You’re 20 miles out racing through the unforgiving tundra in below-zero temperatures with practically frozen eyelashes, a bright red nose, and numb toes. You signed up for a sled dog mushing course, and you’ve done weeks of prep work. However, nothing prepared you for the extreme thrill you’d feel!
They warned you the journey would be grueling and not for the faint of heart, and they were right! However, you’ve got the most amazing team of sled dogs made up of various Arctic dog breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. You’re so impressed with how their stamina and endurance seem neverending, as they barely need any breaks. The sled dogs work together to create an unstoppable team, covering vast distances while hauling heavy cargo. You notice the larger dogs’ friendliness with their packmates and human companions, and you’re impressed that dogs so serious about working can also make a goofy playmate when off duty. You want to learn more about Alaskan Malamutes when you return, but where to start?
Alaskan Malamute puppies for sale, also called Malamutes, Mals, or Mallies, do best with dog owners who understand the unique needs of such a spirited, high-energy dog and are prepared to meet their exercise and mental stimulation requirements. As members of the Working Group, Malamutes are always ready to perform tasks and are hard-wired to need a “job” to do to stay satisfied.
Alaskan Malamutes are playful, strong, and built for endurance crossing frigid, vast distances. Learn about their incredible stamina, loyalty, and affectionate nature while working hard.
Knud Rasmussen with 2 dogs and 2 Eskimos, early 1900s
The History and Origin of Alaskan Malamute Puppies
It’s no surprise that Alaskan Malamute puppies hail from the region of what is now Alaska in the northern Arctic region. While some dog breeds are less than 200 years old, the Alaskan Malamute dog breed is thousands of years old. The Mahlemiut Inuit tribe is thought to have brought wolf-dogs to Alaska’s Norton Sound when they crossed the Bering Strait from Siberia. A 2013 study examining DNA extracted from a 9,500-year-old dog named Zhokhov found that Alaskan Malamutes are also distantly related to the Greenland Dog, the Canadian Eskimo Dog, and the Siberian Husky, but are still a distinct dog breed. The Mahlemiuts bred Alaskan Malamutes specifically for their strength, endurance, and ability to adapt to frigid temperatures while hauling heavy loads long distances through treacherous terrain and unforgiving weather conditions. They depended on Alaskan Malamutes for survival, communication with other groups, and companionship. They were also used as pack dogs, protecting the tribe from polar bears and other predators, playing with children, keeping the family warm at night, and hunting seals and whales.
Other people independent of Inuits found ways to harness the remarkable work ethic of Alaskan Malamutes for various pursuits. Prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1800s quickly learned Alaskan Malamutes were indispensable to their pursuit of the precious metal. They also brought other sled dogs and dogs from the lower continental US which almost wiped out the Malamute’s pedigree due to breeding different dogs together. However, due to the isolation of the Mahlemiuts, the dog breed was preserved and replenished the rapid decline. Alaskan Malamutes were an integral part of Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s expedition to the South Pole in Antarctica, helping the team gather scientific data, explore never-seen-before ice cliffs, and establish a small outpost.
Origins of the Iditarod Race: The Nome Serum Run of 1925
The most famous sled dog race in the world is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race held every year. This race is more than just fun for mushers, dogs, and spectators; it commemorates a 1,000-mile race to deliver lifesaving diphtheria serum to Nome, helping to prevent a deadly, widespread epidemic. The Iditarod was formed in 1973, and the course covers unforgiving terrain and conditions, like “jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast.”
Alaskan Malamutes are most famous for their integral part of the Iditarod. While other Northern Arctic sled dogs like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Huskies are other fine choices, the Alaskan Malamute truly shines with its body perfectly designed to race to the finish line with ease and joy.
Malamutes in popular culture
Here are some other notable Alaskan Malamutes:
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Alaskan Malamutes served as rescue dogs during World War II. They carried weapons, performed search and rescue missions, and detected mines with their powerful noses.
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George Lucas of Star Wars fame had a Mal named Indiana. He based the Chewbacca and Indiana Jones characters on his beloved companion.
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A group of Alaskan children nominated the Alaskan Malamute to be the official state dog in 2007, and it was signed into law in 2010 in front of proud parents, students, and representatives.
What Does an Alaskan Malamute Puppy Look Like?
Some people think Alaskan Malamutes look exactly like wolves, and they’re not far off. However, Malamutes do not share genetic material with wolves and are a different species.
Alaskan Malamutes have a powerful, imposing physique standing 23-25 inches and 75-85 pounds when fully grown. They have a dense outer coat consisting of a weatherproof outer layer and a soft, downy undercoat to create a temperature-regulating effect to keep them insulated from unforgiving weather conditions. Their bushy tails curl down onto their backs and look like feathered plumes. Their erect ears, giant paws, powerful shoulders, deep chests, and nimble, athletic gait make them the true powerhouses of the Arctic. Alaskan Malamutes come in 9 different color combinations and 2 markings, including combinations of white, black, red, silver, gray, and with or without masks.
What’s the Personality of an Alaskan Malamute Puppy?
If you’re considering bringing home an Alaskan Malamute puppy, it’s important to do due diligence to see if this dog breed is the right fit for you. Here are some personality quirks of Alaskan Malamutes to know about to see if this active, adventurous dog breed is your top choice.
While they may look intimidating, Alaskan Malamutes make terrible watchdogs because they view humans as friends rather than foes as a default approach. They are actually playful, affectionate, and sweet-natured, making excellent playmates for children and other dogs.
Malamutes are sensitive to human emotions and seem to empathize with their owners. This can be wonderful in moments when you need comfort but frustrating when you see them getting stressed when you are! It’s hard to always be calm and patient, but Alaskan Malamutes can act according to your mood.
