Large
12 Years
43 Kg
Working Dogs
Affectionate, Cheerful, Friendly, Loyal, Playful
The Alaskan Malamute is a very strong breed and is the largest breed of dogs recognised by the UK Kennel Club as a sled dog. It's unique use was to pull overwhelming weights over long distances and their quality and continuance are second to none.
The name "Malamute" gets from the indigenous Mahlemut tribes of Alaska who utilized this specific kind of canine for chasing to catch seals and polar bears and to pull the seeker's substantial loads over the solidified tundra. Amid the Gold Rush the requirement for sled puppies expanded, breeds were combined to create diverse sorts of substance and quality. Be that as it may, because of the remoteness of the Mahlemut tribe, their mutts remained generally untainted and unadulterated.
The breed was authoritatively perceived by the American Kennel Club in 1935. The first malamutes were imported into the UK back in 1959. The Alaskan Malamute can be found in the Working Group classification of the Kennel Club Breeds. They had a Rare Breed Classification until the Breed was finally given the Challenge Certificates in 2006.
The Alaskan Malamute is probably one of the hardest-working dog breeds in the world. It is a heavy-boned, powerful dog with a strong, well-muscled body, deep chest, powerful shoulders, alert eyes and a head that stands erect and proud. The brown eyes are almond shaped and of medium size. It has a broad head with medium-sized, triangular ears that stand erect and point slightly forward when the dog is alert, but sometimes folded against the skull when the dog is at work. It has a bulky muzzle that is neither pointed nor long with a black nose, lips and eye rims (except for red coats where the nose, lips and eye rims can be brown). The Malamute’s double coat is made up of a thick, coarse top coat of sufficient length with a dense, oily, woolly undercoat that is 2.5 cm to 5 cm in length. This helps protect the breed against the harsh, Arctic conditions. The coat comes in a variety of colours with face markings that distinguish the Alaskan Malamute from other breed of dogs. These markings include a cap over the head, with a bar and/or mask on the face or its either an all-white face. The well-feathered tail is carried over the back with an appearance of a waving plume – a true hallmark of the breed.
The front legs and the hind legs are well-muscled and heavily boned, which are required for this hard-working breed. The stifles are moderately bent. The feet of the Malamute are tight and deep with well-cushioned pads and protective hairs in between toes, truly well-adapted to the unforgiving weather of Alaska.
A typical male Alaskan Malamute weighs up to 39 kg and is on average 64 cm tall from the withers while a female can weigh up to 34 kg and stands at 59 cm tall from withers.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs. An expert study published in July 2013, showed that the Malamute has a similar East Asian origin to other Arctic sled dogs (Inuit, Eskimo and Greenland dogs) and probably a mix of Siberian Husky. These sled dogs predates the European settlers that came to America along with their dogs.
The breed got its name from the Inuit of the Mahlemut tribe in upper western Alaska and was primarily used as an all-around working and hunting dog. It has an excellent hunting instinct and was used by the tribe in hunting large game such as bears and seals. This mutually beneficial relationship enabled the dog and the Mahlemut tribe to prosper in the harsh Arctic tundra. In 1896, at the start of the Klondike Gold Rush, the Alaskan Malamute and other breeds of sled dogs became in-demand to the newly arrived prospectors and settlers. Some were crossbred with other sled dogs and were used as freighting sled dogs, pulling heavy loads at steady speeds.
The Alaskan Malamute is a special breed of working dog known for strength and endurance. It is very affectionate, friendly, loyal and a devoted companion. It loves people so it does make a good guard dog. It will use its independence and intellect to institute relationships with other people that it meets, whether a family member or stranger. It does not bark but it makes an intimidating howl.
The Alaskan Malamute is as strong-willed as it is friendly. When it decides to do something, it is often difficult to take away its attention from it. Early training in obedience during puppy stage is imperative in order to have a pet that will always listen to his master. Males are more dominant than females. Early socialization with people and other pet animals especially cats and other small animals is highly recommended.
The Alaskan Malamute has a dense double coat that is water repellent and requires regular grooming. Brushing once to thrice a week will help clean the coat of any dirt and loose hair. Brushing will also keep the coat and skin healthy as this will distribute the oil in the hairs evenly. It sheds heavily once or twice a year, in which case, it requires frequent brushing with a hard bristle brush or an undercoat wire brush to help keep the coat in good condition.
This hardy breed is a very robust dog that can take any extreme weather anytime. It is a highly adaptable dog that can withstand extreme cold and heat, provided that it is given shade and plenty of water to drink. It only requires little food but it will eat almost anything offered to it.
Common health issues known to affect the Alaskan Malamute include bloating, canine hip dysplasia and chondrodysplasia or dwarfism. A healthy breed will live between 8 to 10 years.
This breed is a hard-working dog that can travel miles and miles on end in its native environment. As a pet, the Alaskan Malamute needs a great deal of exercise. It will in fact, take as much exercise as you can throw at it. Regular daily exercise such as long walks is a must for this breed to stay physically and mentally fit. A bored Malamute can become destructive and will dig through plants and chew on whatever it can sink its teeth on. A well-fenced yard that is large enough for it to run around all day long is an ideal home for the Malamute. It is not suitable as an apartment dog because it is fairly active indoors.
Malamutes are generally a friendly breed towards people, but they don’t do well with other dogs especially those of the same sex. They are known to hunt down and kill other small animals, including cats and livestock. It is great with children old enough to handle a large breed and old enough to play with the dog safely.
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