Malamute: Your Complete Guide
The Malamute, or Alaskan Malamute, is a dog that was bred for its size, endurance, and intelligence. These dogs are smart and loyal, and they make good working dogs. While they used to be used for sled competitions, and sometimes still are, Malamutes have become more common in everyday households across the United States. This is due to their playful nature, trainability, and, of course, their fluffy coats.
Whether you have a Malamute at home and want some training tips, or you plan on adopting one soon, you’re in the right place. This article takes you through everything you need to know about the Malamute breed. We cover their temperament, intelligence, energy levels, and much more. Read on to learn more about the Malamute below.
Quick Look at the Malamute
Below is a quick glance at the Alaskan Malamute breed in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 22-26 inches, 80-120 pounds |
| Coat Type | Medium-length, fluffy, straight |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Playful, affectionate, kind |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
What Is the History of Malamutes?
The history of Malamutes is a long one due to their close relationship to huskies and other snow dogs in the Russian and Alaskan areas. In the early days, Malamutes were used to hunt large prey like bears and track people or animals. While they were used sparingly during this time, the breed’s popularity began to skyrocket during the Klondike Gold Rush that happened in 1896. Malamutes, along with other sled dogs, became popular because they helped settlers make long journeys across the cold and unforgiving landscapes of Alaska.
That said, the breed didn’t receive much recognition until Mrs. Eva B. Seeley got involved. She established breeding guidelines and earned recognition for the breed in 1935, but, after World War II reduced their numbers, breeding restrictions were lifted, and famous breeders like Robert J. Zoller became involved with the breed. This saved the breed but also ended up creating many of the distinct features and changes that you see in Alaskan Malamutes today.
Malamutes also have an accomplished history. They’ve helped in several world wars and even helped Admiral Richard Byrd make it to the South Pole. Also, here are some quick fun facts: Alaskan Malamutes are the state dog of Alaska and serve as the mascot for the University of Washington.
What Do Malamutes Look Like?
Picture a husky that’s on the stockier side with more rounded facial features, and you basically have an Alaskan Malamute. They share many of the same coat colors and attributes with their husky ancestors, so they’re usually black and white. That said, other colors, like blue merle, have made their way into their coats through breeding with some other dogs. Still, most Malamutes will have this husky-style coat that’s thick, soft, and white with patches of black spread around their body.
Malamutes also tend to have a fluffy tail that curves up towards their body, so that’s another quick way to tell the difference between a Malamute and a husky. Some other notable features include their more rounded faces that make way for eyes that appear too small for their head; their ears also look too small for their heads sometimes.
When it comes to their size, well, these dogs are massive. Despite their thick coat, there’s a good chance you’ll still see their muscles peering through. They’re also huge and tend to weigh more than 90 pounds! So these guys are big.
What Size Is a Malamute?
Malamutes vary in size depending on the parents, with some being smaller than others. However, most Malamutes will weigh between 80 and 120 pounds and stand at around 20 to 26 inches at the shoulder. Their puffy coat can also make them appear even larger.
What Is a Malamute’s Coat Type and Length?
Malamutes have a double coat, which means they have two separate layers of hair. Their undercoat is a dense layer of hair that insulates their body. This coat is what keeps them warm when they’re rolling around in the snow. On the other hand, their outer coat is also dense but it sticks out further. It feels coarse to the touch and is usually straight.
What Is a Malamute’s Temperament?
Malamutes are friendly dogs that are fiercely loyal to their families. They tend to be brave and will even charge in to save your family if there is ever a problem. Malamutes are also affectionate and love to cuddle up with family members on the couch or even lay in your bed; some people are even tempted to use them as a pillow due to their soft coat and calmness once trained. Malamutes also love to speak and will bark or whine when something is wrong, so if you’re looking to converse with a dog, the Malamute is your guy.
While these dogs are affectionate and loyal, it might not always start out that way. They’re often not the best dogs for first-time pet owners due to their rebellious nature. If they don’t see you as the leader of the pack, they might challenge you or attempt to act rebellious, or worse, like they’re the leader of the pack. Therefore, you need to have a firm understanding of how to train these dogs if you plan on owning one.
