Is the Alaskan Malamute a domestic dog that is genetically closest to a wolf?

Answer 1

Dogs and wolves have much in common. Northern breeds of dogs -- the Alaskan Malamute, Akita, Chow, Siberian Husky, and related breeds -- are closest to the wolf in appearance. These are double-coated dogs with plush undercoats for warmth and coarse outer coats for protection against wind, rain, and snow. Many of these breeds have "wild" coat coloring, with several distinct colors often appearing in each overcoat hair. They also tend to have broad heads with plenty of brain space, but their brain capacity, muzzle-length, and strength of jaw are less than that of their progenitors.

Wolves mature physically at a later age than dogs; females have their first estrus at two years of age or older, and they cycle only once each year, usually in late winter. Males mature at age three or later.

Dogs that developed from northern wolves tend to be substantial canines, well-muscled and well-suited for hunting large game (Akita), herding reindeer (Samoyed), and pulling sledges (Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky). Dogs that developed from wolves in temperate or more southern climates tend to have shorter coats and be more streamlined than their northern cousins. Sighthounds (Afghan Hounds, Salukis, Basenjis, and Greyhounds), dingoes, and pariah dogs fall into this group.

Mastiff-type dogs probably were developed as a result of gigantism originating in populations of a mountain wolf in northern India or Tibet. Most other breeds are presumed to have developed from crosses between the northern, dingo-pariah, and mastiff groups, some with an admixture of dwarfism genes.

Answer 2

Nope GSDs act like GSDS. With the exception of breeds like the Tamaskan, the Saarlooswolfdogs, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, the Lupo Italiano and the Kunming Wolfdog , no breed of dog is any closer related to wolves than any other. Personally neither Sibes, Mals or GSDs look that wolfy to me, but then i've seen the real thing. ETA: The first dog was not an actual breed. Breeding for consistent traits/looks/behaviors did not happen for a very long time. Holly: There were only FOUR wolfdogs in the GSD stud book, that doesn't make them closer to wolves however. The breed was already in existence before wolves mad the seen in its pedigree.

Answer 3

Re: Alaskan Malamutes : http://www.doggonegoodstuff.com/alaskanmalamuteinfo.html

Excerpt from above site :

The Malamute is the native Alaskan Arctic breed, cousin to the Samoyed of Russia, Siberian Husky, and the Eskimo dogs of Greenland and Labrador.

( By chance, were you thinking of this Wolf Hybrid ? )
http://www.wolfpark.org/wolfdogs/Poster_section1.html



This article names the 6 dog breeds recently discovered to be most closely related to the Wolf :

http://usti.net/home/news/clari/news/wed/ak/Uus-dogdna.RCuu_EyK.html

Excerpt from the above site:

A study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle of dog DNA finds six breeds most closely related to the dog's wolf-like ancestors.

The study, appearing in Friday's edition of Science, found the Siberian husky, the Afghan hound, Africa's basenji, China's chow chow, Japan's akita, and Egypt's saluki most closely related to the ancient breed and may indicate dogs developed in Asia and then migrated with nomadic humans to other areas.

Answer 4

The Malamute is a descendant of dogs of the Mahlemut tribe of upper western Alaska. These dogs stood prominately on equal footing with their human companions - working, hunting, and living alongside them. The interdependent relationship between Mahlemut and their dogs fostered prosperity among both and enabled them not just to survive, but to flourish in the inhospitable land above the Arctic Circle.

Recent DNA analysis shows that Malamutes are one of the oldest breeds of dog, genetically distinct from other dog breeds.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/21/science/21dog.html?ex=1400472000&en=6b49c839cde80d81&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

Answer 5

Alaskan Malamutes are a very dominating dog. They are not good around young children younger than the age or 10, and do not like smaller dogs...they might dominate them...http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/1100006/

Answer 6

Actually there is virtually no difference in genetics among breeds dogs. The wolf could be considered a "breed" just like the others.

Answer 7

I saw a show on the Discovery Channel that said Poodles were closest to the wolf!

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

No. ALL dogs are just as close to the wolf.

Answer 10

i think it is really close but not sure how close