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Alaskan Malamute -
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oldest Arctic sled dogs. They are a powerful and substantially built dog with a deep chest and strong, well-muscled body.
The Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog , a loyal, devoted companion, and can be very playful.
These exact qualities also make the Malamute a poor choice as a guard dog.
Very important: A Mal needs a confident owner who will clearly be the pack leader and train the dog with only kind and firm methods.
This can be a very dominant breed, especially with other dogs of the same sex. It is important that you thoroughly socialize any Malamute around other dogs.
Recent DNA analysis has shown that the Malamute dog breed is also one of the oldest breeds of dog known to man.
Malamutes are of various colors, have a thick coat, a well furred tail carried over the back, are structured for strength and endurance, and this breed's strength is second to none.
Per the AKC, the primary criteria for judging the Malamute in a show is its ability to pull heavy freight as a sled dog; everything else is secondary.
Alaskan Malamutes are athletic dogs who love the outdoors, but can also thrive as house pets. Be forewarned, these dogs are heavy shedders - especially twice a year.
Watch a Malamute do what they do best
Another thing, they do like to dig and can do this out of boredom if they don't receive enough exercise. They can also be quite the talented escape artist so make sure that all gates and locks are secure before leaving your dog in any area outside.
Also, keep in mind in case you are thinking of adopting a malamute is that their dense coats generally make them unsuited for hot climates.
The natural range in size in the breed is: males, 25 inches at the shoulders, 85 pounds; females, 23 inches at the shoulders, 75 pounds.
Country of origin: Alaska
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Colors: Black and white, white, sable, gray, red
Known health problems: Bloat, hip dysplasia, dwarfism
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Return from Alaskan Malamute to Working Dog Group