Are Malamutes Good With Kids?
With the right training, Malamutes can be good with children. They’re big enough to handle playing with kids of all ages and there is little risk that your child will harm them by accident. That said, you should always watch your kids when they’re playing with a dog, especially one as big as the Malamute. While the risk of danger is low, it’s something you have to keep an eye on.
Are Malamutes Good With Other Animals?
Malamutes are independent dogs, and they don’t usually cause problems with other animals. In fact, they can even get along well with other canines. That said, they do like to be the biggest dogs around and take leadership roles if there are many dogs in the house.
Additionally, it’s important to note that these dogs do have a prey drive. This means that they may chase small animals, which can pose a problem for cats and other small pets.
Are Malamutes Aggressive?
Malamutes are not aggressive. While they can be trained to behave aggressively as watchdogs, they’re usually calm dogs that prefer playing rather than biting. However, Malamutes can get aggressive if they feel like themselves or their family is in danger. This can make it harder for them to open up to strangers. That said, aggression is not usually something you have to worry about with the Malamute breed.
Do Malamutes Bark?
Malamutes do bark but not all the time. They tend to bark when they’re feeling anxious or if they’re reacting to something happening. Malamutes may also wine or bark when they want something from you as a way to communicate. While Malamutes bark intermittently, you’ll find that they tend to bark less with the proper training. You can leverage training programs designed for excessive barking for the best results.
Are Malamutes Affectionate?
Malamutes are affectionate dogs. Once they get comfortable with you, they’ll start to display signs of affection that include happy yelping, greeting you at the door, and of course, cuddling. While these dogs are on the bigger side, you’ll quickly discover that they’re lap dogs at heart. They’ll try to sit next to you on the couch or even crawl into bed with you. While Malamutes are affectionate, it might take a few visits before they open up to strangers.
Are Malamutes Intelligent?
Malamutes are intelligent dogs. They have an above-average level of intelligence and can learn a wide range of complex commands. While they’re rowdy and can be rebellious, once you properly train them, Malamutes are some of the easiest dogs to be around, especially as working dogs. Therefore, people who know how to properly leverage their training methods will get the most out of a Malamute’s intelligence.
Training aside, Malamutes also need mental stimulation. You need to engage with them and play with them often to ensure that they don’t feel bored. Instead of basic tasks and games, you’ll want to have them solve puzzles or try and learn complex tasks.
Are Malamutes Energetic?
Malamutes are energetic dogs. While the idea of a big lazy dog applies to many large dog breeds, it doesn’t apply to the Malamute. Since these dogs were bred for endurance sports and to pull sleds with heavy loads, they have near-limitless energy reserves. You’ll want to engage with them for at least 1.5-2 hours daily for the best results. Otherwise, they might become bored at night and keep you awake when it’s bedtime.
For the best results, we recommend walking, hiking, or even running with your Malamute to exhaust them. Playing in a big backyard can help, but usually won’t be enough. However, going to the dog park or having other dogs around can help.
Are Malamutes Easy to Train?
Malamutes are not the easiest dogs to train, especially for someone who’s a first-time dog owner. It can take a lot of time and patience to teach them the fundamentals, which is why we always recommend starting with a basic obedience course. These dogs are hard to train because they have a pack-like mentality, and if they don’t respect you as that pack leader, training them will be challenging.
The good news is that once you get the fundamentals down, Malamutes become one of the most trainable breeds around. You can train them for agility or teach them to learn complex commands. Their intelligence also allows them to remember more commands than most other breeds, which is ideal if you need a hunting or fishing companion in Alaska’s cold terrain.
Are Malamutes Good Watchdogs?
Malamutes can be great watchdogs. They were trained to push sleds and work in cold climates, so they have the mental capacity to learn complex training. You can have them watch your property, alert you to specific scents or animals, and much more. For these reasons, Malamutes tend to have unlimited potential as watchdogs as long as you train them properly.
Without proper training, they can also be decent watchdogs, but there’s a good chance they’ll run after any animal they see or bark at anything that passes your window. Therefore, you shouldn’t use them as watchdogs unless you plan on having them properly trained.
