Alaskan Malamute Breed Standard
Comparison Chart

Background:	CKC: The breed standard for the Alaskan Malamute was revised in the country of origin (United States) in 1994 and became effective May 31, 1994. This revision resulted from the American Kennel Club’s request that breed clubs reformat their standards, utilizing Spira’s book Canine Terminology as the official lexicon. The resultant standard recommended by the Alaskan Malamute Club of America Breed Standard Committee maintains the essential description of the Alaskan Malamute with some rewording. The most significant changes are: acknowledges the red colour with liver pigment; defines proportions for depth of chest in relation to height, and length of body in relation to height; contains discussion on proper gait; indicates that trimming is to be restricted to neatening the feet; blue eyes are a disqualification. In early 1996, the Alaskan Malamute Club of Canada (AMCC), with the concurrence of its membership, proposed to the CKC Breed Standards Committee that the standard of the country of origin be adopted. The revised AKC standard was reformatted in accordance with CKC requirements and was subsequently published for comment in Dogs in Canada, receiving a favourable response. AKC: (Not part of the Standard) UKC: (Not part of the Standard) KC: (Not part of the Standard) FCI: (Not part of the Standard)
Origin and Purpose / History:	CKC: The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, was named after the native Inuit tribe called Mahlemuts (now spelled Malamute) who settled along the shores of Kotzebue Sound in the upper western regions of Alaska. Written accounts of Alaska from various explorers and travelers rarely mention the Mahlemut people without reference to their dogs which were of the spitz-type and described as being powerful looking and of remarkable endurance and fortitude. These dogs were used primarily as draught animals to haul heavy sleds, but were also used to pack supplies, for hunting seals and in packs to track polar bears. Early writings indicate that the dogs kept by the Mahlemut people were better cared for than was usual for Arctic sled dogs, and this seemingly accounts for the breed's affectionate disposition. AKC: Alaskan Malamute History: The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest arctic sled dogs, was named after the native Innuit tribe called Mahlemuts. These people settled along the shores of Kotzebue Sound in the upper-western part of Alaska. The origin of these people and dogs has never been ascertained, but they were there for generations prior to the Asiatic sailors visiting the shores and returning to their homeland with stories of "native people using dogs to haul sledges." It is confirmed that these Alaskan Malamute sledge dogs were used as draft animals and they have never lost their identity. When Alaska became settled by white men, the Arctic breed may have become mixed with outside dogs. The lure of sled dog racing also became popular, further encouraging mixing of lineage for faster dogs. Fortunately, the sport of sled dog racing became popular in the United States and interest in developing the pure strain of Alaskan Malamute started in 1926. The Alaskan Malamute was recognized for AKC registration in 1935. UKC: The breed is a member of the "Spitz" family. The name indicates its area of origin, Alaska. The tribe of Mahlemuts, now spelled Malamute, is the source of the dog's name. The natives used them as draught animals. The Alaskan Malamute was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1947. KC: (Not indicated in Kennel Club Interim Standard) FCI: FCI-Standard No. 243 / 09. 06. 1999/ GB ORIGIN : U.S.A. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 14.08.1996. UTILIZATION : Sledge dog. CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 5 Spitz and primitive types. Section 1 Nordic Sledge Dogs. Without working trial.
General Appearance:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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 root 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. (Note: This is included in the Faults section of the CKC Standard.) UKC: The breed was primarily a working sled dog used for hauling heavy freight. It is a heavily-boned, well-muscled, medium-sized dog, with a thick double coat, fox-like face, erect ears and a curled tail carried over the back. KC: Heavily boned, powerfully built, not too compact and never appearing short on the leg. FCI: (Same as AKC Breed Standard.)
Temperament / Characteristics:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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. UKC: Should be a friendly dog. He is loyal but not a one-person dog. He is a devoted companion and playful, but with a tendency to be aggressive toward other dogs. KC: Characteristics: Sled dog capable of surviving in Arctic temperatures and of pulling heavy loads at steady speeds. Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion but not a ‘one man’ dog, playful on invitation, generally impressive by his dignity after maturity but tends to show dominance to other dogs. FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.)
Size, Proportion, Substance:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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. UKC: Height and Weight — The ideal freight size and weight for males is 25 inches at the withers and 85 pounds; for females is 23 inches and 75 pounds. However, size consideration should not outweigh that of type, proportion and function. The dog nearest the ideal freight size is preferred. KC: Height: dogs: 64-71 cms (25-28 ins); bitches: 58-66 cms (23-26 ins). Weight between 38-56 kgs (85-125 lbs), size consideration not to outweigh type. FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.)
Coat and Colour:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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 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 nape is attractive and acceptable. The Malamute is mantled, and broken colors extending over the body or uneven splashing are undesirable. UKC: Coat: — Thick, coarse guard coat, not long and soft. Dense undercoat, from 1 to 2 inches in depth, oily and woolly. The coarse guard coat stands out, and there is thick fur around the neck. The guard coat varies in length as does the undercoat, but in general the coat should be of medium length along the sides of the body, increasing somewhat around the shoulders and neck, down the back and over the croup as well as in the breeching and plume. Color: — Colors range from light gray through the intermediate shadings to black or from gold through the shades of red to liver. Always with white on the underbody, parts of legs, feet and part of mask markings. The markings should be either caplike or masklike on the face. A white blaze on the forehead, white collar or a spot on the nape is acceptable and attractive. Broken color extending over the body in spots of uneven splashing is undesirable. The only solid color allowable is all white. KC: Coat: Thick, coarse guard coat, not long and soft. Dense undercoat, from 2.5-5 cms (1-2 ins) in depth, oily and woolly. Coarse guard coat stands out, with thick fur around neck. Guard coat varies in length as does undercoat, but in general coat of medium length along sides of body, increasing somewhat around shoulders and neck, down back and over croup, as well as in breeching and plume. Colour: Range is from light grey through intermediate shadings to black, or from gold through shades of red to liver, always with white on underbody, parts of legs, feet and part of mask markings. Markings either caplike or masklike on face. Combination of cap and mask not unusual. White blaze on forehead, white collar, or spot on nape permissible. Heavy mantling of unbroken colour acceptable, broken colour extending over body in spots or uneven splashings undesirable. Only solid colour permissible is all white. FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.)
