Dog Breed
Alaskan Malamute
Giant
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- Full Name
- Alaskan Malamute
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 10 - 12 years
- Weight
- 70 - 105 pounds
- Description
Friendly, Affectionate, Devoted, Loyal, Dignified, Playful, Powerful
- Origin
- United States of America
- Bred For
- Hauling heavy freight, Sled pulling
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
4/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute good with children?
Yes, the Alaskan Malamute is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Alaskan Malamute naturally loves children.
Stranger Friendly
5/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute friendly with strangers?
Yes! The Alaskan Malamute is naturally friendly with everyone. As always, socialization is always important, but the Alaskan Malamute typically loves everyone they meet
Dog Friendly
4/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute friendly with other dogs?
Yes, the Alaskan Malamute is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Alaskan Malamute is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
Likes to Cuddle
3/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute like to cuddle?
The Alaskan Malamute likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
Playfulness
5/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute like to play?
The Alaskan Malamute is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
3/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute make a good service dog?
The Alaskan Malamute is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
Ease for Novice
3/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute good for first-time owners?
The Alaskan Malamute is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
Training Potential
4/5
How well can the Alaskan Malamute be trained?
The Alaskan Malamute can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Alaskan Malamute can be incredibly well-trained.
Amount of Shedding
3/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute shed a lot?
The Alaskan Malamute is an average shedder. Alaskan Malamute owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute easy to groom?
The Alaskan Malamute requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Alaskan Malamute to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Alaskan Malamute on your own as well.
Exercise Need
5/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute need a lot of exercise?
The Alaskan Malamute needs a daily exercise partner! The Alaskan Malamute is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
Intelligence
4/5
How smart is the Alaskan Malamute?
The Alaskan Malamute is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
Amount of Barking
4/5
How much does the Alaskan Malamute bark? Does the Alaskan Malamute bark too much?
The Alaskan Malamute barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Alaskan Malamute will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
Guard Dog Ability
2/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute a good guard dog?
The Alaskan Malamute would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
Tolerates Being Alone
1/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute good at staying alone? Is the Alaskan Malamute independent?
The Alaskan Malamute considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
Good for Apartment Living
2/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute a good apartment dog?
The Alaskan Malamute is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
Size
3/5
How big is the Alaskan Malamute?
The Alaskan Malamute is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
Tolerates Heat
2/5
How much does the Alaskan Malamute tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Alaskan Malamute?
The Alaskan Malamute does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Alaskan Malamute if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
Tolerates Cold
5/5
How much does the Alaskan Malamute tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Alaskan Malamute?
The Alaskan Malamute does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
Potential to Run Away
5/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute try to run away?
The Alaskan Malamute has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Alaskan Malamute is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
General Health
4/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute a healthy dog? The health of a Alaskan Malamute should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Alaskan Malamute is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Alaskan Malamute high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
Energy Level
5/5
How energetic is the Alaskan Malamute?
It seems like the Alaskan Malamute never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Alaskan Malamute is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Alaskan Malamute for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
Amount of Drooling
2/5
How much does the Alaskan Malamute drool?
The Alaskan Malamute drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
Prey Drive
4/5
Does the Alaskan Malamute have a large prey drive? Does the Alaskan Malamute like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Alaskan Malamute has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Alaskan Malamute may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
Athleticism
5/5
Is the Alaskan Malamute atheltic?
The Alaskan Malamute is a true athlete. The Alaskan Malamute is both fast, strong, and has a ton of endurance that suits it well for runs, hikes, and even marathons!
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Breed Variations
Red and White
Agouti
Black and White
White
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Dog- Working
- Sled Dog
- Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a purebred dog that belongs to the Sled Dog sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds.
Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Sled Dog sub-group: Sled dogs are an ancient breed that has been featured in many movies and tales. Sled dogs live for adventure. They can withstand harsh winters, and run for many miles without needing to stop for rest. Because of their nature, they are a pack animal who loves being in a group. They are not the best dog for a first time owner because they hate being alone, and they have high expectations- they want their pack leader to be firm, but also playful and always around them.
Sled dogs over the years have developed into family pets, and they are very friendly with both people and other dogs. However, they do have high levels of energy and high prey drive, so it is important to socialize them at an early age so they know their boundaries with small children and small dogs. They are very athletic, so would be a great fit with an active family who likes to hike, run, bike, and of course... sled!
Alaskan Malamutes for adoption
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