Everything You Need to Know About Alaskan Malamutes

The Alaskan Malamute is a breed that's steeped in history and tradition.

Originally bred by the Mahlemutes people to pull heavy loads and hunt, these dogs were built for endurance and strength. They're one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with some estimates suggesting they've been around for over 1,000 years.

Alaskan Malamutes are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes a thick coat that's usually gray or black in color, and a muscular build that's perfect for pulling heavy loads. They typically weigh between 70-95 pounds and stand between 23-26 inches tall at the shoulder.

Despite their rugged exterior, Alaskan Malamutes are also known for their friendly and outgoing personalities - they're often described as "wolf-like" in appearance but with a heart of gold.

Alaskan Malamutes are easily recognizable by their wolf-like appearance and signature face mask, except when they're entirely white.

Their powerful bodies have deep chests, broad shoulders, large heads, triangular ears, and large, furry tails. These physical traits make them well-suited for their original work as sled dogs.

Here are some key physical characteristics of Alaskan Malamutes:

The Alaskan Malamute is a breed that's hard to miss with its wolf-like appearance and signature face mask (except when the dog is entirely white). Their deep chests, broad shoulders, large heads, triangular ears, and large, furry tails make them look like powerful, muscular dogs.

Malamutes have medium-sized triangular ears with slightly round tips that point forward. These distinctive ears are one of their most recognizable features.

Their almond-shaped eyes give them a curious and friendly expression. Brown is the typical eye color for Malamutes, but I've seen some red-and-white ones with brown noses too.

An Alaskan Malamute puppy or dog typically has a black nose, except for red-and-white dogs, who have brown noses. This subtle difference can be an important identifier for breed enthusiasts.

Their double-coat is one of their most impressive features - the top coat is coarse and thick, while the undercoat is oily and wooly. Shorter on the sides and longer on the back and shoulders and legs, it's a unique combination that sets them apart.

Here are some common Alaskan Malamute coat colors:

The typical Alaskan Malamute has a furry tail that looks like a plume and curves around their back when they're not working.

The Alaskan Malamute is a sturdy breed with a robust build.

Males typically reach a height of 25 inches at the shoulder.

Females are generally around 23 inches tall.

A well-built adult can sometimes exceed 100 pounds.

To understand your dog's physical characteristics, let's start with their breed group.

If you're interested in discovering if your dog is an Alaskan Malamute, check out Wisdom Panel's DNA tests.

The breed group of a dog can give you clues about its size, coat type, and other physical traits.

The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate and friendly dog who loves people and makes great companions.

They thrive on being part of their human pack and eagerly join in all family activities, which means they're often too friendly to be effective guard dogs. Their loyalty to family and friends is unwavering, making them wonderful with children.

Malamutes can have a high prey-drive for small animals like squirrels, cats, or even small dogs, so it's essential to establish other pets as part of the family early on. They're also known for their distinctive "woo woo" howl and love to dig, which can be challenging for first-time owners.

Early socialization is crucial for Malamutes, exposing them to diverse people, environments, and experiences during their formative years. This helps develop their well-rounded social skills and makes them more confident around strangers.

While they're not overly prone to barking, they do have strong predatory instincts and might consider smaller animals as prey, so it's vital to supervise interactions between Malamutes and other pets. Meeting a dog before adoption is essential to ensure a temperament that aligns with your comfort.

Alaskan Malamutes are incredibly active and energetic dogs, bred for pulling heavy sleds in harsh Arctic conditions.

They require daily, vigorous exercise to stay happy and healthy, which can include long walks, hikes, dog sledding, or weight pulling. Their strong prey drive means they may wander if not kept in a securely fenced yard.

Regular grooming is crucial to maintain their coat health and minimize shedding, with brushing at least a few times a week recommended during heavy shedding seasons. They shed heavily, especially during seasonal changes, so be prepared for frequent vacuuming and grooming during these times.

A well-balanced diet is essential for Alaskan Malamutes, given their large size and substantial energy requirements. It's best to consult a veterinarian or professional nutritionist to ensure the right feeding plan and portion sizes, as their dietary needs evolve with age.

Feeding your Alaskan Malamute is a crucial aspect of their care. Crafting an appropriate diet for an Alaskan Malamute, given its large size and substantial energy requirements, is essential.

Consulting a veterinarian or professional nutritionist to ensure the right feeding plan and portion sizes is highly recommended. Their dietary needs evolve as they transition from puppyhood to adulthood and eventually reach their senior years.

