NAMC would appreciate hearing from anyone that has further information on club awards. The below list represents what has been catalogued from club archives and does not necessarily represent the full history of the club.
The list of sashes, trophies, cups and plaques on this page represents the recognitions that club members and club event participants can achieve, both past and present. Click to expand each award for further details.
Combined Awards
The Kirrin Supreme Malamute Award
Donated by Hootalinqua Kennels, 1996
Awarded at the AGM to the best all-round performance by an Alaskan Malamute for endurance, strength and beauty. (To qualify the dog must enter all three events).
Endurance: The Riverhead Rave up freight race.
Strength: The Riverhead Rave up weightpull.
Beauty: The Hamilton Kennel Assn winter 2 day championship show.
Show Dog Awards
Club Champion Sash
Awarded to every dog/bitch who becomes a Champion on presentation of the Dogs New Zealand Certificate.
National Dog Show Sash
Awarded to the Best Alaskan Malamute of breed, each year at the National dog show.
Northern Classic Sash
Awarded to the Best Alaskan Malamute of Breed, at the biannual Dogs New Zealand Northern Classic Championship show.
The Northern Alaskan Malamute Club Cup
(Donated by Anne & Clive Coulson of Wolfsong Kennels, date unknown)
Best single show result for the year ended 31 January each year.
Harley Trophy
(Donated by Gael Bassett, 2010)
Most show points mal only dog.
- This Trophy is open for competition and there are no restrictions as to where the dog (male) was born. Both New Zealand bred and Imported dogs are eligible.
- All Owner/s must be Financial Members of the Northern Alaskan Malamute Club and The New Zealand Kennel Club at the time of the show to be eligible for points.
- The points for this Trophy will be accumulated through the financial year of The Northern Alaskan Malamute Club.
- The owner/s will supply the Trophy Steward/Show Points Secretary a copy of the Catalogue showing all entries, scratchings and placings within one calendar month of the show.
- If a Club holds to Championships Shows over one weekend then the points will only be valid from the first show.
- If a Club holds a second Championship Show later in the year there will be NO points accredited from that show.
- The NAMC Trophy Steward/Show Points Secretary will keep an accumulative points total and true & correct record of the points.
- Further details are available on how the points are awarded.
Tommy Trophy
(Donated by Gael Bassett, 2010)
In loving memory of NZ & Aust Grand Champion Zenfro Take The ‘A’ Train B.I.S & B.I.S.S.
Most show points mal only NZ bred dog/bitch
- The Dog/Bitch must have been bred in New Zealand through a Registered Kennel and be registered with the New Zealand Kennel Club.
- All Owner/s must be Financial Members of the Northern Alaskan Malamute Club and The New Zealand Kennel Club at the time of the show to be eligible for points.
- The points for this Trophy will accumulate through the financial year of The Northern Alaskan Malamute Club.
- The owner/s will supply the Trophy Steward/Show Points Secretary a copy of the Catalogue showing all entries, scratchings and placings within one calendar month of the show.
- If a Club holds to Championships Shows over one weekend then the points will only be valid from the first show.
- If a Club holds a second Championship Show later in the year there will be NO points accredited from that show.
- The NAMC Trophy Steward/Show Points Secretary will keep an accumulative points total and true & correct record of the points.
- Further details are available on how the points are awarded.
Goldberry Trophy
(Donated by Gael Bassett, 2010)
Most show points mal only bitch
- This Trophy is open for competition and there are no restrictions as to where the bitch (female) was born. Both New Zealand bred and Imported bitches are eligible.
- All Owner/s must be Financial Members of the Northern Alaskan Malamute Club and The New Zealand Kennel Club at the time of the show to be eligible for points.
- The points for this Trophy will be accumulated through the financial year of The Northern Alaskan Malamute Club.
- The owner/s will supply the Trophy Steward/Show Points Secretary a copy of the Catalogue showing all entries, scratchings and placings within one calendar month of the show.
- If a Club holds to Championships Shows over one weekend then the points will only be valid from the first show.
- If a Club holds a second Championship Show later in the year there will be NO points accredited from that show.
- The NAMC Trophy Steward/Show Points Secretary will keep an accumulative points total and true & correct record of the points.
- Further details are available on how the points are awarded.
Yvonne Harris Memorial Trophy
(Donated by North Kennels, Desne Harris, Rhiannon, Jolyon Harris & Toni Miller, date unknown)
Breeders Stakes @ Champ Show
Best in Show
(Donated by Anne & Clive Coulson of Wolfsong Kennels, 2002)
Best in show at the Alaskan Malamute Championship show each year. If more than one champ show is held in any year it is for B.I.S at the show closest to 1 Feb. Winner must be a financial member of the NAMC at the time of the show.
