Since Maryland first chose the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as its State Dog in 1964, the idea of having a state dog has been growing in popularity.

In 2010, Alaska became one of 12 states which have designated an official state dog. Their choice is the impressive Alaskan Malamute.

Alaskan Malmutes are members of the Spitz group of dogs, traced back 2,000 to 3,000 years ago to the Mahlemuits tribe. The Malamute is a large working breed, originally developed for hauling heavy freight in multiple-dog teams, and later sometimes used as a sled dog over very long distances. Renowned for their strength and endurance, they usually range in weight between 75 and 95 pounds.

They have an oily wooly undercoat, which can be up to two inches thick, and an outer guard coat that is coarse and stands off the body, usually in shades of gray, sable, seal or red, with white. Malamutes frequently have a white facial ‘mask.’

They are infrequent barkers,  but they do make a “woo woo” sound and sometimes howl like wolves.