Head:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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 of medium size, but small in proportion to the head. 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 it 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 with large teeth. The incisors meet with a scissors grip. Overshot or undershot is a fault. UKC: The head is broad and powerful and should be in proportion to the size of the dog. The skull is broad between the ears, gradually narrowing to the eyes; moderately rounded between the ears. A slight but perceptible stop. The muzzle is large in proportion to the skull. TEETH: A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. EYES: Almond-shaped, brown, moderately large, set obliquely. Dark eyes preferred except in red and white dogs, where light eye color is permissible. EARS: Small in proportion to the head. They are triangular in shape, slightly rounded at the tips, set wide apart at the back of the skull. When erect, the ears should point forward. When the dog is working, the ears are often folded against the skull. NOSE: Black, except in the red and white dogs, in which it is brown. KC: Head broad, powerful, not coarse, in proportion to size of dog. Skull broad between ears, gradually narrowing to eyes, moderately rounded between ears, flattening on top as it approaches eye, rounding off to moderately flat cheeks. Very slight but perceptible stop. Muzzle large in proportion to size of skull, scarcely diminishing in width or depth from stop. Nose black except in red and white dogs when it is brown. Pink streaked "snow nose" acceptable. Eyes: Brown, almond-shaped, moderately large, set obliquely. Dark eyes preferred, except in red and white dogs where light eyes are permissible. Blue eyes highly undesirable. Ears: Small in proportion to head. Triangular in shape, slightly rounded at tips, set wide apart, at back of skull. Ears forward when erect. When dog is working sometimes folded against skull. Mouth: Upper and lower jaws broad with large teeth, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.)
Neck, Topline, Body:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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. UKC: NECK: (Same as AKC standard.) BODY: Strong and powerfully built, the chest strong and deep. The back straight and gently sloping to the croup. The loins well muscled and never so short as to interfere with an easy movement produced by the powerful drive from the hindquarters. No excess weight. TAIL: Moderately high set and following the line of the spine. Well-furred and carried over the back when the dog is not working, not tightly curled to rest on the back, nor short furred and carried like a fox brush, but of the appearance of a waving plume. KC: Neck: (Same as AKC standard.) Body: Strong and powerfully built, chest strong and deep; back straight but not level, sloping slightly downwards from shoulder to croup. Loins well muscled, never so short as to interfere with movement. No excess weight. Tail: Moderately high set, following line of spine at start then curving gently upwards. At rest may hang straight down. Well furred and carried over back when dog is working, not tightly curled to rest on back, nor short furred and carried like a fox brush, but giving appearance of a waving plume. FCI: (Same as AKC standard.)
Forequarters:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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. UKC: Shoulders (Same as AKC standard.) FORELEGS: Forelegs heavily boned and well muscled, indicating unusual strength. Straight as far as pasterns, which should be short, strong and almost vertical when viewed from the side. FEET: The feet should be large and compact. Toes tight fitting and well arched; pads thick and tough. There should be protective growth of hair between toes. KC: Shoulders moderately sloping; forelegs heavily boned and well muscled, straight as far as pasterns which are short, strong and almost vertical viewed from side. Feet: Large and compact, toes close, well arched, pads thick and tough, toenails short and strong. Protective growth of hair between toes. FCI: (Same as AKC standard.)
Hindquarters:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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. UKC: The hind legs should be broad and powerfully muscled through the thighs. HIND LEGS: Stifles moderately bent. Hock joints broad and strong, moderately bent and well let down. When viewed from behind, the hind legs should be vertical, standing and moving true; in line with the movement of the front legs. Single tracking at the trot is normal, but movement should not be too wide or too close at any gait. The legs should indicate tremendous propelling power. Dewclaws on the hind legs undesirable and should be removed. KC: Hindlegs broad and powerfully muscled through thighs; stifles moderately bent, hock joints broad and strong, moderately bent and well let down. Viewed from behind, hindlegs vertical, standing and moving true, in line with movement of front legs. Legs indicate tremendous propelling power. Dewclaws on hindlegs undesirable. FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.)
Gait:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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 close 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. UKC: Steady, balanced, tireless gait. The hind legs should move true in line with movement of the front legs with tremendous power, not too close or too wide. KC: Single tracking at trot is normal but movement not too wide or too close at any gait. Easy, tireless, rhythmic movement, produced by powerful drive from hindquarters. FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.)
Faults:	CKC: 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. 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. High set ears. Overshot or undershot. A long loin that may weaken the back. These faults are indicated within the individual sections for the AKC Standard. AKC: Summary: — IMPORTANT: In judging Malamutes, their function as a sledge dog for heavy freighting in the Arctic 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 the particular fault would actually affect the working ability of the dog. The legs of the Malamute must indicate unusual strength and tremendous propelling power. (For the CKC Standard, this statement is included in the "General Appearance" section.) 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. UKC: (Note: Faults not indicated in UKC Standard.) KC: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. FCI: IMPORTANT SUMMARY (Same as AKC Standard.) FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Disqualifications:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: Blue Eyes UKC: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness. Albinism. KC: (Note: The Kennel Club Interim Standard does not indicate any disqualifications and it is stated that "Blue eyes highly undesirable.") FCI: (Same as AKC Standard.) N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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