| such a cross would occur in the wild. If it | | | | popularity as a pet in the rural areas and |
| is true that he descended from a cross with | | | | loves to go on camping trips with his family, |
| the wolves, this may account for his strong | | | | or jogging, or almost any outdoor activity. |
| acceptance of being a "pack dog" in the sled | | | | In the city this is a dog that brings |
| dog teams and his willingness to be within | | | | admirers while out walking and can do quite |
| such a group. There are few "societies" of | | | | well in a townhouse or apartment as long as |
| animals which are as similar in their | | | | he is exercised daily. |