General Description
(Mal) Alaskan Malamutes are a well-built, strong Arctic breed. Their bodies are large, compact and sturdily built, and well-muscled. They have a broad head with a dignified expression, and their triangular-shaped ears are carried erect. Alaskan Malamutes have a plumed tail that curls over the back in a loop shape. Their almond-shaped eyes are brown in color, and they resemble those of a wolf. The Alaskan Malamute’s lush double coat comes in a variety of colors including white, black and white, wolf gray, wolf sable, or red. Markings, highlights, masks, or dark caps in different colors may exist.
Character
Alaskan Malamutes are a good-natured, energetic breed. They are fun-loving, loyal, dedicated, and affectionate towards their owner(s). They make excellent pets for families with older children. As they become older, Alaskan Malamutes get calmer and more dignified. They are extremely sociable and outgoing, even towards strangers, so they do not make good watchdogs or guard dogs. This breed needs plenty of attention in order to prevent the onset of behavioral difficulties. Although sometimes difficult to train, Alaskan Malamutes are eager to please and can learn good manners with comparative ease. They like to dig and howl, and they will eat whatever is given to them.
Their howl is almost identical to that of a wolf!
Size
22 – 26 inches
Weight
70 – 95 pounds
General Health
Alaskan Malamutes have few health concerns or genetic problems. Owner should not purchase this breed from a puppy mill, as these dogs are more prone to have a bad temperament or health issues. Like many other large breeds, Alaskan Malamutes are prone to hip dysplasia. They can also be susceptible to bloat. They typically live for 12 to 15 years, and they average 6 puppies per litter.
History
Alaskan Malamutes are a breed of Nordic dog. This means they are descendants of the Arctic wolf. Initially utilized by the Alaskan Eskimos 2000 to 3000 years ago, the Alaskan Malamutes were their predominant source of transportation. The breed hauled supplies and pulled sleds, and they were later used in Admiral Byrd’s pole expeditions. Alaskan Malamutes are known for their endurance and heart, and they have a number of natural abilities like sledding, racing, weight pulling, carting, and searching and rescuing. Over the past few decades, Alaskan Malamutes have proven to be excellent companions.
Maintenance
The Alaskan Malamute’s dense, thick coat should be brushed frequently. They are excessive shedders and their undercoat comes out in clumps twice a year. This breed is clean and odorless, so bathing is not particularly necessary. Alaskan Malamutes need plenty of exercise, but they shouldn’t be too active in warm weather.
Ideal Environment
Alaskan Malamutes are fairly active inside, and they need a large yard to run around and play. This breed likes to dig, so it’s important to have a buried fence that surrounds the backyard.
Alaskan Malamutes are used to cold weather conditions, so they should be kept cool with lots of shade and cold water.
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I really like this breed and I was thinking about getting one. I live in a tropical country however, Jamaica. Is this climate too hot for the dog?
No, they won't do good. As you see in the pic above, this breed thrives in cold weather. Try getting a retriever instead.
They would be okay, just keep an eye on your dog, and make sure you know what to do if it over-heats!
If you do get one be sure to give the dog the proper vitamins. I live in South Carolina in an area of 100% humidity in the summer and my golden retriever had very bad liver problems that could have been solved earlier if I had known which specific vitamins to give him. The summers will be tough....depends if you will keep the dog inside or outside during the day.
People do say they do need the cold weather, well that doesnt mean they cant live in humid climate. so i say it is ok but just make sure your Malamute has some coolness in his life. i suggest turning on your air conditioner inside your house and letting your Malamute come inside. do watch him though just in case. Do make sure they have anough space, they need a lot of space!!!!
I personally don't recommend it at all. you will have lots of trouble and you will have much more enjoyment of getting a different type of dog, I suggest a labrador retriever, if you like big dogs.
If you want a great inside dog and are willing to have him groomed (short cut) and run an air conditioner, he should be okay. Otherwise, I would get a dog more suited to the hotter weather.
Yes, it's too hot for a Malamute and any other Arctic dog. You know it or you wouldn't ask the question. Either choose a more sensible dog type for Jamaica, or move home to a more northerly location before you get your Nordic dog, if that's what you realy want.By the way, most believe they aren't a good "first dog." Learn with some other breed first.
I've had mine for about 8 years and I live in North Texas. I let him come and go in and out of the house as he pleases. Obviously he stays out when the temps reach 30-40 in the winter months. Summers he stays inside.
I have read that Siberian Huskies cannot be trusted off the lead as they may just keep running. However in all the articles I have trawled through this is not mentioned with Malamutes. Will a Malamute return if let off the lead?
i have a 2 year old siberian husky and alaskan malamute. I often have both of them off a leash. They have never run off on me. As a matter of fact they run along with my snowmobile much like a pack. I also have them trained to stay on an open porch, on a residential street, with or without me.
Neither will if you train them right and accept them as members of the pack. However, they need to know they can trust you because both breeds are known to be wary and very hesitant.
What is the difference between the siberian huskie and the malamute?
Malamutes are bigger stronger and gentler. Huskies are very skinny and delicate compared to these giant dogs.
Huskies were bred mainly for racing purposes and are not particularly good family pets, whereas a malamute is fantastic as a family pet.
I have alaskan malamute wolf mix puppies that are 7 months old. I keep them outside in a very large pen, but with winter coming, what is the lowest tempature they can withstand before I need to bring them indoors at night?
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