The Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK

Introduction

If competitive sports aren't your style but you still want an active lifestyle for your Malamute, why not try backpacking? It's the sort of "go anywhere" sport that everyone can take part in. Whether your Malamute carries a pack during its regular walks or during longer planned walks or camping trips, it's a great way to keep your dog fit, active and healthy. Of course the added benefit is that they can carry their own supplies!

Getting Started

It's important when starting backpacking to get the dog used to the bulk of carrying a pack. Suddenly your Malamute can't fit through the gap in the fence or walk right past a tree. I would suggest that for the first few walks or for young dogs, load your backpack with empty carrier bags or rolled up towels. This will give the pack the bulk without the weight and get the dog used to giving itself a bit more room when avoiding obstacles and will give you time to make adjustments to the fitting so that it doesn't rub or slip.

There is no timescale, so take your time in adding weight, especially in young dogs. As a guide, 1 litre of water weighs 1kg, so by adding a 1 litre bottle either side, your Malamute is carrying 2kg or just under 4 1/2 lbs of weight. Build the weight up slowly to avoid injury and increase the stamina in your Mal.

Take into account distance too. Start with short distances and slowly build up the length of the walks as your Mal gets used to carrying the weight.

Equipment

Backpacks can be bought from various sources and a quick scan of the web can bring up a vast array of sizes and colours, even some of the larger high street pet shop chains now have them in store.

Think about what your Malamute will be carrying and for how long. Consider the weight you will be asking your dog to carry. For short recreational walks just carrying a travel bowl and some water and snacks a smaller pannier is adequate and the high street store backpacks would do fine. If you are camping and/or attempting a working pack dog title, consider a larger pannier as your dog will be carrying up to 30% of their body weight.

Most backpacks are fully adjustable and it is important that you fit the backpack correctly to avoid rubbing before setting off. You should also make sure the load is evenly distributed to avoid injury to the dog. If you are carrying water, try to make sure that you use some from each side to make sure it remains evenly weighted throughout your walk and get into the habit of checking and redistributing weight at each stop if necessary. You can purchase backpacks from the sources below:

AMCUK Merchandise

The Snowpaw Store

Working Pack Dog titles

Once your Malamute is comfortable with carrying their pack and you have built up the weight and distances, you can look at gaining a working title for your Malamute through the Alaskan Malamute Club of America (AMCA). For this, your Mal has to be capable of carrying 30% of its body weight for on average 10 miles a day. Each day the pack must be replenished to weigh that 30% and only use of food or water etc during the day is acceptable. The full requirements are as follows:

Working Pack Dog (WPD)

Dog must carry a daily initial weight equal to a minimum of 30% of the dog's weight. This weight shall not decrease except by normal consumption of items such as food or water.
Pack trips must be on natural terrain such as hiking trails or cross country.
OPTION 1: Dog must pack a minimum of 30 miles. Each trip must be a minimum of 10 miles per day or an overnight camp out with a 5 miles in and 5 miles out. A minimum of one trip include an overnight camp out.
OPTION 2: Dog must pack a minimum of 40 miles. Each trip must be a minimum of 10 miles per day.
Elevation gain may be substituted for mileage in the following manner: 1,000 feet of elevation is equivalent to 1 mile of flat terrain. Elevation gain will be figured as the difference between the highest and lowest points of the trip.
Packing requirements shall be spred out over a minimum of 2 trips.
An impartial witness must sign the form to be sent to the Committee verifying proof of distances and dog competing.

Working Pack Dog Advanced (WPDA)

1. The dog's weight and the weight of his pack must be verified by an impartial witness or trip official prior to the start of the trip. The dog shall carry an initial load of at least 30% of his body weight. The weight carried shall not decrease except by normal consumption of items such as food or water.
2. Pack trips must be on natural terrain such as hiking trails or cross-country. Campouts will be necessary due to the distance requirements.
3. A total of 80 miles shall be completed in 1 to 4 trips.
4. Each trip shall be a minimum of 20 miles with an average of 10 miles per day on travelling days under normal conditions such as maintained trails and normal weather conditions. Day trips from the base camp must adhere to the weight requirements unless the applicant does not wish to include those miles in the trip total.
5. Because some trips will take place in mountainous terrain, each 1,000 feet of elevation gain may be substituted for a mile of the total mileage requirement.
6. An impartial witness must sign the form to be sent to the Committee verifying proof of distances and dog competing.

Working Pack Dog Excellent (WPDX)

1. The dog's weight and the weight of his pack must be verified by an impartial witness or trip official prior to the start of the trip. The dog shall carry an initial load of at least 30% of his body weight. The weight carried shall not decrease except by normal consumption of items such as food or water.
2. Pack trips shall be backcountry trips with the dogs carrying equipment necessary for the trip. Backcountry is a remote area, inaccessible and unsuited to vehicular traffic at the time of the trip, where support and aid is not generally available. Campouts will be necessary due to the distance requirements. Campouts will take place in the backcountry, not at trailheads, roadside campgrounds and the like. Suitable locations for pack trips are National Forests, Parts, hiking and undeveloped natural terrain.
3. A total of 120 miles shall be completed in 1 to 3 trips.
4. Each trip shall be a minimum of 40 miles with an average of 10 miles per day on travelling days under normal conditions such as maintained trails and normal weather conditions. Day trips from the base camp must adhere to the weight requirements unless the applicant does not wish to include those miles in the trip total.
5. Because some trips will take place in mountainous terrain, each 1,000 feet of elevation gain may be substituted for a mile of the total mileage requirement.

For further details and application forms, refer to the AMCA website