Alaskan Malamute

by Amy Tokic

Published: February 9th, 2013

About Alaskan Malamute

Weight

75-85 lb

Lifespan

12-15 years

Group

AKC Working

Best Suited For

Families with children, active singles and seniors, houses with yards

Temperament

Fun-loving, strong willed, independent, hard working

Comparable Breeds

Akita, Siberian Husky

Height

23-25 inches

Alaskan Malamute Basics

Baby, it’s cold outside – but the Alaskan Malamute doesn’t care. An ancient, winter-loving breed is known as a “talker” – when it howls, it sounds like famous Star Wars character “Chewbacca.”

Considered to be excellent family pets or companions, Alaskan Malamutes are intelligent and clever and will do anything to ensure that its owners are pleased with them. Read on to find more out this interesting breed.

Considered to be excellent family pets or companions, Alaskan Malamutes are intelligent and clever and will do anything to ensure that its owners are pleased with them.

Origin

The ancient Alaskan Malamute originates from Alaska. First discovered living among Inuit tribes, this breed was used for large game hunting and heavy sled pulling. Inuits held the Alaskan Malamute in high regard – considering how much they relied on this dog for day-to-day life, it is not surprising.

Opposite of other Arctic bred dogs, the Malamutes were not overbred due to the shortage of food in the Alaskan villages where they originated. The highest of quality of sled dogs in the area were a major part of the Eskimo family life, so few were sold to white men looking to buy a dog This all changed during the 1896 Gold Rush.

Pedigree

Considered to be one of the oldest breeds in the world, the Alaskan Malamute takes its pedigree from the Spitz family and is closely related to the Akita, the Chow Chow, the Samoyed, the Finnish Spitz, and the Elkhound.

The Alaskan Malamute was recognized by the AKC in 1935.

Food / Diet

If you’re going to feed your Alaskan Malamute a high-quality dry dog kibble, make sure that the first ingredient listed is meat. Feel free to mix up the flavors of the dog food – a variety of lamb, chicken, salmon or different ingredients is recommended. And you can supplement your Alaskan Malamute’s diet with fresh fruits and vegetables.

A highly intelligent breed, the Alaskan Malamute has excellent training qualities, including dependability, responsibility, cleverness, and high energy.

Training

A highly intelligent breed, the Alaskan Malamute has excellent training qualities, including dependability, responsibility, cleverness, and high energy. This dog was bred for hauling and working hard, which makes them dependable and responsible, great qualities when it comes to training.

Think of training as an energy outlet for this dog. Sign up for obedience training classes and your Alaskan Malamute will excel at them. Instead of formal training, try to make lessons fun, and involve other family members in the process.

Since these dogs are very active, you’ll need to train your Alaskan Malamute as to how to behave and what is not considered acceptable behavior. Keep training positive and rewarding, and don’t use negative or harsh treatment to get the results you want.

You may have a hard time housetraining your Alaskan Malamute. This breed tends to be hard to train in this area, so it will take added persistence and patience on your part to help your dog master this habit.

Weight

Both male and female Alaskan Malamutes weigh 75 to 85 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

An energetic dog, the Alaskan Malamute will need lots of attention and activities to keep it busy, healthy and out of trouble.

Also known as an independent dog, it likes to be alone, but you will still find the Alaskan Malamute to be a loyal and devoted pet. Even if you have other animals in the house, it prefers its own company. The Alaskan Malamute is quiet, but it still makes an excellent watch dog… even though it’s too friendly to be a guard dog.

Common Health Problems

There are several health issues that you should be aware of that are common in the Alaskan Malamute. One is a genetic disorder called chondrodysplasia, or malamute dwarfism. This disease causes abnormal shape and length of limbs and this condition in is passed down to a dog’s puppies.

Another issue is autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), a problem more common in the middle-aged Alaskan Malamute. This is when the dog’s immune system destroys red blood faster than new ones are produced. The reduced red blood cell disorder will cause anemia.

Other conditions that your Alaskan Malamute may suffer from are hip dysphasia, inherited polyneuropathy, eye problems and cataracts.

Life Expectancy

Alaskan Malamutes have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

Your active Alaskan Malamute needs exercise and physical activity in order to live a happy, healthy life. This breed was used for pulling heavy sleds in the Arctic, which conditioned them to be kept busy.

The minimum amount of time spent exercising should be about one hour. Always use a leash when walking or running with your Alaskan Malamute, as it cannot be trusted around smaller dogs or animals. A large yard is recommended, but keep a close eye out on your dog because this breed enjoys enjoy digging and exploring new scenery.

An energetic dog, the Alaskan Malamute will need lots of attention and activities to keep it busy, healthy and out of trouble.

AKC

The American Kennel Club says this about the breed: “The largest and oldest of the Arctic sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute possesses great strength and endurance. He is not designed to race, but rather to carry large loads over long distances. Today, many Malamutes are family pets, but are highly athletic and still capable of enjoying sledding, weight-pulling, back-packing, jogging and swimming with their owners.”

Coat

The Alaskan Malamute’s double coat consists of a woolly coat and a coat made of long guard hairs that are slightly coarse. Its coat is blown twice a year so expect excessive hair to fall out (sometimes in clumps). After a blowout, the Alaskan Malamute is considered to be a shed-free breed. As well, this breed odor free and will clean itself as often as a cat would.

The colors of the Alaskan Malamute vary from a light gray to hues of sable or black, with sable to red shadings. When showing this dog, acceptable color combinations are found in its undercoats or trimmings, in addition to their points. The only solid color accepted is white, and broken colors extending over the body are considered unacceptable.

