Alaskan Malamute

Breed Group: working

"I love to talk and play the day away!"

Breed Profile

As a friendly and affectionate breed, Alaskan Malamutes’ hearts are bigger than their bite. They make great playmates, especially if it involves digging or tug of war. Malamutes are known for being curious, chatty companions, so get ready for a strenuous workout and an engaging dialogue.

Behavior

Alaskan Malamutes love meeting people and making friends. They’re smart, have a strong prey drive, and learn quickly. Malamutes are affectionate and loyal but can have a mind of their own, often digging and climbing when they aren’t being watched. Puppies are full of energy but mellow out quite a bit as they get older. From an early age, Malamutes are known for howling along with sounds they hear or “talking” to the people and pets around them.

Coat

Malamutes have a double coat of thick, coarse hair on the outside and greasy, dense hair underneath. They’re usually pure white or a mix of white and grey, black, red, or sable. Malamutes grow their coat in winter and shed frequently, especially when the weather warms up in spring. Twice a year, they “blow” their coat completely, so have a good brush and vacuum handy. Other than that, Malamutes are low maintenance and don’t need much grooming to stay clean and healthy.

Lifestyle

Alaskan Malamutes usually get along well with kids, especially if the children are older. This breed doesn’t make good watchdogs since they’re so friendly and affectionate, but they seek out companionship and love bonding with their closest people friends. Malamutes don’t mind being outdoors, as long as they get enough human attention. When left alone for too long, they tend to dig and destroy things. So big yards and tall, deep fences are a must.

Activity

Aside from their favorite human, exercise is a Malamute’s best friend. They need at least an hour of hard exercise each day to avoid getting bored and into trouble. Malamutes love running, roaming around, and pulling (especially sleighs and wagons), but walking them on a leash can be challenging because of their size. If they don’t get enough activity, they can become depressed and aggressive, so build plenty of exercise into their daily routine.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are big, powerful dogs who love pulling sleds and their owners wherever possible. Their friendly and affectionate personalities make them great playmates but not the best watchdogs. Malamutes are master diggers and climbers, so keeping them busy is key to avoiding unwelcome surprises. The breed is curious and loves sharing their discoveries, especially if it’s something they dug up from the yard or had fun destroying. Luckily, their destructiveness can be redirected with activity - and lots of it. The more exercise Malamutes get, the happier and calmer they’ll be. Malamutes are also known for being talkative, so prepare for plenty of playtime and good conversation.