The largest of the Arctic breeds, the Alaskan Malamute was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1935; though the breed has been around for thousands of years. Potential owners of Alaskan Malamutes should research every aspect of this breed before choosing to adopt one, to ensure that they feel this dog will be a good fit for their family’s needs, wants, lifestyle and limitations in terms of taking care of the dog.
Breed History: The Alaskan Malamute
As expected, the Alaskan Malamute originates from the state of Alaska. This breed, a descendant of the Arctic wolf, has been around for approximately 3,000 years. Originally, these dogs were used by the Mahlemuit (same as Malamute) Eskimos of the area for transportation purposes, as these dogs were capable of and willing to carry heavy loads across long distances.
The Alaskan Malamute: Grooming and Appearance
The Alaskan Malamute requires a twice-weekly brushing due to their dense coat. They shed heavily, with the undercoat clumping out twice yearly. Though they can shed extensively, the dog is considered to be relatively clean and odorless, needing minimal—if any—baths.
Those who own this breed can expect a male to grow up to 26 inches in height and up to 95 pounds in weight. Meanwhile, females can grow up to 24 inches in height and weigh up to 85 pounds. However, keep in mind that these are averages for the breed and an Alaskan Malamute of either gender, once fully grown, can be either smaller or larger than these estimates.
The Temperament of an Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is described to be “loyal and intelligent, sweet and most affectionate.” These dogs are great for children if raised together, as these dogs will mellow out as they grow older. However, potential owners should keep in mind that these dogs can be difficult to train, especially with housebreaking, and they require the owner to be a firm pack leader.
Like any breed, this dog requires plenty of proper socialization with other animals and people of all ages both inside and outside the immediate family. Without it, there can be issues with owning other small pets or outsiders entering the home.
The Alaskan Malamute: Potential Health Issues
When well cared for, an owner can expect his Alaskan Malamute to live up to 15 years, if not more. As expected, they are better adapted to colder climates and any exposure to warm weather should be monitored as they can get hot quickly. That being said, these dogs do require regular exercise, though exercise in warmer weather should be limited.
This breed is prone to bloat, a condition in which the gases in the stomach build up. When these gases build up, it results in a balloon-like stomach that twists and stretches, which can result in a loss of blood circulation to the heart, which in turn can result in death. Other potential health issues include dwarfism (chondrodysplasia) and hip dysplasia.
Jennifer Gittins - Jenne is a 23 year old writer, photographer and musician. She intends to go back to school when the economy picks up for a degree in ...
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