ABOUT SLEDGERUNNER ALASKAN MALAMUTES ...
Our journey with this wonderful breed began in 1979 with the acquisition of our first Malamute, he quickly became an obedience champion and a weight pulling champion, we were hooked and the rest is history. To this day Sledgerunner malamutes excel in the obedience ring, in the show ring and as working dogs in harness. This wonderful arctic breed is one of the most versatile dog breeds out there. In capable hands our dogs have become sled dogs, weight pulling champions, obedience champions, waterfowl retrievers, therapy dogs, show champions and wonderful family companions.
Ancestors of this, the largest of the Arctic sled dogs have recently been discovered in Greenland, dating back 30,000 years. These dogs came to North America with the first peoples crossing the Bering Land Bridge from what is now Russia. They allowed these peoples to survive in the demanding Arctic environment. These dogs functioned as hunting dogs, sledge dogs, pack dogs, protectors from predators, such as Polar Bears, in this Arctic environment.
They are superbly adapted to the cold, their lower critical temperature is lower than -30 C, meaning they don't burn anymore calories keeping their body warm until temperatures drop below -30C. They have capillary beds in their upper legs, trunk and head that prevent heated blood from being sent to their extremities. Their feet and ears are le[t at just above freezing all Winter, this makes them tolerant of Winter temperatures as cold as -60C. As Arctic adapted freighting / hunting dogs they were often turned loose for the Summer to fend for themselves. This is why Malamutes are different than most other dog breeds.
They are intelligent, stubborn, tend not to get along with other dogs of the same sex until where they place in the pack hierarchy is sorted out and have a high prey drive. This can cause trouble if owners do not raise their puppies properly. They must be socialized extensively, they must be taught that you are dominant over them and they must be trained to obey the basic commands of coming to their owners and leaving what you don't want them to touch, chase, eat, etc. So they must be trained well if they are to be good canine citizens just like any other large breed dog.
See the powerpoint below for important responsibilities in raising your puppy
.
Ancestors of this, the largest of the Arctic sled dogs have recently been discovered in Greenland, dating back 30,000 years. These dogs came to North America with the first peoples crossing the Bering Land Bridge from what is now Russia. They allowed these peoples to survive in the demanding Arctic environment. These dogs functioned as hunting dogs, sledge dogs, pack dogs, protectors from predators, such as Polar Bears, in this Arctic environment.
They are superbly adapted to the cold, their lower critical temperature is lower than -30 C, meaning they don't burn anymore calories keeping their body warm until temperatures drop below -30C. They have capillary beds in their upper legs, trunk and head that prevent heated blood from being sent to their extremities. Their feet and ears are le[t at just above freezing all Winter, this makes them tolerant of Winter temperatures as cold as -60C. As Arctic adapted freighting / hunting dogs they were often turned loose for the Summer to fend for themselves. This is why Malamutes are different than most other dog breeds.
They are intelligent, stubborn, tend not to get along with other dogs of the same sex until where they place in the pack hierarchy is sorted out and have a high prey drive. This can cause trouble if owners do not raise their puppies properly. They must be socialized extensively, they must be taught that you are dominant over them and they must be trained to obey the basic commands of coming to their owners and leaving what you don't want them to touch, chase, eat, etc. So they must be trained well if they are to be good canine citizens just like any other large breed dog.
See the powerpoint below for important responsibilities in raising your puppy
.
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