Alaskan Malamute

Outgoing, affectionate, and devoted companions, Alaskan Malamutes love people and are great with children. This breed enjoys curling up on the couch—but only after a lot of demanding exercise and stimulating activities.

As pack dogs, Malamutes typically do well with other dogs in the home. But they might not immediately get along with strange dogs. Alaskan Malamutes also have strong predatory instincts and may consider smaller animals as prey. So, take care to establish other pets as part of the family. Early socialization can also help with this.

Despite their size and imposing stature, Alaskan Malamutes are often too friendly to be effective guard dogs.

Alaskan Malamutes require a high-quality dog food that is age-appropriate—whether it's commercially manufactured or homemade (with a veterinarian's supervision and approval). Look for foods designed for large, high-energy breeds. And keep in mind that dogs engaged in endurance activities like sledding or skijoring (when a dog pulls a person on skis) may require extra calories.

These highly active dogs aren't prone to weight issues. But it's important to monitor how much your Alaskan Malamute eats and reduce portions or restrict calories if your pup gains excess weight. Also, remember that giving too many treats in addition to regular meals can contribute to obesity.

Daily grooming is required to keep your Malamute's thick, coarse coat looking its best. A metal comb and pin brush are the ideal tools for the job. Grooming is especially important for this breed because its waterproof fur often becomes matted, which can impact skin health.

Alaskan Malamutes blow their coats twice per year. During these times, you'll need to groom more frequently to manage your dog's undercoat. Bathing them with conditioner will also keep their coat from becoming too dry.

Finally, all dogs need their nails trimmed, ears cleaned, and teeth brushed regularly.

Strong, active dogs, Alaskan Malamutes are members of the working dog group and require a lot of exercise. So, be prepared for long walks and off-leash play at fenced-in dog parks. Because without enough opportunities to burn off their energy and appease their working instincts, Alaskan Malamutes can become bored and destructive.

Enrolling Alaskan Malamutes in activities like agility, obedience trials, and weight-pulling competitions are other fun options. These athletic dogs also make excellent running partners and perfect companions for backpacking trips, competitive sledding, and skijoring.

The Alaskan Malamute is an intelligent breed that responds well to positive, reward-based training. But these dogs can also be stubborn and willful. So, consistent, rigorous training is essential for raising a respectful, obedient dog.

Because Malamutes are pack animals, they must understand their place in the family hierarchy. Without adequate socialization and training, they may become dominant with other pets and kids—posing a risk due to their sheer size and strength.

Use toys and treats to capture this breed's attention. And remember that some behaviors, such as digging, are hardwired into Alaskan Malamutes and may be hard to eradicate—even with the best training.