Can you shave a Alaskan Malamute? No! Here’s why

When asking yourself if you can shave your Alaskan Malamute the answer is a clear and definitive NO. You should never, ever shave or clip your Alaskan Malamute’s fur. His double-coated fur has an important role and it’s there for a couple of good reasons.

Contrary to what some dog groomers or even vets say, a Alaskan Malamute should never be shaved unless we’re talking about a serious medical procedure. People who say otherwise, regardless of their ‘specialization’ should be ignored.

All this being said, grooming is a must. You should brush your Alaskan Malamute’s fur often, that’s the only way you can avoid having hair all over the place and really help him stay cool in the summer and hot in the winter.

Why you should NEVER shave a Alaskan Malamute?

Dogs do not sweat like humans. A dog cools itself by panting from the mouth, sweating at the paws and the blood in their pretty ears. So if you think about shaving your Alaskan Malamute in order to cool him, you are not helping.

Alaskan Malamute‘s have almost no pigmentation in their skin. So when you shave him, you expose his sensitive skin to the sun. Once the skin is exposed your Alaskan Malamute is vulnerable to a series of skin diseases including skin cancer. This is not a joke and it should be taken very seriously.

Your Alaskan Malamute’s fur acts as a protective coat against different insects and parasites. Also, once shaved the topcoat and the bottom coat of his fur might not grow well and blend properly. You’re practically hurting him permanently.

The double coat. What is the anatomy of a properly Groomed Alaskan Malamute double coat?

As you might have guessed the double coat is composed of two parts: the topcoat and the undercoat. Both of them are working together to provide exactly the thing your Alaskan Malamute needs: protection + warmth/cooling (based on the season).

About the Alaskan Malamute Topcoat

These are the visibly longer hairs from your Alaskan Malamute’s fur. They repel dirt, water, sun rays, and even insects and other parasites. These longer hairs are called ‘guard hairs’ by some people.

About the Alaskan Malamute Undercoat

This is the shorter and softer hairs, that are pretty well hidden beneath the topcoat. This layer of coat is extremely important as it has the active role of protecting the Alaskan Malamute in extreme temperatures – both in hot days and in cold days.

How does it all work?

The below image illustrates how air travels during hot and cold days, inside your Alaskan Malamute’s coat. I must say, that their fur is definitely fascinating by how well it manages to help the dog deal with extreme temperatures.

The natural layout of the double coat acts as an insulator during the winter and extreme cold periods by preventing the buildup of snow and ice against the skin of your Alaskan Malamute. This helps him avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

When things get hot, during the summer, the undercoat will naturally undergo a few shedding cycles. In this period, the undercoat becomes noticeably thinner. So all you need to do is brush him periodically.

An ending note

I hope you’ll agree with me when I say that the Alaskan Malamute was bred to adapt to all environments. Their amazing and mesmerizing double coat helps them stay safe and protected no matter the living situation they find themselves into.

So you should never make your Alaskan Malamute vulnerable to all the above-mentioned problems by shaving him. Do not shave your Alaskan Malamute!

If you want to help him cool off, groom him often (use a good brush, designed for double coats), exercise him in a forest or place full of shade if you have one nearby, and serve him some tasty iced treats. He will love them!