North Alaskan Malamutes are located in the North Island of New Zealand, where our dogs are very much a treasured part of the family. We actively show and work our dogs throughout the year, and take them on trips to the park, our local beaches or even the school fields next door during their "down time".
North Alaskan Malamutes were founded in 1975 by the late Yvonne Harris, when she imported her first Malamute "Buran" (Aust/NZ CH H.O.T's Buran) from the USA. About this time her daughter Desne had imported, and was successfuly beeding and showing Pyrenean Mtn Dogs (Great Pyrenees) alongside Yvonne and her Malamutes.
North Alaskan Malamutes and the name Yvonne Harris are synomonous with Malamutes in New Zealand. North Malamutes founded the first kennels in Australia, and influenced others - there have been 15 North Malamutes exported to Australia to date. Also a lot of other early kennels in New Zealand used "of the North" Malamutes as their foundation.
Desne eventually ventured into breeding Malamutes as well under the "Skees" prefix, but soon joined Yvonne in partnership under the "of the North" suffix. The prefix "North" was adopted in 1996 with the importation into New Zealand of "Brandy" (Windy City's Jewel of the North, WTD) from the USA, effectively having a new beginning for us.
After Yvonne's death in 2003, Desne's children Jolyon & Rhiannon "offically" joined North Malamutes, although being around the dogs and being involved in the kennels all their lives. Now the kennels has a new family member - Jolyon's fiancee Toni.
Desne is licensed to judge the Utility (U.S Working) group at Championship Show level and has judged the group in both Islands of NZ, as well as judging the Alaskan Malamute Club of Victoria's (Australia) specialty in 2009.
After 35 years in existence, North Alaskan Malamutes has enjoyed great success in the show ring, and more recently with Jolyon and Toni - the working aspect of the Alaskan Malamute.
We have bred or owned over 35 Champions, either in New Zealand or Australia. Amongst them have been Multi Group winners and placers, Australian Royal Group winners, Multi Allbreeds Best In Show winners, as well as Specialty and Multi Specialty Best In Show winners. We have also bred one of Australia's top producing dams of all-time.
Here's to the next 35 years!
