Working Dog Intermediate Certification Requirements

Please visit HERE for these applications.

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1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of the Working Dog Intermediate (WDI) program shall be 1) To recognize those dogs whose working capabilities are progressing beyond the novice working dog. These accomplishments should reflect increasing endurance, good attitude, and training and conditioning beyond that of the novice working dog. 2) To develop the preparation, conditioning and experience necessary for work toward the advanced level working dog.
1.2 The certification committee has the right to reject any application that does not reflect the spirit of the program.
1.3 To provide Certificates for those Alaskan Malamutes proven in these pursuits.
1.4 To thus encourage the breeding of a better Alaskan Malamute.
 

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2. ADMINISTRATION
2.1 The Working Dog Intermediate (WDI) program shall be a continuation of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America’s Working Dog Certification rules, and unless otherwise stated, those rules and definitions apply.
2.2 The WDI Committee shall be made up of three AMCA members from different geographical regions. Recommendation for the chairperson of the WDI committee will be made to the Board of Directors by the Chairperson(s) of the Working Dog Committees. The WDI chairperson shall then appoint two committee members of his or her choice from different geographical areas with approval of the WDC chair(s). It is required that all committee members shall have worked a dog to at least the WDI level and that the committee represents all aspects of the program.

2.2.1 The WDI Committee will be administered by the A/X title committee and
chair.

2.3 Rule Changes & Introductory Period: During the initial 24 months from the institution date, this program will be under regular review. Any needed additions, clarifications, changes or modifications during this time will be considered by the WDI committee and implemented upon recommendation of the majority of the WDI committee and WDC chairs. All amendments will be published. Feedback from users of the program is invited. Upon expiration of the review period: The WDI rules may be modified, amended, corrected, changed, or discontinued upon recommendation of a majority of the WDI committee and upon approval of the Board.

3. ELIGIBILITY
3.1. The Alaskan Malamute shall be registered or registrable with a recognized kennel club (AKC, CKC, etc.). PAL registration numbers are permitted.
3.2 Alaskan Malamutes meeting registration requirements and having fulfilled all legs of certification after June 1, 2024 are eligible for Working Dog Intermediate Certification. All necessary paperwork must be completed and submitted for review to the Working Dog Intermediate Committee.
3.3 Any Alaskan Malamute holding a basic title in the field for which is being applied.

4. Fields of certification

Dogs may earn certification in the following fields:

4.1 Working Weight Pull Dog Intermediate (WWPDI)
4.2 Working Pack Dog Intermediate (WPDI)
4.3 Working Team Dog Intermediate (WTDI)
4.4 Working Lead Dog Intermediate (WLDI)

 

Certificate requirements

5. General rules
5.1. Competitive Events must be open events. Open events are those that are not restricted to certain breeds or clubs and are sufficiently advertised so that the public has the opportunity to participate. Exceptions to this will be events sponsored in conjunction with an AMCA or AKC event and therefore limited to a given breed(s) or dog(s).
5.2 Witnesses

5.2.1 Witnesses for competitive events of club-organized excursions shall be an event official or organizer.
5.2.2 Witnesses for non-competitive sledding and pack excursions shall be impartial, which excludes family members, residents of the applicant’s household, the dog's breeder, any vested parties, etc.

5.3 Documentation – It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to supply the WDI committee with all necessary documentation. Documentation for packing and sledding trips may be difficult to obtain in some situations, but the applicant must provide sufficient evidence that the trip has taken place as stated.

5.3.1 Maps such as USGS topographic maps or Forest Service maps with the route designated on it must be included with the application. If applying for an elevation credit, an elevation map clearly showing minimum and maximum altitude must accompany the application (this may be taken from the applicant’s GPS).
5.3.2 Other documentation must include the signature(s) of an impartial witness(es) encountered on the trail and a statement verifying that the applicant was at the stated location on a given date. A GPS printout may be submitted as documentation if an impartial witness is not available.
5.3.3 Verifiable photographs of the applicants’ team or pack dog at a specified location (for example, at a trail sign) and a narrative about the trip must be included.

5.4 Sportsmanship – Common courtesy and good sportsmanship shall prevail during all events and trips. Any applicant who is abusive to his dogs or other people shall not be eligible for a WDI award for his/her dogs and may be suspended from the WD

program. Dogs must present a good example of the breed, being manageable non- aggressive workers and not posing a threat to other dogs or people.

