Head and Temperament

Head and Temperament - The Official Standard

• Head

The head is broad and deep, not coarse or clumsy, but in proportion to the size of the dog. The expression is soft and indicates an affectionate disposition. The eyes are obliquely placed in the skull. Eyes are brown, almond shaped and of medium size. Dark eyes are preferred. Blue Eyes are a Disqualifying Fault. The ears are of medium size, but small in proportion to the head. The ears are triangular in shape and slightly rounded at the tips. They are set wide apart on the outside back edges of the skull on line with the upper corner of the eye, giving ears the appearance, when erect, of standing off from the skull. Erect ears point slightly forward, but when the dog is at work, the ears are sometimes folded against the skull. High set ears are a fault.

The skull is broad and moderately rounded between the ears, gradually narrowing and flattening on top as it approaches the eyes, rounding off to cheeks that are moderately flat. There is a slight furrow between the eyes. The topline of the skull and the topline of the muzzle show a slight break downward from a straight line as they join. The muzzle is large and bulky in proportion to the size of the skull, diminishing slightly in width and depth from junction with the skull to the nose. In all coat colors, except reds, the nose, lips, and eye rims' pigmentation is black. Brown is permitted in red dogs. The lighter streaked "snow nose" is acceptable. The lips are close fitting. The upper and lower jaws are broad with large teeth. The incisors meet with a scissors grip. Overshot or undershot is a fault.

• Temperament

The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog, not a "one man" dog. He is a loyal, devoted companion, playful in invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity after maturity.

Head and Temperament - Hands On Comments

The head of the Alaskan Malamute is one of the distinguishing characteristics of this breed. It is broad and deep without being coarse or clumsy, but in proportion to size of dog.. The skull is somewhat rounded between the ears gradually narrowing and flattening as it approaches the eyes, rounding off to the cheeks that are moderately flat.

The muzzle is large and bulky, broadening gradually in width until it joins the skull. The muzzle should not be snipey or long, nor be too stubby. The topline of the skull and the topline of the muzzle show a slight break downward from a straight line as they join. A steep or abrupt stop may result in changing the shape of the eyes to round or protruding, which may be more easily injured in severe Arctic weather.

There is a slight furrow between the eyes. The lips are close fitting. The upper and lower jaws are broad with large teeth. The incisors meet in a scissors bite. The large teeth should have the proper occlusion.

Overshot or undershot is a fault. The nose, lips, and eye rims should be black, except in red Malamutes, which have brown noses and pigmentation.

A pink to grayish stripe "snow nose" is allowed and not to be penalized. The eyes are set obliquely in the skull and do much to give the Malamute his soft expression. They are almond shaped, of medium size and brown in color. Dark eyes are preferred. Blue eyes are a disqualifying fault.

The ears are medium in size, but small in proportion to the head. They are triangular in shape with slightly rounded tips. They are set wide apart on the outside back edges of the skull in line with the upper corner of the eye, giving the appearance, when erect, of standing off from the skull. They are erect and point slightly forward when alert.

Ears set too high are a fault and ears set too low are undesirable. The proper ear set is an important type characteristic, which distinguishes the Malamute from other Northern breeds. When the dog is at work or moving in the show ring, the ears are sometimes folded back against the skull. Ideally, the ear leathers are thick and well furred.

Head and Temperament - Key Points

• Skull length, depth, including gradual sloping stop. Wedge shaped skull & muzzle.

• Muzzle width, length and depth.

• Bite scissors - under or overshot bites are a fault. Ideally, there will be LARGE teeth with proper occlusion.

• Ear size and set. Thickness of cartilage (leathers) well covered with fur. Thick and heavily furred.

• Eyes almond shape, size and dark in color, set obliquely. Blue eyes disqualify.

• Nose color (snow nose allowed). Lip and eye rim pigment, tight lips.

• Emphasize skull shape and size, stop and size and depth of muzzle. Eye shape (almond) and size, obliquely set – (emphasize obliquely set almond shaped eye is a survival trait necessary to endure the Arcticenvironment.) Ear size, strength of cartilage and well covered with fur.

HOC 2004