Alaskan Malamutes: History
Alaskan Malamutes are descended from the dogs which lived with a tribe known as the Mahlemut from Alaska. The Alaskan Malamutes lived with these people as companions and helped them with their day to day duties. The efficiency and usefulness of the Malamute as a working dog allowed the Mahlemut people to survive in an area which is very remote, cold and barren.
Alaskan Malamutes were involved in the success of the Klondike Gold Rush where the dogs were used to move items and generally provide companionship. Suring this time they were often bred with other breeds in an attempt to improve them or increase the number of digs available to buy partly due to the sheer low number of them. This cross breeding however has had no real effect on the genetics of the Alaskan Malamute which still remains today (genetically) as it did during its time with the Mahlemut tribe. This has been backed up and verified by many studies on their genes which shows them as the oldest breed of dog, which differ in terms of genes from other breeds of dog.
The Alaskan Malamute was never intended to be used as sled dog n racing instead it was used to pull heavy loads in the snow. This is how it’s history was also. The Alaskan Malamute was used in by miners who came to Alaska in search of gold.