Alaskan Malamute Puppies

Alaskan Malamutes are powerful and active, with an enormous amount of stamina and strength. This breed has a lot of energy, so it requires daily exercise, both physical and mental. Without adequate exercise and activity, Alaskan Malamutes can become bored and destructive. Overall, these dogs are outgoing and friendly toward everyone, but can become aggressive toward other dogs if not trained and socialized properly. Generally, this breed does well with children, but could be considered too hyper or boisterous for homes with young children. Alaskan Malamutes are not recommended for first-time dog owners, as they have a strong will and require experienced handling and firm leadership. They are quick learners, though, so training an Alaskan Malamute isn't too challenging.

They should be screened regularly for conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, thrombopathia, and day blindness. Like all breeds, their ears should be checked regularly and their nails should be clipped often to prevent discomfort and infection.

Truly ideal for an energetic lifestyle, you can rely on the Alaskan Malamute to accompany your hiking or cross country expeditions. You should typically expect to spend one to two hours per day exercising or playing with this breed to ensure it meets daily activity requirements.

The Alaskan Malamute's coat should be brushed daily to prevent matting and tangling, which is common with their thick and straight coat. To decrease hair found in your house, an undercoat rake is encouraged during heavy shedding seasons. Dirt and grime can get caught up in their thick hair, so they should be bathed once every few months.

Their thick double coat sheds heavily year round, and their bottom coat sheds especially heavy twice a year. You can expect to vacuum and sweep regularly to pick up excess hair.

Available in colors ranging from black and white to red and sable, the Alaskan Malamute presents as a powerful, athletic dog with erect, triangular ears. The tail naturally rests over the back, and their muzzle is broad from nose to base.

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, and it was originally bred to hunt seals, chase away predators, and pull heavy sleds for the Native American Mahlemut tribe, long before Alaska was even a state. The breed was used in many Polar expeditions, including that of Admiral Byrd in 1911. The Alaskan Malamute Club of America was formed in 1935, and the breed was also recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) the same year. Today, it is still used in the Arctic regions to pull heavy loads, and also in dog sled races. As of 2010, the Alaskan Malamute has officially become the state dog of Alaska.