Alaskan Malamute. If they could only ride a bike!

If they could only ride a bike, the Alaskan Malamute would make a great Triathlete. They are known for their strength and endurance. They love to jog and swim. Now if we could only teach them to ride a bike! Or, maybe they could pull the bike! Just a thought.

Seriously, The Malamute is the original sled dog. They are strong, standing at 23 inches tall and weighing 75- 85 pounds. Their dense double coat allows them to withstand the cold of Alaska. They are often seen wrapping their plume of a tail around their nose and face for protection from the cold. The colors are sable and white, grey and white, black and white, red and white and solid white.

The Innuit tribe of Alaska called the Muhlemuts, is where the Breed got its name. The Muhlemuts used the Malamutes to pull heavy loads in the Arctic. They are cousins to the Siberian Husky and the American Eskimo dog.

Being another intelligent breed, their training must begin early and they can be one of the most difficult to train. Their appearance is both majestic and dignified. They are affectionate and friendly towards people despite the fact that their ancestry was once crossed with wolves.

I chose the grey and white color of the Alaskan Malamute dog to paint in watercolor. I love the softness of the color and the high contrast of the tips of the ears. In the painting, I tried to portray the dignity associated with the breed. Thanks for reading! And, stay tuned for the next breed, American Staffordshire Terrier