Alaskan Malamute Dog: A Complete Breed Guide

Among the big puppers that melt my heart into a puddle every single time is the Alaskan Malamute dog. Their thick furs, curled-up tails, and curious faces that instantly break into a smile, coupled with a sturdy build, make them one of the most gorgeous dog breeds I have come across. But their beauty isn’t merely skin-deep. 

Having spent thousands of years working alongside humans in some of the harshest conditions possible, they’re the quintessential selfless canine companions we seek. Their affectionate and playful personalities add to their charm. One look at them is enough to send anyone looking for an Alaskan Malamute dog for sale or adoption. 

However, before you take that leap, it’s important to assess whether they’d be a right fit for you. After all, these are large dogs with a strong will and an independent mind, and if not handled the right way from puppyhood, they can prove to be quite a handful. Besides, weather conditions are a huge determining factor in this breed’s suitability as a pet, given that they were bred for the freezing, snowy landscapes of Alaska. 

In this breed guide, I cover everything from the origin of Alaskan Malamute to their temperament, lifespan, training, grooming, and nutritional needs to help you make an informed choice. 

Origin of Alaskan Malamute

The origin of Alaskan Malamute can be traced to the Malemiut people of Alaska, after which the breed is named. The exact point of their origin is unknown but it is believed that the breed is over 5,000 years old. Their ancestors are believed to have reached Alaska after crossing the Bering Strait from Serbia over a thousand years ago. Consequently, they bred the Alaskan Malamute as a sled dog. 

Their strength, size, and stamina are clear indicators that the Alaskan Malamutes were meant to be working dogs that could pull heavy loads for hundreds of miles in some of the harshest climatic conditions on the planet. When not working as sled dogs, Malamutes were used to guard livestock, serve as a deterrent to polar bears, and help with hunting animals like moose and seal. 

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When the gold rush of the 1800s began, the breed quickly became popular among the miners as well. Around this time, sled racing became a popular sport in Alaska. However, given its build, the Alaskan Malamute wasn’t suited for these races. Speed isn’t this breed’s strength. To make up for this deficit, the outsiders started cross-breeding the Malamute with other faster dogs, leading to a decline in the original breed. 

Fortunately, not all Alaskan Malamutes fell prey to this shift. Thanks to the many parts of Alaska that were too remote for visitors, enough of the original Alaskan Malamute dogs survived for the breed to be saved. In the early 1900s, Aruth T Walden started breeding these dogs in his Chinook Kennek in New Hampshire. In 1935, the Alaskan Malamute Club of America was formed, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club the same year. The Malamutes were also deployed for duty during World War II, and the breed suffered heavy losses while serving in the Antarctica expedition but not to the point of a complete wipeout. The present-day Malamutes still trace their lineage to the original Kotzebues. 

Alaskan Malamute Dog Breed Standard

The Alaskan Malamute is a Spitz breed, characterized by an upturned, curled tail. Its powerful build, thick coat, and amenable face are its most distinguishing features. But what makes a purebred Alaskan Malamute dog truly stand out? If you’re looking for an Alaskan Malamute dog for sale or adoption, knowing these breed standards and specifications can be helpful. Here are some interesting Alaskan Malamute facts about their appearance as outlined by the AKC.

The Alaskan Malamute dog is a strongly built dog with a muscular body and a deep chest. It has an upright and proud stance, with its head held erect and eyes reflecting curiosity.  The Alaskan Malamute is characterized by a broad head with ears set triangularly and a bulky muzzle that narrows ever so slightly from the root to the tip. The face markings are among the distinguishing features of this breed. These include a cap over the head and a bar or a mask on the face. The face can also be all white. 

The Alaskan Malamute dog has almond-shaped eyes that are set obliquely and carry a gentle, affectionate expression. The broad head of the Malamute merges into a strong, moderately arched neck. The rest of the body is compact yet sturdily built with muscular loins and a straight back that gently slopes into the hips. 

The Malamute has a double coat, comprising a guard coat that covers its woolly undercoat. The Alaskan Malamute colors range from light gray to black, sable, and shades of red. The tail is furry and rolled up over the back, giving the appearance of a waving plume. The Malamute is known for its powerful, self-assured, steady gait. This is an agile breed, given the Alaskan Malamute size and build. 

Alaskan Malamute size 

The Alaskan Malamute is a large dog. Here is a quick look at its weight and height: 

Alaskan Malamute	Height	Weight
Male	25 inches	85 pounds
Female	23 inches	75 pounds

Alaskan Malamute Dog As A Pet — Things to Consider 

As adorable and irresistible as Alaskan Malamute puppies are, bringing one home on a whim is never a wise choice. Given that the Alaskan Malamute lifespan is 10-14 years, you’d be signing up for a long-term responsibility. That’s why it bodes well to fully understand Alaskan Malamute temperament, potential health issues, as well as exercise, training, grooming, and nutritional needs to assess whether you have the wherewithal to be a good pet parent to a dog of such an active breed.

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Alaskan Malamute temperament 

Alaskan Malamute temperament can easily melt hearts. They are playful, good-natured dogs who view everyone as a friend even strangers. While it makes them somewhat unsuitable to be watchdogs, this attribute adds to their appeal as pets. They are extremely loyal canine companions, affectionate and eager to be an integral part of their human pack. You will find your Alaskan Malamute dog keen on being a part of all family activities. 

