 Malamutes,
by Richard Linde, 27
October, 2001
My pseudonym is Malamute and I’m a
Washington Husky.
But are malamutes the same as huskies, you might ask?
Well, I’m a Husky through and through.
Technically speaking, malamutes are not huskies; they are a separate breed of dog. The two breeds are closely related though, and perform the same work, e.g., pull sleds.
Alaskan malamutes are playful, brown-eyed rascals, who are larger than Siberian huskies and more docile. They are extremely loyal and have been known to work to the death for their masters. The malamute’s thick coat is usually gray and white or black and white. These colors frequently form a mask-like marking on the head. It weighs between 74 to 85 pounds and ranges from 23 to 25 inches high.
The Siberian husky weighs between 35 to 60 pounds and stands 20 to 24 inches. It is usually gray, tan, or black and white, and it may have head markings resembling a cap, mask, or spectacles. The breed, kept pure for hundreds of years in Siberia, is noted for intelligence and a gentle temperament.
Malamutes make better mascots than huskies since they are not as high strung and easier to control in large crowds. Unlike malamutes, huskies can have blue and green
eyes, as well as brown eyes. Malamutes have brown eyes.
Jim Robinson's King Redoubt Junior (or just “Junior”) is a malamute. Junior is the Husky mascot for all Husky games played on the
road. Junior made his debut at
Washington on September 19, 1998 when he patrolled the sidelines during the
Huskies' home opener against BYU. He is pictured to the left and on the front page of this web site, along with Rocky, a malamute owned by Officer Lee
Groinman. See the following link (Prince Redoubt).
The tenth malamute to serve, Whitepaw's Alut Spirit of Gold Dust ("Spirt"),
debuted as a Husky mascot in 1999.
Early in Husky history, at the time when the school decided to change its nickname from “Sun
Dodgers,” strong consideration was given to “Malamutes,” along
with "Huskies," as a potential nickname. To placate malamute
enthusiasts, an Alaskan malamute named Frosty I (1922) was
chosen as the first mascot. A spirited mascot, Frosty I tore off a milkman's
trousers one day; rumor has it that he was an Oregon fan.
In the final analysis though, both huskies and malamutes are definitely dawgs.
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Dawgs for Life--Dedicated
to the memory of King Redoubt (1990-1998)
By: Richard Linde
What
is a real Husky?
I am not sure what that may be.
As a Malamute-
of little or no repute.
But tethered to the sled-
All of us are wed.
We pull as we bark -
From dawn 'til it's dark.
Our fur blossoms purple -
Our heads shine in gold.
A surrealistic scene -
One of which I'm keen.
I do know a Husky -
We share a common bond.
'Tis a special kinship –
One of which I’m fond.
When we leave the sled -
We smile for all to see.
From our lofty place -
In canid history.
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Examples:
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