The Alaskan Malamute is perhaps the oldest breed of sled dogs in the world. Along with its extensive history, the wild and indomitable nature of the Alaskan Malamute has made it a breed of legendary proportions. There are many interesting facts about the Alaskan Malamute, and below you will find a list of things you probably did not know about this dog.

Did you know where the Alaskan malamute breed got its name? The breed took its name from a native Innuit tribe, the Mahlemuts. They were among the earliest settlers along the shores of the Kotzebue Sound in upper-western Alaska.

Did you know that Alaskan Malamutes are adept at cleaning themselves? Alaskan Malamutes take care of their coats so well that some owners only need to bathe their dogs once a year or even less.

Did you know that the Alaskan Malamute is known as one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs? Some people even consider this native Alaskan Arctic breed the oldest sled dog in the world. The Alaskan malamute is a cousin of the Russian Samoyed, Greenland Eskimo, Labrador, and the Siberian husky. It is not only one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs but also one of the most popular sled dogs.

Did you know that the Alaskan Malamute was the breed that was compromised during the "Age of Decay of the Arctic Sledge Dog"? It was from 1909 to 1918 that the Age of Decay of the Arctic Sledge Dog took place. Sled racing was very popular during the early 20th century, and to create a faster and stronger breed, breeders crossed the Alaskan Malamute with outside strains, and this period of time came to be known as the Age of Decay of the Arctic Sledge Dog.

Did you know that the Alaskan Malamute was thought to be a part of the wolf family? For quite some time, a lot of people believed that Alaskan Malamutes were part wolves. This is not true. Alaskan Malamutes are domesticated and pure-bred dogs, though they do look like wolves in some ways. Because they bear a resemblance to wolves, Alaskan Malamutes were used in movies to depict wolves, so it's easy to trace where this confusion came from.

Did you know that the Alaskan Malamute is one of the biggest shedders among dogs? When the Alaskan Malamute blows its coat, you can fill up several grocery sacks every week. That's a lot of hair to shed in such a short time!

Did you know that Alaskan Malamutes can survive extremely low temperatures? Alaskan Malamutes are naturally bred to outlast the harshest winter conditions, and it can survive in temperatures of about 70 degrees below zero.

Did you know that Alaskan Malamutes are very intelligent? Some owners think that their Alaskan Malamutes are stupid or dumb because they don't obey commands. The reason why they don't obey is because they get bored obeying the same commands over and over again. They know that if you don't correct them, they will be free to do as they please. Being stubborn is another famous trait of the Alaskan Malamutes.