Are Malamutes Good Service Dogs?
Malamutes have the potential to be great service dogs. Due to their trainability and capacity to learn complex commands, you shouldn’t have any problems with a Malamute service dog. They’re also large enough to perform physical tasks for people who need them. Their size and strength make them ideal for people who need to pull a wheelchair or for people who need a dog that can open doors. Physically, they’re also big enough to help someone get through crowds and smart enough to find help for someone who’s having a panic attack.
Malamutes can also be great psychiatric service dogs with the right training. They have a high level of emotional intelligence and form deep bonds with their companions. When you pair this with their talkative nature, they make great companions for people who have mental health disabilities. They can provide deep pressure therapy, keep people away from triggers, and help someone get through the worst panic attacks. In a similar vein, they can work well as a therapy dog and sometimes even an emotional support animal (ESA) if you have the space.
While Malamutes can be great service dogs, training is key. These dogs can be exceptionally hard to train at first, but once you build that foundation, you shouldn’t have any problem continuing their training. For this reason, you should always work with professionals.
How to Care for a Malamute?
Malamutes can be challenging to care for if you’re a first-time dog owner. However, you shouldn’t have any issues caring for them once they’re properly trained. The most important factor to consider is their health. Take them to the vet annually and make sure they get plenty of exercise and a diet that covers all of their nutrient needs; this may need to be adjusted based on activity level.
Caring for a Malamute also means grooming them. You need to have them professionally groomed, but you also need to brush their coats and clean their teeth on a regular basis.
Do You Need to Groom a Malamute?
Malamutes don’t need to be bathed often but you do have to take them to a professional at least once every two months for a good bath. Their coats have natural oils in them, so frequent bathing can be a detriment to their health. Malamutes also need to have their nails trimmed, ears checked, and teeth cleaned. You should also brush them daily and more frequently once they start blowing their coat in the fall and spring months.
Do Malamutes Shed?
Malamutes shed a lot. They have double coats, so it’s common for them to blow their coats twice per year. This means that in the fall and spring months, they will shed more often than usual. Aside from shedding season, Malamutes will still shed constantly, so have a vacuum handy if you don’t like hair around the house.
What Health Problems Do Malamutes Have?
Malamutes don’t have too many health issues you have to worry about. They do have some unique conditions, but they’re also predisposed to other conditions that impact big dogs. Therefore, you have to keep an eye on their hips as they get older. Hip dysplasia is also a risk, along with bloating and hypothyroidism.
That said, there are some unique conditions that you have to worry about. Snow nose is one of the few unique conditions that a Malamute may develop. This is a condition that results in a loss of pigment in the nose, which increases the risk of skin cancer and skin irritations. Limit sun exposure or use a muzzle when outdoors for extended periods to prevent this issue.
Polyneuropathy, seizures, and degenerative eye disorders can also develop as your Malamute gets older.
How Long Do Malamutes Live?
Malamutes can live for 10-14 years if you properly care for them. If you help them get plenty of exercise, take them to the vet, and feed them a healthy diet, you shouldn’t have to worry about too many health problems. Also, make sure you don’t skip any trips to the vet if they have chronic conditions.
What Should a Malamute Eat?
Malamutes should eat a diet that can sustain them. Since they’re larger dogs, they’ll need food formulated for larger dogs. This is available in kibble and in canned wet food, so you shouldn’t have any issues there. Treats are also important, though you should make sure they are healthy and fit into your dog’s caloric needs.
Is a Malamute the Right Dog for Me?
Malamutes can be great companions, but they’re not for everyone. First-time dog owners should avoid this breed unless they have the time and commitment to properly train and care for them. Malamutes also have thick coats and can struggle with the heat, so they can struggle in southern states during the hot summers.
Space is another factor to consider. If you don’t have a large house with plenty of outdoor space, your Malamute may not be happy, and they might act out.
On the other hand, if you have experience with training dogs and the space to care for them, forming a bond with a Malamute is rewarding. They have great training potential, and you can even use them for service dog work and other types of labor-intensive jobs.