To keep your Malamute's coat healthy, regular grooming is also crucial, which includes brushing them at least a few times a week, and more frequently during heavy shedding seasons.

Alaskan Malamute dogs can suffer from hereditary eye disorders.

Regular health check-ups and testing are essential to identify potential issues early on. Eye testing is particularly important for this breed, as it can help prevent vision problems.

Hip dysplasia is another common issue that affects Alaskan Malamutes, which can lead to mobility problems if left untreated. Hip scoring of dogs prior to breeding is crucial to minimize the risk of passing on this condition.

If you're considering bringing an Alaskan Malamute into your family, it's essential to understand that many of these dogs end up in need of rescue.

There are often Malamutes purchased without a clear understanding of what owning one entails, which can lead to them being abandoned or surrendered. This is where rescue groups come in – they provide a vital service for both the dogs and their potential new owners.

If you're not sure where to find a local rescue group, don't worry! You can contact the national breed club or a local breed club, and they'll be able to point you in the right direction.

Some notable Malamute rescue groups include:

Alaskan Malamutes have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and skin health issues.

Daily brushing with a slicker brush or undercoat rake can help keep the coat clean and distribute skin oils. Brush your Malamute one to three times per week, and more frequently during shedding season.

Brushing your Malamute's teeth two or three times per week is also essential to remove tartar buildup and prevent gum disease.

Here are some grooming tips:

Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are also important. Check your Malamute's ears weekly for redness or bad odor, which can indicate an infection.

Grooming is an essential part of owning a Malamute, and with their thick double coat, it can be a challenge to keep them looking and feeling their best.

The Alaskan Malamute breed has a thick undercoat that can be as deep as two inches, along with a thick, coarse guard coat on top, making them well protected against harsh weather. However, this also means they shed heavily twice a year, so it's crucial to brush them regularly to remove loose hair.

Daily brushing will help capture a lot of loose hair, but you can't be too houseproud if you live with a Malamute. Regular grooming is key to keeping their coat clean and distributing skin oils.

Here are some essential grooming tasks for your Malamute:

It's also important to check your Malamute's ears weekly for redness or bad odor, which can indicate an infection. And don't forget to brush their teeth two or three times per week to remove tartar buildup and prevent gum disease.

Remember, grooming is especially important for Alaskan Malamutes because their waterproof fur often becomes matted, which can impact skin health. Bathing them with conditioner will also keep their coat from becoming too dry.

By making grooming a positive experience through treats and praise, you'll be able to establish a routine that works for both you and your furry friend.

Knowing if your Alaskan Malamute is a carrier or at-risk for genetic health conditions can help you and your veterinarian plan for their lifelong care.

With over 200 genetic health tests available through Wisdom Panel Premium, you can get accurate results to inform your decisions about your pup's health.

Alaskan Malamutes are prone to certain genetic health conditions that can affect their quality of life.

Alaskan Malamutes are intelligent breeds that respond well to positive, reward-based training.

They can be stubborn and willful, so consistent and rigorous training is essential for raising a respectful, obedient dog. Because Malamutes are pack animals, they must understand their place in the family hierarchy.

Use toys and treats to capture this breed's attention, and remember that some behaviors, such as digging, are hardwired into Alaskan Malamutes and may be hard to eradicate – even with the best training. They get distracted easily and have a reputation for being stubborn.

You can work around their independent nature with clever ways to motivate your Alaskan Malamute dog, using plenty of tasty treats as rewards and quick, 5-minute sessions instead of long, repetitive drills. If you’re attending a dog training class, take breaks when your Malamute starts acting up.

Malamutes will do anything for food, but they’re easily distracted, so remember to keep those training sessions short. Training is a great way to keep your Malamute’s brain engaged – this breed loves to learn tricks, and well-trained ones can even excel as therapy dogs, thanks to their affectionate, people-loving natures.

Traditional dog walks are of little interest to a Malamute – they need to run and so training in sports like canicross can give them an appropriate outlet for their hard-wired behaviours.

If you're considering bringing an Alaskan Malamute into your family, here are some other important things to think about.

They require a lot of exercise, so if you don't have time for regular long walks and playtime, this might not be the best breed for you.

In addition to their physical needs, they also need mental stimulation and training. This can be achieved through obedience classes, agility training, or even just playing interactive games with them at home.

Their thick coats shed heavily twice a year, which means you'll need to brush them regularly during these times to prevent matting and tangling.

If you're not prepared for the extra work that comes with owning an Alaskan Malamute, it may be best to consider another breed.