Alaskan Malamute - The Alaskan Malamute is a large, powerful dog breed that originates from the Arctic. It has a dense coat that is coarse, and the tail should be held over its back. It has a strong body, and it has the expression of a dog that is noble. The feet are furry with strong pads, and this allows it to move quickly over snowy terrain. The ears should be triangular in shape, and should stand up. The eyes should have the shape of almonds, and should be small and dark in color. The ideal colors for the eyes will be brown, and an Alaskan Malamute with blue eyes is undesirable. The colors of the coat should either be white, black, gray, or red. At first glance, the Alaskan Malamute may resemble a wolf, and are similar in appearance to the Siberian Husky, another popular Arctic dog.
Temperament
The Alaskan Malamute is a dog which is courageous and intelligent. It is excellent with mature children who can handle it with care. These dogs are quite dignified, but are too friendly to be used as effective guard dogs. Malamutes enjoy living outside, but they will need to receive extensive amounts of attention from their masters. At the same time, Alaskan Malamutes will be at home living indoors with their owners. It is crucially important to make sure these dogs get the necessary amount of attention, as they can become very destructive when they are left alone.
Health Problems
These dogs tend to be very healthy. If it is purchased from a puppy mill, it may have some behavior problems that owners will want to watch for. The only common condition that these dogs suffer from is hip dysplasia, but this is a disorder that is found with many dog breeds. Dwarfism may be seen in Alaskan Malamutes, but it is not common. This breed has a maximum life expectancy of 15 years.
Exercise
Alaskan Malamutes only need a standard amount of exercise. They are Arctic dogs that should never be given large amounts of exercise in hot weather. If they are placed in a yard, they should be able to exercise themselves, but owners will also want to take them on walks in cool weather.
Special Grooming Needs
The Alaskan Malamute has a thick coat that owners will want to brush at least twice a week. They shed large amounts of fur, and the undercoat may get clumps. These dogs virtually never have to be bathed. Alaskan Malamutes are clean, and will not have odors.
Gallery Of Alaskan Malamute