Reserve Best in Show
(Donated by Helen Greaves of Icewinds Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Bitch in Show
(Donated by Steve Armstrong of Wolfspirit Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Reserve Bitch
(Donated by Ktwo Kennels, 2006)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Dog
(Donated by Mark Ashurst of Huskyrose Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Reserve Dog
(Donated by Ktwo Kennels, 2006)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Brood Bitch in Show
(Donated by Peter & Josie Stables of Hootalinqua, 2009)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Stud Dog in Show
(Donated by Helen Greaves of Icewinds Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Open in Show
(Donated by Mark Ashurst of Huskyrose Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best NZ Bred in Show
(Donated by Julie & S Retter of Malpine Kennel, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Limit in Show
(Donated by Allen and Rachel Gatland of Wolfpack, 2011)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Intermediate of Show
(Donated by Hugh & Catherine Wakelin of Grizzleybay Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Junior in Show
(Donated by Steve Armstrong of Wolfspirit Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Puppy in Show
(Donated by Sonja Brown, Amaruit, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Baby Puppy in Show
(Donated by Dave Fraser & Lisa Johnson, Caan & Mishka, 1997)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Best Veteran in Show
(Donated by North Kennels, Desne Harris, Rhiannon, Jolyon Harris & Toni Miller, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Championship Show
Longnite Junior Handler
(Donated by Gary & Yvonne Stenersen of Longnite, 2003)
Allocated same as NZKC Junior Handler rules. When awarded the corresponding ribbon will be paid for by donor.
Best in Show (Open)
(Donated by Helen Greaves & David Thomas of Icewinds Kennels, date unknown)
Awarded at NAMC Open Show
Working Awards
Star Shield (Fastest mal freight team)
(Donated by Paul Stables, 1994)
The fastest average speed for an all Alaskan Malamute freight team at a recognised race over 8km during the year 1 February – 31 January.
Huskyrose Kennels Bike Shield (Fastest bike)
(Donated by Mark & Barbara Ashurst of Huskyrose Kennels, 1994)
Fastest average bike time recorded at a sanctioned event for the year ending 31 January each year with a minimum distance of 4km
Idun Trophy (3 dog freight)
(Donated by Peter & Josie Stables, date unknown)
In Memory of CH Idun of Hootalinqua WLD SDX Lead Dog NZ’s first 3 dog freight team
Maelstrom Trophy (2 dog freight)
(Donation unknown)
Two Dog Freight Class
1st Malamute Single Dog Freight
(Donation unknown)
1st Malamute Single Dog
(Donation unknown)
Malmiut Shield (Most improved musher)
(Donated by Nat Stewart, 1994)
Awarded to the musher with the greatest percentage increase in speed from the first race entered in the season to the last race entered in the season. The number of dogs in a team must remain constant although the individual dogs may change from race to race. The number of dogs must exceed one.
Sportsperson Award
(Donated by Annette Hutchby, Dave Fraser & Lisa Johnson, 2020)
Awarded to the person that shows the best sportsmanship during the event, awarded by the race committee. Original award donated by Annette Hutchby went missing in 2022. Lisa Johnson and Dave Fraser donated the North to Alaska Belt Buckle embeded in swamp kauri as a replacement award in 2023.
Race Marshalls Choice Trophy
(Donated by Yuki Whangapirita & Annette Hutchby, 2021)
Awarded to a musher the Race Marshall believes deserves special recognition.
Icewinds Weightpull Award (Highest weight pulled)
(Donated by Helen Greaves & David Thomas of Icewinds Alaskan Malamute Kennels, 2009)
Highest weight pulled, awarded annually
M’Loot Shield (Heaviest weight pulled by mal)
(Donated by Paul Stables, 1994)
Heaviest weight pulled by an Alaskan Malamute at a recognised weightpull competition, (pulls on hard surfaces such as bitumen or concrete do not qualify)
Sila Memorial Trophy (Highest weight pulled by 7+yr mal)
(Donated by Kevin Butler, 1998)
Highest weight pulled by an NAMC Alaskan Malamute at a recognised competition. The dog/bitch must be 7 years or older, or, turn 7 years old during that working season. If two or more dogs pull the same weight then the award is to the dog/bitch which pulled the fastest time.
Best Overall Pull (Highest weight pulled)
(Donated by Annette and Justin Hutchby, 2023)
Highest weight pulled at a NZFSS sanctioned NAMC club event. If two or more dogs pull the same weight then the award is to the one that pulled the fastest.
North Kennels (Best body to weight ratio)
(Donated By Desne Harris, Toni Miller, Jolyon Harris, 2009)
Best body to weight ratio, awarded annually.
Kotzebue Shield (Best body to weight ratio mal)
(Donated by Paul Stables, 1994)
Best Body to Weight ratio by an Alaskan Malamute at a recognised weightpull competition, (pulls on hard surfaces such as bitumen or concrete do not qualify)
Hutchby Award (Best body to weight ratio)
(Donated by Annette and Justin Hutchby in 2022)
Highest ‘Overall Body to Weight Ratio’ by any breed at the premier NAMC NZFSS sanctioned weight pull event each year.
