Alaskan malamute coat color and care
Index
1 About the coat of the Alaskan Malamute
1.1 Types of hair color
1.2 Coat type
1.2.1 Overcoat
1.2.2 Undercoat
2 Do Alaskan Malamutes shed a lot?
2.1 Care instructions
2.1.1 Brushing
2.1.2 Shampoo
2.1.3 *Don't forget to take care of your nails
3 Summary
About the coat of the Alaskan Malamute
Hair color type
There are various coat colors, such as black from light gray to black, and brown from sable to red, as shown below.
・Light Gray & White
・Gray & White
・Black & White
・Sable & White
・Red & White
・White
It consists of two colors, white and the only acceptable single color, white.
Type of coat
Since the Alaskan Malamute was born and raised in cold climates, it has a thick coat that can withstand extreme cold weather. Depending on the breed, dog hair is divided into those that have a double structure and those that do not. The type with a double structure is called a "double coat" and has the following two types of hair.
Overcoat
The long, hard overcoat protects the skin from UV rays, parasites, and dirt. You can feel the rough texture when you touch it.
Undercoat
The soft, short undercoat grows densely and serves to retain body heat. It works like a feather in a down coat.
Do Alaskan Malamutes shed a lot?
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the largest dog breeds that sheds a lot of hair. The reason why there are so many is that double-coated dog breeds have a "molting period." If you have a fluffy coat all year round, you will get heatstroke because the heat will not escape from your body in the hot season. For this reason, hair grows during periods of great change in temperature and hours of sunlight, from winter to spring and summer to fall. From winter to warm spring, the densely grown undercoat is shed in large quantities and the ratio of the overcoat increases. This makes it less dense and more breathable. Conversely, from summer to autumn, a new undercoat grows from under the overcoat, and the overcoat is pushed out. During the molting season, which occurs twice a year, more hair falls out than you can imagine, so you need to be prepared.
Care instructions
Brushing
Brushing your dog casually is not just for grooming; it also promotes blood circulation in the skin and prevents fleas and ticks. In addition, you can communicate with your dog by touching its body while brushing, and it will be easier to detect skin abnormalities early.
However, not brushing properly can have the opposite effect. Therefore, choosing the right brush for your dog is the most important thing. A wire brush called a slicker brush is recommended for Alaskan Malamutes, which have long and thick hair. The sharp tip makes it possible to remove loose hair from dense undercoats like cotton.
Hartz Groomer's Best Slicker Brush for Dogs & Cats, Detangles & Helps Deshedding for All Coat Types
Shampoo
Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat because they do not have sweat glands. Therefore, even in the summer, they do not smell like sweat, but their fur easily gets dirty and gradually gives off a peculiar dog odor. So let's give it shampoo if you think it might come for a while.
As for the frequency of shampooing, dogs hate losing their odor, so once or twice a month is enough.
Shampoo is very common for humans but not for dogs. If it's your first time shampooing, you may have a lot of anxiety. Once the shampoo is perceived as something unpleasant or scary, it will become difficult in the future, so it is necessary to do it carefully. If the sound of the shower intimidates you, turn down the water flow and move the shower head closer to your body to reduce the noise. If you don't want to get wet, don't be impatient and pour hot water slowly from around the hind legs.
*Don't forget to take care of your nails
Large dogs, such as Alaskan Malamutes, are more prone to nail damage. To prevent it from breaking, please cut its nails when it makes a clicking sound when walking on the ground. Although there are individual differences, try to clip the nails every three weeks to once a month.
Summary
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the largest dog breeds that sheds a lot of hair. During the shedding season, more hair will fall out than usual, so remove it with a brush or shampoo before it falls out.
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