Getting Involved with Your Malamute

Conformation

Conformation is the traditional "dog show".  Handlers show their dog to a judge who is comparing that dog to the breed standard to see how well the animal conforms to that standard.  Dogs are not competing against each other but against this standard.  The best conforming dog is awarded best of breed.  In larger shows, this dog then moves onto a group competition, for malamutes the working group.  In this competition, each dog is still being compared to their breed standard to see who is the best representation of the breed.  The winner is crowned best in show, where at even larger shows they move on to the best in show competition.  Here each group winner competes to see who best represents their breed standard to be crowned best in show.   Each year AMAEP host the AMCA Mid-East Specialities and Supported Entries at the Blue and Gray Cluster.  This cluster includes AMAEP's weight pulls, trick dog and CGC testing, and conformation up to Best in Show every night!

 

Weight Pull

Weight Pull is an event where dogs are trained to pull a certain weight 16ft in under 60 seconds.  In AMAEP pulls we use AMCA rules that safeguard the health and safety of competitors.  From the AMCA website:

"The Alaskan Malamute is by nature and conformation a draft animal. His very size and weight lend to heavy pulling. The sport of weight pulling is popular, because it can be practiced at home in the back yard or urban park, it is something even the one-dog owner can participate in.

Weight pull competitions consist of a dog pulling a given weight a given distance in a set amount of time. Weights are increased for each round, with dogs dropping out when they fail to make the pull. The competitions are divided into weight classes. There are several sets of weight pull rules used, the most common being those of the International Weight Pull Association (IWPA) and those of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America (AMCA). These rules now call for a dog to pull a load a distance of 16 feet in one minute and give you the option of calling the dog from the far side of the finish line or driving the dog from a position behind the dog. Weight  pulling may be done with sleds or carts. Rules do change from time to time so it is best to become familiar with the rules before you enter a competition.

You may begin training for weight pulling when your dog is six months old; however, most competitions require that dogs be a year   old to participate. Basic obedience training is helpful before getting started because the dog will have learned some basic commands such as stay and come. Start out with light weights on snow, dirt or grass. Make sure the harness is properly fitted and that the weight you are using does not make a lot of noise or that it is not so light that it might hit the dog should the dog spook and start running. A small tire makes a good weight to start with."                                                                                                                                                  Photos from Member Kenji Ackert

AMCA weight pull rules - https://www.alaskanmalamute.org/weight-pull-rules

 

      Each April, AMAEP hosts the mid-east region weightpull during the Blue and Gray Cluster.  This is a malamute-only weight pull that tests the breed's        ability to do what they were bred to do, in an indoor environment.  Being in PA the ability to sled all year is limited so weight pull, dry land rigs, and            bikejoring are great alternatives. 

                                                                  

Photos from Member Kenji Ackert

 

Other Event Options

There are many other options that your malamute may succeed at with a bit of training. Malamutes may be predisposed to events like weight pull but that doesn't mean they won't give it their all in many other events

Member Breana backpacking with her male Kieran

Agility                                                                                                                                                                                             CGC                                                           Backpacking Bikejoring Barn Hunt FastCAT Fetch Obedience Rally Scent Work Sledding Trick Dog And More!

ALASKAN MALAMUTE CLUB OF AMERICA—CODE OF ETHICS

https://www.alaskanmalamute.org/code-of-ethics-standing-rules
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"Our code of ethics is a guiding set of principles intended to be a guiding code and to instruct our members to act in a manner that is honest and that is beneficial to to the breed, our club, and those with which we deal in matters of the Alaskan Malamute dog.

PREAMBLE

The Alaskan Malamute Club of America asserts that its membership has the obligation to preserve the Alaskan Malamute breed without exploiting it. It further asserts that its membership has an obligation to the club to uphold the high ideals set forth for all dog club organizations by the American Kennel Club. It is urged that dogs and bitches only be bred when it is conscientiously felt that such breeding will result in improvement of the breed.

Club members should strive to breed healthy dogs with good temperaments and place them in suitable homes. Club members should make themselves aware of health problems that affect the breed so that they may make educated decisions when planning a breeding.

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Breeding is a responsibility that does not end when puppies go to their new homes. Good sportsmanship is a requirement of the AKC and is expected of AMCA members. Club members should set a good example, and offer assistance and mentoring to prospective and new Malamute owners with regards to care, health issues, training and suitable activities, as well as being a good “dog neighbor”.

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Members shall abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club and uphold the Constitution and By-Laws of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America. At large members shall abide by the rules of their country’s kennel club.

No member shall knowingly be involved in the sale/placement of puppies/dogs through retail or wholesale outlets, mail order businesses, dog dealers/agents/brokers, or act as a finder for such operations. No member shall knowingly be involved in the sale/placement of puppies to any entity whose reason for purchase is resale. Puppies/dogs shall not be placed through auctions or raffles.

No member shall knowingly be involved in the breeding or selling of wolf hybrids.

No member shall sell/place any puppy/dog without furnishing registration papers unless both parties have signed an agreement stating when/if and under what circumstances papers will be furnished. If registration papers are not provided at the time of sale, information to identify the puppy/dog, (such as birth date, litter or individual registration number, pedigree, microchip number or tattoo) shall be furnished at that time. If the dog is not registerable the purchaser/adopter shall be so informed.

It is recommended that any puppy sold as a pet/companion be registered using the AKC’s limited registration application. Dogs/puppies bred by members outside the U.S. should use a comparable foreign limited and/or non-breeding registration where available.

Dogs used for breeding shall be cleared of hip dysplasia by OFA, Pen-Hip, comparable foreign registry, or a qualified veterinary radiologist. Dogs should be cleared of inherited eye diseases by CERF, a comparable foreign registry or a qualified veterinary ophthalmologist.

It is strongly recommended that members take full advantage of all practical DNA tests when selecting dogs for breeding. No member shall knowingly breed two dogs to each other who are carriers for the same genetic disease. Dogs may be used if their ancestors have been cleared by DNA testing.

When available, health screening and DNA testing should be used as a resource to manage, decrease, or eliminate genetic diseases in the breed. In planning a breeding health issues such as, but not limited to, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, allergies, heart disease, coat funk, and orthopedic disorders should be considered. Members are encouraged to store DNA with the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) or comparable facility as well as participate in health research of diseases in the Alaskan Malamute.

Members shall disclose known genetic status of the puppy/dog being sold and that of its parents. Screening or test results shall be disclosed in a written sales contract signed by the seller and buyer. If any of the above (hips, eyes, CHD, PN) have not been done it shall be so stated. A breeder’s policy regarding replacements or refunds due to health issues shall be clearly stated in their sales contract.

Breeders should understand and acknowledge that due to unforeseen circumstances they may need to facilitate in re-homing or rescuing dogs they have produced or sold. Purchasers should be made aware of this in their contract

Members shall provide secure facilities for their dogs that provide adequate space and protection from adverse or extreme weather. Water and food shall be provided on a daily basis. Facilities shall be clean and dogs shall have regular access to exercise. Members shall provide appropriate health care for dogs in their custody.

Health, registration, identification, breeding and sales records shall be kept current. It is recommended that dogs be permanently identified by tattoo or microchip and that breeders permanently identify puppies before they go to their new homes.

Members’ dogs should be well socialized and have basic obedience training.

Advertising and promotion of dogs shall be factual. Members will exercise care in evaluating perspective buyers and do their best to place dogs in suitable homes"

- The Alaskan Malamute Club of America