Alaskan Malamute Comparison

Breed Standard vs Pet Quality "Deviations"

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People have difficulty recognizing an Alaskan Malamute, or distingushing a Malamute from a Siberian Husky. This page is intended to help with Alaskan Malamute breed identification, especially dogs of varying "quality".

The chart below is based on commonly seen "pet market" deviations from the Alaskan Malamute standard. This comparison assumes the dog is in good basic physical health and weight. Some allowances should be made for coat quality, weight, and general attitude if the dog is in poor condition or ill health.

Actual size, build, and color of individual dogs will vary. In dogs of unknown origins, too many deviations or excessive deviations from the breed standard may be a strong indicater of mixed parentage.
Comparison:
Breed Standard
Common or Incorrect Deviations
Height:
(at shoulder)		 Male: 25 inches
Female: 23 inches		 Male: 23-29+ inches
Female: 21-27+ inches, 
Common: 1-3+ inches over std.
Weight: Male: 85 pounds
Female: 75 pounds		 Male: 65-110+ pounds
Female: 55-100+ pounds, 
Common: 5-15 pounds over std.
Build: Powerful, substantial, heavy boned. Fine or medium boned for overall size.
Eyes: Brown - darker preferred, almond shape. Dark brown to yellow, almond to rounded shape.
Ears: Medium, erect, triangular, tips rounded, wide set on skull, and stand-off from side of head when relaxed. Some ears larger, thinner, and/or pointed tips. Ears appear higher set with less bulky headed dogs. Occational weak or flopped ears.
Head: Broad and deep with bulky muzzle. Skull not broad, giving head a narrow appearance. Muzzle thin or pointed (snipey). Excessive or flat brow stop.
Tail:
(alert or happy)		 Waving plume, carried up and over the back. (tail tip just touches the back or tail carried in "?" fashion) Curved plume, over curled (tight tail), under curled (sickle), or curl lays flat to side or on back (snap).
Feet: Large, compact, snowshoe shaped, and well arched. Medium - large, some may too oval or too round, loose or splayed toes, weak or flat arch.
Coat: Thick coarse guard coat with a shorter woolly undercoat. (undercoat is ALWAYS indicated, even when shed out) Woolly (long &/or soft) or slightly long guard coat. Short and plush coats may be seen occasionally.
Color: Gray to black, sable, red, and all white. Chest, legs, underside of tail and belly are white. Variety of facial markings. Broken colors and uneven splashings are undesirable.  Gray to Black most common. Sable trimmings common. Heavy facial markings common in darker dogs. Some dogs may have broken or uneven color patterns. 

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This page last updated: 11 August 2003
© 2000-2004 Alaskan Malamute Assistance League