• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dog's Best Life

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Is an Alaskan Malamute the right dog for you?

Posted February 23, 2019

 
Alaskan Malamutes are often confused for Alaskan or Siberian Huskies
The Alaskan Malamute requires an experienced dog owner who lives in a relatively cold environment and has a large yard where the dog can run and play.

Frequently confused with both the Alaskan and Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest dog breeds.

Even though the Alaskan Malamute is a highly intelligent breed, without proper training and leadership, the dog can become challenging to handle.

If you’re considering adopting one, be aware that they can often be needy and sensitive. Many experienced pet owners who are familiar with the breed advise first-time pet owners to consider an alternative.

An Alaskan Malamute is never well suited for apartment life because of his large size and double coat, which will leave a lot of fur in the shedding season. Warm environments are not the best choice for them either.

The Alaskan Malamute requires an owner with a certain level of experience with dogs, a large yard to help burn off his energy, and a relatively cold environment. You also will need to consider using a pet sitter or doggy daycare because  Alaskan Malamutes are well-known for destructive behavior if bored.

Alaskan Malamute personality

Alaskan Malamute is one of the most playful breeds, always full of energy and ready to go. Despite their large stature and wolf look, the Alaskan Malamute is extremely friendly even to strangers, so don’t count on them to guard the house.

Malamutes are loyal as they are pack animals, so they are more than willing to participate in any activity with their human pack. 

If you’re considering adopting an Alaskan Malamute, you likely want to get him as a puppy so you can use training and socialization to help shape him into a friendly, loyal, obedient, and sociable pal.

Size

Thanks to their large size and similarities with wolfs, Alaskan Malamutes usually play wolf roles in movies. Males are generally 25 inches in height at the shoulder and weight up to 100 pounds. Females are around 23 inches’ height and usually weight up to 80 pounds. Both live for about 15 years.

There are rare exceptions when a Malamute reaches 140 pounds – he is then called a giant Malamute, yet they aren’t formal structures to categorize excess weight.

Health

Alaskan Malamutes are generally healthy, but like many purebred dogs, they are prone to several health conditions. 

Common Alaskan Malamute health conditions: 

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Cataracts
  • Chondrodysplasia — a genetic disorder that affects cartilage and bone development
  • Inherited polyneuropathy — a nerve disorder that can cause rear leg weakness or paralysis
  • Hypothyroidism — low thyroid function, which can cause excessive shedding, thin or dull coat, and weight gain
  • Day blindness — a congenital disorder that causes the dog’s vision to be blurry in brighter light

Caring for an Alaskan Malamute

Taking good care of your Alaskan Malamute is a tricky task, especially if you’re not familiar with the psychology of this breed.

The dogs are born seekers. They are always ready to receive an assignment and to complete it using focus, energy, and a lot of passion. The breed enjoys hikes, long walks, running, playing, and cuddling.

When it comes to shelter, your dog can sleep outside because his thick coat will protect him even during the coldest times. Even so, if you leave your dog out, be sure he has adequate shelter.

Buy Dog Grooming Supplies Today – Shop over 1,000 Brands at Chewy!*

Grooming

An Alaskan Malamute can be kept clean and fresh without a lot of hassle. Because the breed has a  double-coat, you’ll need to brush your dog at least twice a week. Most of the clean-up will require vacuuming the hair that’s left behind.

You should bathe your dog whenever he’s filthy or every two to three months. The rest is pure basics – trim his nails (once a month), brush his teeth daily, and monitor his ears, the eyes, and mouth.

Feeding an Alaskan Malamute

Because the Alaskan Malamute is continually moving, jumping, and running, his nutritional needs are critical to his health and wellbeing.

Consult your vet or do your homework before making any decisions.

Consider the size of the portions, the ingredients, and the frequency of the meals according to your dogs’ lifestyle and preferences.

Conclusion

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the most beautiful and intelligent breeds. But before you adopt one, be sure you’re prepared for the responsibility.

Alaskan Malamutes are needy and energetic dogs. They are diggers and hunters who need constant grooming to stay healthy.

Peter HillPeter Hill is a professional writer who works for writing services like Assignment Holic Service and Paper Writing Pro. He likes traveling and photo/video editing. If you need any online assignment help, connect with him. You can find him on Twitter and Facebook.

 

 
*DogsBestLife.com is a participant in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to let our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com. 
 

Related Posts

  • Small dogs vs big dogs: Who yaps, bites and loves more?

    Every dog owner is sure to have an opinion on…

  • A breed guide to big dogs
    Survey says: Big dogs more popular than small pups

    Big dogs bark less, are child-friendly, and easier to train…

  • Consider your temperament and finances when considering adopting a dog like this corgi puppy.
    10 questions to ask before adopting a dog

    Adopting a dog? Consider your temperament and finances before making…

  • dogs provide Young girl hugs a Labrador puppy. The unconditional love of a puppy helps boost self-esteem, which is an example of how dogs provide health benefits for children.
    Use Petfinder.com to find your next pup

    PetFinder pulls all of the animals on rescue websites across…

  • biddable dog
    Choose the right dog breed for you

    If you’re considering getting a dog, check out the characteristics…

  • Dependent dog or independent dog? Choose the right breed for you

    Determine your lifestyle, time and patience when deciding whether to…

Share this post:

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Breeds, Home Page Tagged With: Big dogs, Petfinder.com

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • puppy 101

    Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right

  • Small brown and white dog wears a mask. Dogs and coronavirus: Canines unlikely to catch or transmit the virus to people or other animals, World Small Animal Veterinary Association says.

    Coronavirus and dogs: Can canines get COVID-19?

  • Dogs and other pets on a video conference call. Dog home alone again? If you're preparing to go back to work, get your dog ready. To prevent separation anxiety, use training, treats, and a safe space.

    Ready to go back to work? Prepare your dog to be home alone

Tags

Aggression Dog apps labsky Moving Socialization Shedding Chasing High-tech dog gadgets Dog senses Dog safety Pit bull New Year Dog poop Hiking Dog manners Cavalier King Charles spaniel wolves Flying yoga dog thirst Labrador retriever Dog grief Potty training howling Dog brushing Dog food Fleas Dog communication Dog sounds Bichon frisé

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Big dog essentials: Get the right gear for large canines
    Large dog owners need to provide the proper gear to suit their size. Carefully consider your large dog's bed, toys, and grooming gear. […]
  • 8 ways to keep your dog away from fish tanks
    Put your aquarium in a room where your dog doesn’t go or set up a motion sensor-controlled alarm system to keep your pup away from the tank. […]
  • 7 tips for living successfully with an epileptic dog
    If you have an epileptic dog, reduce risks at home that could injure your dog during a seizure. Research the condition and ask questions. […]
  • How pets help us through the pandemic
    Being stuck at home reinforced the value of pet benefits for most owners. Our dogs provide unconditional love and are great listeners. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2021 Dog's Best Life online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more