Alaskan Malamute

Coat & Grooming: Malamutes have a thick double coat, but they are fairly adept at grooming themselves, making the job of their owner a bit easier. A regular grooming routine should still be established when a Malamute is young so that they are comfortable being handled as they grow older. Their coat is generally odorless, so they only need to be washed a few times per year. Owners will still need to brush a Malamute’s teeth a few times per week and trim their nails every two to three weeks.

Shedding: Because of their double coat, Malamutes are going to shed a lot of fur. Brushing your Malamute as often as possible before they come in the house should help reduce overall hair levels. During shedding season, even more frequent brushing will be necessary. Life with a Malamute will involve plenty of dog hair distributed throughout your home. Vacuuming and cleaning frequently should help keep things under control, but prospective owners should be aware that there is always more hair to be shed.

Training: Malamutes are very intelligent, and deep down they like to please people. They can be trained to do any number of complex tasks. However, Malamutes are also very independent minded, and can use their intelligence to outwit and confound their owners. They can also have dominance issues by seeking to become the “pack leader” above their human master. Due to the complexities of training a Malamute, they are not recommended for first time owners. Training and socialization should begin early. A puppy should know its place in the family “pack”before it grows big enough to cause problems. Malamutes can become bored with repetitive training, but at the same time they will likely need plenty of reinforcement because of their somewhat stubborn nature. Owners will need to be patient, and should try to make training interesting and fun. Learning a dog sport with a Malamute is a great way to accelerate the training process.

Barking: Malamutes are not typically frequent barkers. They might sound the alarm if something surprises them, but they are usually fairly confident and not easily startled. However, many Malamutes enjoy vocalizing in other ways such as howling, so don’t be surprised if you hear some strange noises from your pet from time to time.

Malamutes are intelligent, strong and independent creatures, and they are able to live outside in the harshest climates. They do not do well when they are left alone with no outlet for their energies. They are happiest when they are around people, working side by side with them. Owners should be aware that leaving a Malamute alone in a backyard could be a recipe for trouble. They are infamous for their love of digging holes, so fences need to be buried to prevent them from escaping. A Malamute on the loose will chase small creatures and may frighten small children, so owners need to be aware and attentive at all times. If a Malamute receives enough exercise and companionship, they mature into noble, dignified creatures that are friendly to everyone they meet.

Personality: Malamutes are usually lively and friendly around people, even those they do not know well. They are good with children, but can be aggressive towards other dogs or small animals.

Temperament & Behavior: Malamutes often have a friendly, lively temperament. As with any large breed, training and socialization should begin while they are still small. Malamutes can have dominant personalities, and sometimes want to be the “pack leader” in their home. This alpha mentality can also lead to problems with other dogs. They must be made to understand their proper place in the family when they are young, or their behavior will be problematic. A properly socialized and trained Malamute should be friendly to both children and adults. If they grow up with other animals in the house, they can learn to become comfortable with them, but poorly trained Malamutes can sometimes be a danger to cats or small dogs. Some Malamutes have a high prey drive, so they might be predisposed to going after small animals that come into their yard.

Behavior with Kids: Malamutes enjoy spending time around kids and can be quite patient. They sometimes do not know their own strength, so interactions between Malamutes and young children should always be supervised.

Protection: Though Malamutes have a confident, intimidating look, they are usually quite friendly towards strangers, making them more of a deterrent than an actual guard dog.

Life span: On average, Malamutes live to be about 10 to 14 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: Several health conditions have been identified in Malamutes that are either inherited or occur at an increased frequency in the breed. Responsible breeders perform screening testing on their breeding dogs in an attempt to decrease the frequency of several genetic issues within the Malamute breed. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Alopecia X, follicular dysplasia, Zinc-responsive dermatosis, Factor VII deficiency, Hemophilia B, Idiopathic polyneuropathy of Alaskan Malamutes, cataracts, cone degeneration, corneal dystrophy and glaucoma.

Preventive Care: The health conditions that occur in Malamutes primarily affect the skin, eyes, blood clotting, and nerves. Screening testing is available for breeding animals for many of these conditions, and responsible breeders often perform this testing on their breeding animals in an attempt to decrease the incidence of these conditions in future generations.

Maintaining regular veterinary care is an important aspect of diagnosing and treating any conditions that arise before they become bigger issues. Veterinarians have been extensively trained to pick up on subtle changes that may be overlooked at home. Basic preventative care, such as keeping your Malamute at a healthy body weight, administering regular flea and tick prevention, deworming medication, and heartworm prevention will all help to keep your four-legged friend in the best condition possible.

Maintaining a healthy body weight for a Malamute is generally straightforward for this active breed, provided that you offer portion-controlled meals of a good quality balanced diet. Overfeeding can lead to obesity despite the high exercise requirements of a Malamute, so avoid offering too many treats or table foods.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Malamute is 2-4 cups

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: For generations, Malamutes worked primarily as sled dogs, and this is still evident in their disposition today. They have incredible strength and stamina, and seem to take great joy from hard work. If it is at all possible, owners should give their Malamute every opportunity to participate in dog sports like sledding, skijoring, bikejoring, and carting. Although the thought of being pulled on skis or a bike by a charging Malamute may be a bit frightening at first, these activities can help develop an incredible bond between dog and owner, and will keep your Malamute healthy and happy.

Owning a Malamute involves a serious commitment to keeping active. An adult Malamute should receive more than an hour of exercise every day. If you are looking for a willing companion for outdoor sports, a Malamute could be the perfect dog. But if you are not able to commit to a rigorous activity schedule, you will regret owning this breed.

Climate: Malamutes are built for survival in the coldest climates. If you are living in a warmer region, you will need to provide plenty of shade and perhaps a small wading pool for your Malamute to cool off.