All About Banshee Alaskan Malamutes

Carlene & Vanna

Welcome to Banshee Malamutes, located in Philadelphia, PA

I'm Carlene Way and I am a member in good standing with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Alaskan Malamute Club Of America (AMCA) since 1994. I am also a member in good standing with the Alaskan Malamute Association of Eastern Pennsylvania (AMAEP). Additionally, I am listed with the Alaskan Malamute Club of America as a registered breeder: AMCA Breeder Referral and Information Webpage (click the link at left to view our listing in the "Pennsylvania" section).

I show my own dogs in conformance competition, and also show for the owners of my puppies in A.K.C, U.K.C. and I.A.B.C.A. rings, but my dogs and I have been active in showing in the Conformation, plus pursuing Malamute-geared activities such as Obedience, Weight-Pull competition, and Canine Good Citizen certification. These are very versatile dogs!

The intention of Banshee Malamutes, as a breeder, trainer, and owner of these wonderful animals, is to work, love, exhibit, enjoy, and produce beautiful, even-tempered, healthy, and correct Malamutes which remain true to the AKC Breed Standard. I strive to produce examples which are sound of mind and body, who are capable of work, play, competition, and companionship! It's a lofty goal, but with my group of great mentors and knowledgeable friends who help and advise, along with my years of experience working with and studying these wonderful animals, I will always strive to achieve this end!

The Banshee Alaskan Malamute line is founded on our foundation bitch "Aspenmyst First 'N' Foremost", otherwise known as "Vanna". Vanna's lineage is very extensive (Citation: 50 Generation lineage - ~40 Meg), and has been traced all the way back to the origins of the first Alaskan Malamutes in the United States, end to "Rowdy of Nome", the first Alaskan Malamute registered by the American Kennel Club. The original Alaskan Malamutes brought to the lower 48 states by Arthur and Kate Waldon, and later passed on to Milton and Eva "Short" Seeley, were the foundation of almost all of the Alaskan Malamutes in existence today.

 
"The Malamute is too fine and distinguished a breed to be changed into anything but what centuries of adaptability to its environment has produced. Our efforts should be to breed not only beautiful Malamutes, but as good specimens physically as were originally found in Alaska. It isn't a question of breeding a better Malamute, but as good an Alaskan Malamute." - Natalie Norris, Charter Member of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America
 
WARNING: There is no such thing as a "Giant Malamute" and be VERY wary of any breeder and/or website claiming "giant", "rare", or "exotic" in their malamute advertisements. Anything quoted as giant, rare, or exotic is a sales gimmick and has nothing to do with the accepted description, or correct type, of an Alaskan Malamute.
 

The  Breed Standard for the Alaskan Malamute, which is defined by the Alaskan Malamute Club of America (AMCA) and is universally accepted by every legitimate purebred organization worldwide including the American Kennel Club (AKC), is very clear that their is a natural range of size, but specifically states that the preference toward Male and Female sizes (males 25" tall by 85 lbs, Females 23" tall by 75 lbs) is the  preferred "freighting size" for these dogs. Historically, animals much larger or smaller than the preferred freighting size would be insufficient to the task of heavy sledge hauling in and under sub-zero arctic conditions.  Any breeder who does not show their breeding animals in AKC Conformation events is likely not a reputable breeder.

The use of the words "giant", "rare" or "exotic" simply define a breeder who does not belong to the AMCA, the AKC, or any other legitimate or internationally recognized pure-breed club, and / or does not conform to the internationally accepted standards of breeding Alaskan Malamutes. Any breeder which does not test his/her bloodlines for breed specific diseases before breeding, should be avoided.