How often should I groom my Alaskan Malamute?

Alaskan Malamutes should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Consistent grooming keeps their thick, coarse double coat — dense woolly undercoat, harsh guard coat healthy and prevents painful matting.

How difficult is Alaskan Malamute grooming?

Alaskan Malamute grooming is rated "Hard". While experienced owners can manage at home, professional grooming assistance is beneficial for Alaskan Malamutes.

What type of coat does a Alaskan Malamute have?

The Alaskan Malamute has a thick, coarse double coat — dense woolly undercoat, harsh guard coat coat. Never shave an Alaskan Malamute. This breed's double coat is an evolved Arctic survival system — the dense undercoat insulates from cold, and the guard hairs reflect solar radiation and protect from overheating in summer. Shaving destroys both functions and may cause post-clipping alopecia where the coat never properly regrows.

What are the most popular grooming styles for Alaskan Malamutes?

Popular Alaskan Malamute grooming styles include: Natural Arctic Coat, De-Shedding Blow-Out, Seasonal Coat Treatment, Show Preparation. Each style has different maintenance requirements.

All Breeds

Hard

Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a large, powerful Arctic sled dog with one of the most substantial double coats in the canine world — a coarse, thick outer coat and a dense, oily wool undercoat designed for extreme cold. The breed sheds massively twice yearly and moderately year-round. Shaving an Alaskan Malamute is never appropriate and permanently damages the coat's function.

Coat Type

Thick, Coarse Double Coat — Dense Woolly Undercoat, Harsh Guard Coat

Groom Every

Every 6-8 weeks

Styles Available

4 cuts

Cuts & Styles

Grooming Styles

Natural Arctic Coat

The Malamute kept in its full, natural double coat with no trimming except minor tidying of the paws. The only correct grooming approach for the breed.

De-Shedding Blow-Out

An intensive professional de-shed using specialized shampoo and conditioner followed by an extended high-velocity blow-out to remove the massive volume of loose undercoat. Essential during seasonal blows.

Seasonal Coat Treatment

A deep undercoat-removal session timed to the spring or fall coat blow. Removes the blowing undercoat thoroughly in a single visit, providing weeks of reduced shedding at home.

Show Preparation

A thorough bath with coat-enhancing products, full blow-dry, and meticulous brushing to produce maximum coat volume and stand-off for the show ring.

Expert Advice

Care Tips

Never shave an Alaskan Malamute. This breed's double coat is an evolved Arctic survival system — the dense undercoat insulates from cold, and the guard hairs reflect solar radiation and protect from overheating in summer. Shaving destroys both functions and may cause post-clipping alopecia where the coat never properly regrows.
During the seasonal coat blow, an Alaskan Malamute can shed what appears to be a second dog's worth of fur in just three to four weeks. Daily brushing with an undercoat rake during this period is not optional — skip a day and the loose coat begins to felt at the skin.
The Malamute's thick coat takes a very long time to dry thoroughly — a professional force dryer is necessary. Towel-dried or air-dried coats retain moisture near the skin for hours, leading to hot spots and a characteristic musty odor.
Never allow a Malamute to run outside in winter after a bath without complete drying first — a dog with a damp undercoat loses body heat rapidly despite the apparent thickness of the coat.
The woolly undercoat is naturally odor-absorbing, which is why regular de-shedding keeps the coat fresh. Leaving the dead undercoat in place is a primary cause of the distinctive 'dog smell' many owners attribute to the breed.

Recommended Tools

What you'll need

Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush

Brush

The gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.

$60 - $75

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Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper

Nail Care

Used by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.

$10 - $15

Buy on Amazon →

Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake

Brush

The ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.

$40 - $60

Buy on Amazon →

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