How Big Do Alaskan Malamutes Get? [Average Height & Weight]

Has the Alaskan Malamute piqued your interest? Are you wondering how big this breed typically gets? Here is all you need to know regarding their size.

So, how big do Alaskan Malamutes get? Alaskan Malamutes are considered to be a large breed of dog, typically reaching between 23-25 inches in height, at the shoulder. They weigh between 75-85 pounds on average, reaching their full adult size by the time they are 18 to 24 months old. Males are generally slightly bigger than their female counterparts.

So, you can expect a male to be at the top of the range, a female at the bottom of the range.

One other important consideration is that this is a powerful dog.

With a long working history as a sled dog in the artic, they have developed a body built for stamina and strength.

A lot of that weight is ultimate, muscle.

It comes as no surprise that their sheer presence size may be slightly overwhelming. This alone is enough to make many first-time dog owners reconsider.

But this needn’t be the case.

The Alaskan Malamute temperament is typically one of affection and gentleness.

Pair this with loyalty and devotion, and you can soon see why they make such excellent companions.

Let us now look more closely at the average size of the Alaskan Malamute (otherwise known as Mals).

We will also be covering when you can expect them to reach their full adult size when they are expected to mentally mature and the factors that influence their final size.

Finally, we will be covering whether they are right for you and your family based on their size and frame.

So, make sure that you read all the way through to get all the information you need if you are serious about taking this large cuddly dog home!

Average Height, Weight, And Size of An Alaskan Malamute?

The average Alaskan Malamute weighs between 75 to 85 pounds and reaches a height of 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder. But some giant varieties can weigh up to 165 pounds. This is not a small dog by any stretch of the imagination.

However, as we can see, there is a range and not all dogs of this breed will end up being the same size.

There are several factors that go into determining what is average for an Alaskan Malamute.

The spirited and enormous Alaskan Malamute has an appearance that is wolf-like – amazingly similar to the Siberian Husky.

However, you can easily tell the difference between the two because the Alaskan Malamute is a much larger breed.

Because of their physical strength and imposing size, the breed was originally bred for pulling heavy sleds.

While most are now bred for family pets, they have not lost their size or strength.

Alaskan Malamutes have a height of approximately 36”.

Females have a withers height of roughly 23”, and males have an average withers height of 25”. Females weigh in at about 75 pounds, while males weigh slightly more at about 85 pounds.

For both males and females, their bodies are lean but do not let that fool you – they are almost completely solid muscle!

There are also breeders who concentrate on breeding the largest Alaskan Malamutes they can.

These giant versions absolutely dwarf their smaller cousins.

Dogs bred strictly for size can weigh anywhere from 115 pounds to 165 pounds! These behemoths can definitely be too much dog for some people.

At What Age Is An Alaskan Malamute Fully Grown?

It usually takes between 18 months and 2 years for an Alaskan Malamute to reach their adult size.

Both male and female Alaskan Malamutes will generally reach full maturity at approximately 18 months to 2 years. However, this is just an average.

Your Alaskan Malamute may grow slightly slower or slightly faster, with the males weighing about 10 pounds more than their female counterparts.

To know if your pup is on track with his growth, we have broken down the growing process for both males and females.

Growth Cycle Of An Alaskan Malamute Male:

Corresponding to its size, the weight of an Alaskan Malamute male should be between 28 pounds (13.1 kg) and 33 pounds (15.1 kg) at 3 months of age.
By the time they have reached the 6-month mark, their weight range should be between 53 pounds (24.4 kg) and 62 pounds (28.2 kg).
Once they have reached a year old, their weight should be between 75 pounds (34.2 kg) and 89 pounds (40.4 kg).
Their growth will then stop around the 19-month mark.

Growth Cycle Of An Alaskan Malamute Female:

Corresponding to its size, the weight of a female Alaskan Malamute should be between 26 pounds (11.9kg) and 29 pounds (13.6 kg) when they are 3 months of age.
By the time they have reached the 6-month mark, their weight should range between 49 pounds (22.3kg) and 55 pounds (25.4 kg).
When they have reached their first birthday, your female Alaskan Malamute should weigh in at between 67 pounds (30.8 kg) and 79 pounds (35.9 kg).
Some females tend to stop growing sooner than others, anywhere between 16 and 19 months.

As you can see, these dogs put on quite a bit of weight in the early stages of life. Equally, they are relatively large puppies – especially when you compare them to other smaller breeds.

A puppy Alaskan Malamute can be larger than a full adult size toy breed, even after just a few weeks following birth!

Your Alaskan Malamute’s weight should be consistent with their height, the same way that doctors or personal trainers use body mass index charts to gauge the proper weight range for a human.

This roughly translates to about 3 pounds per inch of height at the withers for an Alaskan Malamute.

When Do Alaskan Malamutes Mentally Mature?

While most Alaskan Malamutes become mentally mature at about 5 years of age, some of them are known to never really mature at all!

If you have an Alaskan Malamute that just never seems to grow up, be prepared for life with a perpetual puppy!

They can still be trained the way you would any dog, but they will go through life acting like they are still 6 months old.

