The breed has been called the “Clydesdale of the Great White North,” a dog that dwarfs other sledding dogs with its dense bone structure, heavy muscling and powerful shoulders. It’s the Alaskan Malamute, and it was utilized as a sledge dog for heavy freighting in the Arctic. This aspect of its function trumps all other considerations when evaluating a Malamute, and the extent to which a deviation from the standard impacts the dog’s working ability impacts how much weight is given that deviation. The dog has to be able to work!