Alaska is considered by many to be the “Last Frontier.” It’s a state that is well-known for its majestic natural beauty and at the same time for being a place that is wild and unforgiving. So it’s no surprise that the dog breeds from Alaska were developed not only to be incredibly hardy but also to be able to withstand the brutal cold. So here are the Alaskan dog breeds and what you’ll want to know about each of these amazing canines.
Alaskan Malamute
While the exact origins of this large wolf-like dog are unknown, it is believed to have been in existence for several thousand years. It was first recorded as being raised by the Mahlemuts a native Inuit tribe living on the northwestern coast of Alaska along the Norton Sound, for which the breed gets its name. Today the Mahlemuts are known as the Kobuk or Kuuuvangmiut people.
The Alaskan Malamute is considered to be a freight dog. It is not built for speed, instead, the large size and incredible power of this big Alaskan dog breed allowed it to pull sleds with heavy loads over long distances. It was also used to help hunt game animals such as walrus, moose, and seals and then to haul their heavy carcasses back to the village.
However, the Alaskan Malamute functioned to protect livestock from ferocious Alaskan predators such as wolves and polar bears as well. Later on, the Malamute’s ability to pull heavy equipment and men over ice and through heavy snow played a vital role in Alaskan history as they were relied upon by explorers, gold miners, and settlers.
Alaskan Malamutes are highly intelligent and extremely loyal canines. Yet because they can be stubborn and have a strong pack mentality they do require an owner with experience.
Alaskan Husky
Of all the Alaskan sled dog breeds the Alaskan Husky is considered to be the top choice for racing. These dogs are not only amazingly fast but they have extreme endurance which allows them to run quickly over very long distances. However, unlike other Alaskan dogs, the Alaskan Husky is not considered to be a registered breed by any major kennel club. As of now, it’s actually more of a type of dog than an actual breed.
These dogs started out as a mix of various Husky-type dogs such as the Canadian Eskimo Dog, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and native village dogs to name a few. And over time they have had countless other breeds mixed in to increase their racing performance in various ways. Greyhounds, Salukis, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Anatolian Shepherds are just some of the breeds that have been used.
Because so many breeds have been used in its creation and the fact that it is bred for working ability instead of looks, the appearance of Alaskan Huskies can vary greatly. Yet as working sled dogs they do have many similarities. Alaskan Huskies are big, lean, and hardworking dogs.
They all have an intense desire to run, feet that can handle running over long distances on snow and ice, a protective coat, and are social pack animals that are friendly to humans. This truly Alaskan dog’s mixed ancestry has the benefit of making it a very healthy canine, as its genetic diversity means it rarely suffers from the genetic disorders which plague many other standard breeds.
Alusky
As you might be able to guess from its name the Alusky is actually a hybrid breed developed from crossing the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute. Unlike the Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky is actually a Russian breed. However, because of its superb sled-pulling abilities, it has been an extremely popular sled dog in Alaska since the time of the Nome Gold Rush in the early 1900s when it was introduced.
Crossing the smaller yet more athletic Siberian Husky with the larger and stronger Alaskan Malamute created an ideal working sled dog. These big and agile dogs also make excellent companions. Their temperament is generally more in line with Malamutes which makes them mellower and easier to handle than Siberian Huskies.
As a crossbred dog, the Alusky can display traits from both the Malamute and Siberian Husky which means this large Alaskan dog breed can range in its appearance.
Alaskan Klee Klai
As dog breeds go, the Alaskan Klee Klai is quite young. This small Alaskan dog breed was created in the 1970s by Linda Spurlin. Her goal was to create a miniature size dog that looked like the Alaskan Husky but that would function as a companion instead of a working dog. The breed is aptly named as Klee Klai means “little dog,” in the Inuit language.
The Alaskan Husky along with the Siberian Husky and several smaller northern breeds were used to create the Alaskan Klee Klai breed we know today. These are smart and athletic canines that are also typically long-lived.
And while they may not be big enough to function as guard dogs, Klee Klais do make alert little watchdogs (a job which they can take quite seriously). Unlike other Alaskan dog breeds, this one comes in three distinct sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.
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