Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Arctic sled dog breeds, originally developed by the indigenous Mahlemut people of Alaska to haul heavy loads across frozen terrain.
These powerfully built working dogs were bred for endurance rather than speed, a heritage that continues to define their character today.
38-56kg
Weight
Large
Size
12-14yrs
Lifespan
About the Alaskan Malamute
Standing 58–71 centimetres tall and weighing 38–56 kilograms, Malamutes are impressively large, with a thick double coat in shades of wolf grey, black, sable, or red, typically featuring white markings. Their coat requires regular brushing to manage substantial shedding, which intensifies dramatically during seasonal changes. Temperamentally, Malamutes are friendly, affectionate dogs that bond readily with family and strangers alike, making them poor guard dogs despite their imposing size. However, they are intelligent and strong-willed, requiring firm, consistent training from an early age due to their considerable power. The breed can display dominance towards other dogs and possesses a strong prey drive, so careful socialisation is essential. Highly energetic and curious, Malamutes need more than two hours of daily exercise and thrive on outdoor activity. They are devoted companions for active families with the space and lifestyle to accommodate a large, energetic dog, though they are not suitable for sedentary households.
Alaskan Malamute at a Glance
- Group
- Working
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 38–56 kg
- Height
- 58–71 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Medium
- Sheds
- Yes
- Exercise
- More than 2 hours per day
- Typical price
- £500–£1000
Alaskan Malamute Temperament
The Alaskan Malamute is a friendly, affectionate and people-loving breed that bonds readily with its family and strangers alike. Highly intelligent and strong-willed, it requires firm, consistent training from an early age to ensure it remains manageable given its considerable size and power. Malamutes have a strong prey drive and can be dog-aggressive, particularly with those of the same sex, so careful socialisation is vital. They are energetic and curious, thriving on activity and outdoor adventure. While not suited to guard work, their size is an effective deterrent. They are devoted companions to active families.
Alaskan Malamute Lifestyle
The Alaskan Malamute is happiest in a spacious home and really benefits from a large, secure garden. A country setting suits them well.
Dog Food for Alaskan Malamute
Top-rated foods for Large breeds, ranked by FurScore. How we score →
Recommended Food for Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamute Food Costs
Estimated based on a typical Alaskan Malamute weighing around 47 kg, using the food prices shown above.
Per day
£7.41 - £7.89
Per month
£222 - £237
Per year
£2703 - £2882
Alaskan Malamute Characteristics
The Alaskan Malamute requires a great deal of exercise and does best with an active owner and is easy to train. They are excellent with children of all ages, but can be left for short to moderate periods without issue. The coat is fairly easy to maintain with regular brushing and sheds at a fairly average rate. This is a very clever breed that benefits from puzzle toys and training to keep their mind busy.
Alaskan Malamute Pros & Cons
Pros
- Playful and comical with a real sense of humour that keeps life entertaining
- Highly intelligent and capable of learning complex tasks
- Wonderful with older children and generally good with family members
- A robust working breed that suits active, outdoor-focused households
Cons
- The thick double coat needs daily brushing and sheds heavily during seasonal moults
- Strong-willed and can be stubborn, which makes them a challenge for inexperienced owners
- Skilled escape artists with a talent for digging and climbing
- A high prey drive means careful management is needed around other animals
