The Malamutes have been identified as a basal breed that predates the modern breeds in the 20th century. They have a similar Asian origin and contain a possible mixture of Siberian Husky.
They have a prominent role as the utilitarian dog. They go for work, hunting, and living alongside the human species. They have excellent hunting capabilities and used to hunt bears too often.
So, are you interested in knowing more about these breeds? I am sure you are. Read on. ⬇️
About the Breed
Slender, fast, and good-looking, the Alaskan Malamute is a sledding dog breed that is one of the oldest breeds owing to the sled dog category.
They were bred to ensure high levels of strength and endurance so that sledding could get independently easy and efficient.
They are pretty similar to Huskies and are even often called Eskimo cousins of the Siberian Husky. They have an Arctic breed edge to them, and it is believed that they have wolf tendencies. Want to learn more about this magnificent breed?
Keep reading to know all you need to know to own them!
Alaskan Malamute Dog Breed History
The Alaskan Malamute has ancestry that is one of the oldest in the world. They are natives of Alaskan and Arctic sledding dogs that went over to Alaska from Siberia.
The Malamute was developed by a group called the Mahlemuts, who settled down on the peninsula. They were bred to last the cold, chilly weather and for endurance and strength to be sledding dogs.
There is an Alaskan Malamute Club of America that was formed in 1953. Alongside this, the American Kennel Club recognizes this breed as well.
Follow me as I break down everything about an Alaskan Malamute for you.
Alaskan Malamute Dog Breed Job Card/Overview
| Breed Name | Alaskan Malamute |
| Other Name | Alusky/Malamute |
| Type of dog breed | Crossbreed |
| Origin | Alaska |
| Born of | Russian Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Greenland Siberian Husky, and Labrador |
| Height | 1 foot 11 inches-2 feet |
| Weight | 75-100 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years |
| Coat Type | Dense double-layered coat |
| Common Colors | Light gray, Black, Sable, and Red |
| Level of grooming | Regular brushing required |
| Level of shedding | Moderate shedding |
| Persona | Intelligent, Sociable, Loyal |
| Living in an apartment | Not ideal for apartments |
| Friendly with other pets | No |
| Health Concerns | Hip Dysplasia, cataracts, Hypothyroidism, Hemeralopia, Inherited Polyneuropathy, Hypothyroidism |
| Overall Health | Good |
| Intelligence Level | Very Intelligent |
| Easy to train | Highly trainable |
| Level of energy | Highly energetic |
| Activity interests | High levels, at least two hours a day |
| Number of Puppies | 4-10 puppies |
What to know
• Their framework and size are great, and looking at them, in the beginning, can make you think that they might not be the best companion dogs, but they are all domestic and loving when the intimidation factor is gone.
• They are largely and closely linked to wolves, which is what owes to their large stature and energy capabilities; however, being a companion and a loyal protector is one of the things they are great at.
Characteristics
Adaptability
Malamutes can’t adjust well to the owners living in an apartment. They are highly sensitive and hate being left alone for a longer period.
They are cuddly companions and are quite easy to train. These breeds love to be in cold weather conditions. and hate summer.
Adaptability
Can Live in An Apartment
Great for First-Time Pet Owners
Level of Sensitivity
Likes Being Alone
Likes Cold Weather
adapts to Hot Weather
Friendliness
Malamutes are super fond of spending time with people. They are nimble around furniture, so this makes them good house dogs.
They can form strong and affectionate bonds with their family members and love to play with kids. Since they have a high prey drive, sometimes they can chase smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, and cats.
But as with all other dogs, the owners need to be mindful when they are around small children.
All Around Friendliness
Loves being With Family
Friendly with Kids
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Personality
The Alaskan Malamutes are full of stamina and energy. The most appealing factor about them is they are sociable and new to making new friends. They want to be involved in all activities associated with their family and human companions.
They do not howl a lot but make their stance known with their howls.
They are quick dogs in terms of picking up and extremely knowledgeable. The need for them to be involved in physical activity makes them quick learners and obedient partners. As pups, they are largely playful and like spending time with their families.
