General Malamute facts

  • An Alaskan Malamute is unlike any other breed you may have had before. You really must be prepared for all things they are. They are a true "lifestyle breed."
  • They do not consider themselves to be pets, rather your companions. Training and building a relationship with them is most successful when this mindset is understood and respected. 
  • Malamutes are magnificent, bold and extremely strong-willed. It's like having a gifted teenager in the house. 
  • They shed... a lot, especially seasonally. Your house will never be spotless again. 
  • Malamutes are highly intelligent. Training is easy but they will not blindly obey you. However, they will cooperate for a worthy reward.
  • Except for mandatory medical reasons, no part of the Malamute should never be shaved. It will NOT help them feel cooler. You will only be destroying their coat, which will not grow back the same, and expose them to health issues including skin cancer.
  • Being one of the more "primitive" or natural breeds, like wolves, Malamutes have a high capacity and ability to communicate. They are often misunderstood (in a negative manner) by most "common" or dialuted breeds. 
  • Malamutes do not belong in public dog parks (one of the reasons being the fact above). If you're looking for a dog to frequent the dog parks with, this is not the breed for you. 
  • Crate training is vital for keeping your house and your dog safe especially during puppy stages. 
  • An Alaskan Malamute will take up to 2-3 years to physically mature, and up to 3-5 years to emotionally mature. Be patient, teach them, enjoy them and most importantly, love them for who they are because they will give back 10x more! 
  • Not all Malamutes are talkative, although most are very opinionated and will tell you what's on their mind at any given time. 
  • Mental stimulation is just as important, if not more than physical stimulation for an Alaskan Malamute.​
  • Grooming a Malamute can take from 2 hours to 3.5 hours, depending on the condition and length of the coat. While they do not need to be bathed more than handful of times a year, they could use a good bath and blow out during shedding seasons. A professional groomer may charge $100-150 CDN per session depending on the coat and time needed for the groom. We highly recommend going to an experienced professional groomer with ethical grooming practices. ​