Most important facts
- Group
- Working
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 34–39 kg
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
- Coat
- Thick
- Energy
- High
- Height
- 58–64 cm
- Colours
- Grey, sable and black shades with white
- Shedding
- Heavy
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£57/mo
- Gear to consider
- Slow-feeder bowl, heavy-duty no-pull harness, de-shedding grooming brush
Typical dry food, adult
About the Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute takes its name from the Mahlemut people of north-west Alaska, who bred it over centuries to haul heavy sledges across long distances in brutal cold. It is freight-dog strength rather than racing speed, built to pull all day and sleep outdoors doing it. The breed served on polar expeditions and in both world wars, and the modern dog still thinks hauling something is a fine idea.
Malamutes are friendly, outgoing dogs bred to work in teams, which shows in their sociable, pack-minded nature. They are affectionate with their family and generally good with children they grow up with, but obedience does not come factory-fitted. The independence that served them on the ice makes training a patient, reward-based project.
This is not a breed for long hours alone. Malamutes are prone to separation distress and are vocal in their own way, talking and howling rather than barking. A genuinely active home keeps them settled, and a tired Malamute is a far calmer housemate than an under-exercised one.
Common health conditions
Things Alaskan Malamute owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Hip dysplasia
A malformed hip joint that leads to arthritis over time. Keeping a Malamute lean through accurate portioning takes real pressure off the joints.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
The deep, narrow chest shape is linked to this life-threatening emergency. Smaller, more frequent meals and a slow feeder reduce the risk.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid can cause weight gain, lethargy and coat changes. Diagnosis usually means a portion review alongside daily medication.
Inherited eye conditions (including cataracts)
Progressive vision loss can appear later in life, so annual vet checks help catch changes early.
Feeding a Alaskan Malamute
Malamutes were bred to work hard in the cold on calorie-dense rations, but most pet Malamutes lead far quieter lives. Portion to the dog in front of you and leave the reputation out of it. A large, deep-chested breed does best on measured meals split across two sittings, which also helps reduce bloat risk. Two measured meals a day is the rhythm that suits most.
Look for a complete food with quality protein to support the dense muscle and coat, and check body condition by feel through the year, because that coat hides weight gain from the eye. The kindest thing an owner can do for a Malamute's hips is keep it genuinely lean, and merely not fat is not the same thing. Adjust portions when their workload changes with the seasons.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Alaskan Malamute needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
34–39 kg
Est. daily calories
1,180–1,970 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Alaskan Malamutes eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£1.86
- Per month
- ~£57
- Per year
- ~£679
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Alaskan Malamute
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Alaskan Malamute by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs9/10
- Appetite8/10
- Trainability5/10
- Good with children7/10
- Shedding10/10
- Tolerates being alone2/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Affectionate and sociable with familiar children
- A strikingly handsome, weatherproof coat
- A loyal, pack-minded companion for active homes
Worth knowing
- Sheds very heavily twice a year
- Independent and often stubborn to train
- Struggles with being left alone regularly
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much should I feed my Alaskan Malamute?
Start from the feeding guide for their weight and life stage, then adjust to their waistline. You should feel the ribs with light pressure. Split the food across two meals, never one, partly for bloat risk, and the Food Finder can match a food to their size and activity.
Are Malamutes prone to weight gain?
Yes, particularly past the boisterous puppy years or when exercise drops off, and the dense coat hides the early signs. Regular weigh-ins, honest hands-on condition checks and accurate portions are the best defence.
Do Alaskan Malamutes need a special diet for their joints?
There is no single joint diet. Keeping a Malamute lean throughout life is the biggest thing an owner can do for the hips, alongside balanced growth food for puppies.
Are Alaskan Malamutes good with children?
Generally sociable and tolerant with children they are raised with, but their size and strength mean small children should always be supervised, and calm guidance suits the breed's pack instincts best.