Alaskan Malamute: temperament, size, care and health

About the Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is among the oldest and largest of the Arctic sled breeds. It is a broad, deep-chested dog with a wolfish look, a plumed tail carried over the back and a thick, coarse coat. Adults stand roughly 23 to 25 inches tall and are heavily boned. Colors range from light gray to black with white underparts and a white mask or cap, and the eyes are brown.

Where the Siberian Husky is built for speed, the Malamute was developed for strength and endurance, hauling heavy loads over long distances. Today it is kept by active owners who admire its size, its loyalty and its affectionate personality, and some still compete in weight-pulling and sled sports.

Temperament and family life

Malamutes are friendly dogs, usually outgoing with people, including strangers, and they make poor guard dogs. They are devoted to their family and enjoy playing, but they are also independent and strong-minded and expect to be treated with respect. Many Malamutes like to talk, howling or making a range of grumbling sounds rather than barking.

The breed is generally good with older children, but its size and boisterousness make it unsuitable for unsupervised play with small ones. Dog aggression, particularly between same-sex animals, is common, and the prey drive is strong enough to make cats, rabbits and chickens at risk. Many Malamutes will dig deep holes and escape fences. They are best with an owner who understands pack behavior.

Exercise and training

A Malamute needs lots of exercise to be content: an hour and a half or more of pulling, hiking, backpacking or running in cool weather. Without it, the breed becomes destructive, noisy and hard to live with. In warm climates, exercise must be limited to the cooler parts of the day.

Training demands patience and a sense of humor. This is a smart dog that tests limits and sees little reason to obey a command it considers pointless. Use varied sessions, rewards and a calm tone, and begin early with polite leash manners, as a Malamute pulls with remarkable force. Recall cannot be trusted, so use a leash or a secure enclosure.

Grooming and shedding

The thick double coat sheds all year, with spectacular loss twice a year. Brush at least weekly with an undercoat rake and slicker brush, and daily during the blowout. A Malamute can leave a house covered in fur, and many owners keep a heavy-duty vacuum nearby. Baths are infrequent, and the coat should never be shaved because it insulates in heat as well as cold.

Trim nails, keep the feet tidy and check the ears. The breed copes poorly with warm, humid weather, so shade, water and a cool place indoors are essential.

Health

Hip dysplasia occurs in the Malamute, and breeders screen hips and test eyes. Hereditary cataracts, an underactive thyroid and an inherited nerve disorder called polyneuropathy, for which a DNA test exists, are known concerns. Like other deep-chested dogs, Malamutes can suffer from bloat. Keeping a lean weight supports the joints, and overheating is a hazard in summer. This is only general information, and a veterinarian can advise on a particular dog.

History

The Malamute is generally traced to the Mahlemut people, an Inupiat group of Alaska's Norton Sound region, who bred strong dogs to haul heavy freight. Dogs were used in gold rush days and later in expeditions and in wartime work, and only about thirty registered dogs were left after the Second World War to rebuild the breed. The American Kennel Club recognized the Alaskan Malamute in 1935.

Is the Alaskan Malamute right for you?

The breed suits an experienced, active owner in a cool climate who has a very secure yard and wants a powerful, affectionate dog. It is a poor match for first-time owners, apartment dwellers, anyone with small pets or people who cannot tolerate heavy shedding. The smaller, faster Siberian Husky needs a similar commitment. The fluffy Samoyed is generally friendlier and gentler, and the Akita is a similarly big spitz with a more reserved manner.