This was largely due to the work of a group of determined kids at Polaris K-12 school that took the matter to the Alaskan legislature as a part of a school project. In 2010, the Alaskan Malamute became the official state dog of Alaska. They Are the Official State Dog of Alaska While the Siberian Huskies “Balto” and “Togo” were the most celebrated dogs of the incident, there were a large number of Alaskan Malamutes involved too.ģ. These dogs traveled in a relay over 674 miles of harsh, freezing terrain in just 6 days to retrieve the medication. The town was cut off from receiving essential medicines due to a particularly brutal winter storm, and the only way to receive the anti-toxin medication was via 20 different teams of sled dogs. In 1925, there was a serious outbreak of diphtheria in the small Alaskan town of Nome. They Were a Part of the Iconic “Serum Run” They are slow and steady sledders, whereas Huskies are used to pull lighter loads at faster speeds.Ģ. This is what separates the breed from their Husky cousins. These dogs would cover massive distances with heavy loads through bitterly cold conditions at a slow but steady pace. They were developed by the nomadic Inuit tribe, the “Mahlemiut,” from which the breed derived their name, and were used primarily as working sled dogs. They Are Among the Oldest Arctic Sled DogsĪlaskan Malamutes are widely believed to be the descendants of domesticated wolf dogs that migrated to North America almost 4,000 years ago. Giant Alaskan Malamute Puppies Image Credit: Phase4Studios, Shutterstockģ Little-Known Facts About the Giant Alaskan Malamute 1. If a giant-sized Malamute is an appealing prospect to you, read on for an in-depth look at this majestic canine. However, size is the only differing factor between the Giant and standard Malamutes, and they are identical in every other way. Giant Malamutes are typically in excess of 100 pounds and often reach up to 150 pounds. Either way, they are much larger than standard Malamutes, which only reach weights of up to 85 pounds. These dogs are incredible to look at, even though critics claim that the “giant” Malamute is a gimmick used to sell more puppies. They have been selectively bred for the biggest puppies possible, and in fact, many purist breeders criticize the practice because they want to preserve the breed standard. The Giant Alaskan Malamute is not a separate breed, but rather, an oversized version of the standard Alaskan Malamute. Many people understandably mistake them for Huskies, as they have similar coloring and characteristic face masks, but these dogs are far larger and do not have the iconic blue Husky eyes. The Giant Alaskan Malamute is a majestic and dignified animal, with a wild appearance that closely resembles its ancient wolf heritage. Intelligent, affectionate, devoted, loyal, playful, friendly, dignified, outgoing

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