Weight Pull Class A
(Donated 2023)
Highest weight pulled in weight Class A at a NZFSS sanctioned NAMC club event. If two or more dogs pull the same weight then the award is to the one that pulled the fastest.
Weight Pull Class B
(Donated 2023)
Highest weight pulled in weight Class B at a NZFSS sanctioned NAMC club event. If two or more dogs pull the same weight then the award is to the one that pulled the fastest.
Weight Pull Class C
(Donated 2023)
Highest weight pulled in weight Class C at a NZFSS sanctioned NAMC club event. If two or more dogs pull the same weight then the award is to the one that pulled the fastest.
Weight Pull Class D
(Donated 2023)
Highest weight pulled in weight Class D at a NZFSS sanctioned NAMC club event. If two or more dogs pull the same weight then the award is to the one that pulled the fastest.
Club Working Dog Titles
A list of titles that can be earned by members of NAMC.
Working Team Dog
Vehicle may be snow sled or wheeled rig. Team does not have to be all Malamute. Dog does not have to run on the same team each time. Certification may be achieved by the following method.
METHOD 1 – RACING
Dog must qualify in three different races. The minimum number of teams competing in each race is three. Races must be under NZFSS or IFSS rules or the rules must be approved by the Working Sub-Committee. Dog must complete the course of each race considered. Each heat may count as a race so long as it meets the below requirements.
The team must complete the race at a speed of 15 kph for sprint races and 12 kph for freight races or cross country races.
Sprint races will be those up to a distance of 12km. Cross country races will be those of a greater distance than 12km.
Freight races will be a minimum of 8 km.
The minimum required distance for each race will be 5km, or 2km for each dog on the team, whichever is the greater.
All documentation must be certified by a race official of each event.
Subject to the above requirements, to qualify a dog must:
- Accumulate a minimum of 40 kilometres over at least three races.
- Or, complete a race of 40 kilometres or longer.
METHOD 2 – EXCURSION
Dog must accumulate a minimum of 64 sledding excursion kilometres. Dog must pull the sled vehicle a minimum of 16 kilometres per excursion. An impartial witness must sign the form to be sent to a Working Dog Sub-Committee verifying distances and dog competing.
METHOD 3 – COMBINATION RACING AND EXCURSION
One of two 16 kilometre or longer races may count towards the total of 64 excursion kilometres.
Working Lead Dog
- Dog must run single lead on a team consisting of 3 dogs minimum.
- Dog does not have to lead the same team on each race.
- The Working Lead Dog requirements are the same as those for Working Team Dogs.
Working Weight Pull Dog
- A dog must qualify in 4 separate events.
- Dogs must be weighed before each event.
- On a natural surface such as snow, dirt or grass, the weight pulled must equal or exceed 8 times the dog’s body weight.
- On an artificial surface such as concrete, tarmac or carpet, the weight pulled must equal or exceed 12 times the dog’s body weight.
- To qualify, the event must be held under NZFSS rules.
Working Pack Dog
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 and water.
Packing trips must be done on natural terrain such as hiking trails or cross country.
Qualification may be obtained by either:
OPTION 1:
Dog must pack a minimum of 48kms. A minimum of one trip must include an overnight campout. Each trip must be a minimum of 16kms, or with an overnight campout a minimum of 8kms in and 8kms out.
OPTION 2:
Dog must pack a minimum of 64kms. Each trip must be a minimum of 16kms per day.
Elevation gain may be substituted for distance in the following manner, 300 metres of elevation is equivalent to 1.5 kilometres of flat terrain. Elevation gain will be figured as the difference between the highest and lowest points of the trip.
Packing requirements shall be spread out over a minimum of 2 trips.
An impartial witness must sign the form to be sent to the Working Sub-Committee verifying proof of distances, weight of pack, and dog competing. On non club organised trips, the impartial witness can be a person who is also going for certification, provided the person is first authorised by the Working Sub-Committee. When planning a solo packing trip contact the Working Sub-Committee for ways of verifying proof of your trip.
Working Sprint Dog
Vehicle will be a conventional push bike.
The chain must be removed or disabled in such a manner as to prevent any drive to the bike’s wheels.
To be considered each race must be an open single dog ‘bike’ race as being currently run by various clubs in New Zealand.
Certification can be achieved by the following method.
RACING
The dog must qualify in four different races.
Dog must complete the course of each race considered. The minimum number of dogs competing in each race is five.
- The dog must complete the race in an acceptable speed as determined by the Working Dog Sub-Committee. Under normal conditions this shall be 4.0 minutes for each one kilometre (e.g. a four kilometre race would need to be completed in 16 minutes). Under conditions of extreme weather or terrain, the Working Dog Sub-Committee may accept a higher time per kilometre.
- Or, the dog must complete the race in the top third of the competition.
The minimum required distance for each sprint race will be 2.5 kilometres and the maximum distance will be eight kilometres.
All documentation must be certified by a Race Official of each event.
Subject to the above requirements, to qualify a dog must accumulate a minimum of 20 kilometres over at least four races.