Good owners will find immense joy in the company of an Alaskan Malamute due to the breed’s high level of sociability and playfulness.
If you’re considering adopting one of these stunning hounds, you may be curious as to how large they may grow to be so you should look at our Alaskan Malamute growth chart.
The intelligent, loyal, and playful Alaskan Malamute was originally trained to pull huge sleds over enormous distances in the Arctic.
Because of this, they are not meant to be lapdogs and instead are developed for strength and endurance.
In case you’ve just acquired one, then you might want to know about the usual adult height and weight of Alaskan Malamutes, as well as the expected age at which their growth will slow down.
To assist you in this endeavor, we have included an Alaskan Malamute weight chart that details their expected weight by age.
When Do Alaskan Malamutes Stop Growing?
The majority of Alaskan Malamutes attain their full size between the ages of 18 and 24 months, when they are considered to be mature.
The majority of dogs attain their full height and weight by the time they are one year old; nevertheless, it is possible that they will not complete bulking up until they are closer to twenty-four months of age.
True across the board, smaller dogs finish their development spurt earlier (some tiny breeds even prior to their first birthday), while massive and monstrous canine breeds continue expanding up to their second birthday.
It’s conceivable that Alaskan Malamutes, who are already massive dogs, will keep getting bigger after their first birthday.
The first six months of a puppy’s life are the fastest time of development; after that, growth slows down significantly until the dog is one year old, and then it tapers off in the next six to twelve months.
The first six months of a puppy’s life are the most rapid period of development.
Alaskan Malamute Growth Chart
If this is your first experience with canine companionship, you may be concerned that the Alaskan Malamute is too little for his breed.
A weight chart for Alaskan Malamutes may provide you with a general notion of the weight range that your puppy should be in based on their age.
Keeping a record of their weight in this way will make it easier for you to ensure that they are not either overweight or underweight.
It’s easy to use the Alaskan Malamute growth chart below. All you need to do is have an accurate record of your dog’s age.
Then you need to look at the left column and find the age that is closest to your dog. After this, it’s simple enough to look for your dog’s weight in the corresponding row.
Alaskan Malamute Weight Chart
Age | Weight in lbs | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 months | 17 - 30 lbs | |||||
4 months | 25 - 40 lbs | |||||
5 months | 33 - 48 lbs | |||||
6 months | 45 - 60 lbs | |||||
7 months | 52 - 67 lbs | |||||
8 months | 55 - 69 lbs | |||||
9 months | 57 - 71 lbs | |||||
10 months | 60 - 74 lbs | |||||
11 months | 65 - 77 lbs | |||||
1 year | 70 - 80 lbs | |||||
2 year | 75 - 85 lbs |
Alaskan Malamute Puppy Development Stages
Birth – 2 Weeks
In the newborn period, a puppy has no sense of hearing, sight, smell, or movement. They spend much of their time resting and eating.
The puppy’s nutritional needs are met entirely by the mother’s milk during this time.
Puppies need their mothers’ assistance to urinate and defecate because the mom licks the pup’s belly before each bowel movement.
They need the mother’s body heat as well since they lack the ability to regulate their own.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
At this point, the Alaskan Malamute is entering the socializing phase, during which it treats everyone it meets as though they were a member of its family.
Because of this, it’s crucial that you socialize them with other dogs and humans, and gradually expose puppies to the external world.
At this age, you may begin teaching them the fundamentals, such as how to use the bathroom outside, obey commands, and walk politely on a leash.
Because at this age, kids are naturally interested and responsive to praise.
4 Months – 9 Months
In this stage of development, the puppy’s physique and face begin to take on the characteristics of adult Alaskan Malamutes.
It’s important to be patient with your puppy at this stage because of his or her inquisitive nature and boundless energy.
You need to demonstrate to your puppy that you are the alpha now that they are trying to find their place in the pack.
Advanced training may be done at this period since your puppy is much more interested in learning.
10 Months – 18 Months
During this period, your puppy has developed both sexually and physically, allowing the optimum time for breeding.
Your new puppy may be eager to explore, leading to backyard hunts that give them a feeling of accomplishment.
They need to be mentally stimulated since they are highly active and full of life at this age. The moment is right to start teaching them some skills and introducing them to puzzle toys.
As a kind of distraction, you may instruct them in easy sports that won’t put undue stress on their developing skeletons.
Adult
You should now take your dog on lengthy walks and buy rawhides for your older puppy.
They only need stability, regularity, entertainment, predictability, and love from their loved ones. They are more dependable and like claiming their territory when out on walks.