The intelligence of an Alaskan Malamute is uncanny! Malamutes are bright and resourceful and will absolutely make their own fun if not focused and entertained. They are always up for an adventure and will create ways to fulfill their “need for speed.”
Alaskan Malamutes are not big on excessive, relentless barking like other breeds. However, that doesn’t mean they’re quiet by any means. Alaskan Malamute owners are often amused at their grumbles, yips, howls, growls, and other vocalizations they will come to learn to interpret.
How Active is an Alaskan Malamute Puppy?
Alaskan Malamutes are not for the sedentary family! These natural athletes need a family that matches their exercise needs and love of adventure. Alaskan Malamutes do best with 1-2 hours of rigorous daily exercise in addition to plenty of mental stimulation opportunities. Having access to a secure, open yard or large space such as a dog park where Malamutes can run, chase, and frolic is key to meeting their exercise requirements. Because they are built for endurance, stamina, and speed, Alaskan Malamutes thrive participating in winter dog sports. In addition to sled racing, skijoring is when a team of Malamutes pulls a handler on skis along a predetermined course.
Failure to provide enough physical and mental stimulation for Alaskan Malamutes is a recipe for disaster. They can become bored and anxious, exhibiting behavioral problems like being destructive, chewing, excessive barking, whining, pacing, and becoming aggressive. Alaskan Malamutes need plenty of opportunities to exercise their brains. Giving puzzle toys to solve and providing interactive games keeps their neuropathways growing.
Training an Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes work beautifully as a team when tasked with hauling precious cargo incredible distances. You can deduce that training Alaskan Malamutes can be rewarding because they’re smart and eager to please their humans.
Alaskan Malamutes do well with consistent, positive reinforcement and will never respond well to harsh training methods. Keep your sessions quick and creative to switch up any routine a Malamute may find boring. You can be repetitive without losing your Mal’s interest!
Because they are so intelligent, an Alaskan Malamute may try to take over as the leader of the household. That’s why it’s so important to train your Alaskan Malamute puppy from Day One, starting with basic puppy training commands. You should enroll your Alaskan Malamute into a puppy kindergarten-style class to reinforce basic commands and learn proper socialization with other puppies. From there, it’s a great idea to continue training with additional classes. Because Mals can be big dogs and have a mind of their own, early training helps prevent problems down the road regarding safety and socialization.
Grooming an Alaskan Malamute Puppy
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic, low-to-no-shedding dog, check out our other breed guides because the Alaskan Malamute is quite the opposite! It’s recommended that Alaskan Malamute owners own as many hair-cleaning devices as possible. Why? Because an Alaskan Malamute sheds profusely! Malamute parents like to discuss which high-powered vacuums and hair-removing devices are best to gather all that fur that drifts around in tumbleweeds mere seconds after vacuuming. Keep a lint roller in your closet, kitchen counter, purse, car – anywhere, really!
Never shave an Alaskan Malamute for any reason! No, they won’t get too hot in the summer, as their coat serves as an air conditioner, trapping cooler air next to the skin in the downy, lofty undercoat while the coarse outer layer protects them from the sun’s rays. Likewise, Alaskan Malamutes do so well in the cold because all that fur creates an insulated layer between the skin and the harsh elements, keeping their body heat close.
Clear your schedule
Malamute owners need to commit to keeping their coats brushed out every few days to prevent mats and tangles, remove debris, and distribute natural oils in their coats. You’ll need to purchase a metal pin brush and an undercoat rake to remove dead hairs in both layers.
It takes about 2 hours to fully groom an Alaskan Malamute. While you can do maintenance grooming at home, you may feel more comfortable having a professional bathe and blow dry your dog. They’ll have a bathing facility big enough to bathe your dog, and you’ll be amazed at how much hair flies around during a high-powered blow-dry session! Alaskan Malamutes can also be stubborn, so a professional groomer will have methods to put your dog at ease.
Grooming is more than just bathing and brushing
In addition to bathing and brushing your Malamute’s coat, make sure you are not skipping out on other grooming essentials. Keep their nails at a reasonable length to prevent painful gait issues. Check their eyes and ears to see if they are clear of any blockage, debris, discharge, or irritation. Practicing good dental hygiene for dogs will keep their teeth clean and diseases at bay. You can always ask your professional groomer for tips to maintain your Alaskan Malamute if you have any questions about best practices.
Find an Alaskan Malamute Puppy at Pawrade
Alaskan Malamutes make fantastic companions for those who are able to accept the rewarding challenge of raising this magnificent, spirited dog breed. Whether you join a mushing team or enjoy cuddles on the couch, an Alaskan Malamute puppy for sale is always up for fun with his people as a beloved member of the pack.
Do you know who else is known for an impressive work ethic? Pawrade! We are a pet adoption service uniting excited Alaskan Malamute puppy parents with trustworthy, pre-screened breeder partners. Like an Alaskan Malamute hauling a sled, we do all the heavy work for you by only accepting breeder partners who pass our rigorous selection process. We provide a scam-free adoption platform using a secure transaction management system to process payments safely and serve as a communication portal among customers, breeders, and Puppy Concierge team members.
All Alaskan Malamute puppies for sale at Pawrade come with perks, too! Each puppy comes with a 3-year comprehensive health guarantee, a health certificate, up-to-date vaccinations, 30 days of free MetLife insurance, and much more. While we can’t quite pull up at your door with a team of sled dogs to deliver your new puppy, your Alaskan Malamute has several Pawrade puppy travel options to meet you in a way that’s convenient for you. We can’t wait for you to ride off into the sunset with your Alaskan Malamute puppy!
