Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute originated from the ancient Mahlemut tribes of Alaska who used the breed during their hunting expeditions. It helped in catching seals and dragged heavy sleds across the tundra. Although various breeds were mixed to develop many types of sled dogs, the Mahlemut tribe preserved its original breed. This has something to with their remote location.

The American Kennel Club officially recognised the Alaskan malamute in 1935. The breed reached the UK in 1959 and has become the largest breed of sled dogs recognised by the Kennel Club.

The malamute is a powerful, heavily-boned dog. It has a broad head proportionate to its body with brown almond-shaped eyes and triangular ears. A male should be around 65 centimetres tall at the withers and weigh 85 pounds. A female should be about 58 centimetres and 75 pounds.

The breed has a double coat: thick, coarse, outer guard coat longer at the withers, and a dense, woolly undercoat. The standard colours range from light grey to shades of black. Another variety is from gold to shadings of red to liver. Its underbody, feet, legs, and mask always have white markings.

The Malamute is generally a clean dog, so bathing can be done a few times per year. Frequent bathing can strip off natural oils and make the coat very dry and dull. However, it requires daily brushing to maintain its beautiful coat and prevent mats. This breed is a heavy shedder and its hair falls in large lumps.

The Alaskan Malamute, like any dog breed, requires regular basic grooming if you want to keep this dog happy. It doesn’t have any particular needs, but other grooming regimens must not be ignored. Brush the malamute’s teeth twice or thrice a week to prevent potential gum disease. The nails must be trimmed if it becomes too long. Check the ears for any signs of infection such as redness or bad odour. Examining the malamute during grooming can help you detect any signs of abnormality early on.

This breed is patient, friendly and loving towards young kids, but can get too energetic and knock them over. This is why children must be taught how to properly approach this breed, and interactions should always be supervised.

Like every dog, the Alaskan Malamute requires early training and socialisation. Regardless of its breed’s predisposed temperament, its personality will be largely influenced by its experiences when young.

• Senior and less active: up to 1,110 calories daily
• Typical adult: up to 1,480 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 1,850 calories daily

An Alaskan Malamute puppy costs £500 to £800 depending on whether it is a Kennel Club-registered pedigree puppy or not. On top of the initial purchase cost, expect to spend £1,500 per year on high-quality food, supplies, grooming, initial vaccinations, boosters, neutering or spaying procedure, and vet fees.

Getting pet insurance will add £20-£50 to your monthly expenses. Since the Alaskan malamute is predisposed to some medical conditions, opting to get insurance can protect you from unexpected medical expenses.