They are very curious and independent, and this allows them to explore their social skills.
Temperament
Friendly with Kids
Kids are generally safe when they are around the Malamutes since they are more amicable around people. They can behave more properly if they are given proper and best training by their owners.
Keeping them well-trained will keep their temperament in check. However, they can be angry too, if someone tries to behave badly with them.
Amicable to Other Pets
Alaskan Malamutes have a high prey drive, and because of this reason, they can be less friendly towards other dogs and cats.
If you are trying to find a better companion for your dog, try to find one with the same energy levels.
Barking Tendencies
Malamutes are generally quiet dogs; they don’t bark much. But when a Malamute vocalizes, it sounds like they are talking with a low “woo-woo” sound. However, the Siberian Husky is more vocal than these Malamutes.
Possibilities of Staying Alone
Malamutes hate to be kept alone. They love to spend time with their owners and play with them. Keeping them alone for a long time can make them vulnerable and make them behave inappropriately sometimes. They enjoy being around people.
Being a dog lover, you will not want to keep your furry best friend living alone for a long time, will you?
Pros and Cons of Alaskan Malamute Dog
Pros
- Fond of people
- Amicable to strangers
- They are a super energetic and intelligent breed
Cons
- Not good watchdogs, as they don’t tend to bark
- Can’t adapt to living in an apartment
- Can never shift to hot weather conditions
Male vs. Female attitude
All malamutes have a predatory instinct that keeps them functional. In terms of female Alaskan Malamutes, the predatory instinct and conflict, as well as aggression, are a lot more when compared to their male counterparts. They are described as more deadly.
Appearance
General Appearance
These dogs have some spots or markings on their faces, a splash at the nape of the neck, and a collar. They have smaller ears in proportion to the head and are upright when they are at attention.
They have deep muzzles and are broad, tapering slightly from the skull to the nose.
Their nose and gums are black; some might have a snow nose, which has a slight pink undertone and can get darker or lighter depending on the season.
One of the predominant colors on some parts of the legs and feet is white. Their eyes are like the shape of an almond. and are in shades of brown and black.
Their tail is quite furry and is carried over their back like a plume. Their well-furred tails keep them warm when they curl up in cold winter conditions.
Coat color
The coarse and thick double coat of the Alaskan Malamutes is their signature. They have a dense outer coat and an undercoat, which has a thickness of nearly two inches and is made of wool and soft, insulating these dogs from chilly, snowy weather.
This double coat lines throughout their body and tapers toward the tail to blanket them from any winter woes. The color of their coat ranges from black to gray to sable.
Some of these dogs, given their close association with wolves, even have white on their necks or foreheads.
The Alaskan Malamute is a heavy dog with a more pronounced structure than the Siberian Husky.
Shedding
Shedding gets intense when the seasons change. They shed quite a bit, and regular brushing multiple times a day is essential to keep this in check. They tend to shed quite a bit even when seasons change, contributing to blowouts.
Their hair usually falls out in groups of clumps that can be avoided with regular brushing.
Size
The Alaskan Malamute is a pretty large dog. These breeds were made to sled and endure high levels of work and energy; thus, they can carry excess weight. For this reason, this breed is muscular and large.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 22-28” | 20-25” |
| Weight | 80-86 lbs | 72-76 lbs |
Health
The Malamute is usually a healthy breed, but there are certain conditions that they may suffer from due to genetic factors.
These may be conditions that their parent breeds are predisposed to as well.
Following are some issues to look out for Elbow Dysplasia, Hip Dysplasia, Chondrodysplasia, Cataracts, Hypothyroidism, and Day blindness.