Alaskan Malamute puppies typically have an affable disposition. They’re playful, curious, and eager to approach people. Another great aspect of the Alaskan Malamute temperament is that they’re not big barkers. Instead, they’re known for their distinctive howl — a high-pitched “woo-woo” sound. 

While these Alaskan Malamute facts about their disposition typically ring true, the exact personality and temperament of a dog depends on a mix of factors like genetics, training, and socialization. While the onus of training and socialization lies with the pet parent, it can be a good idea to assess a pup’s genetic disposition before bringing one home. Meet the dog/puppy, and observe their parents/siblings to get an idea about their temperament. 

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How to train a Malamute?

Learning how to train a Malamute is an important aspect of your pet parenting journey. While these are loyal and friendly dogs, they are also strong-willed and of an independent mind. If not trained well and from an early age, an Alaskan Malamute can easily become stubborn and begin to act pushy or dominant with children as well as adults they don’t respect. 

The good news is Malamutes are a highly trainable breed. With consistent training, positive reinforcement, and patient handling, you can mold a Malamute into a trustworthy and devoted companion. However, there are certain instinctive behaviors such as digging that you cannot eliminate, so it is best to create an environment where your Malamute can indulge without putting themselves and others at risk. For this reason, they do best in homes with a big yard enclosed with fencing that runs into the ground.    

Early socialization is centric to figuring out how to train a Malamute — or any dog, for that matter. To make sure Alaskan Malamute puppies grow up to be well-adjusted, good-natured dogs, they must be exposed to diverse environments, experiences, and people early on in life. Having visitors over, taking your pet to dog-friendly parks, and going on walks around the neighborhood where your pup has to chance to meet new people are some ways you can hone your dog’s social skills. 

Alaskan Malamute health concerns 

As mentioned earlier, the Alaskan Malamute lifespan is 10-14 years. For a large dog breed, this is a long life. An indicator of the robustness of this breed. Even so, they may be prone to certain health concerns, such as: 

• Cataracts: This breed is prone to developing juvenile cataracts that usually appear between 1 and 2 years of age
• Chondrodysplasia: This genetic disorder causes dwarfism. A Malamute afflicted with chondrodysplasia may have skeletal deformities such as bowed legs 
• Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic condition where the thighbone doesn’t fit into the hip joint. It can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis 
• Hemeralopia: Also known as day blindness, hemeralopia causes sensitivity to light, resulting in difficulty in seeing in bright sunlight 
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism occurs due to an under-functioning thyroid hormone, which can lead to weight gain, hair loss, or deterioration in the quality of the dog fur
• Polyneuropathy: This is a genetic disorder that affects a dog’s nervous system, leading to a lack of coordination, slower reflexes, loss in muscle tone, and sensory deficits 

Alaskan Malamute grooming 

One of the best-known Alaskan Malamute facts is that they have a thick double coat comprising guard hairs and a dense undercoat. In terms of caring for a Malamute, this translates into high grooming needs. This breed requires brushing two to three times a week on average, and every day during the period when they shed heavily — which is twice a year. 

Being a dog bred for cold weather, a Malamute doesn’t need frequent baths. Bathe them only when necessary, for instance, if you notice that their fur has become dirty or there is an increase in the body odor. Frequent bathing can dry out a Malamute’s skin. 

Note: You must never shave an Alaskan Malamute dog during the summer months. While you may feel that ridding your dog of its dense coat may help them bear hot temperatures, it has the opposite effect. Dogs of this breed can overheat quickly and their coat serves their need for temperature regulation. Without it, your dog may lose its ability to stay cool.  

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Alaskan Malamute nutrition

An Alaskan Malamute requires a nutrient-dense diet to thrive. You can choose between commercial dog food or offer nutritionally complete homecooked food, after discussing it with a vet or a canine nutritionist. It’s also important to tailor your dog’s diet as per their age — puppy, adult, or senior, as well as any specific conditions they may have. For example, if your dog is overweight, you may have to come up with a restricted-calorie diet for them. Make sure your dog has access to fresh and clean water at all times. 

Alaskan Malamute exercise needs 

The Alaskan Malamute is a working dog, bred to pull heavy sleds in some of the most formidable conditions. So, they need a generous dose of activity in their routine to thrive physically as well as mentally. An Alaskan Malamute needs at least two hours of active exercise a day to spend their energy but will be happy to do more. This can be in the form of long walks, runs, hikes, and playing in an open but secure area. You can even train your Malamute for activities such as backpacking, trekking, and recreational sledding. A well-exercised Malamute is a content dog, who is happy to laze about. 

That’s all there is to know about the Alaskan Malamute dog. I hope this guide has helped you decide whether or not this breed would be a right fit for you. I urge you to factor in the weather of the area you live in before you go looking for Alaskan Malamute puppies. It’s criminal to raise these dogs in extremely warm areas. Also, instead of looking for an Alaskan Malamute dog for sale, perhaps consider adopting one. But if your heart is set on bringing home a puppy and raising it right from the start, do invest some time and effort in looking for ethical breeders. By all means, avoid puppy mills.