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This is how our sled dogs live
Learn how our dogs live and why we work with purebred sled dogs
The attachment
The dogs live in spacious kennels, at least in pairs. Here, they can move freely. They also regularly go out in groups to a large off-leash area. We have been successfully using this type of dog housing for over 20 years. This is partly because tethering has been banned in Europe for many years, and our dogs are used to it.
However, we certainly don't condemn the tethering system, which is widespread on the American continent, as this system has its advantages over group kenneling, not only for the owners but also for the dogs. This aspect may not be understandable to the average dog owner, but it cannot be dismissed.
At races and events, the dogs are attached to a so-called "stake-out." This is a wire rope or chain with space for 2-8 dogs. Extending from this rope at intervals of approximately 1.5 meters are additional chains, each approximately 80 cm long, to which the individual dogs are leashed between races or stages.
Alaskan Malamutes
Several millennia ago, it served the peoples of northern Alaska as a working dog. It also takes its name from the nomadic Mahlemiut people living there. The "locomotive of the north," as the Inuit affectionately called the four-legged dog, was vital for survival in the icy Arctic. It served as a reliable hunting aid for humans, but above all, it was a tireless means of transport and a valuable aid for transporting heavy loads. Due to its tremendous stamina, it could cover long distances even in bitter cold.
The most powerful of all sled dogs clearly shows its wolf affinity, although the Alaskan Malamute is even stronger and larger. Depending on gender, it reaches a height of 56–66 cm and weighs 32–43 kg; females are usually somewhat smaller and lighter than males. The build of this breed is compact and muscular, with a deep chest and broad shoulders.
Because the Mali, as it is also called, had to perform even in icy temperatures, it has a weatherproof, short to medium-length, double coat: beneath its thick, coarse outer coat, an oily, dense undercoat provides warmth. Symmetrical markings or the mask on its face are typical of the breed.
The friendly Alaskan Malamute was and is an absolute workhorse. Accustomed to working independently when pulling sleds and hunting, this dog is still very willful and, if not led, makes its own decisions. One could almost call it stubborn. However, two souls slumber within its breast: as independent and stubborn as the Alaskan Malamute is, it is loyal to its "pack leader" – provided there is a loving bond – and a devoted companion.
Even back then, the people-oriented Alaskan Malamute lived in packs and therefore generally exhibits pronounced social behavior. He is an extremely friendly four-legged friend—even toward strangers. Therefore, he is not particularly suitable as a guard dog.
If you'd like to learn more about Alaskan Malamutes and/or are interested in a puppy, please get in touch! We'd be happy to advise you!
Canadian Eskimo Dogs
The Thule people, the ancestors of today's Inuit, were the first people to use dogs as draft animals, hunting aids, and guards (especially against polar bears). This is how the Canadian Eskimo Dog was born. The Canadian Eskimo Dog originated in Alaska, the homeland of Inuit culture. From there, the Thule people and their dogs spread eastward into the Canadian Arctic and Greenland 800 to 1,000 years ago. The Canadian Eskimo Dog thrived in the Canadian Arctic until a series of events starting in the 1950s threatened its extinction. The first event was the forced relocation of the Inuit from seasonal camps to permanent settlements established by the Canadian government. As the relocation took place, the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) shot dogs that obstructed the relocation. The second event was a devastating outbreak of distemper in the early 1960s, along with diseases such as rabies and canine hepatitis, which decimated thousands of Inuit dogs in Canada's eastern Arctic. The third event was the introduction of snowmobiles, which destroyed the partnership between the Inuit and their dogs. An estimated 20,000 IBDs once lived in the Canadian Arctic. Between 1960 and 1970, there were reportedly only a few hundred left. In 1972, thanks to the efforts of the Eskimo Dog Research Foundation, a revival of Inuit dogs began in the Northwest Territories. The existing IBD breed is descended from animals bred by this foundation.
All colors and badges are possible.
We've been breeding IBDs for ..... years. They're different. They're special. There are currently only around 500 of them worldwide. Breeding requires the few breeders to work closely together to ensure the greatest possible genetic diversity, as this is these dogs' only chance of survival. They're still considered an endangered breed. Anyone who would like to meet these wonderful dogs and/or is considering a puppy can contact us anytime! We're happy to support you!