Alaskan Malamutes are sled dogs with striking coat colors.
They were bred to haul heavy loads on sleds over long distances, showcasing their incredible endurance levels.
Alaskan Malamutes are different from Siberian Huskies, growing to be larger in size.
These northern dogs have a double coat that is designed to protect them against freezing conditions.
In this article, we’re going to to take a look at the different colors of Alaskan Malamutes.
Let’s get down to business and take a look in closer detail at this wonderful breed.
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What is an Alaskan Malamute?
Alaskan Malamute outdoors on a sunny day (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Alaskan Malamutes are northern dogs that are thought to be distant relatives of wolves that ran with Paleolithic hunters.
These powerful dogs were bred for their strength and endurance to haul heavy loads for practical purposes.
Malamutes went on achieve notoriety for their talent at sled racing.
They’re often nicknamed Mals for short.
Where do Alaskan Malamute come from?
These muscular dogs are thought to be descendents of wolves from 12,000 years ago.
The Mahlemuit Inupiaq people have been credited with developing these dogs over 1,000 years ago, which explains the Malamute name for the breed.
Alaskan Malamutes played an important role in the Gold Rush in Alaska due to their incredible athletic abilities.
The American Kennel Club reopened the stud book after their numbers diminished during World War II.
The AKC brought together three different strains of Alaskan Malamute – Kotzebue, M’Loot and Hinmann – in a bid to bolster their numbers.
In the 21st century, you’ll find Alaskan Malamutes in different locations around the world.
The AKC list the Alaskan Malamute as the 58th most popular dog breed in the USA.
What size are Alaskan Malamute?
Alaskan Malamutes are large dogs that can grow to a height between 25 (64cm) and 23 inches (58cm). In terms of weigh, males can be as much as 85 pounds (39kg) and females can tip the scales at 75 pounds (34kg).
What colors are Alaskan Malamute?
Alaskan Malamutes pulling a sled (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Malamutes can come in a number of different colors.
The most common shades are black and white or gray and white.
Other colors include red and white as well as solid white.
What does AKC say about Alaskan Malamute colors?
The American Kennel Club have the following to say about Alaskan Malamute colors:
The usual colors range from light gray through intermediate shadings to black, sable, and shadings of sable to red. Color combinations are acceptable in undercoats, points, and trimmings. The only solid color allowable is all white. White is always the predominant color on underbody, parts of legs, feet, and part of face markings. A white blaze on the forehead and/or collar or a spot on the nape is attractive and acceptable. The Malamute is mantled, and broken colors extending over the body or uneven splashing are undesirable.
Do Alaskan Malamutes change color?
Alaskan Malamutes can undergo a change in coat color from puppyhood to adulthood. For example, a gray and white puppy could end up being beige and white. Alternatively, sable Malamute puppies could become more brown/red when adults.
Although coat color may be an important factor for the purchaser, breeders don’t usually place too much value on coat color when selecting pups to retain for their breeding program. They’ll look for temperament, conformation and gait.
Black and White Alaskan Malamute
Black and white Alaskan Malamutes are common. They’ll have black markings on their body, including legs and face. The markings on the upper body can be their face, nape of the neck, on the collar or half collar.
Gray and White Alaskan Malamute
Another common shade is gray and white. Like black and white Malamutes, they’ll have a marked cap over the head and their face will be all white or marked with a bar or mask.
Sable and White Alaskan Malamute
A color you’ll often hear to describe dogs is sable. Alaskan Malamutes with a sable and white coat will usually have tips of the hair that are black, but the rest of the hairs will be gray, tan, gold, silver or brown.
A gray and white dog on whom the white or light areas of the coat appear red/orange/peach. This reddish coloration is distinct, includes the undercoat throughout the entire colored area of the coat, and often extends onto the face and legs.
Red and White Alaskan Malamute
You’ll often hear dog owners refer to red and white Huskies or Malamutes as a little crazy. Red and white Alaskan Malamutes are more rare than black or gray and white. Their coat can be different shades of red, leading to informal descriptions orange, peach or apricot.
White and Chocolate Alaskan Malamute
There are over 3.3 million results for Alaskan Malamute White and Chocolate on Google. These are Mals with a brown and white coat. However, you’ll spot different shades of brown to give that chocolate appearance.
Blue and White Alaskan Malamute
What is a blue and white Alaskan Malamute? Well they’re effectively Mals with a gray coat that has a blue tint.
The dog is marked with a distinct blaze up the center of the face.
Agouti and White Alaskan Malamute
An Alaskan Malamute with an agouti and white coat is quite rare. They’ve got what is described as a muddy-colored coat with sooty face.
Not all agouti malamutes keep the muddy appearance they have as puppies. It can be difficult to distinguish some agouti adults from gray and white as the dark color, particularly on the face, can fade with time.
White Alaskan Malamute
White Alaskan Malamute will be white or cream and sometimes have biscuit-colored shading on their ears.
Alaskan Malamute eye color
Alaskan Malamute have almond-shaped eyes. They’re usually brown or light brown in color.
Seal and White Alaskan Malamute
Seal and White Alaskan Malamute have a black coat that shows a white band at the base, They should have white eyebrows that really stand out. Their undercoat can be white, cream or gray.
Silver and White Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes with a seal and white coat have a largely white coat with “black tipping in the colored areas of their coat”.
Do Alaskan Malamute shed?
Alaskan Malamute (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Alaskan Malamutes aren’t considering a hypoallergenic dog breed as these northern dogs do shed.
So if you suffer with allergies to dogs, you may want to consider a different breed.
Alaskan Malamutes have a double coat that is designed to protect these beautiful specimens from inhospitable weather conditions.
Their under coat is usually dense and thick to retain heat, while their outer coat is coarse and long to prevent the rain or snow from achieving penetration.
Alaskan Malamutes will shed their coats twice a year, usually at the changing of the seasons. During this time, dog owners will need to brush their Malamute on a daily basis to remove dead hair or fur balls caught in their coat.
Anything else to consider
It’s important to remember that coat color is purely cosmetic. It has no impact on the health or performance of an Alaskan Malamute.
That’s why Malamute breeders are more concerned with conformation, temperament and gait rather than coat color.
Having said that, some breeders may charge more for puppies with certain colors.
We recommend searching out an ethical and responsible breeder if you want to buy a Malamute puppy.
You should ask to see the puppy interact with its mother, the necessary AKC papers for the parents, and the health and veterinary paperwork for both parents and pup.
We don’t believe anyone should consider buying a puppy online, at a pet store or through a third party dealer.
In conclusion
Life with Malamutes (Photo: @lifewithmalamutes / Instagram)
So there you have it, Alaskan Malamutes come in a variety of different colors.
The most common colors are black and white or gray and white. Alternatively, you can find Mals that are red and white or white.
