The Alaskan Malamute is an active, social breed that loves people. This wolf-like dog is playful, friendly, and loyal to people, but can be a bit dominant with other dogs. As a family dog, they are usually good with children, but if they get too excited, such a large and heavy dog ​​can do a lot of damage even with the best intentions. Remember that small children should never be left alone with dogs. Are you looking for a best friend who can join you on camping trips, long walks in the woods, and all your other outdoor adventures? Then the Alaskan Malamute is a good match.

The Alaskan Malamute has a lot of energy and needs several hours of exercise every day. It is not very fast, but its incredibly muscular and strong body is made for heavy work. It thrives best outdoors, and copes well with the Scandinavian winter. The Alaskan Malamute is very active and needs a lot of outdoor space to thrive. You should be able to offer the dog a large dog run where it can spend its "free time" running, digging and howling, so it is definitely not a city dog.

The Alaskan Malamute is a highly intelligent dog that learns easily, but can also be stubborn. It is not always willing to carry out commands unless it finds it fun. When meeting other dogs, it can be dominant, so socialization is something to prioritize when raising an Alaskan Malamute. As with all other dog breeds, it is important to be consistent and use positive reinforcement.

Weight and size

A male Alaskan Malamute weighs an average of 38 kg and is between 64 and 71 cm tall.

The bitches weigh an average of 34 kg and are between 58 and 66 cm tall.

Lifespan

12- 15 years

Hereditary diseases

It is common for some dog breeds to be more susceptible to hereditary diseases than others. For the Alaskan Malamute, their health is relatively good, but they are prone to hip dysplasia , eye diseases such as cataracts and polyneuropathy . Some dogs in this breed have been diagnosed with Working Dog Retinopathy and PVTVL/PHPV .

Alaskan Malamutes shed a lot. Their thick, coarse fur sheds in large quantities twice a year, so they need a lot of grooming. They have a dense, oily undercoat that insulates well against both cold and rain. Because of this, this breed cannot tolerate excessive heat. They should not be trimmed, so in the summer it is important to find solutions for cooling. As a rule, they are black and white with light gray or black hair with shades that change from golden to red and reddish brown.

When choosing dog food for an Alaskan Malamute, you should choose a type of food that is tailored to the specific health of the dog. This large breed of dog should be fed a diet that is higher in protein and fat than carbohydrates to maintain muscle mass and energy.