So, it looks like you’ve got a cute addition to your family. But while your Alaskan Malamute may look small now, eventually, you know they’ll become the magnificent, fluffy pets that they truly are.
That said, how big can an Alaskan Malamute grow, anyway? In this article, this is precisely what we’ll discuss.
How big can an Alaskan Malamute grow?
Alaskan Malamutes are classified as a large breed by the AKC. Understandably, this means that they’re generally bigger than other breeds of dogs, including other Husky breeds like Siberian Huskies.
For males, the average height is about 25 inches (63.5cm) at the shoulders. Females are a bit smaller, standing at around 23 inches (58.5cm) at the shoulders.
In terms of weight, males are also much heavier, weighing 85 pounds (38.5kg) on average as opposed to females who typically weigh roughly 75 pounds (34kg).
Since these are just the averages, don’t be worried if your Alaskan Malamute doesn’t match these stats exactly. For instance, a male Alaskan Malamute that is 24 inches high and weighs 79 pounds is still within the healthy range. At the same time, a female Alaskan Malamute that is 25 inches high and weighs 80 pounds is also considered normal.
Of course, an Alaskan Malamute that is both tall and heavy will look a lot bigger than an Alaskan Malamute that is shorter and lighter. But ultimately, as long as your Malamute is fine, health-wise, their size doesn’t really matter.
Can Alaskan Malamutes be overweight?
It’s important to determine whether an Alaskan Malamute is indeed overweight or if their coat is simply too thick.
Alaskan Malamutes have naturally thick coats to help protect them from extreme cold. They tend to shed these coats year-round, most notably around spring or winter. Some Malamutes have such thick coats that they look overweight because of it, even though that’s not the case.
However, it’s also true that there are some Alaskan Malamutes that are overweight. If a Malamute is around the average size (25 inches for males and 23 inches for females) but weighs at least 20-25 pounds heavier than usual, there’s a good chance that they’re overweight.
Obviously, taller Malamutes should be able to handle a bit more weight, but it’s safe to say that most average-sized Malamutes that are at least 110 pounds are severely overweight.
One way to check whether a Malamute is overweight or not is if you can still feel their ribs. No matter how thick their coats may be, you should still be able to feel them if you press gently by their side.
If you still can’t feel their ribs no matter how hard you try, it’s a good sign that your Malamute is overweight. Proper diet and exercise should be done immediately as being overweight can cause a lot of health issues to Alaskan Malamutes.
Are giant Alaskan Malamutes real?
If you’ve ever searched on the internet for information about Alaskan Malamutes before, you’ve probably already come across a special variant called Giant Alaskan Malamutes.
“Giant” Alaskan Malamutes are simply Malamutes that weigh heavier than 120-150 pounds. Unlike regular Malamutes, they stand taller than 35 inches. Coupled with their heavy weight, they do look like giant versions of our beloved, cuddly furbabies.
However, are they an actual breed or simply a variation of the regular Alaskan Malamute?
Actually, giant Alaskan Malamutes are simply selectively bred Malamutes. They’ve been around for hundreds of years, originally found in the frigid regions of Alaska. In order to achieve their size, breeders would take the largest Malamute puppy from one litter and breed that with another litter’s largest puppy.
Over time, this led to bigger and bigger Malamute puppies. Their offspring are what we know today as Giant Alaskan Malamutes.
Is my Alaskan Malamute too small?
Since Alaskan Malamutes are classified as a large breed, it’s understandable to feel worried when your Malamute seems a bit shorter and lighter than average.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry. There’s no such thing as “miniature” Alaskan Malamutes, but smaller Alaskan Malamutes do exist. And while they’re definitely not the norm, it doesn’t make them abnormal.
Why is my Alaskan Malamute small?
There are many reasons why your Alaskan Malamute may be smaller than usual.
The first one is genes. Just like how bigger Alaskan Malamutes can be selectively bred to create “giant” Malamutes, the same can be done to small Alaskan Malamutes, as well. If your Alaskan Malamute seems smaller than average, check to see if their parents or other siblings are also small.
Two, if their siblings seem normal-sized, your Malamute could be the runt of the litter. Runts can sometimes have underlying health issues, so be sure to get yours checked at the vet.
Three, they may not be eating enough, or their diet may not be up to par. Make sure that you’re feeding your Malamute only the best dog food possible to provide all the necessary nutrition.
These are just the most common ones. It’s best to still consult with a vet to find out what is truly going on.
Is my Alaskan Malamute too skinny?
It’s essential to determine first whether your Malamute is actually small or if it’s just skinny.
A small Alaskan Malamute means they’re not just light, they’re short in stature as well. For instance, a fully-grown male Malamute that’s 21 inches in height and 65 pounds in weight is certainly small but not necessarily skinny.
A skinny Alaskan Malamute is one that’s, say, 23 inches in height but only 55 pounds in weight. Alaskan Malamutes are working dogs, which means they must have a lot of muscle and fats on their body that contribute to their weight.
If they’re too skinny for their height, it’s important to visit the vet to get them checked out.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, as we mentioned above, your Alaskan Malamute’s size rarely matters, as long as they’re healthy.
In this article, we learned that:
- Alaskan Malamutes can grow up to 25 inches and 85 pounds for males and 23 inches and 75 pounds for females.
- Giant Alaskan Malamutes and small Alaskan Malamutes exist.
- Being overweight or underweight is not good for your Alaskan Malamute.
Did this answer your questions? Feel free to visit us at Husky Habits!