Since most Alaskan Malamutes are likely to gain weight at this time, it is crucial that you provide them with frequent exercise and limited treats.
How Big Do Alaskan Malamutes Get?
The size your puppy eventually attains will be heavily influenced by their age. Dogs younger than a year still have a long way to go in terms of physical development.
You also have the option of a DNA test or just using the weight chart in this article.
Whether a puppy grows to be a large dog depends heavily on its parents. Inquire with the breeder from where you obtained your Alaskan Malamute puppy about the dog’s ancestry.
The size of your Malamute’s ancestors and close cousins is a good indicator of its potential adult size.
As a last step, measure your Malamute puppy’s paws. There is a good chance they are still developing into their paws if they seem disproportionately large to the rest of their body.
Male vs Female Alaskan Malamute Size Chart
Genetics determine your Malamute puppy’s size. You can’t control your dog’s mature weight. His genes dictate his height and weight.
Male Alaskan Malamutes weigh 85 pounds and stand 25 inches at the shoulder. Alaskan Malamute females weigh about 75 pounds and are 23 inches tall.
As Arctic sled dogs, purebred Alaskan Malamutes are strong, deep-chested, and heavy-boned. Giant Alaskan Malamutes weigh 100 lbs and can pull 1,000 lbs!
Giant Mals are still employed as sports companion dogs, but their size and activity requirements make them unsuitable as pets.
As with bigger working dogs, male and female Mals vary in size. Weight is more likely to vary than height, with girls usually around 85 lbs and men around 100 lbs.
Males take longer to mature. Measure your dog using the withers which is the highest point on the shoulder blades and then have him stand up straight against a wall. The length from the floor to the point of his withers is his height.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Alaskan Malamute Affect His Growth?
Spaying or neutering an Alaskan Malamute may affect their development. Neutering or spaying dogs may avoid certain health and behavioral difficulties. It also prevents unplanned offspring.
However, neutering or spaying may delay or halt the growth plates of an Alaskan Malamute. This might make the dog bigger, with longer legs, and change its structure.
Veterinarians disagree on when to neuter or spay Alaskan Malamutes. Some say neuter or spay at six months, others at two years. For your dog’s best time, visit your vet.
Sterilization of an Alaskan Malamute doesn’t guarantee a better life or pet. Consider the advantages and downsides and choose what’s ideal for both you and your dog.
Husky Vs Alaskan Malamute Size
The primary characteristic that sets the Alaskan Malamute apart from the Husky is its much larger size. The adult Alaskan Malamute is bigger than the adult Husky, despite the fact that both dogs are considered to be large breeds.
The Husky often measures between 20 and 24 inches in terms of their overall height. The average weight of a male Husky is between 45 and 60 pounds, while the average weight of a female Husky is between 35 and 50 pounds.
Between 23 and 25 inches is where most Alaskan Malamutes fall in terms of their typical height.
The average weight of a female Alaskan Malamute is around 75 pounds, whereas the average weight of a male Alaskan Malamute is approximately 85 pounds.
Factors That Affect Alaskan Malamute Growth
Genetics & Gender
There is a lot of variation in Alaskan Malamute size, and both gender and genetics play a factor. When fully grown, your puppy is likely to reach the height of his or her parents, grandparents, and other close relatives.
On the other side, your puppy’s likelihood of being short increases if its parents and extended family members are similarly proportioned.
There is a size and weight disparity between male and female Alaskan Malamutes. However, genetics do allow for the possibility of a larger female.
Nutrition
You should feed your Alaskan Malamute a high-quality meal in the appropriate proportions for their age.
When puppies are overfed, they become overweight, which may lead to a variety of health problems and even limit their lifespan.
Obesity in a puppy may lead to a variety of joint issues, including elbow and hip dysplasia. There’s a chance that you’ll require pricey surgery and drugs to treat this.
Physical Activity & Health
The Alaskan Malamute was originally raised to work, thus vigorous play and exercise come naturally to them.
In order for them to develop normally and attain their full potential, they need a great deal of physical activity.
Too much labor, though, might harm a puppy’s growth plates, so be careful to tailor the exercise you offer them to their age and size.
You should consult your veterinarian about how much exercise your puppy needs.
How Much To Feed A Growing Alaskan Malamute Puppy?
A developing Alaskan Malamute puppy needs a balanced diet. Puppy feeding demands vary on age, size, and activity level.
Malamute puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day with 3-4 cups of high-quality, puppy-formula dry food from 8-12 weeks old.
Between 3-6 months, you may decrease meals to three and increase food to 4-5 cups.
