Alaskan Malamute

Also known as: Malamute, Inuit Sled Dogs

The Alaskan Malamute is named after the Mahlemiut Inuit people of northwest Alaska, who kept the breed for centuries to haul heavy freight, a job built around power rather than speed. Unlike the lighter Siberian Husky, the Malamute was bred to pull heavy loads slowly over long distances, which is why a build up to 43 kilograms runs heavier and more muscular. The dense double coat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing, especially through the seasonal blowout. The breed carries a strong prey drive toward small animals and tends to be strong-willed, so training needs to start early and stay consistent. Life expectancy runs 10 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Alaskan Malamute: how old in human years?

56–66 cmHeight
32–43 kgWeight
10–14 yrsLife expectancy

Samoyed

FCI group: Spitz and Nordic/Ancient-type Dogs
FCI section: Section 1: Nordic Sledge Dogs
FCI: 243
Country of origin: United States of America

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 61–66 cm

Females 56–61 cm

Weight

Males 34–43 kg

Females 32–38 kg

Life expectancy

10–14 yrs

Coat

double coat, thick, medium length (medium-length)

Temperament & Family Life

Alaskan Malamute's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 4/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Alaskan Malamute's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Alaskan Malamute's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Alaskan Malamute's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 5/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Alaskan Malamute

An Alaskan Malamute doesn't go for walks; it goes on expeditions. This Nordic sled dog was bred to haul freight over long distances, so it needs long hikes, sled-dog sports, pulling a sled or a scooter, anything where it can finally use all that strength. In summer, move the workload to early morning or late evening: for a coat made for frost, heat is a real burden.

It is clever but independent, and training can turn into negotiation: it understands a command the first time and then decides for itself whether to obey. Short sessions, patience and serious motivation help, and a malamute takes food very seriously indeed. It may see small animals such as cats as prey, so fences need to be tall and secure.

With people it is remarkably friendly and will greet a stranger like an old pal, so don't expect a guard. It isn't much of a barker, but it loves to talk, and its sing-song, grumbling woo-woo is a full conversation. A flat is too cramped for it, and a bored malamute will dig holes in the garden that an excavator would be proud of.

Grooming and coat

A malamute's coat is proper Arctic kit: a thick, woolly undercoat and coarse guard hairs that keep out snow and wind. Most of the year, brush it once or twice a week, but when the undercoat starts to change it lifts out in whole clumps, the brush and wide-toothed comb become daily companions and the garden looks as if a blizzard has passed through. Don't shave the coat, as it protects against sun as well as cold; part it down to the skin as you brush, because flakes or redness under that dense undercoat stay hidden until you go looking.

The small, upright ears air well, so a weekly check is enough: clean and odour-free. Look at the eyes in daylight; you now know that cloudiness in the pupil is a reason to see a vet. Hair grows between the paw pads, collecting snowballs in winter and mud in autumn, so it's worth trimming, and check the nails every few weeks.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Alaskan Malamute was built not for racing but for strength: hauling heavily loaded sleds across Arctic snow. That working body is sturdy and the dog lives ten to fourteen years, yet a few things involving bones, joints, eyes, the thyroid and nerves deserve your attention. If you notice anything unusual, see a vet, who will assess what is going on.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Elbow and hip dysplasia

This is a fault in how the hip and elbow joints develop: the parts of the joint don't fit together properly and wear over time. You might notice limping after a long hike, difficulty getting up, or a shortened stride when your dog runs. A malamute is heavy and powerful and its joints work hard, so show any change in gait to a vet, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens: the eye's clear lens gradually turns whitish and lets less light through. You might see a greyish or white haze deep in the pupil, or notice your dog moving less confidently at dusk or missing a thrown toy. In a malamute's dark brown eyes cloudiness shows up fairly clearly, and what it means is for a vet to decide.
Hypothyroidism

The thyroid makes too little hormone, and the body slows down. You might notice a dog that used to pull tirelessly on the lead starting to tire quickly, gaining weight, its thick coat thinning or losing its shine. Sudden laziness is out of character for a malamute, so let a vet find the cause of such a change.
Chondrodysplasia (disproportionate dwarfism)

Chondrodysplasia is an inherited bone-growth disorder in which the legs, especially the front ones, grow shorter and may bow, while the body stays its normal size. The first signs show in a growing puppy: crooked front legs with paws turned outwards, or an oddly low stance. Let a vet assess the puppy's growth, and if you are getting a malamute, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathy is damage to many peripheral nerves, so the muscles receive weaker signals. You might notice your dog starting to stumble, placing its hind feet clumsily, tiring quickly, or its voice changing. A young, strong malamute that suddenly turns clumsy is not just a gangly teenager, so see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (43 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 440 g of dry food a day, from €24,15 a month For a neutered, normally active 36,8 kg dog. Calculate for your dog