Puppy Training Home > Dog Breed Information > Alaskan Malamute
Facts about Alaskan Malamute Puppies
Are you unsure how to care for Alaskan Malamute puppies or just want to learn more about the breed? Or maybe you are thinking about buying a dog and want to know if this is the right breed for you?
No matter what your situation may be, you will find the answers to your questions right here!
History
This is an ancient breed that belongs to a group of dogs that can be traced back more than 2,000 years.
It's an Arctic sled dog and was developed by (and named after) Mahlemuts, an Inuit tribe in Alaska.
It was bred for endurance and ability to perform in freezing temperatures.
Initially used to pull freight, it's now used mainly for companionship.
Physical Characteristics of Alaskan Malamute Puppies
The Malamute is a large and powerful dog. It has a deep chest, wide head and muscular body. Its ears are triangular in shape and erect. The tail is curled over the back.
Not as fast as other Nordic breeds, it's one of the strongest.
As can be expected from an Arctic dog, Malamute has a thick double coat.
The height and weight in the table below are the averages for the breed. Both, males and females, can be significantly under and over the listed figures.
| Height | Weight | ||
| Male | 24 to 26 inches | 80 to 95 pounds | |
| Female | 22 to 24 inches | 70 to 85 pounds |
Temperament
Malamutes are gentle, affectionate and playful dogs. They also love to receive attention. These are the qualities that make them excellent family pets but terrible guard dogs.
Though intelligent, Alaskan Malamute puppies get bored easily, making training difficult. To compensate, keep training sessions short.
Malamutes are patient by nature and will tolerate young children much better than most other breeds.
Malamutes are known to cope poorly with smaller animals, including other dogs. At the same time, some dogs are known to befriend small animals, including kittens. To raise a more tolerant dog, start puppy socialization while he is still young.
Best Owner
This is a very active breed and doesn't do well in an apartment setting. An "ideal" owner lives in a cool climate. He or she is active, lives in a suburban environment and has a large yard.
Some Alaskan Malamute breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure they are qualified.
Activity and Exercise
To keep your pet in top shape, provide him with plenty of exercise. Since this is a breed that prefers cold weather, be careful not to overdo with exercise when the weather is warm.
Grooming
Twice a year, Malamutes completely shed their undercoat. Each shedding period can last couple of weeks. As you can guess, daily brushing is required.
For the rest of the year, there isn't much shedding, so brushing 2 or 3 times a week will be sufficient.
This is a very clean dog without any dog odor and, because shedding of the undercoat removes all dirt, doesn't require a lot of bathing.
Health Concerns
According to the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common health problems of Alaskan Malamutes were tendon injuries, fractures, arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Bloating is another common problem.
To avoid many of the above problems, buy only from reputable Alaskan Malamute breeders.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy for an Alaskan Malamute is between 12 and 14 years.
Back to the top of Alaskan Malamute
