The Alaskan Malamute
Breed Society of
South Africa, is the most prominent
National Breed Club for the Alaskan Malamute breed in the Southern
African Region.
As
its main goal AMFSA focuses on the betterment of the breed and through
its presence and attached members shows an proven obligation
towards the upkeep of the breed standard and the integrity of the Alaskan Malamute breed
and in preserving this magnificent breed
without exploration.
AMFSA was
established with these goals kept in mind as we expand into each new
area of involvement with the Breed Clubs and Club Chapters affiliated to us. New areas of involvement
will be added as the need arises.
AMFSA has been established to align
with Countries such as the Americas, Canada, various Countries in Europe,
Australia & New Zealand etc., which all having their own Alaskan Malamute National Breed
Federation
with affiliated Regional Clubs.
Picture:
Royal Star del Biagio, '95 Junior World Chapion, '96 & "97 Double
World Champion - Breeder: Giuseppe Biagotti (Italy)
Breed History
The Alaskan Malamute evolved from the
ancient dogs that accompanied pre-historic man in his migrations from
Asia, across the Arctic to Greenland and back. The migrations, covering
thousands of years also produced a natural evolution of species that
varied from the long coated varieties found in Greenland to the lesser
coated, longed legged varieties found in the forest and lake areas of
northern Canada.
Early Russian and English
explorers often reported a superior and better kept type of work dog
kept by the “Mahlemut” (Malemiut, Mahlmuit, Malemuit) tribes around the
Norton Sound area of Alaska. They were less “wild”, more tractable and
capable of an enormous amount of work.
It must be kept in mind that
these were work animals. They were used in hunting seals, were set loose
in packs to course the polar bear, and to haul heavy sledges or pack in
supplies. Although treated with fondness and exceptional care, there was
no room for “pets”, as today, on the cruel ice packs and tundra.
With the Gold Rush, the
demand for pack and sled dogs brought into Alaska all types of breeds
that could survive the weather. Soon, especially near the populated
areas, the dogs were quite a mixture of breeds and quality. One had to
travel many days inland, out of the gold country to find any semblance
of the original Alaskan sled dogs. Due to their relative isolation, the
dogs of the “Mahlemuts” remained fairly “pure”, but they too suffered
from the inroads of civilization.
The owners of “Chinook Kennels”
in the early thirties began a
program to reproduce those dogs, the Kotzebue strain, which were typical of the dogs found in
the Norton Sound area.
A slightly different strain
was developed by the owners of M'Loot Kennels, with dogs
they brought from Alaska in the early 1900's and later in the 1920's.
These were generally known as the “M'Loot” strain, named after the
kennel established by the Voelker's. Some of these dogs saw service in
both World War I and World War II, and with Admiral Byrd's second
expedition. Although only a few in numbers, there was also the Hinman
strain.
These
three terms, “Kotzuebue”, “M'Loot” are often used to describe the genetic background of the
present day Malamute, whether the current dogs resemble their ancestors
or not.
Breed Standards
Through the efforts of a handful of
admirers of the breed, the first standard of The Breed was recognized by
the American Kennel Club in 1935.
These early breeders and
exhibitors often got together to compare notes and exchange information
pertaining to the breed as well as keep track of the dogs.
The
Alaskan Malamute Club of America, Inc. is known as the “parent” club of
the breed and is the guardian of the breed standard and the breed
itself.
The Alaskan Malamute has
become truly an international breed whose foundations began in North
America and over the years have spread to Canada, Mexico,
Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.
The first Alaskan Malamutes were
imported to South Africa in 1967. These original imports were never
shown and few of this strain appear in our S.A pedigrees today. Two
more Malamute were imported 10 years later and it is to these two
imports that most of our locally bred Mals originate from. Since then
more than 35 Malamutes have been imported to South Africa, mostly from
the USA, Canada, Spain and Italy. Several SA bred Malamutes have also
been exported to other parts of the world, where they are successfully
competing in Dog Shows.
The Breed Today
The Alaskan Malamute has had a
distinguished career in accompanying Arctic and Ant-artic explorers.
His howl has been heard by
the “artic sun” at both poles. Today the Malamute's main occupation is
companion and pal to thousands throughout the world, who have one as a
family pet.
a Very few are shown
in the Show Arena in South Africa. Only about 47 owners have been
registered with the Kennel Union, although 267 puppies were born in the
past 5 years coming from approximately 10 breeders whom have at least
bred one litter over the past 7 years. We assume that about 4 active
breeders exists within South Africa, therefore breeding more than 1 litter within
a calendar year.
Why AMFSA?
With virtually no national Alaskan Malamute structures in place,
rise was given to the
ALASKAN MALAMUTE
FEDERATION OF SOUTH
AFRICA (AMFSA) as a National Breed Federation and Breed Society for affiliated
Breed Clubs.
Through the involvement and the efforts of a very few owners of the
breed, the FRIENDS OF THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE CLUB
OF SOUTH
AFRICA (FAMCSA) were formed in
March 2004, which also gave AMFSA it's first affiliated National Breed Club.
As it's main purpose,
the ALASKAN MALAMUTE
FEDERATION
OF SOUTH AFRICA will strive to act as a future National Breed Society administering the Breed Registry for
the Alaskan Malamute breed in South Africa.
Although resistance will always be part of the current and future in
trying to unite owners and exhibiters of the breed, we as founder members of AMFSA will
persevere in leaving a legacy behind in South Africa for this wonderful breed, called
the Alaskan Malamute.
United we stand for the
betterment of the breed in giving proper structure and guidance in
bringing back the fun in owing an Alaskan Malamute in South Africa.
AWARDS
It is our aim to issue a yearly “Merit Award” to a person or body; for their
positive contribution, dedication and hard work towards the
conservation of the Alaskan Malamute breed in South Africa. If no
candidate is identified, the Merit Award would not necessarily be
awarded.
Membership
Membership to AMFSA
can only be
obtained by Southern African based Alaskan Malamute Clubs, applying
and obtaining affiliation by officialy forwarding their application with
credentials.
For
individual breed owners, breed exhibitors or those showing interest in the breed; we
can only call on you to become members of FAMCSA, which will gladly provide you
with the necessary knowledge, assistance to enjoy your existing or
future Alaskan Malamute.
|
Chris Potgieter
Honorable President &
National
Patron
(Founder Member)
082 537 8502
|
|
Johan Mostert
Honorable Secretary &
Public Relations Officer
(Founder Member)
082 773 6446
|
|
TO JOIN
THE CHAT
GROUP LIST
FRIEND OF THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA |
