Alaskan Malamute

Personality

The Malamute is a big, affectionate goofball with a stubborn streak. It usually loves people, including strangers, so it makes a poor guard dog but a cheerful greeter. Many dogs are playful well into adulthood and enjoy being part of family life, though they are not clingy in the way some breeds are.

Independence is the key word. This breed was developed to pull heavy loads across the Arctic, making its own decisions on the trail, and that mindset carries into the living room. A Malamute may understand a cue perfectly and still decide it has better things to do. Calm consistency works better than force.

They have a strong prey drive and can be dominant or pushy with other dogs, especially of the same sex, so many do best as the only dog or with carefully chosen companions. Small pets such as cats, rabbits and chickens may be seen as prey. Bored Malamutes dig, howl and escape with impressive creativity. Expect a talkative dog that expresses itself in woo-woos and howls rather than sharp barking.

History

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Arctic sled-dog types. The breed is named after the Mahlemiut, an Inuit people who settled along Alaska's Kotzebue Sound, and who developed large, strong dogs to haul heavy loads, help hunt and share the warmth of the household. These dogs were prized for power and stamina rather than speed: the Malamute is a freighter, while the Siberian Husky is a racer.

The Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s brought a wave of outsiders and crossbreeding to Alaska, and pure freighting dogs became harder to find. In the 1920s and 1930s enthusiasts in the United States began to select and register dogs of the old type, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1935. Some Malamutes joined Admiral Richard Byrd's Antarctic expedition in 1933.

During the Second World War, Malamutes served mainly as search-and-rescue, sled and pack dogs, and the breed's numbers fell sharply. Only about 30 registered dogs were estimated to remain in 1947, and careful breeding rebuilt the population. Today the Malamute is a familiar sight in cold-weather dog sports, though most are simply family companions.

Appearance, coat & colors

A Malamute looks like a powerful wolf-like working dog, deep through the chest and heavily boned. The AKC standard lists males at about 25 in (64 cm) and 85 lb (39 kg), and females at about 23 in (58 cm) and 75 lb (34 kg).

The head is broad with wedge-shaped ears, almond-shaped brown eyes and a bold, friendly expression. The tail is carried over the back like a plume. The coat is the standout feature: a thick, coarse outer layer over a dense, oily, woolly undercoat that insulates against extreme cold.

Colors range from light gray through intermediate shadings to black, as well as sable, red and seal, always with white on the underbody, legs, feet and parts of the face. Solid white is also accepted. Markings on the face often form a cap or a mask, which many owners find endearing.

Training

Training a Malamute is an exercise in patience and humor. These dogs are smart, but they are not driven to please, and repetitive drills quickly bore them. Keep sessions short, upbeat and varied, and pay generously with food or play. Harsh corrections tend to make the breed dig in rather than comply.

Start early with socialization and basic manners. A puppy that is easy to carry becomes an adult that can pull you off your feet, so loose-leash walking is the first skill to teach. A well-fitted harness helps. Consider enrolling in a puppy class and then a positive-reinforcement adult class.

Recall is the weak spot. A Malamute's prey drive and independent streak mean that most should not be trusted off leash in unfenced areas, however well trained. Fences need to be tall and buried or reinforced at the base, because this breed loves to dig.

Many owners enjoy giving the dog a job: carting, skijoring, sledding or backpacking turn that energy into teamwork.

Exercise

This is a working-sled breed, so a typical adult needs a couple of hours of real exercise every day. A stroll will not do. Long hikes, jogging in cool weather, pulling sports such as skijoring and carting, and plenty of play in a securely fenced yard all suit the breed.

Heat is the main hazard. With such a dense coat, a Malamute can overheat quickly, so schedule activity for early morning or evening in warm seasons, carry water and watch for heavy panting, drooling or weakness. Heatstroke is an emergency; call a vet or emergency clinic immediately.

Growing puppies should not run long distances or pull heavy loads until their joints have matured; ask your vet what is appropriate and when. Mental activity matters too, including scent games, puzzle feeders and training sessions. See our guide on how much exercise a dog needs for more.

A Malamute left without exercise will find its own entertainment, usually involving a hole in your lawn.

Grooming

Be ready for fur. A Malamute sheds moderately all year and then "blows coat" once or twice a year, releasing huge amounts of undercoat over a few weeks. During these periods, daily brushing with an undercoat rake and slicker brush is needed to keep up, and a high-velocity dryer used outside can help.

Outside the heavy shed, brushing a few times a week keeps mats and loose hair under control. The coat is self-cleaning to a degree and rarely smells, so baths are needed only occasionally. Never shave a Malamute: the double coat insulates against heat as well as cold, and shaving can damage regrowth and increase sunburn risk.

Trim nails regularly, because these dogs have large feet that can splay if the nails grow long. Check the ears, brush the teeth often (see our guide on how to brush your dog's teeth) and check between the toes for matted fur, which can pick up ice and burrs.

Feeding

Many Malamutes eat eagerly and gain weight easily when they are less active. A diet made for large, active breeds is a sensible starting point, fed in measured portions twice a day rather than free-fed.

Large, deep-chested breeds are generally more prone to bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening emergency. Reduce the risk by feeding smaller meals rather than one large one, avoiding vigorous exercise right before and after eating, and using a slow feeder if your dog eats fast. Learn the signs: a swollen belly, unproductive retching, restlessness and drooling. If you see them, go to an emergency vet immediately.

Growing puppies need a large-breed puppy formula so they grow at a steady rate; overfeeding is linked with bone and joint problems. Use the puppy weight calculator to follow growth, and the dog food calculator for a rough calorie target. Check body condition regularly; you should feel the ribs without pressing hard.

Health

Malamutes are generally robust, with a typical lifespan of 10–14 years, but they do have inherited conditions to watch. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common in large dogs, and cataracts and other eye problems occur. Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, is another concern. Two inherited conditions are specific to the breed: chondrodysplasia, in which puppies are born with limb deformities (dwarfism), and Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy (AMPN), a nerve disease for which a DNA test exists.

The Alaskan Malamute Club of America lists hip evaluations, eye examinations and a polyneuropathy DNA test as required for its members, and recommends elbow evaluations, cardiac screening, thyroid screening and DNA tests for cone degeneration and primary ciliary dyskinesia. Ask a breeder to share the results for both parents.

Keep your dog lean, as extra weight worsens joint disease, and stay up to date on vaccinations, parasite control and dental care. Always speak with your vet about symptoms such as limping, weakness, frequent falling, vision changes, collapse or a swollen belly.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip dysplasia — Common in large breeds; can lead to arthritis and lameness.
• Elbow dysplasia — Abnormal elbow development that can cause pain, limping and arthritis.
• Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy (AMPN) — Inherited nerve disease causing weakness and exercise intolerance; DNA test available.
• Chondrodysplasia — Inherited dwarfism in which puppies are born with limb deformities; breeders should test before breeding.
• Cataracts — Clouding of the eye lens that can cause gradual vision loss.
• Hypothyroidism — Underactive thyroid causing weight gain, lethargy and coat changes; managed by a vet.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Eye exam
• AMPN DNA test
• Cardiac exam
• Thyroid evaluation

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Alaskan Malamute

A Malamute needs space, a cool environment and an owner who is home a lot. It is a poor choice for small apartments, particularly because of its size, vocal tendencies and exercise needs. A home with a securely fenced yard is ideal, and the fence should be high with a base the dog cannot dig under.

The breed is happiest in cold weather and struggles in heat. In warm regions it needs air conditioning, shade, fresh water and activity limited to cooler hours. Never leave a Malamute in a parked car.

These dogs are social and dislike long periods alone, which can lead to howling, destruction and escapes. Many do well with another sociable dog, but same-sex combinations can be tricky.

Malamutes are usually good with children they know, though their size can knock over small kids, so supervise. Keep food and treats stored securely; the breed is a clever counter-surfer. Prospective owners should talk to experienced Malamute people about the daily reality before committing.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Puppy prices vary widely, and a Malamute puppy from a health-tested litter will cost considerably more than one from an unscreened backyard cross. The cost of raising a large dog, including food, vet care, training and secure fencing, is substantial and continues for a decade or more.

A responsible breeder belongs to the Alaskan Malamute Club of America or an equivalent national club, tests for hip dysplasia, eye disease and polyneuropathy, raises puppies in the home and will take the dog back at any age. Expect to be interviewed and to wait for a litter. Avoid sellers who market "giant," "miniature" or rare-color Malamutes at high prices; these are red flags.

Rescue is a strong option. Because the breed is often chosen for its looks and later found too demanding, there are breed-specific rescues and shelters with adolescent and adult Malamutes needing homes. Whichever route you pick, read through our puppy first-week checklist and plan early training and secure containment.