Named after the Mahlemut Inupiat people of western Alaska who bred them 4,000 years ago, the Malamute is a freight-hauling sled dog — bigger, slower, and stronger than the Husky, designed to pull heavy loads, not race. Friendly and dignified with people, but with a high prey drive that endangers cats, rabbits, and sometimes small dogs. They communicate in 'woo-woo' more than barks. Heavy seasonal shedding twice a year, deep need for exercise, and a strong preference for cool climates.
