Working Dog Breeds

Working Dogs

Working Dogs is a kennel club designation for a list of dogs bred for assisting people with certain types of work. Working dog breeds were bred to perform tasks including pulling sleds and performing water rescues. These intelligent dogs are very quick to learn and make great companions. However, their large size can make them impractical for many families. Popular working dog breeds include the Boxer and the Saint Bernard.

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Featured Working Dog Breeds

Working Dogs | Alaskan Malamute

Introduction

The Alaskan Malamute, also sometimes called just a Malamute, is one of the purest breeds in the Working Dogs Group. This dog is sometimes confused with the Siberian Husky because of its similar looks and color, but the Alaskan Malamute has a more powerful build, a more affectionate disposition, a denser and harsher coat, a plume-like tail, and slight differences in other physical characteristics such as the ears and body line. The Alaskan Malamute was AKC approved in 1994.

Malamutes reach an average size of between 75 – 90 pounds and a height of 2 – 2.5 feet. Due to their thick coat they love cold weather and playing in the snow, and they do best in cooler climates; Malamute’s should not be kept in climates that are hot and humid.

Temperament

The Malamute’s working dog personality is one of affection, curiosity, alertness, and sometimes playfulness. Though they are known most of all for their intelligence and silent nature that becomes especially prominent as they mature. Malamutes rarely bark, instead they will make vocal sounds and in some cases may feel inclined to howl in a way eerily similar to a wolf or coyote.

Alaskan Malamutes have a tendency to show dominant behavior traits toward other animals, and as such, need to supervised when around other animals. Despite this aggressive tendency , they are not good watch or guard dogs and are a wonderful family dog. Malamutes will bond with the entire family instead of just one person in the family.

History

The Alaskan Malamute is a very old working dog breed named after the native Alaskan Mahlemuts tribe. How long the breed has been around, or where they came from, is lost to history. These dogs were bred to pull heavy weight and transport supplies during the winter months. As a result, Malamutes have extremely strong pulling power, and owners need train them at a young age to walk on a leash without pulling.