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Mid Missouri Malamute Rescue
History Of The Alaskan Malamutes
It is thought that Alaskan Malamutes are named after the Malemiut Inupiaq people of Alaska's Norton Sound region (even though recent genetic testing does not show a direct link to the two known Inupiat breeds, the Greenland dog, and the Canadian Eskimo dog, certain undeniable similarities remain.) who domesticated and used the ancestors of the modern day Malamute, in order to survive the brutal artic environment. These dogs were an intimate and invaluable part of the family. Even today Malamutes show a propensity and an inherent need to be included in the family unit.
Alaskan Malamutes are known to be a "Basal Breed" that pre-dates modern breeds of the 19th century when breeding for certain characteristics was at it's peak.
In 2015, a study using a number of genetic markers indicated that the Malamute, the Siberian Husky, and the Alaskan Husky, have a close genetic relationship between each other and were related to Chukotka sled dogs from Siberia. They were separate from the two Inuit dogs - the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland Dog.
In North America, the Malamute and the Siberian Husky, both had maintained their Siberian lineage and had contributed significantly to the Alaskan husky, which showed evidence of crossing with European breeds that was consistent with this breed being created in post-colonial North America.
Modern day Malamutes seem to come from three or four distinct lines. The first, and the first to be recognized by the AKC, were dogs bred to the standard of Mrs. Eva B. Seeley. Mrs. Seeley had an absolute and very particular vision as to what she felt the Alaskan Malamute should look like.
Losses during WWII almost devastated the breed; with only 30 recognized dogs left by 1947. In order to replenish the breed the stud book was reopened and Robert J Zoller became involved. M’Loot and Hinman/Irwin dogs with selected Kotzebues were combined to create what became the Husky-Pak line. All modern Malamutes stem from either Mrs. Seeley's line, M'Loot, Hinman/Irwin, Kotzebues or some mixture of all, explaining some of the differences now seen in the breed standard.
Inupiat men and dog team near Bering Sea, 1907