Alaskan Malamutes, known for their strength and endurance, are impressive working dogs from the United States. Standing at an impressive height of 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder, they sport a magnificent double coat with harsh fur that can be black, red, tan, or sable. Maintaining their coat is essential for their health and comfort. In this article, we will dive into the correct grooming procedures for Alaskan Malamutes, including bathing, brushing, and common pet grooming practices, to keep their coats in prime condition.

The End Goal

The distinctive Alaskan Malamute coat should be harsh and stand off the dog. As these dogs move, their coat should bounce and shimmer gracefully, showcasing their natural beauty. A good indicator of a well-groomed coat is the ability to sink a wide-toothed comb to the skin and pull it freely to the end of the hair shaft without resistance.

Why It’s Important to Groom an Alaskan Malamute

Grooming is crucial to an Alaskan Malamute's care. These dogs have a thick fur coat that quickly becomes tangled and matted without regular grooming. Grooming your Malamute also helps keep their coat healthy and shiny and helps prevent skin problems and parasites. 

Never Clip Or Shave Their Coat

The Alaskan Malamute is a dog breed with a double coat, meaning they have two layers of fur. The one closest to the skin is their undercoat. The undercoat is made up of short, fluffy, delicate hairs. This layer sheds and is responsible for insulation by trapping air. 

The second layer is called the topcoat. It’s made up of tough, coarse guard hairs. This coat guards your dog against insects and UV rays. The dogs' coat is capable of keeping them both warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. Shaving your snow dog’s coat does much more harm than good. The only time your dog’s coat should be shaved is for medical reasons.

How Often Should You Groom Alaskan Malamutes? 

To maintain the health and beauty of your Alaskan Malamute's coat, you should aim to bathe them once a week to once every 12 weeks. This frequency can vary depending on the dog's activities, lifestyle, and individual coat characteristics.

The Best Grooming Process for Alaskan Malamutes

Pre-grooming Steps

Before diving into the grooming process, there are a few essential pre-grooming steps. Firstly, trim or grind your dog's nails at least every four to six weeks to maintain a healthy foot structure. Keeping their nails short is essential for their comfort and mobility.

Additionally, clean their ears by swabbing with a mild ear-cleaning solution. This step ensures that their ears remain healthy and free from infection. Before bathing, quickly go over the entire body with a high-velocity dryer. This will help lift dirt and dander away from the skin and loosen any shedding coat, making the subsequent grooming process more effective.

Brushing

Brushing is a crucial step in grooming an Alaskan Malamute. You can use various tools, such as a slicker brush, rubber curry, shedding blade, de-matting tool, or an undercoat rake. However, when using tools with metal teeth or bristles, be cautious not to apply excessive force or repetition in one area, as it can cause cuts or brush burns.

Brushing and combing should continue until all loose fur is removed or it becomes difficult to remove more than a half-brush full after repeated brushing. Thorough brushing helps maintain the health of your dog's coat and reduces shedding around the house.

Sanitary Area

If your Alaskan Malamute has a sanitation problem under the tail, lightly trim this area with thinning shears. Only remove enough fur to accomplish the goal while keeping it looking very natural.

Trimming of the groin area is generally not recommended unless there's a specific sanitary problem. If trimming is necessary, do it lightly and leave the fur long enough to prevent the harsh coat from irritating the skin, which could lead to excessive licking.

Feet & Hocks

To groom your dog's feet and hocks effectively, follow these steps:

Trim the pads with a close-cutting action blade, ranging from a #15 to a #40.

Use a gentle touch to remove long hair from the pads.

If there's long fur between the toes, back brush the fur so it stands up and away from the foot.

With thinning shears, trim off the excess fur to create neat and natural-looking feet with well-arched toes.

If the hocks have longer coat on them, trim them lightly with thinning shears to maintain a clean appearance. A #4F blade used in reverse can work well for trimming the tops of the feet.

Detail Finish

The final touches in grooming your Alaskan Malamute can make a significant difference. Whether or not to remove whiskers on the muzzle is optional and depends on your preference and the client's preference if you're a professional groomer.

Finish the grooming process with a fine mist of coat polish on the body for added shine. Applying bows and a mild cologne is also optional and can be a fun way to personalize your dog's appearance.

Special Note

As you groom your Alaskan Malamute, let your hands guide you. Learn to feel for differences in coat density levels. Areas that feel heavier or denser than others require special attention when bathing, brushing, and drying.

Suggested Tools & Equipment for Grooming Alaskan Malamutes

To groom your Alaskan Malamute effectively, it's important to have the right tools and equipment on hand. Some of the essential items you'll need include:

• Clippers
• Styptic Powder (for nail trimming)
• Ear Cleaning Solution
• Cotton Balls
• #40 and #15 Blades (for pads)
• #4F Blade (for Feet & Hocks, optional)
• Slicker Brush
• Greyhound Comb
• Rubber Curry
• Carding Tool
• De-shedding Tools
• Small Detailing Shears
• Thinning Shears
• High-Velocity Dryer

Wrapping Up

Grooming an Alaskan Malamute may seem like a daunting task, but with the proper knowledge and equipment, it can become a rewarding and enjoyable routine. Regular grooming not only keeps your dog's coat in top condition but strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend. So, equip yourself with the necessary tools and follow the correct grooming procedures, and your Alaskan Malamute will look and feel fantastic.