Alaskan Malamute breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About Alaskan Malamutes
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Alaskan Malamute breed
Alaskan malamutes as their name suggests, originate from Alaska, United States and were bred to pull the sledges of the Mahlemut peoples of the region they are from. They were often used in Arctic expeditions, due to their abilities to pull sledges and sustain cold temperatures. They are often confused with Huskies, but Malamutes are larger.
Weight, height & life expectancy
The males can reach up to 64cm in height, while the females tend to be up to 58cm. They can weigh between 34 and 39kg.
On average they live up to about 11 years old.
What is the temperament of an Alaskan Malamute like?
Malamutes are very loyal and friendly, and just love a good cuddle, but there can be times where they can be independent and want to go and do their own thing. But most of the time they want company, and can be prone to separation anxiety when left alone. Working with them as puppies to cope with being alone can be beneficial, see our canine behaviourist’s top tips for separation anxiety here.
Malamutes are best suited to older kids, as much as they can enjoy the company of smaller kids, they sometimes don’t know their own strength and can knock over little ones. If they are used to dogs and cats at a young age they can be social, but sometimes they do not like the company of other animals. Although they don’t often bark, Malamutes are very chatty dogs and do like a good bow wow wow!
Our Alaskan Malamute Community
“My name is Buzz. I am 4 years old and I love cuddles. I love to play fetch all day and show off a few tricks while I'm at it. Giving adults boops and a thorough face wash are my areas of expertise.”
Buzz, doggy member from London
“Keno is an older girl with the mindset of a young puppy. Once she knows you she will never leave you alone and always demand cuddles. She likes the outdoors and then cuddling up on the couch.”
Keno’s owner, Marta from Inverness
How much exercise does an Alaskan Malamute need?
Malamutes need a lot of exercise. As they were traditionally bred to pull sleds, they have a lot of energy to be used up. They need over two hours of exercise a day, and are not the breed for someone looking for a calm, lazy dog.
They can go off on their own adventures if something sparks their interest so are best kept on lead or in an enclosed area for a good run. Be very cautious in hot weather, as they have very dense coats, so make sure to keep exercise to a lower level in the heat.
Need an extra hand exercising your Malamute? Find a local borrower today.
Do Alaskan Malamutes need a lot of grooming?
Colours of Malamutes are most commonly wolf-grey, black with white or white. Malamutes have a double-coat, with a coarse, thick outer coat, and a woolly undercoat. Malamutes benefit from daily brushing, to remove shedded hairs. They can shed quite a lot, particularly in the summer months, so while they’re not the most difficult to groom, that can leave a lot of hair around the house which is not ideal for anyone with pet allergies!
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are Alaskan Malamutes easy to train?
Malamutes are super smart, and respond well to training, but need to have a confident handler. They will get easily bored, so need exercises to be changed up regularly, while still staying consistent with commands.
A lot of Malamutes love advanced training like agility, obedience or sled running. They can also get distracted due to their high prey drive, so when starting out training them make sure to do it in an area without exciting things that may draw their attention away from you.
Want to experience spending time with a Malamute to decide if this breed is right for you? Borrow a Malamute near you.
What do Alaskan Malamutes eat?
Malamutes should enjoy a good quality dog food twice daily. If they eat very fast they can benefit from a slow feeder. Always be sure not to exercise, play or take them in the car straight after eating.
As puppies, they should be given a high quality, large breed, puppy food until they are between 12 and 18 months. Each brand of food is different and should be able to advise you.
Malamutes that don’t pull sleds or work do not need working dog food. The extra calories in these foods, although helpful for Malamutes that are pulling a sledge up a hill, can just add weight to a pet with a more chilled lifestyle.
Are Alaskan Malamutes healthy?
Malamutes are a generally healthy breed, but like any breed are more likely than some other breeds to get certain conditions. These can include:
Behaviour
Separation anxiety - this is when dogs feel distressed and overwhelmed when left on their own
Bones and joints
Chondrodysplasia - this is when puppies are born with deformities and as they grow their limbs are abnormal lengths and shapes
Hip dysplasia - a condition where the thigh bone and pelvis do not sit together properly at the hip joint
Eyes
Cone degeneration - this inherited condition causes Malamute pups to be blind in bright light
Cataracts - this common condition leads to clouding of the lens of the eye, whi can lead to blindness
Gastrointestinal
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - this occurs when the stomach twists and gas and contents get trapped inside. It is a very serious condition and a vet should be contacted immediately
Hormonal
Hypothyroidism - a condition where your dog does not produce enough thyroid hormone
Nervous System
Polyneuropathy - a genetic condition of the dog’s nerves that often shows as a young dog who has difficulty standing and getting up stairs.
This list is by no means comprehensive, if you have any concerns about the health of your dog, or if you want to discuss further if a Siberian Husky is right for you, consult with your vet.
Vet top tip
Malamutes are lovely, big dogs but be ready for the amount of hair they shed, and make sure to train them to walk to heel, as they are built to pull sleds, so will easily pull you along!
BorrowMyDoggy loves Alaskan Malamutes
BorrowMyDoggy has over 900 Alaskan Malamute members
Alaskan Malamute names
The most popular name for a Malamute on BorrowMyDoggy is Luna.
Here's the top 10 most popular names:
1. Luna
2. Loki
3. Bear
4. Max
5. Shadow
6. Simba
7. Zeus
8. Storm
9. Bella
10. Mishka
Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive.If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
