THE ALASKAN MALAMUTE

The dogs of the Spitz type such as the Malamute are quite "wolfish" because man has hardly interfered in the selection of their character. He has erased any trace of aggressiveness, making them meek and friendly, but he has never impaired their instinct of social, strongly hierarchic animals, just like their forefather, the wolf.

When the Malamute covers a few bitches, he thinks he's the one that, among the wolves, is defined as the "alpha" male: the highest in degree and the only one who is entitled to breed. That's why he believes that all the puppies in his pack are his children and feels obliged to be kind to the little pests, who hand down his precious genetic code (...even though a growl sometimes slips out; there's a limit to one’s patience!).

But why are the little ones so insistent with the adult? To understand that, we have to make a short journey to the neonatal phase of their development: at birth, they are completely blind and deaf. Their only sense is smell, and the only thing they can smell is their mother, whose milk means "food" and "life". A week later, they have changed only in terms of their size: the imperatives are still "eat" and "sleep". After another couple of weeks, things suddenly change; now the puppies are (almost) real dogs, equipped with a hundred new faculties: they can see, hear and walk, but young as they are they couldn't do without their mother or the pack. For this reason Mother Nature has passed on a basic precept to the puppies: "All that you can touch, see and smell during this period of your life belongs to your species". Puppies assimilate this lesson during what ethologists call "the imprinting period", which lasts from the third to the seventh week of life. Therefore, throughout this period man must "bluff", that is, let himself be touched, seen and smelled by the puppies, so as to convince them that we all belong to the same species. 

If this didn't happen, when they have grown up, dogs would value us with the only two alternatives known to a wolf: either as predators to fear and avoid, or prey to attack and, if possible, eat. They would certainly never become the tender life and work mates they have always been to us.

Let's go back to the puppies' behaviour with an adult male. The attempt to suck is simply a mistake (one has to learn from experience…), while the leaps and bounces to the snout are neither play nor evidence of love. In fact they are an invitation to bring up half-digested food, as this is the way puppies are fed when they are first weaned. Wolves behave like this, and so do many Northern dogs. Since the act is an admission of total dependence, it has also acquired a meaning of surrender and submission among adults. That's why our dog, to welcome us, leaps toward our face. Showing one's belly is also evidence of submission: this action, too, can be met in an adult dog, who performs it to tell us: "I recognise you as my superior".

As you can notice, it isn't difficult to understand the "canine" language, particularly the one used by the most wolfish dogs, which seldom bark and express themselves by means of the body. Barking is a consequence of domestication; in nature it can rarely be heard, because wild animals try to make as little noise as possible. It isn't wise to let predators know where the pack is, while it is admissible to howl if one of its members is cut-off, in order to tell him how to join the others.

To live with a Northern dog is to live with a near-wolf: tender and reliable to the extent that we can safely leave our children with him, yet with a wolf's mind as far as social behaviour and hierarchy are concerned. It follows that, if we want to be respected and obeyed by the dog, we'll have to learn the difficult art of the "leader": a position which is NEVER achieved by force, but through firm, coherent, dependable conduct. It isn't an easy challenge, as the Malamute is a very demanding dog, but if you manage to win his trust you'll know the great satisfaction of an obedient mate who never leaves your side, who keeps his eyes on you, awaiting your order or nod of approval. That means a dog that follows you anywhere without a leash, who rushes to you as soon as you call him…. and is able to control his predatory instincts, content to "watch" what he is not allowed to "touch".

On the other hand, to the man who can't be a good leader the Northern dog will still be kind and loveable but will not recognize the owner's authority and will do anything he likes.

A longer life, however, doesn't necessarily mean a happier life; it's up to us to see to that, remembering that the Malamute is a dynamic, intelligent work dog. If we can, let's teach him to pull. He loves to, that's what he was bred for. Still, if we live a long way from the snow, let's remember a sledge is not indispensable; we can enjoy ourselves as much by using a cart or a mountain-bike! If we are not the sporty type, never mind: there are a thousand ways to exercise our Malamute and have him release his energy, alone or in company. He enjoys human company, chiefly the one of people who, like him, enjoy playing; but, like all social animals, he also likes the company of his fellow creatures.

If we own a male, it's better to get him friends of the opposite sex (it's the same thing the whole world over…) but the Malamute displays no tendency to ask for trouble when meeting other dogs. He loves human beings so much that he generally doesn't take care of them and prefers his owner's attention. On the other hand, if a Northern dog is challenged, he will not pull back; we'd better not take chances.

Primitive and sharp-witted, playful and tender he is a wolf no less than a dog, yet not everyone can live with a Malamute. There will always be someone asking you "what’s the use” of having a dog like that if you don't harness him to a sledge? The poor boys don't know how you feel, with an unspoiled bundle of nature near you; they don't know what it means to look your dog in the eye and feel as if you were flying over oceans of snow, solitude and peace.