Puppies

It is important to remember that your Alaskan Malamute puppy is much more energetic and hyper than an adult. But don’t worry – your puppy will often mellow with age, becoming a dependable, calmer pet, especially when it is given enough attention and exercise.

Photo credit: Liliya Kulianionak/Shutterstock

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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Few things are as frightening for a pet parent as discovering your beloved pet is missing. Don’t panic! While finding a lost hamster (or gerbil, mouse, or rat) can feel daunting, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of a happy reunion.These little escape artists are surprisingly good at hiding, making locating your pet even more difficult.Luckily, their small size often confines them to predictable hiding spots. Keep reading to discover tips, tricks, and proven tactics to help you find and catch your furry friend as quickly as possible.What is the First Thing You Should Do if Your Pet is Missing? It's a heart-wrenching moment when you realize your pet is nowhere to be found. Take a deep breath and try not to panic! If you know that your pet has just escaped their cage or enclosure, close all doors to keep them from leaving the room. This will significantly narrow down your search area. However, if you are unsure of when your pet went missing, there is a chance that they have slipped out of the room already. Take a look around your surroundings and take note of any obvious places they may be hiding. Think like a hamster (a mouse, a rat, or whatever pocket pet you are searching for). Try getting down to their level to check under furniture and low to the ground spaces. Most importantly, don’t wait before starting your search. The longer you wait, the further they can travel. Where Would Your Pocket Pet Hide in the House? Rodents are masters of finding small spaces and places to hide. This may make the process of searching for your pet feel overwhelming. However, there are a few common hiding places that could help you get started… Blankets and Towels: Rodents love feeling warm and cozy, so blankets and towels provide the perfect hiding area. If you have any lying around, lift them up slowly and carefully in case your pet has crawled into the folds. Shoes: This is another spot that provides a nesting-like environment. Check inside any shoes or boots to see if your pet has snuggled in. Laundry Baskets and Hampers: If you have laundry accessible, you may want to slowly go through it piece by piece. Not only does your clothing offer a cozy place to snuggle in, similar to a blanket, but it also has enticing smells like perfumes, deodorant, soap/shampoo, and more. Boxes: Do you have any boxes or bins sitting around for storage purposes? Don’t overlook these dark, quiet spaces. Like their cage or enclosure, boxes can offer a feeling of safety and security. Closets and Cupboards: Another dark space your pet may seek to feel safe. Even if your dresser drawers are closed, that will not stop them from getting in. Be careful when sliding drawers open or closed in case your pet finds their way behind the drawer. Furniture: Dressers aren’t the only pieces of furniture that attract pets. Make sure to look under and behind furniture or in and around cushions. Look for any holes or spaces in couch backs or box springs. Heaters: Pets are attracted to warmth, so your heaters are a prime spot. Check around space heaters or in heating vents. While you’re looking, check for any cracks or holes that might allow your pet to access the space inside your walls. If they get into that space, they will be able to move through your house completely undetected. Recognizing this as soon as possible will allow you to take steps to catch them sooner rather than later.

American Airlines Makes It Easier To Travel With Pets

They say to travel is to live, but deciding to leave a beloved pet at home can make you feel guilty - and bringing them along on an adventure can be tough on the bank account. No one truly wants to leave their four-legged best friend behind and figure out whether to hire a pet sitter or look for a boarding facility, but airlines don’t always make it easy for pet parents to travel with their fur babies.Finally, there’s some good news for pet parents and their four-legged companions! American Airlines has changed their pet policy, making it easier and more affordable for pet owners to fly with their fur babies.“On flights with American, you can bring one pet carrier as a carry-on if: You pay the carry-on pet fee; Your pet stays in the pet carrier and under the seat in front of you the entire flight,” shared American Airlines’ on their website. The company added that passengers can also bring “only one additional item on board with your pet” which can be a small personal item like a handbag or a purse, or a carry-on bag that meets the airline’s requirements and fits in the overhead bin compartment. The important thing to note is that you can only bring one with your pet carrier, not both.In the past, people who traveled with pets could only bring one small personal item abroad, which could fit under the seat. Anything bigger than that - for example, a larger carry-on bag that usually goes in the overhead bin - had to be checked, which was an additional $35. As an alternative, pet owners could transport their pets in the cargo hold if they wanted to take a bigger bag with them on the flight. Thanks to recent policy changes, people traveling with pets can now bring a pet aboard and choose whether they’ll travel with a carry-on bag or a personal item. At the same time, no changes to American Airlines' pet travel fee have been made. According to the company’s website, the fee remains fixed at $150 and applies per kennel, each way. For now, pet strollers must be checked at the ticket counter, and all checked bag fees apply. There are a few things to keep in mind before flying off into the sunset with your four-legged friend. All airlines are different. Every airline has its own policies for traveling with pets, so be sure to check the specific restrictions and fees on your flight before you book the tickets. Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska, and United are a few other airlines that allow pet travel, but each has its own travel requirements. Each airline specifies what pets can travel where. There are also limitations on the number of pets a passenger can bring abroad on different aircrafts. Only two pets in the same carrier can come aboard for American Airlines flights. Don’t forget that capacity is limited, meaning that checked pets are accepted on a first-come basis. Country-based restrictions also apply, and people traveling with pets should check and understand destination restrictions when traveling abroad.Lastly, whatever airline you decide to fly with, you have to find your pet an airline-compliant carrier. Without the right pet carrier, your fur baby won’t be able to fly on a plane with you. There is a lot to think about when traveling with a pet. But all will become worth it when you touch down and start making fun and exciting travel memories with your four-legged companion. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.