One advantage to this is that your dog will keep you constantly entertained and always remain somewhat fun and playful.

However, they do tend to forget that they have grown into big dogs so you will have to watch them around young children that can be easily knocked over.

If your Alaskan Malamute does mature the way they are supposed to, you will find them to be quite calm.

They still love to run and play but they are more conscious of the damage their size can do.

They also become very protective of their “pack”, making them an excellent choice for a guard dog. And they love nothing more than to spend their time with the humans they love.

One cautionary note – Alaskan Malamutes will challenge you for the role of alpha. They need to be taught that every member of the household is their boss and not the other way around.

Alaskan Malamutes have an extremely high level of intelligence. They need mental stimulation to keep themselves happy and healthy.

They are known to become destructive when they are bored so keep this in mind when you are searching for toys or games for them!

They are also quite accomplished escape artists, so even when they are behind a fence, they will attempt to dig their way out.

To stop this from happening, make sure that your fence is well buried beneath the surface.

What Are The Factors That Influence Their Size And Growth Rate?

The size and growth rate of an Alaskan Malamute is influenced by several different factors, most notably their sex, genetics, diet and exercise.

Let us now explore each one below:

Sex

The biggest factor that contributes to the size and growth rate of an Alaskan Malamute is the sex of the dog.

Males grow larger and weigh more than females do in almost every instance. However, depending on bloodlines, it is possible to have a female that is bigger than a male.

Genetics

Whether or not they are purebred or mixed breed will have a large part in determining the size and growth rate.

While purebred Alaskan Malamutes follow a rather structured growth schedule, mixed breeds can be all over the map.

For example, an Alaskan Malamute that is mixed with a Great Dane will grow far quicker than a purebred.

There are several other common mixes that you will find Alaskan Malamutes bred with, including German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Huskies, Akitas, and numerous others.

It is difficult to predict how quickly these mixes will grow or how big they will get because they have the genetic traits of both breeds.

Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise also play a large role in determining the size and growth rate of an Alaskan Malamute.

Your pup should always be fed a premium diet in proper amounts for their age. Do not overfeed your pet.

Obesity in dogs is becoming a global problem and not only can it shorten the lifespan of your dog, but it can also cause many other serious health problems.

Also, Alaskan Malamutes that are overweight are susceptible to debilitating joint diseases such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

When this happens, in order to spare your pet from a lifetime of pain and discomfort, expensive surgery and medications will be needed.

Keeping your pup fit and lean is vitally important to their health over the long term.

Alaskan Malamutes also require plenty of exercise to grow properly.

Since they were originally bred to be working dogs, it is in their nature to both run and play hard.

They make wonderful additions to families who are very active and always on the go.

That being said, exercise should always be at an appropriate level for the age and size of your dog.

A puppy still growing is prone to being overworked and this can impact their growth plates.

It is important that you do not do too much rigorous activity too early on when you bring your pup home. Equally, you should look to increase their activity slowly and purposefully as they age and build their stamina.

Discussing what is an appropriate activity, and the amount thereof, with your vet comes strongly advised.

Is The Size Of An Alaskan Malamute Right For You And Your Family?

There is no easy answer to this question, but your pet has certain requirements that you must be able to meet.

Alaskan Malamutes need plenty of space and exercise. They are full of energy and they need a healthy way to work it out of their system.

They are also large dogs when fully grown so they are not well suited to apartment living.

They also have a tendency to howl when they are frustrated with a lack of space or exercise so your neighbors in an apartment building will likely not appreciate the songs of an annoyed Alaskan Malamute.

Alaskan Malamutes also do not do well when they are constantly chained. Their large size virtually demands that they have the ability to run free in a safe environment.

A small yard is better than no yard at all, but you must be prepared to provide your pup with a variety of exercise options.

They have impressive stamina no matter what kind of activity they are engaged in, so you should know in advance that you will need to spend plenty of time with your pet.

They are not the type to be happy when they are constantly left to their own devices. You will definitely get a good, hard workout when you have one of these in your home!

Finally

The Alaskan Malamute is an impressive breed of dog. While you may be keen on this breed, there are certain factors that you need to take into consideration.

For one, this is a highly sensitive breed; with a high desire for companionship and the need to be around their family. Beyond this, they have high exercise requirements and they are known to shed a lot too. This does mean a lot of grooming to keep their coats healthy, and your home hygienic!

If you are on the fence about bringing this dog into your life, consider these very things:

Are you willing and able to give them the level of exercise they need,
Are you around the house enough, or is there going to be someone to spend sufficient time with them throughout the day,
Does your home or property have sufficient room; do you have open space for them to burn off any excess energy,
Are you willing and able to commit to training, socialization and ensuring that you are the alpha and leader?

If you can meet all the above criteria, then this very well could be the dog for you.

While they do require a bit of work, putting in the time and effort with this breed will be rewarded with a fun, loving, and affectionate dog.

Lastly, if you do want to get a Mal puppy, then it is advised to go through an organization such as the AKC (American Kernel Club).

This will ensure you are only in contact with reputable breeders.