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Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are Inuit sled dogs. With plenty of exercise and exercise, these friendly dogs will also be happy without a sled. Learn all about the Alaskan Malamute dog breed here.

Alaskan Malamutes are Inuit sled dogs. With plenty of exercise and exercise, these friendly dogs will also be happy without a sled. Learn all about the Alaskan Malamute dog breed here.

Size: large
Weight: dog 40 kg, bitch 34 kg
Coat length: medium length
Coat Colors: Gradations from light gray to black with intermediate shades
Country of origin: Alaska

Origin of the Alaskan Malamute

The name of the Alaskan Malamute breed derives from the Mahlemiut, also known as Mahleniut, Inuit tribe of western Alaska, who used these dogs as draft animals. But they were also useful as furry hot-water bottles for their children. The Malamutes, also known as the “Locomotives of the North”, achieved worldwide fame through various polar expeditions.

The appearance of the Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a large, powerful dog that can reach a shoulder height of 65 cm. Males can weigh up to 40 kg, females are usually smaller and lighter. The Alaskan Malamute has a deep chest.

The loin is well muscled and merging into a moderately high set tail. When resting, it is carried over the back and resembles a plume with its thick hair. The Alaskan Malamute’s four paws resemble snowshoes and have well padded pads. They are large and have protective hairs growing between their toes.

The Alaskan Malamute may look similar to the Siberian Husky, but they are two different breeds of dog! They differ not only in their origin, as the name suggests, but also, for example, in the color of their eyes and fur. The Alaskan Malamute also grows larger than the Husky.

Coat and colors of the Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute’s coat is thick and rough, with a dense undercoat that varies in length from medium length on the side of the body to long on the neck, back, and shoulders. The fur can take colors of all shades from light gray to black with intermediate shades. The only uniform color is white.

Temperament and training of the Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a very people-oriented and friendly dog. He is particularly characterized by his high urge to move. In addition, the Malamute is willing to work. He is not suitable as a guard dog.

Training a small Alaskan Malamute must begin as soon as you adopt the puppy. Then you quickly realize that the Malamute is different from non-sled dogs. Rather cat-like, blessed with high intelligence and alert instincts, the Malamute is only conditionally willing to subordinate. Instead, this dog breed is independent and likes to make its own decisions.

Still, a Malamute can learn almost anything, but must recognize the need for it. Here the skill of the dog handler is just as important as consistency. Because asking every now and then whether the rules of yesterday still apply today is part of malamute, like the will to move. The Malamute does not tolerate pressure and hardness, and constant repetitions are not his thing either. You simply have to have a knack for the dog breed in order to be able to enter into a fulfilling partnership with it. An intensive examination of the original dog behavior and the behavior of the wolf forefather is recommended before purchasing a Malamute.

An Alaskan Malamute can and should be taught how to walk on a leash and how to orientate itself towards the dog handler. Otherwise, this dog breed will constantly pull on the leash with full force. You should be careful with the free run, because some Malamutes are highly motivated to hunt and can therefore hardly walk without a leash if there is a chance to encounter game. A good upbringing is therefore essential.

Keeping and caring for the Alaskan Malamute

For children, Malamutes are rather unsuitable playmates, despite their infatuation with humans. Younger children are easily knocked over by accident, and by the time a child is able to walk a Malamute under supervision, it’s a teenager. Of course, it is very possible for children and Malamutes to live together, but constant adult supervision is required.

Even cats and small animals are not unproblematic. There are definitely Malamutes who develop close friendships with their “own” cats in the same household. However, this does not apply to strange cats or rabbits in the neighbor’s garden. A stable, sufficiently high garden fence that is secured against undermining is easy on the nerves and ensures peace in the neighbourhood. An Alaskan Malamute feels most comfortable with one or even more conspecifics.

An Alaskan Malamute is not an apartment dog, but needs plenty of exercise and exercise. A rural home with plenty of space is best for this breed. Once the dog is fully grown and has been checked out by the vet, there are various options for exercise in addition to the usual exercise:

• jogging together
• Canicross
• Dog Scootering
• To go biking
• Skijoring
• Pulling a pulka
• Hiking with a dog backpack
• also swimming in the warm season

Slow walking is not enough for most Malamutes. Under challenged and bored, they look for alternative fields of activity, in which the interior design or the garden usually have to believe in it. Underutilized Malamutes can start to stray or become real problem dogs. Sufficient exercise is therefore essential for keeping this dog breed.

The Malamute’s coat is self-cleaning. This means it is made in such a way that any dirt dries up and then trickles out of the coat when the dog moves around the bed or gets up. But then it also looks the same in its surroundings.

Males change their fur twice a year, females may change their fur more often due to their menstrual cycle. Constant combing and grooming is required during the change of coat. Anyone who finds dog hair on clothing and furniture or grooming terrible, is ill-advised with a Malamute. The breed is only suitable for people who like to exercise outdoors in any weather and who don’t think of the dirt when they see their muddy dog, but how happy their dog looks at the moment.

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