Alaskan Malamute

Coat and looks how to spot one

double coat, medium length

A thick, coarse outer coat protects a dense, woolly and slightly oily undercoat that can be 2.5 to 5 cm deep, a combination made for Arctic cold. Even the insides of the ears are well furred, and the plumed tail is carried over the back.135

Personality what they are like

A sociable, warm dog that greets people as friends rather than attaching to a single person. It stays playful and fun-loving, and as it matures it takes on a calm, dignified air. Bred to work alongside people, it is loyal to its family and happiest when it has a job to do.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than 2 hours of exercise a day, and VCA recommends a very long walk, jog or run in a secure area daily, plus mental games. Sledding, carting, backpacking and weight pull are ideal outlets.547

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush often, ideally daily, and more during the seasonal shedding of the undercoat. An occasional bath every 6 to 8 weeks helps loosen dead coat; dry the dense coat completely afterwards.564

Home where they are happiest

Suits a large house with a large, securely fenced garden and access to outdoor space. Its heavy coat makes it very comfortable in cold climates; shade and cool resting spots help in warm weather.5

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A balanced complete food for a large, active breed, with portions matched to workload. The thick coat can hide body shape, so check condition by feel and adjust portions to keep the dog lean. Puppies do well on a large-breed growth formula.4

Company who they like around

A people-oriented dog that enjoys company and does not like to be left out of family life. Its friendly nature means it is not a one-person dog, and regular shared activity keeps it content.13

The story where it all began

The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs and takes its name from the Malimiut Inupiaq people of northwestern Alaska, who relied on these powerful dogs to haul heavy loads and help with hunting. During the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, sled dogs became hugely valuable to prospectors, and many local dogs were mixed with incoming breeds. In the 1920s and 1930s enthusiasts, most notably Eva B. Seeley, worked to preserve the traditional type, and the AKC recognised the breed in 1935. Malamutes were chosen to support Admiral Byrd's expedition towards the South Pole in 1933 and later hauled freight and helped in rescue work during the Second World War. Wartime losses left only around 30 registered dogs by 1947, so the studbook was reopened and breeders combined the Kotzebue, M'Loot and Hinman-Irwin lines to rebuild the breed. In 2010 it became the official state dog of Alaska.124

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard no. 243, Group 5 Spitz and primitive types, Section 1 Nordic Sledge Dogs; standard published 09.03.2023.1

AKC

Recognised in 1935, Working Group; current standard effective 31 May 1994.3

The Royal Kennel Club

Working group.5

Popularity AKC rank 81 of registered breeds8