AKC Recognition of the Alaskan Malamute
*Breed recognition for the Alaskan Malamute came in 1935, the same year that the Alaskan Malamute Club of America was formed.
*The original registration period for AKC was very short, just long enough to get enough dogs registered to provide a base on which the breed could grow and develop.
*During World War II, many sled dogs, including many of the few registered Malamutes, were loaned for war duty.
*After the war many of these same dogs were used on an expedition to Antarctica. They served and then, due to some bureaucratic decision, were chained to an ice floe and destroyed by an explosive charge (this action nearly incited a mutiny among the Navy men involved).. Some time after this tragic event, AKC realized the breed had hardly any registered Malamutes to support it. They reopened AKC registration, but on more rigid specifications. Quality had to be proved by showing each applicant as a "listed" dog and attaining ten championship points. During this time, many early fanciers registered their dogs under the new rules, adding the M'Loot and Hinman strains to the Kotzebues registered earlier. Suddenly, the door to registration was closed by the AKC despite the protests of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America.
*All registered Alaskan Malamutes today go back to the original Kotzebues or to dogs registered during the open period in the late forties
Three Basic Foundation Lines
Kotzebue— The Kotzebue line stemmed from Arthur Walden's dogs which were taken over by Milton and Eva Seeley when Mr. Walden went to Antarctica. The Seeley's' Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet, New Hampshire was the best-known sled dog headquarters in the United States. Dogs for both of the Byrd Expeditions and for the United States Service Expedition (all to Antarctica) were trained and supplied by Chinook Kennels. The Seeley's deserve much of the credit for getting the AKC to recognize the Alaskan Malamute.
M'Loot — Paul Voelker originated the M'Loot line that figures strongly in many pedigrees, including the foundation of Silver Sled Kennels that is behind most of the Alaskan Malamutes you may find in the Midwest. Although Voelker was interested in the same breed, he came up with a slightly different type of Alaskan Malamute but did not pursue AKC registration.
Hinman (or Hinman-Irwin) Strain — This strain involved only a few dogs but made important contributions to breed quality. The Hinman line in combination with the M'Loot strain produced some of the best representatives of the breed. The Hinman strain also figured strongly in combination with M'Loot and Kotzebue in development of the "Husky-Pak" line, and produced many champion and foundation dogs for the breed
*Breed recognition for the Alaskan Malamute came in 1935, the same year that the Alaskan Malamute Club of America was formed.
*The original registration period for AKC was very short, just long enough to get enough dogs registered to provide a base on which the breed could grow and develop.
*During World War II, many sled dogs, including many of the few registered Malamutes, were loaned for war duty.
*After the war many of these same dogs were used on an expedition to Antarctica. They served and then, due to some bureaucratic decision, were chained to an ice floe and destroyed by an explosive charge (this action nearly incited a mutiny among the Navy men involved).. Some time after this tragic event, AKC realized the breed had hardly any registered Malamutes to support it. They reopened AKC registration, but on more rigid specifications. Quality had to be proved by showing each applicant as a "listed" dog and attaining ten championship points. During this time, many early fanciers registered their dogs under the new rules, adding the M'Loot and Hinman strains to the Kotzebues registered earlier. Suddenly, the door to registration was closed by the AKC despite the protests of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America.
*All registered Alaskan Malamutes today go back to the original Kotzebues or to dogs registered during the open period in the late forties
Three Basic Foundation Lines
Kotzebue— The Kotzebue line stemmed from Arthur Walden's dogs which were taken over by Milton and Eva Seeley when Mr. Walden went to Antarctica. The Seeley's' Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet, New Hampshire was the best-known sled dog headquarters in the United States. Dogs for both of the Byrd Expeditions and for the United States Service Expedition (all to Antarctica) were trained and supplied by Chinook Kennels. The Seeley's deserve much of the credit for getting the AKC to recognize the Alaskan Malamute.
M'Loot — Paul Voelker originated the M'Loot line that figures strongly in many pedigrees, including the foundation of Silver Sled Kennels that is behind most of the Alaskan Malamutes you may find in the Midwest. Although Voelker was interested in the same breed, he came up with a slightly different type of Alaskan Malamute but did not pursue AKC registration.
Hinman (or Hinman-Irwin) Strain — This strain involved only a few dogs but made important contributions to breed quality. The Hinman line in combination with the M'Loot strain produced some of the best representatives of the breed. The Hinman strain also figured strongly in combination with M'Loot and Kotzebue in development of the "Husky-Pak" line, and produced many champion and foundation dogs for the breed
Malamute Fun Facts .
Standard VS. Giant
AKC standard for the Alaskan Malamute is 25 inches tall at the withers and 85 pounds for males....... For females it is 23 inches tall at the withers and 75 pounds. Any Malamute above these measurements and weights is considered a Giant. However Giant and Standard are only a size they are still considered Malamutes.
AKC standard for the Alaskan Malamute is 25 inches tall at the withers and 85 pounds for males....... For females it is 23 inches tall at the withers and 75 pounds. Any Malamute above these measurements and weights is considered a Giant. However Giant and Standard are only a size they are still considered Malamutes.