To ensure your Malamute is healthy, make sure you make regular appointments with your veterinarian and keep a check on your dog’s health and diet.
| Health Problems |
|---|
| Thrombopathia |
| Chondrodysplasia |
| Inherited polyneuropathy |
| Von Willebrand’s disease |
| Day blindness |
| Health Test |
|---|
| Hip and elbow evaluation |
| Eye checkups |
| Polyneuropathy DNA Test |
| Ophthalmologist Evaluation |
| Thyroid tests |
Health And Grooming Needs
Shedding Levels
Drooling Levels
Grooming Ease
General Health
Weight Gain Potential
Size
Maintenance and Care
Hygiene is an important factor when it comes to dogs, whichever breed they may be. For the Alaskan Malamute, hygiene issues are not extremely intense.
They tend to keep themselves clean and do not need to be bathed every day. Their heavy, coarse coat keeps them safe in chilly conditions.
They have their sledding genes leaning towards sledding or skiing from time to time.
These dogs are natural diggers and prefer open spaces where they can explore on their own. Exercise is crucial for this breed as they are active and full of stamina.
Not meeting their exercise or activity needs can cause them to lose their drive and become lethargic or lose interest every day.
They are easily trainable and make very obedient companions.
Grooming
The grooming needs of an Alaskan Malamute are important. Ensure that you brush the teeth of your Malamute and keep them clean. Trimming the nails of your dog to prevent wear and tear or scratching is essential.
To keep their odor in check, make sure you bathe them once in a while as well. Malamutes do not need a bath every day.
Food and Nutrition
Owing to their large size, Alaskan Malamutes should be fed in large portions. Their diets should be nutritious, and it is important to listen to advice from your veterinarian to get a prescribed diet for the upkeep of your Malamute’s health and daily energy needs.
Watch your dog’s calorie count and check the food consumption level and weight level often.
Food Cost
Malamutes need 2-3 cups of dog food a day. The average monthly cost of the dog food will be around $60-$80.
Exercise and activity level
At least two hours of exercise are to be scheduled towards rigorous training for Alaskan Malamutes to stay healthy and content.
Malamutes are not bred for racing but are bred to work. Since they need to carry heavy loads, they need to exercise every day.
These dogs have predatory instincts and come from a line of Alaskan sledding breeds. This makes them highly functional and energetic. Allowing them to use up this energy is important.
Malamutes enjoy hiking, running, and even swimming with their owners. They can take part in agility trials and some weight-pulling competitions, too.
Malamutes are excellent in backpacking, recreational sledding, and skijoring.
Owners should take these dogs on at least two-hour walks and incorporate games into their routines as well. Exercising keeps their brains active and avoids any slumps in behavior.
Physical Needs
Level of Energy
Intensity Level
Exercise Requirements
Playfulness Potential
Trainability
Early socialization and proper and maintained training are recommended to prevent a Malamute from becoming dominant over small children and other pets.
Malamutes are super intelligent and active dogs, independent and willing too, but often can get stubborn.
Some fairness and patience can make your Malamute a devoted and trustworthy companion in your life, but that needs strict positive reinforcement training methods.
Malamutes are not good watchdogs because no matter how hard you train them, your ball of fluffiness will get friendly with whomever they meet.
Trainability
Training Ease
Intelligence
Mouthiness Potentials
Hunting Drive
Willingness To Bark Or Howl
Willingness Potential
Conclusion
The Alaskan Malamute was used in travel and expeditions in the Arctic regions. They helped hunters with their instincts and traversed through extremely cold conditions.
They have substantial bone structures and make great companion dogs. They do not bark much but do vocalize their feelings to owners in unique ways.
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FAQ on Alaskan Malamute Dog breed…
Where do the Alaskan Malamute breeds come from?
These dogs are native to the Alaskan Arctic breed but have flashes of the Samoyed of Russia, Siberian Husky, and labrador Eskimo.
What is the best diet routine for an Alaskan Malamute dog?
Since these dogs are highly functional and enjoy resistance activities that endure their energy, create a nutritional plan that will fill them and keep them healthy with your veterinarian.
How much exercise is required for an Alaskan Malamute?
A minimum of 120 minutes of exercise is required for this breed as they come from a lineage of active dogs. Not exercising to their potential can mean lethargy and burnout in their mental state. Make sure you are active with your Alaskan Malamute!
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.