I feel that color is not the number on factor in getting a Malamute. Health, and temperament are the most important I feel. Here are definitions on the colors and markings . You can also visit this website http://www.alaskanmalamuteinfo.com/color.htm to see examples.
COAT COLORS
Sable and White Black or gray guard hairs with reddishundercoat and trimmings. Some may seem to have "dirty faces" as their white markings may not be truly white but instead have a red cast. Somesables are quite dark, others are much lighter.
Red and White The reds can be various shades of reds From light red to dark mahogany. There is no balck evident and the nose, lips and eye rims will be brwon or liver in color. The eyes are often lighter brown.
Gray and White Gray dogs can be a variety of shades from light to quite dark (thus, the confusion with the Alaskan Seal and White). The guard hairs on the gray Malamute are gray with a light gray, cream or white undercoat. There may be all black hairs, sometimes only on the back, other times throughout the body. From a distance the gray will still appear gray. Sometimes this is called wofl gray or white.
Silver and White These dogs have a light gray guard coat with a white undercoat. They may even look white at birth
Black and White The black and white Malamute has black guard hairs with a black or dark gray undercoat. There is a definite contrast between the light and dark areas of the body. Many puppies appear to be black and white at birth only to lighten up and become Alaskan Seal and white. Black and white dogs tend to have darker eyes.
Alaskan Seal and White Seal have black guard hairs, but their undercoats are cream or white. They appear to be "black and white" from a distance, but upon closer examination they have the lighter undercoat.
There are cases known of broken colors which in the event, the white color extends over the body in spots or uneven splashes. This is undesirable in the show ring, but these beautiful Mals make great pets.
FACE MARKINGS
Malamutes have a large variety of face markings making each dog unique.
The cap The cap is the color covering the top of the head and ears. Usually coming to a point in the center of the for-head
Goggles Dark areas around the eyes, extending sideways to the cap.
Eyeshadow Dark areas below, between or next to the eyes. It may or may not be dark and tends to fade with age. A young pup with heavy eye-shadowing may only have faded markings at a future time. It does not extend into the cap .
Bar A dark area extending from the point of the cap down the nose. It can be dark or faded and barely visible
Star A white for-head marking within the area of the cap on the for-head
Blaze A white mark extending from the center point of the cap back up the forehead. Width and length can vary.
Full Mask The combination of cap,goggles and a bar. Also called having a bar and goggles
Closed Face Dark coloring over much of the face so that there is no distinct markings of a cap, bar of goggles
Open Face The face is all white except for the cap with very little or no eye-shadowing
CHEST AND COLLAR MARKINGS
Necklace A curving band of dark color across the chest. They can be narrow or very wide and may change slightly when the dog blows coat and is in regrows
Eagle Two bands of dark color coming partially across the chest but not meeting in the middle
Wither spot A small white area, symmetrical at the nape of the neck
Full Collar A white band of color that encircles the neck
JUST SOME MORE DESCRIPTION ON COLOR AND MARKINGS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND
COAT COLORS
* Black and White- Black guard hairs with black or dark grey undercoat.
*Alaskan Seal and White Seal- Black or black tipped guard hairs with white or cream undercoat. Dog appears black at a distance but is not a true black because of the light undercoat.
*Sable and White- Black or gray guard hairs with a reddish undercoat and red trimmings. Both black and red factors evident.
*Gray and White- Gray guard hairs with light gray, cream, or white undercoat. Dog definitely appears gray even though there may be some black hairs on the topline. No red factor evident.
*Silver and White- Light gray guard hairs with white undercoat
*Red and White- A definite shade of red, either light or dark; with light points (lip lines and nose), and eye color. No black factor evident.
*All White- Both guard hairs and undercoat are white. Often evidence of a mask in cream color Only solid color allowed.
*Trimmings- Shadings of gold, cream, buff, brown or reddish hues often found on legs, ears, tail, and face between white areas of the under-body and the dark color above.
FACE MARKINGS
*Cap- A cap of color covers the top of the head and ears usually coming to a point in the center of the forehead
*Goggles- Dark areas under the eyes and extending sideways to the cap
*Bar- A dark area extending from the center point of the cap down the nose
*Eye Shadow- Dark markings under the eyes but not extending out to the cap
*Star- A small white spot in the center fo the forehead
Blaze- A white mark extending from the center point of hte cap back up the forehead. Width and length can vary.
* Closed Face- Dark coloring covering the face with no distinct markings on the face.
* Open Face- A cap covering the top of the head and no other markings on the face.
* Full Mask- The combination of cap, googles and bar.
*Mask- The combination of the cap and googles
CHEST MARKINGS
* Necklace-A curving band of dark color across the chest
* Eagle-Two bands of dark color protruding partially across the chest forming a pattern resembling the eagle pattern.
NECK AREA
*Collar-A white band of color encircling the neck
*Withers spot- A white mark varying in size but centered on the withers or at the base of the neck
MISMARKINGS
*Mismarkings- Undesirable, uneven splashings.
C O L O R S - N - M A R K I N G S