5.5 Application – Mileage/pulls used toward one title may not be applied toward another. All applications must be accompanied by the appropriate leg/title tracking form.
5.6 Lapping – Is not allowed, except in cases where re-treading a trail is necessary to access other trails or areas, or for some other reasonable and documentable purpose. Out and back trips/trails are acceptable.
5.7 Addendum – 

5.7.1 Assistance—Anyone planning a trip or race they are not sure will qualify under the WDI rules should query the committee at least four weeks prior to the event. Communication with the committee in advance of a leg/title does not constitute pre-approval nor a guarantee the committee will approve the application.

5.7.1.1 The WD committees do not pre-approve trips or applications. The requisite committees may advise and assist applicants, but each trip will be judged on its actual execution after the fact.

5.7.2 Appeal— Applicants will be given every opportunity during the review process to provide any additional information or documentation the committee may need for an application. Anyone wishing to appeal the outcome of an application may do so to the title committee chair by contacting the chair within 5 days of the sent date of electronic notification of an unaccepted application. Applicants must include any additional documentation to support their application at this time. The title chair will notify the Working Dog Committee chair(s) of the appeal. The title chair may elect to resubmit the application to the committee for review with any additional information the applicant has provided. Upon decision by the title chair or title committee, the title application will be considered closed and ineligible for resubmission.

5.7.3 Excursion Allowance – Any terrain or area that doesn’t meet the description of an acceptable trail can be crossed or accessed; however, this terrain or area cannot exceed 2% of the total mileage required, nor can be applied toward the required mileage needed and must be documented.

6. working weight pull dog intermediate
6.1. All dogs pulling must have attained one full year of age.
6.2 All dogs must be weighed at each event. All dogs must be pulling in the weight class appropriate for the individual dog. All weights are rounded down to the nearest whole number. They may not move down or up a weight class. In the case of a multiple day event, dogs need not be re-weighed each day unless they are within two pounds of the class limit.
6.3 Dogs must qualify in 5 competitions by:

6.3.1 Pulling 12 times his body weight on snow with a sled
6.3.2 Pulling 14 times his body weight with a wheeled cart on any other natural surface.
6.3.3 Pulling 17 times his body weight on a man made surface.

6.4 AMCA, IWPA, ISDRA or other previously approved rules shall be used.

6.4.1 Which set of rules were used must be noted in the application.

7. Working pack dog intermediate
7.1.  All dogs must have attained one full year of age.
7.2 The dog’s weight and the weight of his pack must be verified by an impartial witness or trip official prior to the start of the trip. The dog shall carry an initial load of at least 30% of his body weight. The weight carried shall not decrease except by normal consumption of items such as food or water. At no time should the pack weight be less than 10% of the dog’s weight. Pack items shall be documented.

7.2.1 Applicants must include evidence of starting and ending pack weight, including starting weights for day trips from a base camp, be it via a photo of the pack weighed with a hand scale or a log of what was in the pack.
7.2.2 Day trips from a base camp must adhere to the 30% starting weight requirements unless the applicant does not wish to include those miles in the trip total.
7.2.3 The 30% starting pack weight requirement does not apply to the last day when camp is broken and there is a return to the trail head. At no time should the pack weight be less than 10% of the dog’s weight.

7.3 Photographic evidence (along with all other required documentation) and the signature of an impartial witness on the form must be sent to the Committee verifying proof of distances and dog competing or a GPS printout with sufficient photographic evidence. Application must include requisite tracking form.
7.4 Pack trips must be on natural terrain such as hiking trails or cross-country. Overnight campouts are required.

7.4.1 Wilderness camping using a rustic or primitive camp is required (see glossary). Campouts may be conducted in a tent; open air; rustic cabin, warming hut, lean-to and the like in accordance with wilderness and rustic or primitive camping guidelines. If in doubt, inquire of the committee.

7.5 A total of 60 miles shall be completed in a minimum of 2 separate trips.

7.5.1 A minimum of two different areas/trails must be used.
7.5.2 Overnight trip mileage must be accumulated on consecutive days.
7.5.3 No re-supply may happen along the trail or at any overnight location, aside from water or hunting/fishing.
7.5.4 Option 1: Two (2) overnight campouts required

7.5.4.1 One (1) overnight trip shall be a minimum of 10 miles with 5 miles minimum per day, accomplished as 5 miles minimum into a campsite and 5 miles minimum out.
7.5.4.2 The other overnight trip shall be a minimum of 15 miles with no less than 7.5 miles minimum per day.
7.5.4.3 20 miles of 10-mile day trips may be applied toward the required mileage.
7.5.4.4 The remainder of the mileage must be accomplished using one of the options above: 7.5.4.1 and 7.5.4.2.

