When nomadic cultures of the far north quite literally harnessed dogs we know today as the Alaskan Malamute, it had a profound effect on their lives. These dogs increased the distances people could travel, which in turn improved hunting opportunities, as well as the types of game they could hunt. Because the Malamute is a superb freighting dog, dogs made it easier to haul the carcass back to hungry families who made use of every part of the
The Malamute’s impact wasn’t felt just inside the culture of these people, it also made a difference in the “outside” world. In the late 19th century, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was bringing government to northern frontiers with dog-team patrols. During the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896, Malamutes also transported prospectors, settlers, and freight. Prospectors realized early on that one of the benefits of the Malamute over other breeds was their low caloric requirement compared to other dogs of the same size, and that was important to someone wanting to strike it rich, not go broke feeding their dog.
The Mahlemuit people knew the value of these dogs, and soon realized that they could get top dollar for one dog – as much as upwards of $500 per dog, which in today’s market would come to about $10,000 a dog.
Even as the gold rush wanted, the Malamute’s value didn’t diminish. They were often the only reliable means of transportation for the mail service in Alaska and remote regions of Canada. Imagine: The last U.S. Postal Service mail driver using his Malamute dog team retired in 1963!
During WWII, Malamutes pulled sled in areas inaccessible by horse or planes. They freighted weapons and ammunition, and served as search and rescue dogs. In a piece appearing in the “Arctic Traveler,” Joe Henderson and Andrea Loveland wrote, “It was during a stint of military boot camp for dogs that the largest documented team of Malamutes was hooked up for a training exercise. Fifty-three Malamutes were harnessed into one gigantic team and pulled an army truck full of soldier over a distance of six miles.”
The Alaskan Malamute, thought to be some 12-20,000 years old, is a breed worthy of celebration. It has made a difference in history, and to the people who love it, the breed continues to have an impact. The Malamute is one reason National Purebred Dog Day celebrates the legacy of purebred dogs.
Image: Alaskan Malamute by Justine Osborne
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