They should be fed twice a day and 5-6 cups between 6-12 months. Check your dog’s weight and alter their food consumption.
To promote growth and development, they need the correct protein, fat, and carbohydrate balance.
Alaskan Malamutes are huge dogs, so they need enough food to grow but not too much to cause obesity and other health problems.
How To Tell If Your Alaskan Malamute Is Underweight Or Overweight?
Monitor your Alaskan Malamute’s weight to keep them healthy. Overweight and underweight pups may lead to health problems.
Feeling your Alaskan Malamute’s ribs might indicate underweight. Your dog may be underweight if you can feel its ribs and they protrude. If your dog has a waistline and tuck-up below the ribcage, it’s underweight.
Several indicators might indicate whether your Alaskan Malamute is overweight. First, if you can’t feel your dog’s ribs or they’re covered in fat, he’s overweight.
Second, overweight dogs have no waistline and a low belly. Overweight dogs also have thicker fat pads across the shoulders, behind the ribcage, or at the base of the tail.
Talk to your vet about your dog’s appropriate weight. They can accurately examine your dog’s weight and body condition and advise you on food and activity changes to help them lose weight.
Remember that Alaskan Malamutes weigh more than lesser breeds. Their double coat makes them seem heavier. Thus, a veterinarian should evaluate your dog’s weight and health.
Do Alaskan Malamutes Experience Growing Pain?
As with other big breeds, Alaskan Malamutes may feel some discomfort as they mature.
Large and giant breeds often experience growing pains because to the fast maturation of their bones and joints. Limping, stiffness, and unwillingness to move are all possible symptoms.
But unlike other big dog breeds, this is rather uncommon in Alaskan Malamutes.
If your Alaskan Malamute puppy exhibits any indications of pain or discomfort, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out more serious problems.
A well-balanced food, frequent exercise, and regular veterinarian treatment can help your Alaskan Malamute live a long and happy life.
What To Do If My Alaskan Malamute Is Not The Right Weight?
Have you been debating whether or not your Alaskan Malamute weighs too much? There are a number of reasons why your puppy can be on the tiny side, including genetics, food, and even too much activity.
Because of the heritable nature of physical traits, genetics play a significant part in determining how big an Alaskan Malamute will grow up to be.
Underweight puppies may be caused by missing meals or feeding a low-quality food.
Puppies of the Alaskan Malamute breed do better with less activity and more rest. Intense physical activity might prevent normal development and even cause death.
Overfeeding and lack of exercise may be to blame for your Alaskan Malamute’s over weight.
Making sure your puppy gets enough of activity and is fed nutritious, high-quality food can help them maintain a healthy weight as they develop.
Take your puppy to the doctor if you have any concerns about his or her weight, especially if you feel there may be a medical issue at play.
How To Properly Weight/Measure My Alaskan Malamute?
To keep your Alaskan Malamute healthy, weigh them regularly. A large-dog scale is needed to weigh your Alaskan Malamute. Place the scale flat. Next, weigh your Alaskan Malamute in pounds or kilos.
At least once a month, weigh your Alaskan Malamute to track weight changes and identify health problems. Measure your dog’s height, too, using the same method as for puppies.
To monitor their growth, Alaskan Malamutes should be measured and weighed routinely. Your dog’s appropriate weight and body condition should be determined by your veterinarian.
Alaskan Malamute Genetics And Common Health Problems
The Alaskan Malamute breed is prone to a few health issues because of its genes.
Common in Alaskan Malamutes is hip dysplasia, a genetic disorder that results in the painful inflammation of the hip joints due to abnormal joint development.
Hip dysplasia may be treated medically to alleviate pain and discomfort, but in severe instances, surgery may be necessary.
Your Alaskan Malamute will have shorter legs than usual if it suffers from dwarfism, a genetic abnormality with no cure.
The Alaskan Malamute, like other dogs with narrow and deep chests, is more prone to bloat.
Puppy bloat happens when the stomach is too full of gas, and it may be dangerous if not handled because the stomach and spleen get less blood.
Take your puppy to the clinic immediately if you see any of these symptoms: an enlarged stomach or restlessness.
Hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, vision impairment, and epilepsy are a few more issues that they may experience.
Final Words
The Alaskan Malamute is an outstanding breed of dog that has a strong need for company and want to be with its family.
Because of their naturally lively and enthusiastic demeanor, they demand a significant amount of physical activity.
If you provide them with food that is nutritious, of excellent quality, and nutritionally sound, you can be assured that they will develop into happy, healthy dogs.