Purebred Alaskan Malamutes will not have blue eyes. For example, malamutes and huskies are physically and behaviorally similar to wolves. Huskies and malamutes have very similar body size and skull shape. Additionally, the University has also hosted a long line of Alaskan Malamutes as mascots. Malamutes are usually quiet dogs, seldom barking. Malamutes were the favored breed, with teams averaging eight to ten dogs. Malamutes are large, strong freight-type dogs. Malamutes were the dog of choice for hauling and messenger work in World War II. Another health issue with Malamutes is zinc deficiency.