WorkingAlaska

Alaskan Malamute

The freight train of the Arctic.

Weight: 75–85+ lbs
Height: 23–25 in
Lifespan: 10–14 yrs

In short

The Alaskan Malamute is a Working breed from Alaska, developed by the Inupiat Mahlemut people to haul heavy sled loads; adults weigh about 75–85+ lbs and live 10–14 years. It is a powerhouse, not a sprinter, and without real work it digs, howls and dismantles a house.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a strong partner for cold-weather hikes
enjoy pulling sports like carting or skijoring
can handle heavy shedding and a vocal dog

Think twice if you…

live somewhere hot most of the year
have cats or small pets at home
want a dog that comes back off leash

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 160–175 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10

EnergyAthlete8.5/10

Calm at homeSettles well7.5/10

SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Freighting build
Heavy bone and a deep chest made for pulling weight over distance, so it needs strength work, not just walks.
02
Plumed tail
Carried over the back and wrapped over the nose when curled up in the snow, a sign of a coat built for deep cold.
03
Woo, not bark
Malamutes talk, howl and “woo” far more than they bark, which neighbors notice through shared walls.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	80–90 lbs	70–80 lbs
Height	24–26 in	22–24 in
Lifespan	10–14 yrs
Coat	Thick, coarse double coat with a dense, oily undercoat

Side profile 23–25 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Malamutes are affectionate, sociable with people and independent to the core. They will greet a burglar warmly, then ignore your recall to chase a squirrel. Expect a dog that negotiates, digs craters in summer and steals food off counters.

With kids

Friendly and patient with kids it is raised with, but its size and enthusiasm can flatten a toddler. Supervise and teach kids not to crowd its food.

With other pets

Strong prey drive puts cats and small pets at risk, and same-sex dog aggression is common. Early, ongoing socialization helps but is no guarantee.

With strangers

Usually friendly to everyone, so it is a poor guard dog. It may still body-check guests in excitement.

Alone time

Copes for a few hours once exercised, but bored Malamutes dig, chew and howl. Crate training and a solid daily workout make alone time workable.

Training

Smart but independent, Malamutes were bred to make decisions at the front of a sled team, so they ask “what’s in it for me?” Short, varied, reward-led sessions beat repetition every time.

How often

3–5 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on other dogs of all sizes and on calm handling of feet, mouth and food bowl. Keep meeting dogs through adolescence, when same-sex tension tends to appear.
Self-control

Loose-leash walking and a “leave it” around food and small animals matter most. Teach a harness-pull cue for sanctioned pulling and reward slack leash on the flat collar so the dog learns the difference.
What it works for

Food is the strongest motivator, so use small, high-value pieces and keep treats within 10% of daily calories. Freeze-dried liver is one option for high-distraction work; rotate rewards to stay ahead of boredom.

Exercise

Malamutes need sustained, load-bearing work: long hikes, pulling and steady trotting rather than sprints. Cool-weather effort is where they shine.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Carting or weight pulling in a fitted harness
Skijoring or bikejoring in cool weather
Long hikes with a dog backpack

Brain work

Scatter feeding in grass or snow
Scent trails with hidden food
A designated digging pit with buried toys

Best home

House with a securely fenced yard and dig-proof fence line; poorly suited to hot climates or small apartments.

Watch for Heat is the main risk, so exercise at dawn or dusk in warm weather and never off leash in unfenced areas, since recall is unreliable.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Alaskan Malamute (75–85+ lbs) lands around 1,575–1,725 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,975–2,175 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 200–220 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 10–11 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,575–1,725 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 160–175 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–9 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 2,175–2,375 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 220–240 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 11–12 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,375–1,525 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 140–155 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–8 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,975–2,175 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	200–220 kcal	10–11 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,575–1,725 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	160–175 kcal	8–9 pieces
Active / Working	2,175–2,375 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	220–240 kcal	11–12 pieces
Senior	1,375–1,525 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	140–155 kcal	7–8 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Hip dysplasia, inherited polyneuropathy, eye disease and hypothyroidism are the main concerns. Keep the dog lean, since extra weight loads big joints fast.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy	AMPN DNA test	Once, in breeding dogs
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	Ask your vet if weight gain or coat loss appears

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Alaskan Malamute breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Polyneuropathy

Also recommended

Thyroid panel
Elbow evaluation

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Heavy, with one or two massive coat blows a year

Brush 2–3 times a week and daily during coat blows with an undercoat rake. Never shave the coat. Trim nails every 2–4 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

Ancient

Mahlemut sled dogs

The Inupiat Mahlemut people of northwestern Alaska kept these dogs to haul heavy loads, help hunt seals and keep the camp company.
1890s

Gold Rush freighters

The Klondike Gold Rush created huge demand for sled dogs, and many Malamutes were crossed with other breeds to supply it.
1935–1940s

Recognition and war work

The AKC recognized the breed in 1935, and Malamutes served as sled and pack dogs in World War II.

Questions owners ask

Are Alaskan Malamutes easy to train?

Not easy. Malamutes are intelligent but independent and will ignore cues that seem pointless to them. Short, rewarding sessions and a patient, consistent owner make the difference.

Are Alaskan Malamutes good with kids and other pets?

Usually with kids, less so with pets. They are gentle with familiar children but big and boisterous, and their prey drive makes cats and small animals risky. Same-sex dog conflict is also common.

How much exercise does an Alaskan Malamute need?

Plan on 90–120 minutes a day. Pulling, hiking and steady trotting suit them best, and they need cool conditions for hard work.

Do Alaskan Malamutes shed?

Yes, heavily. Expect fur year-round and one or two huge coat blows a year, with brushing 2–3 times a week and daily raking during sheds.

What health problems do Alaskan Malamutes have, and how long do they live?

Hip dysplasia, inherited polyneuropathy, eye disease and hypothyroidism are the main concerns. Malamutes typically live 10–14 years, and buying from a breeder who screens helps.

Is an Alaskan Malamute good for apartments or first-time owners?

No to both, for most people. Their size, shedding, howling and digging overwhelm small spaces, and their independence challenges first-time owners.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Alaskan Malamute needs only 8–9 pieces a day, well inside the 160–175 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Alaskan Malamute ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.