GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, 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 rood 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 colors. 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. 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.
SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
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.
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. Blue Eyes are a Disqualifying Fault. 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. High set ears are a fault.
The skull is broad and moderately rounded between the ears, gradually narrowing
and flattening on top as t 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 colors, 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 and large teeth. The incisors meet
with a scissors grip. Overshot or under shot is a fault.
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
The neck is strong and moderately arched. 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. A long loin that may weaken the back is a
fault. 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.
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 snowshoe 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.
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.
COAT
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 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.
COLOR
The usual colors range from light gray through intermediate shadings to black, sable,
and shadings of sable to red. Color combinations are acceptable in undercoats,
points, and trimmings. The only solid color allowable is all white. White is always the
predominant color 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 mape is attractive and
acceptable. The Malamute is mantled, and broken colors extending over the body or
uneven splashing are undesirable.
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 cloxe or too wide. At a fast
trot, the feet will converge toward the centerline of the body. A stilted gait, or any
gait that is not completely efficient and tireless, is to be penalized.
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.
SUMMARY
IMPORTANT: In judging Malamutes, their function as a sled dog for heavy freighting in
the Artic 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 th particular fault would
actually affect the working ability of the dog. The legs of the Malamute must indicate
unusual strength and tremendous propelling power. 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.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Blue Eyes
Approved April 12, 1994 Effective May 31, 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
ALASKAN MALAMUTE EYES
WOLF EYES
SIBERIAN HUSKY EYES
ALL WHITE MALAMUTE
EXCELLENT CONFORMATION
RED ALASKAN MALAMUTE
WOLF GRAY ALASKAN MALAMUTE
The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, 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 rood 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 colors. 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. 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.
SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
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.
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. Blue Eyes are a Disqualifying Fault. 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. High set ears are a fault.
The skull is broad and moderately rounded between the ears, gradually narrowing
and flattening on top as t 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 colors, 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 and large teeth. The incisors meet
with a scissors grip. Overshot or under shot is a fault.
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
The neck is strong and moderately arched. 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. A long loin that may weaken the back is a
fault. 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.
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 snowshoe 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.
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.
COAT
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 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.
COLOR
The usual colors range from light gray through intermediate shadings to black, sable,
and shadings of sable to red. Color combinations are acceptable in undercoats,
points, and trimmings. The only solid color allowable is all white. White is always the
predominant color 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 mape is attractive and
acceptable. The Malamute is mantled, and broken colors extending over the body or
uneven splashing are undesirable.
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 cloxe or too wide. At a fast
trot, the feet will converge toward the centerline of the body. A stilted gait, or any
gait that is not completely efficient and tireless, is to be penalized.
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.
SUMMARY
IMPORTANT: In judging Malamutes, their function as a sled dog for heavy freighting in
the Artic 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 th particular fault would
actually affect the working ability of the dog. The legs of the Malamute must indicate
unusual strength and tremendous propelling power. 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.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Blue Eyes
Approved April 12, 1994 Effective May 31, 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
ALASKAN MALAMUTE EYES
WOLF EYES
SIBERIAN HUSKY EYES
ALL WHITE MALAMUTE
EXCELLENT CONFORMATION
RED ALASKAN MALAMUTE
WOLF GRAY ALASKAN MALAMUTE
| Alaskan Malamute's Breed Standards |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |