Rainbow Alaskan
Malamute Fanciers
Dedicated to Breeders and
Fanciers of Unusual Colors of
This Hardy Northern Breed

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While some colors have previously been "frowned upon" at shows and even culled from litters, none of these colors are against the breed standard.

Origins

Many of the lines producing dogs with the red factor originate from the second opening of the stud book following WWII, when in 1947, it was discovered that a less than adequate supply of original Kotzebue bloodstock remained. This M'Loot type had been bred by Paul Voelker of Minnesota in the 1930's and 40's and his Malamutes were accepted by AKC upon completion of their Championships.


Kotzebue
The remaining Kotzebues were of good type, with good heads and proportions, although standing smaller than the original freighting Malamute. Tending to be uniformly grey in color, Kotzebues were generally more tractable and less aggressive to other dogs.


M'Loot
Conversely the original M'Loot's, though of greater size, tended to be somewhat more rangy. They were less uniform and often had longer ears and muzzles.

Compromise

Since that time breeders have rallied to one side or the other, but key seemed to be blending of the two lines. Breeders, like Zoller's at Husky Pak Kennel and Schmitts of Silver Sled Kennel, with the foresight to cross the early original lines benefited from the blending. The resulting Malamutes showed an overall refinement of the rangy M'Loot type- the good hindquarters of the Kotzebue's, balanced with the powerful fronts of larger M'Loots.

Dogs with M'Loot lines, while transmitting the red genetics, can tend to be more aggressive with others dogs, vocal and difficult to handle. The key to successful breeding of these colors lies in maintaining pigmentation and temperment.

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