7.5.5 Option 2: One (1) overnight campout required. 

7.5.5.1 One overnight trip shall be a minimum of 15 miles with 7.5 miles minimum per day, accomplished as 7.5 miles

minimum into a campsite and 7.5 miles minimum out.
7.5.5.2 One trip of 15 miles is required. 

7.5.5.2.1 This trip may include an overnight campout. No less than 5 miles minimum per day, with a maximum of two days allotted per 15 miles.

7.5.5.3 20 miles of 10-mile day trips may be applied toward the required mileage.
7.5.5.4 The remainder of the mileage must be accomplished using one of the options above: 7.5.5.1 and 7.5.5.2.

7.6 Each 1,000 feet of elevation gain may be substituted for a mile of the total mileage requirement. Elevation gain will be figured as the difference between the highest and lowest points of the trip each day.

8. Working team dog intermediate
8.1. Race rules shall be ISDRA, other nationally recognized rules, or rules previously approved or agreed upon by the WD title committees.

8.2 Dogs may run on any size team and need not run on the same team for each event. The team does not need to be an all-malamute team.
8.3 Sledding may be Alaskan style (sled), Nordic style (single file team pulling a pulk), or dryland. The vehicle may be a snow sled, pulk, 3-or 4-wheeled vehicle (see glossary or definition), or an ATV without motor assistance. Pedal vehicles and skijor are
prohibited.
8.4 All trips must be on natural terrain, such as dirt or snow.
8.5 A total of 70 miles shall be completed in a minimum of two separate trips.

8.5.1 No re-supply may happen along the trail or at any overnight location, aside from water or hunting/fishing.
8.5.2 Method 1 – Racing: Required distances will be determined by the class in which the dog is running. Required distances will be 1 mile for each dog on the team with a minimum of 3 miles required. The freight class shall be a minimum of 5 miles with a minimum of 50 pounds per dog added to the weight of the sled.

8.5.2.1 The dog must complete the course in all races considered.
8.5.2.2 The dog must complete all races in an acceptable amount of time as determined by the Committee.

8.5.2.2.1 Under normal conditions this will be at least 6 MPH. Under conditions of extreme weather or terrain, the Committee may accept a slower average time.
8.5.2.2.2 Or the dog/team must finish in the top half of the competition. The Committee may accept a lower finish under conditions of extreme weather, terrain, or competition.

8.5.2.3 All events must be certified by a race official or impartial witness with published race results.

8.5.3 Method 2 – Day Excursions: trips shall be a minimum of 15 miles per day. The team must travel as a self-sufficient unit, hauling supplies necessary for the trip.
8.5.4 Method 3 – Camping Excursions: excursions shall be a minimum of 10 miles per day, with a total minimum of 20 miles per trip. The team must travel as a self-sufficient unit, hauling supplies necessary for an overnight trip.

8.5.4.1 Mileage per trip must be accumulated on consecutive days.
8.5.4.2 Wilderness camping using a rustic or primitive camp is required. (See glossary) Campouts may be conducted in a tent; open air; rustic cabin, warming hut, lean-to and the like in accordance with wilderness and rustic or primitive camping guidelines. If in doubt, inquire of the committee.

8.5.5 Method 4 – A combination of Methods 1, 2, and 3.

8.6 Small Team Allowance: Teams consisting of four (4) or fewer dogs may substitute each 1,000 feet of elevation gain for a mile of the total mileage requirement. Elevation gain will be figured as the difference between the highest and lowest
points of the trip each day.

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9.working lead dog intermediate
9.1. THE DOG MUST RUN SINGLE LEAD on a team consisting of 3 dogs minimum.
9.2 Lead Dog Intermediate requirements are identical to those for the Working Team Dog Intermediate with the dog running lead for 75% those requirements.
9.3 The dog does not have to lead the same team each time to qualify.
9.4 The dog must run on the LEADING team, if several teams are traveling together.​

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Effective Date: March 26, 2025